Impressions on the 4.3L V6

Grumpy Bear · October 22, 2017

45,000 miles (72,420 km) on my 2015. Lifetime fuel average is just under 27 mpg. (8.7 liter/100k). 3.23 open diff. 2WD. No tune. K&N drop in and a colder thermostat. Those are the performance mods. Period. Pretty Vanilla.

If I were going to spend the $1,000 for a 5.3 I wouldn’t. What I would do is spend that money on a 3.73-3.90 gear and a Torsen Locker. It’s actually in the works.

This RCSB weighs 4520 lbs. Motor makes 287 hp. 15.75 lbs./hp. My 76 Vette 20 lbs./hp. This little motor isn’t hurting for power.

After 2014 the integrated oil cooler and trans coolers with the larger tow package radiator became standard equipment. Even the lowly 3.23 open 2WD is rated for 5500 tow. Stiffer 3.48 raises that a thousand. Haul is 6600 lbs. GVW or about a ton minus my fat backside. I have no idea what people expect from a half ton truck. You want more? Buy more. Don't run down what is likely the best buy in light trucking.

I might be the 4.3's biggest fan. I live in the real world. Not the one of 'what if I wanted to' or 'someday I might want to'.

If you want to live in that world I have two trucks you will never beat. The one I use to have and the one I'm going to build. ROTFLMAO

Donstar · October 22, 2017

Impressive mileage! ^ I have much heavier truck being a CC 4X4 and I have the 3.42 gear ratio. My best has been 10.0 L per 100km and this combination is rated to pull 7,000 lbs. My truck often needs to do the job of a sedan for seniors so it needs to be comfortable and easy to get in and out. If I only needed a truck for my projects, I'd like a base, regular cab, V6, 2wd, 5spd. manual, standard box 1500 series truck. (These are offered outside of US and Canada).

mookdoc6 · October 22, 2017

13 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

45,000 miles (72,420 km) on my 2015. Lifetime fuel average is just under 27 mpg. (8.7 liter/100k). 3.23 open diff. 2WD. No tune. K&N drop in and a colder thermostat. Those are the performance mods. Period. Pretty Vanilla.

If I were going to spend the $1,000 for a 5.3 I wouldn’t. What I would do is spend that money on a 3.73-3.90 gear and a Torsen Locker. It’s actually in the works.

This RCSB weighs 4520 lbs. Motor makes 287 hp. 15.75 lbs./hp. My 76 Vette 20 lbs./hp. This little motor isn’t hurting for power.

After 2014 the integrated oil cooler and trans coolers with the larger tow package radiator became standard equipment. Even the lowly 3.23 open 2WD is rated for 5500 tow. Stiffer 3.48 raises that a thousand. Haul is 6600 lbs. GVW or about a ton minus my fat backside. I have no idea what people expect from a half ton truck. You want more? Buy more. Don't run down what is likely the best buy in light trucking.

I might be the 4.3's biggest fan. I live in the real world. Not the one of 'what if I wanted to' or 'someday I might want to'.

If you want to live in that world I have two trucks you will never beat. The one I use to have and the one I'm going to build. ROTFLMAO

mookdoc6 · October 22, 2017

I am Huge Fan of the 4.3L Always have been......They used to be tough as nails and I am sure this one is about perfect for N/A

Grumpy Bear · October 22, 2017

20 minutes ago, Donstar said:

Impressive mileage! ^ I have much heavier truck being a CC 4X4 and I have the 3.42 gear ratio. My best has been 10.0 L per 100km and this combination is rated to pull 7,000 lbs. My truck often needs to do the job of a sedan for seniors so it needs to be comfortable and easy to get in and out. If I only needed a truck for my projects, I'd like a base, regular cab, V6, 2wd, 5spd. manual, standard box 1500 series truck. (These are offered outside of US and Canada).

That's what, 23.5 mpg? Right? CC4X4? Impressive yourself!

I would have bought the 5 speed manual if it had been offered having never driven the 6L80 but after living with it for some time I have to say I'm as impressed with it as I am the V6. Whoever thought up adaptive learning, wow! I'm kind'a glad I didn't have a choice or I might not have given it a chance.

Know what I think the issue people have with this motor is? Ignorance. I don't mean that in a condescending way either. They just don't know what it is and are not willing to find out. They are stuck a decade back visualizing the iron 4.3 and listening to hear say and speech of those who haven't tired one but feel qualified to judge one. Or/and (with a harsher tone) those who ask too much. Guys that really needed a 2500 diesel and couldn't afford one so bought what they could afford and pass on their disappointment the half ton never justly earned.

Around here most of the 1500's I see are pulling nothing and hauling nothing. The few that are pull light trailers with lawn equipment from lot to lot in the city. Landscapers and such. Dad has an 89 RCLB with an iron 4.3 and pulls a car hauler all over the Midwest without issue. I've driven it and hope he leaves it to me.

Donstar · October 22, 2017

I've owned 6 cyl 1/2 tons from each decade back to the 60's. Current 6 cyl engines are putting out 2-3 times horsepower of the trucks I first owned. Spending many years hauling loads in trucks barely breaking a 100 hp gives one an appreciation for the new generation V6's!

Grumpy Bear · October 22, 2017

15 minutes ago, Donstar said:

I've owned 6 cyl 1/2 tons from each decade back to the 60's. Current 6 cyl engines are putting out 2-3 times horsepower of the trucks I first owned. Spending many years hauling loads in trucks barely breaking a 100 hp gives one an appreciation for the new generation V6's!

I can't say that. This is my fist pickup. I do remember a little Ford 300 sixer in one of dad's half tons. I've know guys to pull 40 footers over Loveland pass with them. Sixers are no joke. This 4.3 will have it's own following and create it's own legend. You can't remind someone of something that happened before they were born so for those types let's call it an education of what greatness looks like:

https://jalopnik.com/heres-why-the-ford-300-inline-six-is-one-of-the-greates-1795351528

2017_whitez71 · October 22, 2017

I have had 4.3l in my 3 previous trucks. Had a 94, a 99 and 14. The 94 had 186,000 on it with no engine problems ever. The 99 had 202,000 only engine problem was a bad primary coil. The 14 only had 24,000 on it when I trade it in, but no problems. I am a big fan of the 4.3, however my 17 is a 5.3. I would have gladly took another 4.3 just happened to be the 5.3 was the engine that was in the truck that I wanted.

spectorfreak · October 23, 2017

Turning in my 2015 4.3 for a 2017 5.3 today.

I'm NOT turning it because I wanted the 5.3, but because I'm getting a great deal on a lease pull ahead.

I actually asked if I could get a 4.3 and all they had were 5.3s.

Perseus · October 23, 2017

I am just about turning 60,000 in my 14 ccsb in a few weeks here. I've been sticking to 5,000 mile oil changes. I've ditched the front air damn and leveled it 2", I absolutely love this truck. Work commute i usually get an average of 20 mpgs and on long trips I average 25. Excuse the shitty orientation. Tapatalk

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Donstar · October 23, 2017

14 minutes ago, Perseus said:

I am just about turning 60,000 in my 14 ccsb in a few weeks here. I've been sticking to 5,000 mile oil changes. I've ditched the front air damn and leveled it 2", I absolutely love this truck. Work commute i usually get an average of 20 mpgs and on long trips I average 25. Excuse the shitty orientation. Tapatalk

Sent from my SM-J727V using Tapatalk

Nice truck! What mirrors do you have?

Perseus · October 25, 2017

Nice truck! What mirrors do you have?

Thank you. They are 1aauto. They work just fine. I have dl8 and kept the same options, they hear but i didn't add turn signals. Slightly regret until i reread what is involved lol.

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Donstar · October 25, 2017

4 hours ago, Perseus said:

Thank you. They are 1aauto. They work just fine. I have dl8 and kept the same options, they hear but i didn't add turn signals. Slightly regret until i reread what is involved lol.

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Signal and power fold are nice options. I had them on my last truck. However, I am leaning towards the same mirrors as you have as I agree that upgrading is involved and expensive. My wife and I are currently making plans for a major road trip and if I can add pgamboa on the list of tourist attractions I may change my mind and get signals and fold!

KARNUT · October 25, 2017

I used to be a V8 or diesel only person. I own 5 vehicles only 1 is a V8, 2 are 4cylinder they come a long way.

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Donstar · April 10, 2019

I thought I'd rekindle this thread to share an experience I had yesterday. I was picking up my travel trailer after having it serviced at the RV dealer approximately 80 miles south. There is hilly terrain and a mountain pass separating this dealership and my home. I had just hooked up my trailer ready to leave for home when I received a call that my wife needed to get emergency medical attention. Thankfully we have family close by to help out but needless to say my motivation was high to get home quickly. (nothing life altering but still a worry) The dust from yesterday has settled and I thought I'd add a little more of a plug for GM's non-V8 engines. The GVWR of my new travel trailer is rated at the maximum tow limit of my truck. (7K lbs.) Pulling my unloaded trailer (approx.. 4K lbs.) I made this 80 km trip in "record" time" and not once did I want or have the need for more power. Driving aggressively as I did burns more gas but a tuned 6.2 on steroids wouldn't have got me home a minute sooner! ;-)