In a pickle with choosing a truck

805Driver · December 18, 2016

First, I would like to say hi to everyone. I'm new to the forum and a previous owner of a 2013 F150 Ecoboost FX4, in which I modded and babied. Long story short didn't love the issues that came with the truck. Now I'm looking for a different one. At the moment I'm having the trouble with deciding between a duramax lbz, 2014 Sierra 5.3, or 2013 Sierra 6.2. I know they are all very different trucks, especially with one being a diesel. I would really appreciate anyone's input on this. So far a few deciding factors have been on my mind. I do plan on running 35in tires on the truck. So mpg is a concern and power is also. Now I know if I'm worried about mpg then the 6.2 is a terbible idea, but if the difference in mpg is little then I wouldn't mind. I do also plan on doing some mods with the truck and am not sure the difficulty I might have with the new 2014. Any input from you guys would be great!

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · December 18, 2016

My personal opinion is that you should only get the Duramax if you actually need it. Too me the extra routine maintenance just isn't worth it if you just want to say you have a diesel. The '14 5.3 and '13 6.2 are different gen engines so I don't think there would be much performance difference since the Ecotec3 engines in the '14+ trucks put gens before too shame. Also if you're going to lift the truck and put 35s on it then you might as well not worry about gas mileage. I don't think it will be effected as much as it would for older trucks, but putting a lift on and worrying about MPGs doesn't go together. It's like wanting to put forced induction on it like a Turbo or Supercharger and then worry about MPGs. Those engines will do fine with power for the 35s, what you need to worry about is gear ratios. With 35s I would want 3.42s or lower (higher #).

805Driver · December 18, 2016

My personal opinion is that you should only get the Duramax if you actually need it. Too me the extra routine maintenance just isn't worth it if you just want to say you have a diesel. The '14 5.3 and '13 6.2 are different gen engines so I don't think there would be much performance difference since the Ecotec3 engines in the '14+ trucks put gens before too shame. Also if you're going to lift the truck and put 35s on it then you might as well not worry about gas mileage. I don't think it will be effected as much as it would for older trucks, but putting a lift on and worrying about MPGs doesn't go together. It's like wanting to put forced induction on it like a Turbo or Supercharger and then worry about MPGs. Those engines will do fine with power for the 35s, what you need to worry about is gear ratios. With 35s I would want 3.42s or lower (higher #).

Thanks for the good feedback! Would 35s have the same decrease in both the 6.2 and the 5.3? I really don't want any issues with the truck. Is one more bulletproof than the other?

True North Truckin · December 18, 2016

Hi 805Driver and welcome to the forum,

I actually did a similar switch over to GM trucks like you are considering a couple years back when I traded my 2013 F150 Ecoboost for a 2015 Sierra SLT 5.3 6-Speed and then later for my 2016 Silverado HC 5.3 8-Speed.

I would definitely second the opinion that if you dont plan to tow/haul heavy and frequently the Duramax (nice as they are) would be overkill and again having to deal with the significant up front price premium and paying heavier maintenance costs down the road I dont think it would be necessary.

I haven't owned a 6.2 version of the 2014+ trucks but I can say I haven't been disappointed in the driving dynamics or towing capability of my 5.3 8-speed with 3.42 gears compared to my 2013 F150 Ecoboost.

I can't really speak to how it will behave with 35" tires as I never up sized the wheels on my truck but regarding the durability both the 5.3 and 6.2 are of the same basic engine design and architecture and employ the same tech (VVT/Cylinder deactivation) so reliability should be about the same between the two, which in my admittedly limited years with these engines has been very good and was a main reason I switched to GM, My 5.3 Has been very solid hasn't been into the dealer for 1 single issue which is more then I can say for my years with my Ecoboost truck.

Best of luck with your decision!

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · December 18, 2016

Hi 805Driver and welcome to the forum,

I actually did a similar switch over to GM trucks like you are considering a couple years back when I traded my 2013 F150 Ecoboost for a 2015 Sierra SLT 5.3 6-Speed and then later for my 2016 Silverado HC 5.3 8-Speed.

I would definitely second the opinion that if you dont plan to tow/haul heavy and frequently the Duramax (nice as they are) would be overkill and again having to deal with the significant up front price premium and paying heavier maintenance costs down the road I dont think it would be necessary.

I haven't owned a 6.2 version of the 2014+ trucks but I can say I haven't been disappointed in the driving dynamics or towing capability of my 5.3 8-speed with 3.42 gears compared to my 2013 F150 Ecoboost.

I can't really speak to how it will behave with 35" tires as I never up sized the wheels on my truck but regarding the durability both the 5.3 and 6.2 are of the same basic engine design and architecture and employ the same tech (VVT/Cylinder deactivation) so reliability should be about the same between the two, which in my admittedly limited years with these engines has been very good and was a main reason I switched to GM, My 5.3 Has been very solid hasn't been into the dealer for 1 single issue which is more then I can say for my years with my Ecoboost truck.

Best of luck with your decision!

He's talking about a '13 6.2 and a '14 5.3. Probably the same difference with the '14+ 5.3 and 6.2 where the 6.2 just has a bigger bore. But, being that he's talking about a '13 6.2 it's a different gen than the '14 5.3 and I thought I read that the '14+ 5.3 Ecotec3 has more performance than the older gen '13 6.2. I've read multiple times that even the '14+ 4.3 V6 Ecotec puts the older gen 5.3 to shame.

805Driver · December 18, 2016

He's talking about a '13 6.2 and a '14 5.3. Probably the same difference with the '14+ 5.3 and 6.2 where the 6.2 just has a bigger bore. But, being that he's talking about a '13 6.2 it's a different gen than the '14 5.3 and I thought I read that the '14+ 5.3 Ecotec3 has more performance than the older gen '13 6.2. I've read multiple times that even the '14+ 4.3 V6 Ecotec puts the older gen 5.3 to shame.

So the 5.3 2014 is quicker than the 6.2 2013, or is easily accessible with some mods?

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · December 18, 2016

So the 5.3 2014 is quicker than the 6.2 2013, or is easily accessible with some mods?

Not sure since I haven't driven a 6.2 in any gen. But, I do know that the '14+ Ecotec3 engines are way above performance wise than the previous gen. Again I've read that the Ecotec3 4.3 V6 feels like the older gen 5.3 so I can only assume the Ecotec3 5.3 might be in the ballpark of the previous gen 6.2 like in the '13 you mention.

Personally I was fine with the 5.3 in my '14. Sure I wish I could have gotten then 6.2 but you'd need to get a higher trim (Chevy LTZ or above and GMC SLT or above) so no big deal.

I can tell you one thing. If you get a '13 or older do not get the 4.8 V8. My best friend has an '11 4.8 and it's gutless. Fells like a V6 to me. so if you get a '13 or older get a 5.3 or bigger.

805Driver · December 19, 2016

Can anyone give me a rough idea with the mpg difference with a 2013 6.2 on 35s and 2014 5.3 on 35s? I do plan on regearing, but not for awhile.

bubbagumpshrimp · December 20, 2016

The 6.2 requires premium fuel (per the owners manual). The 5.3 does not. I wouldn't consider the 6.2 for that reason alone. I've spent the last 3.5 years paying for pricey fuel (diesel car). I have no interest in filling up a land yacht with premium fuel.

Keep in mind that it's not just about how many miles per gallon you get, but how much a gallon of fuel runs you. If you're just looking to jack it up and/or run 35"+ tires...focus more on the gearing (ex. the 3.42+ comment above) and go with the 5.3L to keep the regular fuel.

dirtfan21 · December 20, 2016

If interiors and technology are not something that concerns you then I would go with the '13 6.2L. That engine does not have AFM, nor does it have the valve carbon issues some folks are experiencing. You are looking at 50HP or so difference between the 400HP 6.2L and the 5.3L which is roughly 350HP.

On the flip side, the interiors, styling, and technology are light years ahead on the K2XX trucks.