1500 or 2500

newdude · January 19, 2015

Not sure how much the dirt bikes weigh, or how much firewood you take, but figuring about 400lbs for the bikes, and firewood could easily be 200lbs, not sure you have a choice between the 1500 & 2500HD. Don't see any way you would stay under the rear axle rating (rar) (about 4klbs) or even the gvwr of a 1500. At least 1100lbs tw, plus 5-600lbs in the bed. My last truck, with a cab high topper, spray in liner, ~150lbs in the bed (4 bikes, tool box), and 920lbs tw (~7300lbs loaded trailer weight) I was at the rar and over the gvwr by about 200lbs in our '10-1500. I know the '14- current 1500's have a little higher gvwr (7200lbs), but not sure you could stay under the ratings even with the higher gvwr.

Verify 4.10 gears if you go with the 6.0. The 3.73's may work, but you would probably be at the gcwr. I think the D-Max has 3.73's, no issue there at all!

What part of the US do you live? What gears are in your 1500HD, and what kind of shape is the truck in? IF your 1500HD is in good shape, has 3.73's, what about a gear change? Step to 4.10's, or even a little steeper gear set. A lot cheaper than a new truck. Just a crazy thought! Unless you WANT the new tow beast!

I agree, but it may be a case when the only truck available that someone likes has the 3.73's. I know I wouldn't take them if given the choice. Should just eliminate the 3.73 option!

4.10 comes standard and the 3.73 is a "upgrade" option.

4.10 gears are the only gears for the 6.0. The last year for 3.73 gears gas engine was 2013, and they were optional. That was the year they switched the option around if I recall. 4.10 became standard, 3.73 were the $100 option. 2014 they dropped the 3.73 and gas option all together. So, 2014 and 2015, its 4.10 gears only. 2500hd 6.0 were 4.10 only for a long time before that. 2001-2007. When the 6 speed came out, they added 3.73. Duramax is still 3.73 only.

Blue2500CC · January 19, 2015

4.10 gears are the only gears for the 6.0. The last year for 3.73 gears gas engine was 2013, and they were optional. That was the year they switched the option around if I recall. 4.10 became standard, 3.73 were the $100 option. 2014 they dropped the 3.73 and gas option all together. So, 2014 and 2015, its 4.10 gears only. 2500hd 6.0 were 4.10 only for a long time before that. 2001-2007. When the 6 speed came out, they added 3.73. Duramax is still 3.73 only.

In '13 the 3.73's were standard, 4.10's the option. Then '14 is when they changed it around, 4.10's standard, 3.73's optional.

Cosmic Charlie · January 19, 2015

The HD 25's 6.0 were ALL 4.10's for over 10 years.

Did the former 1500 with the 6.0 option offer a different rear other than the 4.10's ?

How about the 1500 with the 6.2 today - what rear is offered / does it vary / manditory if you get the tow package ?

doverarjim · January 20, 2015

Until 2014 the 3.73 was the standard and 4.10 was the option, it has been that way for years and years, my first 2500 in 86 3.73, 99 Silverado 6.0 3.73, 11 2500 HD 6.6 3.73. Not going to say that some dealerships did not just order the 4.10's on all trucks but if they did everyone paid for them. I can go back to 76 when I worked in a GMC shop and 99% of all new trucks had 3.73's.

SMiller · January 20, 2015

Until 2014 the 3.73 was the standard and 4.10 was the option, it has been that way for years and years, my first 2500 in 86 3.73, 99 Silverado 6.0 3.73, 11 2500 HD 6.6 3.73. Not going to say that some dealerships did not just order the 4.10's on all trucks but if they did everyone paid for them. I can go back to 76 when I worked in a GMC shop and 99% of all new trucks had 3.73's.

That is not correct, the '01-'07 GM HD 6.0 trucks were only available with 4.10 gears.

Big Whiskey · January 20, 2015

That is not correct, the '01-'07 GM HD 6.0 trucks were only available with 4.10 gears.

^^^This. 4:10 was the only option for the first generation of 2500HD 6.0 gassers. The light duty 2500's (or 1500HD) trucks had the 6.0 and 3:73's. When they started putting the 6 speed behind the 6.0, 3:73's became the standard ratio, and 4:10 was optional. Then, when they changed the body style in 2015, 4:10 became the only option again.

Cowpie · February 3, 2015

Well, I had a '98 2500 with a 454 and 4.10 ratio. Loved it. MPG wasn't all that bad either, as I could generally average 15-16 for all miles driven. Mostly rural two lane highway kind of stuff, so speed was not all that high. Fast forward to the '13 1500 I have now with 5.3 and 3.42. I cringed at the 3.42 ratio, as I had learned to hate that ratio in a couple of semi trucks. And my feeling was right regarding it in the 1500. Because of the rolling hill, curvy two lanes I frequent, I keep it out of 6th otherwise it would be shifting all the time and really abuse the trans and heat it up. So I run primarily in 5th for top gear. That puts the RPM to road speed about the same as a 454 or 6.0 with 4.10 diffs. And my mpg average on the 1500 is not much better than it was with the '98 with the 454. Sad.

So, to that end, I am talking with the dealer now about doing a 2500 with 6.0 and 4.10 diffs. I realize that many folks drive a lot of freeways and higher speeds, commuter kind of thing, etc, but in my rural neck of the woods, I see the freeways, maybe, twice a month on average and the pickup is not used as a daily commuter ride. Lots of two lane, gravel roads, with a little bit of small town thrown in. The 4.10 would work a lot better. And the slower speeds, my guess is that the 6.0 in top gear should deliver some relatively easy on the wallet mpg numbers. Would primarily be running a top of 1700-2100 RPM most places, and from a lot of years of Chevy engines small and large block, it always seems they do their best work in that RPM range anyway as a balance of power and mpg.

Will see. Have 4 day weekend coming up to dicker with a couple of dealers and see what kind of a deal to work out. Told them what I want so they can be looking around this week.

Oh, regarding the Dmax....

One thing that many do not take into consideration now, is the emissions stuff on them. Sure, if it is only about mpg, the break even might be at 100,000 miles, but factor in DEF and the guaranteed problems with the SCR and DPF units, and it might not be all that pleasurable for the average user in the long run. For the serious user who is really working the pickup yanking around high payloads and such on almost a daily basis, yeah, the Dmax is the better option. There is a lot of thought that needs to go into all of this. For me, not worth going Dmax.

Just wish they still had the good 'ol 454 big block. Had a couple of them over the years, and the 454 was, by far, my favorite engine.

Big Whiskey · February 3, 2015

I agree, Cowpie. It's pretty sad that these new engines get about the same MPG as the old 454. I hate the 5.3 and 3:42's as well. Granted, it's better than my '06 that had the 5.3, 3:42's, and 4-speed....but I expected better. My dad's 2015 2500HD gasser only gets 1-2 mpg less than my truck...and it's a whole lot more truck. Plus, his doesn't downshift every time you sneeze, or squat in the back if put 100 lbs of stuff in the bed. My next truck will most likely be a 2500HD...but I'm going to try to hold out for GM replacing the 6.0 with the 6.2...

SMiller · February 3, 2015

I agree, Cowpie. It's pretty sad that these new engines get about the same MPG as the old 454. I hate the 5.3 and 3:42's as well. Granted, it's better than my '06 that had the 5.3, 3:42's, and 4-speed....but I expected better. My dad's 2015 2500HD gasser only gets 1-2 mpg less than my truck...and it's a whole lot more truck. Plus, his doesn't downshift every time you sneeze, or squat in the back if put 100 lbs of stuff in the bed. My next truck will most likely be a 2500HD...but I'm going to try to hold out for GM replacing the 6.0 with the 6.2...

Same boat here, holding out for whatever the new gas motor will be whether it be a new 6.2 or 7.0 or whatever and the 8-speed auto. Nothing wrong with current drive train but I have had several and ready for better mileage, more power, and more gears.

Big Whiskey · February 3, 2015

Same boat here, holding out for whatever the new gas motor will be whether it be a new 6.2 or 7.0 or whatever and the 8-speed auto. Nothing wrong with current drive train but I have had several and ready for better mileage, more power, and more gears.

Agreed. Have you heard any reliable information about when they're going to make the change? I can't seem to find any facts...only wishful thinking and speculation...

newdude · February 3, 2015

I agree, Cowpie. It's pretty sad that these new engines get about the same MPG as the old 454. I hate the 5.3 and 3:42's as well. Granted, it's better than my '06 that had the 5.3, 3:42's, and 4-speed....but I expected better. My dad's 2015 2500HD gasser only gets 1-2 mpg less than my truck...and it's a whole lot more truck. Plus, his doesn't downshift every time you sneeze, or squat in the back if put 100 lbs of stuff in the bed. My next truck will most likely be a 2500HD...but I'm going to try to hold out for GM replacing the 6.0 with the 6.2...

I had a 2012 5.3 3.42 before my 15 HD. I had a 2006 HD 4.10 6.0 before that. 100% agree. Its night and day just driving it between the two. You can roll into it, 6th gear cruising and with the 4.10 gears, it just pulls, no downshift.

Big Whiskey · February 3, 2015

I had a 2012 5.3 3.42 before my 15 HD. I had a 2006 HD 4.10 6.0 before that. 100% agree. Its night and day just driving it between the two. You can roll into it, 6th gear cruising and with the 4.10 gears, it just pulls, no downshift.

Yep, exactly. It's a much better driving experience than the 5.3/3:42 combo. I can't even imagine how bad 3:08's would be...

Cowpie · February 4, 2015

My only concern is that if I wait for something like the 6.2, they will just carry over the same design and leave AFM intact, thereby creating a case of heartburn for owners. While they "may" have all the issues worked out on the AFM thing, I am still rather skeptical. From a power perspective and DI, the 6.2 might be a better thing to have. But only if it is tuned and set up for only the 2500/3500 trucks. I really don't want the same motor down to every detail that also goes into the 1500. If that is the case, will opt for the 6.0 any day. Man, what a game of Russian Roulette we have to play with this stuff!

Yamiryder · February 4, 2015

My only concern is that if I wait for something like the 6.2, they will just carry over the same design and leave AFM intact, thereby creating a case of heartburn for owners. While they "may" have all the issues worked out on the AFM thing, I am still rather skeptical. From a power perspective and DI, the 6.2 might be a better thing to have. But only if it is tuned and set up for only the 2500/3500 trucks. I really don't want the same motor down to every detail that also goes into the 1500. If that is the case, will opt for the 6.0 any day. Man, what a game of Russian Roulette we have to play with this stuff!

If they do offer the 6.2 in the HD'S I would be surprised if it was detuned from the 1500's. Maybe detuned and no AFM.