02 2500hd 8.1l

[theflatlander]

If it's still available I will be looking at a 02 2500hd with 8.1l tomorrow that has only 60k. This will be a tow/haul truck.

 

Besides the gas mileage is there any reason I should avoid this truck, or anything I should be looking for when checking it out?

[Raptordude]

Check out the brake lines for rust, other than that nothing that I know og

 

 

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[Formulabruce]

Ill add the steering column can make a clunking sound ( upper column shaft joint ,not a big deal really) If it has sat and has Disc brake rear, check for Rust. These trucks were made in 2500 and 2500 HD, make sure you are looking at what ya want. The regular 2500 is a 1500 HD basically with a semi floater rear and weak 1500 rear frame.

[mike221]

OE crank position sensors had a recall on them, so make sure thats been done. If it does have an 8.1, then it will be a 2500HD. Will have an Allison and an 11.5" too. Fuel consumption is your only real major concern with these trucks. That, and they love to burn oil.

 

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[onebad8.1]

If it's 4x4 check for the dreaded pump rub on the transfer case and the oil cooler lines I replaced mine every 7 years but other than that there great trucks I love mine and there beast for towing

[Raptordude]

As far as the crank position thing goes, I had to do that on my 6.0 and it's easy. It WILL leave you sit if it goes bad, which sucks. But it's a $60 part and you can install it in 20 minutes

 

 

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[cfsierra]

make sure the coolant looks good and isn't the original from 2002! i let mine go waaaay to long and it created a lot of sludge and costing a lot to repair. i forget when the allison tranny was available; check if it has it as that's preferable over the 4l80e from what I've read. if i replace my current truck it would be a 8.1/allison combo. good luck!

[davester]

Why is the allison preferable over the 4l80e? The 4L80e is certainly a strong, reliable transmission that's not prone to failure.

[Raptordude]

As far as I know, (I could be wrong) the Allison and 4l80e have pretty much the same strength, except the Allison is a 6 speed which leads to lower highway rpm cruising and lower rpms between shifts. Also, even though it would have been good to have the coolant changed, it should be ok. I have a 2001 2500HD with the gas 6.0 and it just had its first coolant flush a couple months ago. Despite being so old, there was very little to no corrosion at all, so I think you would be fine

 

 

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[dewfpo]

The Allison is said to be more stout, especially when worked hard behind the 8.1L. The Allison's were 5 speeds until 2006, when they became 6 speeds.

 

DEWFPO

[Beaux Duke]

I haven't had any issues with the metal brake lines on mine but I live down south and we don't salt our roads. However I did have to replace the rubber brake line on the front passenger side last week. I also had the crank sensor failure but it wasn't very difficult to repair. Also over the 16 years of ownership I'm on my 3rd battery.

 

The Allison is a great transmission and it's needed behind the 8.1 because of the torque. I've got 94K on mine and it's sole purpose in life is to pull my trailer for my Kubota L48 TLB or my 5th wheel camper. I get about 8mpg loaded so I put a tank in the bed to give me about 60 gallons of fuel and a range over 400 miles. I use Castrol GTX 10w30 and have no oil consumption issue. In 2001 the Duramax was only slightly more powerful (way more torque today) and cost an extra $4,500 over the 8.1. That much savings bought a lot of gas. My math said I'd break even at around 100K. I'd do it again if GM still offered the 8.1

[Super 8]

Why is the allison preferable over the 4l80e? The 4L80e is certainly a strong, reliable transmission that's not prone to failure.

The Avalanche and the Suburban share the same 4-L85E transmission and that is the only way the the Suburban and Avalanche with a 8.1L came.

[brainpause]

Found an 02 2500HD 8.1L with 133k miles on her. Owner admits to "rod knocking" but it is still drivable.

 

Assuming the worst, what would replacement with a crate engine run, labor and all?

 

Larry

[Formulabruce]

Found an 02 2500HD 8.1L with 133k miles on her. Owner admits to "rod knocking" but it is still drivable.

 

Assuming the worst, what would replacement with a crate engine run, labor and all?

 

Larry

I would see if the "rod" knock gets a lot quieter when engine has warmed up. It could be Piston slap, a common issue on 200-2002 GM engines as they went super light weight . If thats the case it will run a very very long time with the noise... IF its a rod knock, better find a crate engine

[brainpause]

But any idea how much that would run?