Assessing a used 3500 8.1

maxpower29 · November 26, 2016

Does anyone think I should worry about changing stuff like spark plugs or anything like that right now at 89k?

Formulabruce · November 27, 2016

If you go there, for plugs, ( due at 100K, BUT..) make sure engine is warm. and put a tiny bit of " never seize " on the plug threads. Leave the short plug wires. Boots might be tight to get off.

Your L18 has 450 Ft Lbs of torque and is the Only Big Block Gm "LS-isfied". These can pull a mountain.... Glad its in such nice shape.

Take care of it, and It will take care of You

maxpower29 · November 27, 2016

If you go there, for plugs, ( due at 100K, BUT..) make sure engine is warm. and put a tiny bit of " never seize " on the plug threads. Leave the short plug wires. Boots might be tight to get off.

Your L18 has 450 Ft Lbs of torque and is the Only Big Block Gm "LS-isfied". These can pull a mountain.... Glad its in such nice shape.

Take care of it, and It will take care of You

Ya I always put never seize on them when I ever do. I find some trucks are different though. My 4 cylinder Tacoma says it can go to 160 000 kms before you change them, but then says the V6 needs to be changed around 50 000kms which sounds insane. I think i'll do them just for the sake of it if they are cheap. Also trying to locate some Transynd now here in Nova Scotia

Raptordude · November 28, 2016

13.8 is outstanding for an 8.1. Even for a 6.0 that is good

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maxpower29 · November 29, 2016

Ya I was very pleased with that. I do also use good mpg habits and drive the speed limit so I can see why so many people get lower. You actually have to put a bit of effort in that I have got use to over the years. Few things I need to figure out though are

- both keyless entry let's don't work. Hope it's an easy fix or I'll just get the Viper kit I guess

- I need a tailgate latch but apparently they are a billion dollars to buy

- need to get it undercoated

- also what is this? Just a broken ground cable?

davester · November 29, 2016

That looks like the ground cable to the hood. Just the action of opening/closing the hood makes they break off. Just a redundant ground path, as they got rid of the light in the hood that would go on when you open it...

kstruckcountry · November 29, 2016

I would check the batteries in the remotes first.

I just did the rear of my frame in POR15. This stuff means business.

I'd check online for the latch.

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Chris · November 29, 2016

For the remotes, replace batteries and go through programming procedures. You have to program all remotes in one go. When programming starts, the truck impairs from all of them to start

maxpower29 · November 29, 2016

OK I figured they had to be programed. I got a couple batteries and I'll try when I'm home today. How do you program them correctly?

vucelick · November 29, 2016

Any suggestion with the tranny fluid though? Should I flush or just replace? Read that trasynd is the best fluid, hope I can get it here

Skip the transynd. I swapped to it a couple years ago after reading about it. After a while the trans started "flaring" the shift into 5th under light throttle. I talked to some fleet tranny guys and they suggested i change back. I did, end of problem. I have the 8.1/allison combo you have. I had never heard anything bad about transynd and with all the other good fluids out there that are less expensive i say run one of them instead. Just my experience.

maxpower29 · November 29, 2016

What did you end up running?

Daryl Z71 · November 29, 2016

I would check the batteries in the remotes first.

I just did the rear of my frame in POR15. This stuff means business.

I'd check online for the latch.

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Man that looks nice. I can't wait to get mine blasted eventually, and repaint it again.

maxpower29 · December 1, 2016

Replaced the batteries and one remote can be reprogrammed but the other wont. Gonna look for a new one!

maxpower29 · December 2, 2016

Oil change with Mobil one 10w30 synthetic and quaker state filter

Bought a fuel filter to change

Changed the air filter with fram one, only one I could find not a million dollars

Bought some plasti dip to cover the tacky rear chrome bumper. God I hate chrome, plus it has a few rust spots I want to buff down

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One thing I cant figure out though is when I re set the oil life it goes to 83% and not 100% for some reason. Anyone see this before. Heres a couple pics too and my co driver on the way home

maxpower29 · February 6, 2017

Couple questions if anyone is still reading. I have all the Amsoil and Allison fluids and ready to replace them all. I see my rear diff does not have a drain plug. So do I just simply pull the cover off and drain it and refill? Do I just change this gasket?

http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1321289&cc=1412187&jnid=591&jpid=2

Nothing else? Or do you use other gasket as well? I never did one like this before so I'm not sure. Also just so I'm clear, the allison fluid change is just drain the 7-8 quarts and replace it and just spin the filter off and replace it?

After the summer I plan on doing it again to up the fluid to 85% or so