Help me make up my mind!

Lilcanadian · June 3, 2015

Hello all,

I've been throwing around the idea of getting a new truck lately (well new to me) and it would be nice to get feedback from the guys and gals who drive these trucks daily. I'm looking for a truck that's fun to drive (so a little bit of power) and that's reliable. My first choice would be a 2011 to 2013 1500 with the 6.2 but man those are hard to come by in my area.

My second choice would be a 2500 with the 6.0, now I know this is a much heavier truck but my question is, does it feel sluggish? I'm not trying to win races or anything but just wanna have fun.

I tow quite often but not very heavy, (6x10 enclosed with an 800lbs quad in it), so would the 2500 be overkill?

Last but not least, should I be ruling out the 5.3? the only thing steering me away from them is the frequent "my truck burns oil" issue.

All opinions and thoughts are welcome, sorry for all the questions.

intheburbs · June 3, 2015

Well, I have a 3/4 ton Suburban with the 6.0, and a half-ton Sierra Denali with the 6.2.

While the Suburban by no means feels slow, the Denali is a beast of another color.1000 lbs less and 50 more horsepower makes for a much more enjoyable drive. The Denali also gets better mileage, but it does have the 3.42 rear compared to the 3.73 in the Burb. Both trucks are dead-nuts reliable, but then again, neither engine has AFM, the cause of the dreaded oil consumption issue.

When I was looking for a pickup, I ruled out all GMT900 trucks with the 5.3. I was looking at half-tons with the 6.2, or 2500s with the 6.0. The 2500 trucks I looked at generally had fewer options, and seemed like they were worked harder. More dings, tears, etc. I like all the options in the Denali - remote start, heated seats, heated wheel, Bose system, etc.

Lilcanadian · June 3, 2015

Thanks for the reply intheburbs, I have the same thoughts about the 5.3 and its AFM, even though the truck I buy will most likely get a tune dis activating it. I would love a Denali but 4x4 is a must for winter around here and I do a little off-roading here and there. On that thought, do you have the awd system on your Denali, if so how do you find it?

Nanotech Environmental · June 4, 2015

I can't speak a lot about the newer 5.3's but I have one in my 06.

As far as I'm concerned, the earlier models of 5.3's are simply one of the best engines ever conceived, designed, engineered, created and installed in any vehicle at any time in history. Period.

Regarding the newer ones with AFM. It seems to me that probably at least part of the oil usage issue is caused by the lack of a power pulse in the alternate cylinders when AFM is activated. No power pulse means the rings aren't fully seated against the cylinder walls on the power stroke. This allows a tiny bit more oil than normal oil up past the rings on each stroke. Not much each time, but over a few thousand miles, easily enough to add up to a quart or two.

I'd be willing to guess that the guys with the worst AFM oil problems are doing a lot of easy steady state highway miles in flat areas like the great plains/prairies.......

intheburbs · June 4, 2015

Thanks for the reply intheburbs, I have the same thoughts about the 5.3 and its AFM, even though the truck I buy will most likely get a tune dis activating it. I would love a Denali but 4x4 is a must for winter around here and I do a little off-roading here and there. On that thought, do you have the awd system on your Denali, if so how do you find it?

Yes, I have the AWD system. It's great on dry or wet pavement. Just nail the throttle and you go; virtually no wheel slip. The little cubbyhole where the transfer case switch should be is kind of worthless for any kind of storage.

I am a little concerned about winter time - the traction control applies the brakes to the slipping wheel(s), and I've never had much confidence in that kind of system. It does have the G80 locker, so that will definitely help. If I had to guess, I'd say the Suburban will be better in snow, since it has no center differential. I plan to do some unscientific "tests" once the white stuff starts to fall.

I can't speak a lot about the newer 5.3's but I have one in my 06.

As far as I'm concerned, the earlier models of 5.3's are simply one of the best engines ever conceived, designed, engineered, created and installed in any vehicle at any time in history. Period.

Agreed. My '01 Burb has 205k miles, and the 5.3 still purrs like a kitten. As long as the body doesn't rust away, I'd wager it'll easily hit 300k. Only GM could FU such a perfect motor. That being said, the 5.3 AFM issues have driven me to my 6.0 and 6.2 trucks. They don't suck.

Lilcanadian · June 4, 2015

Yeah I'm sure the 5.3 would still be a great motor if not for the AFM and it probably still can be with it disactivated right?

I really like the look of the gmt800, but the ones that I've seen for sale so far are starting to show their age (body rust), probably because of the salt on the roads in the winter here. This is why I'm looking for a 2011-2013.

Anyone else, 1500 or 2500 gasser?

Lilcanadian · June 4, 2015

Yes, I have the AWD system. It's great on dry or wet pavement. Just nail the throttle and you go; virtually no wheel slip. The little cubbyhole where the transfer case switch should be is kind of worthless for any kind of storage.

I am a little concerned about winter time - the traction control applies the brakes to the slipping wheel(s), and I've never had much confidence in that kind of system. It does have the G80 locker, so that will definitely help. If I had to guess, I'd say the Suburban will be better in snow, since it has no center differential. I plan to do some unscientific "tests" once the white stuff starts to fall.

Agreed. My '01 Burb has 205k miles, and the 5.3 still purrs like a kitten. As long as the body doesn't rust away, I'd wager it'll easily hit 300k. Only GM could FU such a perfect motor. That being said, the 5.3 AFM issues have driven me to my 6.0 and 6.2 trucks. They don't suck.

I'm sure that like you I'd be very happy with the Denali until the snow starts to fall, it would be great to get feedback on the performance of AWD in the snow though ?