Which GMT800 (1999-2007) is best?

[hitempguy]

I'm looking at getting rid of my 1993 GMC K1500 as a tow vehicle in favour of a newer pickup.

Are there any glaring differences between the different years of GMT800? Do any tow better than others?

I've heard 2005-2007 have electric fans, might have aluminum blocks (hit or miss), bigger brakes, and 2004-2007 have drive-by-wire.

Anything else I am missing? Completely not worried amenities/interior/exterior wise, only worried about mechanical capability. Considering I am pretty happy with the 1993 towing 7000lbs through the mountains (and with only 3.73's to boot, not 4.10's), I think I'll be pretty happy with any of them obviously. Just looking for the "best". I've towed with my dad's bone stock 2004 crew cab 4x4 5.3L, and it definitely tows better overall.

 

I don't want a 4.8L or 6.0L, pretty focused on the 5.3L

[fondupot]

07 classics were pretty much the perfection of the GMT 800 chassy....

[Carder09]

Sure, 05+. Though I had an 06 that I Loved so just pick.

[KMGZ400]

The newer the better, would recommend and 03+ , better interior and more power

[Chris]

I like 03-04. 4 wheel discs, and during a routine brake job upgraded to the 05-07 front brakes. So now I have the best of both

[kstruckcountry]

06-7 are my favorite. The E-fans are nice. Flex fuel have the iron block, wouldn't hesitate to get aluminum though. I have 3.73's, rated at 9k I think, I have pulled slightly over that once and it did fine, pulling boats or whatever it doesn't break a sweat. I wouldn't hesitate to get a 6.0, it's essentially the same motor only more power, the fuel mileage will be almost exactly the same. There are very few of them in the half tons though.

[Chris]

06-7 are my favorite. The E-fans are nice. Flex fuel have the iron block, wouldn't hesitate to get aluminum though. I have 3.73's, rated at 9k I think, I have pulled slightly over that once and it did fine, pulling boats or whatever it doesn't break a sweat. I wouldn't hesitate to get a 6.0, it's essentially the same motor only more power, the fuel mileage will be almost exactly the same. There are very few of them in the half tons though.

Describes my truck except I don't have 3.73 gears

[hitempguy]

The newer the better, would recommend and 03+ , better interior and more power

 

This is the kind of info I am looking for, while interior isn't a big deal, I did not realize the interiors changed. Thanks!

 

I like 03-04. 4 wheel discs, and during a routine brake job upgraded to the 05-07 front brakes. So now I have the best of both

 

I did not know this either. 4 wheel discs are definitely a bonus, and it's good to know that it's easy to upgrade if needed Like I was saying, the 93 was adequate in most ways, just getting old. And more power was hard to come by with it.

 

06-7 are my favorite. The E-fans are nice. Flex fuel have the iron block, wouldn't hesitate to get aluminum though. I have 3.73's, rated at 9k I think, I have pulled slightly over that once and it did fine, pulling boats or whatever it doesn't break a sweat. I wouldn't hesitate to get a 6.0, it's essentially the same motor only more power, the fuel mileage will be almost exactly the same. There are very few of them in the half tons though.

 

I think the 06-07's will be out of my price range. 05's are do-able, but since this is a tow beast, the clutch driven fan doesn't exactly hurt my feelings. We did the e-fan swap on a 2004 k1500, if I want to in the future I could always do that.

[Chris]

The electric fan swap is easy. I did that. And the newer front brakes are a direct swap on 03-04 if you have 17" or larger wheels on it.

[hitempguy]

The newer the better, would recommend and 03+ , better interior and more power

 

This is the kind of info I am looking for, while interior isn't a big deal, I did not realize the interiors changed. Thanks!

 

I like 03-04. 4 wheel discs, and during a routine brake job upgraded to the 05-07 front brakes. So now I have the best of both

 

I did not know this either. 4 wheel discs are definitely a bonus, and it's good to know that it's easy to upgrade if needed Like I was saying, the 93 was adequate in most ways, just getting old. And more power was hard to come by with it.

 

06-7 are my favorite. The E-fans are nice. Flex fuel have the iron block, wouldn't hesitate to get aluminum though. I have 3.73's, rated at 9k I think, I have pulled slightly over that once and it did fine, pulling boats or whatever it doesn't break a sweat. I wouldn't hesitate to get a 6.0, it's essentially the same motor only more power, the fuel mileage will be almost exactly the same. There are very few of them in the half tons though.

 

I think the 06-07's will be out of my price range. 05's are do-able, but since this is a tow beast, the clutch driven fan doesn't exactly hurt my feelings. We did the e-fan swap on a 2004 k1500, if I want to in the future I could always do that.

[02suburbanZ71]

2003 came with drive by wire in the trucks and 2004 was upgraded to 295 hp.

[Daryl LBZ]

2005 and up

[efritz]

They are all good overall. My opinion is that the electronics on the 03 and 04 were sketchy and the tranny was upgraded on the 05 and up with a hardened sunshell so that's a plus. so I would go with an 01 or 02 or an 05-07.

[02suburbanZ71]

They are all good overall. My opinion is that the electronics on the 03 and 04 were sketchy and the tranny was upgraded on the 05 and up with a hardened sunshell so that's a plus. so I would go with an 01 or 02 or an 05-07.

Not trying to start any debates, but there are many articles that i have read where people debate the craftsman ship is better in 2002. I do not know why and the 07 classic is the best of the 800's because of all the fixes as stated above.

[CoasterCOG]

My advise from owning my 99 is to check the brake lines if the truck came from anywhere they use salt on the roads. Had to replace them all on my truck since they rusted through in 7 years.