V6 in CC 4x4 with full size bed?

John Baucom · January 9, 2017

If a full-size V6 is enough to do the job, I'd just get a Colorado Duramax and have an easier-to-drive truck with better towing AND far better fuel economy.

In my case, it was just the opposite. I wanted a crew cab Colorado 4x4, as it was all the truck I needed. While I was shopping, I found my Sierra SLE crew cab 4x4 with a 4.3, and it was over $3,000 cheaper than a comparable Colorado. I figured that if a V6 Colorado met my needs, then a roomier truck with more equipment, more payload, comparable towing, and more torque wouldn't disappoint.

Brian S. · January 9, 2017

Just 2 things I would consider, the mileage difference is very small between the 4.3 and the 5.3. Most important would be the resale value of the 6 vs. the 8, most people looking for a used truck will want the 5.3 and trade values will reflect that. If you plan on driving it for 5 years or more, the small savings on fuel may even out to the diminished resale value.

When I traded in the 2014 V6, they dealer lowered his offer $1000. when he looked it up on the computer and found out it was a 4.3l. They didn't notice or realize it when they test drove it.

I went from a 2010 5.3l to the 2014 4.3l and I didn't notice much either. The new 4.3l has 90% of the hp/torque of the 2010 5.3l and generates it at the same RPMs.

People that would "never drive a V6 truck" were driving pretty much the equivalent of this one in 2010 if they had a 5.3l, and I bet it weighed about the same.

When I put E85 in the 4.3l it felt faster than the old 5.3l.

Donstar · January 9, 2017

When I traded in the 2014 V6, they dealer lowered his offer $1000. when he looked it up on the computer and found out it was a 4.3l. They didn't notice or realize it when they test drove it.

I went from a 2010 5.3l to the 2014 4.3l and I didn't notice much either. The new 4.3l has 90% of the hp/torque of the 2010 5.3l and generates it at the same RPMs.

People that would "never drive a V6 truck" were driving pretty much the equivalent of this one in 2010 if they had a 5.3l, and I bet it weighed about the same.

When I put E85 in the 4.3l it felt faster than the old 5.3l.

My experience was similar going from a '09 5.3 to a '15 4.3. I appreciate that the new 5.3 is more powerful and fuel efficient than our older 5.3's but I certainly didn't need more power. I did want better fuel economy and this improvement is very noticeable. One salesman warned me about the hit at trade-in time. However, I don't anticipate this "hit" will exceed my savings at purchase!

Brian S. · January 10, 2017

My experience was similar going from a '09 5.3 to a '15 4.3. I appreciate that the new 5.3 is more powerful and fuel efficient than our older 5.3's but I certainly didn't need more power. I did want better fuel economy and this improvement is very noticeable. One salesman warned me about the hit at trade-in time. However, I don't anticipate this "hit" will exceed my savings at purchase!

If a person does a lot of driving on 55mph highways, I could see the 4.3l paying off big time. I used to get 22-24mpg on trips like that, and never see mileage like that with the 5.3s.

Insurance was less on the 4.3l truck as well, so both of these offset the trade in hit.

mookdoc6 · January 10, 2017

Yes I agree with the comment about the 300 cu in 6. I owned five trucks with this motor! The new 4.3 V6 is a much stronger, technologically advanced and more efficient engine. Your comment about "modern" trucks being far heavier than 80's trucks catches me by surprise. Logic would tell me the new ones are lighter! The real comparison comes from everyday use and I have yet to find myself in a situation where the 300 or the 4.3 couldn't handle the task! I don't feel castrated driving a truck with a V6. The only way anyone will know is if I tell them!

That is a common misnomer in the AUTO/TRUCK segment the vehicles are far heavier today than the decades before!

mookdoc6 · January 10, 2017

I posted this picture several months ago as I am pretty proud of my truck!

I would be too! That motor will far exceed your expectations and any FERD truck you owned prior I bet! Glad to see your in a GMC

Brian S. · January 11, 2017

That is a common misnomer in the AUTO/TRUCK segment the vehicles are far heavier today than the decades before!

http://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/1999/Chevrolet/SILVERADO-1500-PICKUP-1-2-Ton-V8/Fleetside-Extended-Cab/Specs

1999 Chevy ext cab weight - 4234lbs

5.3l V8 270hp @ 5000rpm, 315lbs torque at 4000 rpm

https://www.carmax.com/research/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2014/features-specs

2014 chevy ext cab weight - 4942lbs

4.3l V6 285hp @5300rpm, 305lbs torque at 3900rpm

So the new 4.3l is pretty equivalent to the 1999 5.3l, and the it has to haul around 700lbs more weight.

BUT:

http://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/2010/Chevrolet/Silverado-1500-V8/Extended-Cab-LT-2WD/Specs

2010 chevy ext cab is 4925 lbs

5.3l was 315hp@5200rpm, and 335lbs at 4000rpm

So a new 4.3 does the same work as a 2010 5.3 with 10% less hp/torque, and has to haul around 700lbs more than a 1999 5.3 with about the same power.

Anyway you cut it, the new 4.3 is pretty close to the old 5.3s.

mookdoc6 · January 11, 2017

Nice! The GM ecotec 4.3L I would pay extra to have that in a Full-Size truck over a FERD 2.7L & 3.5EB and now the 3.3L N/A any day of the week and I am not joking! It's that good of an engine!

Brian S. · January 11, 2017

Nice! The GM ecotec 4.3L I would pay extra to have that in a Full-Size truck over a FERD 2.7L & 3.5EB and now the 3.3L N/A any day of the week and I am not joking! It's that good of an engine!

One thing I liked about it was that on E10 I'd basically get another 30 miles a tank "free" due to the better mileage, but if I filled it with E85 the power bumped to 297hp/330ft lbs and I was getting REALLY close to the 315/335 I had in my 2010 5.3.

The 4.3 is definitely a good engine, and more than enough power unless you want to tow something that weighs 6000lbs.. (it's rated for that, but I wouldn't)

As noted, I've had a couple 5.3s since but I don't notice a lot of difference. You're only using max hp after your foot has been on the floor a while.

And that's where I'd say you can tell- passing, and on ramps towing.

mookdoc6 · January 11, 2017

As noted, I've had a couple 5.3s since but I don't notice a lot of difference. You're only using max hp after your foot has been on the floor a while.

And that's where I'd say you can tell- passing, and on ramps towing.

Got ya! I seriously considered that was what I was getting for a TRUCK for personal use and had no intention of towing with it.....But didn't want 4x4 and he had quite a few with it.....So somehow I said, I will buy the mother "F"ER if you give me this price right now......Anyway I didn't even see the truck he just looked on computer 3.42's, 8speed, Locking rear I will take it!

If the current 4.3L ecotec was in next generation GM trucks 500LBS lighter it would be 95% more than what anybody really needs.....If they are really towing they already own a DURAMAX.....

Ecoboost boys are only concerned with "it fast" my only concern is it's

"costly and unreliable"

crushNchowda · January 11, 2017

I think the V6 is perfectly adequate for the job & as others mentioned has more power than most V8 trucks from the 80's and more than many from the 90's. When GM debuted the 5.3 iron block V8 in the 99-03 1/2 tons it made equal HP to today's V6 & only had 25 more lb/ft of torque - which is probably negated by better tranny/gearing/lower weight in today's 1/2 ton.

All that being said, either V8 will return pretty much equal mpg in most driving situations other than true stop & go, better mpg when put to work, & will hold its value much better in the future....plus the 5.3 really isn't much more $$$

Last bit of food for thought, push come to shove all else being equal I'd take a V6 4x4 1/2 ton over any trim 2WD V8 version.........& if it came to that & I didn't need the extra room I'd probably take a Tacoma/Colorado 4x4 over a 1/2 ton 4x4 V6

Truck w/o 4wd in the northeast = tit$ on a bull

16LT4 · January 18, 2017

So just because you have an inferiority complex with a V6 doesn't mean others do, many many do buy trucks and have no need for a full size. Currently it's all an alpha status with them and they will never tow more than a utility trailer or a few bags of mulch in the bed. Why do you think box checker versions are sold in such high numbers, because they need the capacity? No need for a big V8 then if that is all you are doing or only picking the kids up from practice.

Did the new trucks get a power bump? Did not know they are over 360 hp now...

So you want more power yet an 80's style V8 power curve? It will be slower and less capable than they are now, even with them being heavier; there is a reason motors have changed this way. Go look at a dyno chart betwen the two, you aren't going to notice peak torque 1,000 rpm sooner especially when the torque curves are much flatter these days. Back then it would peak and fall off early, now it remains flat so you have torque both lower and higher in the rpm range.

Tyler

Leave your inferiority complex comments at the door, Dr. Freud. I made do with my V6 '84 S15 for years (and still have it) until it just couldn't do the long-range 3000 lb towing anymore. My point is that if shelling out $40k for a truck, don't limit yourself with what you can do with it. If you think that a V6 full size can do the job, that's the only job it'll ever do. A V8 '80s fullsize Chevy with a 350 has a higher tow rating than a 2017 V6 silverado crew cab. Those are published numbers. A V8 will suffer less wear from repeated hard work than a V6, that's a mechanical fact. If a V6 full-size is all that is needed, I stand by my statement that a V6 or Duramax Colorado (both of which can tow 1500-2000 lbs more than said V6 Silverado) is the better choice.

16LT4 · January 18, 2017

Yes I agree with the comment about the 300 cu in 6. I owned five trucks with this motor! The new 4.3 V6 is a much stronger, technologically advanced and more efficient engine. Your comment about "modern" trucks being far heavier than 80's trucks catches me by surprise. Logic would tell me the new ones are lighter! The real comparison comes from everyday use and I have yet to find myself in a situation where the 300 or the 4.3 couldn't handle the task! I don't feel castrated driving a truck with a V6. The only way anyone will know is if I tell them!

When working in the Bahamas last month, my truck was a mid '90s Ford F350 flatbed with 300ci I-6, a 5 speed, and 285k miles, hauling almost 3000lbs every day. I love Chevy, but no 4.3 will be doing that with that weight, at that mileage, in those conditions. ;)

16LT4 · January 18, 2017

In my case, it was just the opposite. I wanted a crew cab Colorado 4x4, as it was all the truck I needed. While I was shopping, I found my Sierra SLE crew cab 4x4 with a 4.3, and it was over $3,000 cheaper than a comparable Colorado. I figured that if a V6 Colorado met my needs, then a roomier truck with more equipment, more payload, comparable towing, and more torque wouldn't disappoint.

Agree with you on the price, that's why I got mine vs. a Colorado duramax, $3k cheaper. However, your truck has a 5500 lb tow rating while a colorado V6 has 7000lbs, but you probably don't approach that.

Donstar · January 18, 2017

Agree with you on the price, that's why I got mine vs. a Colorado duramax, $3k cheaper. However, your truck has a 5500 lb tow rating while a colorado V6 has 7000lbs, but you probably don't approach that.

Which truck has the 5500lb tow rating? My 4.3 CC Std. bed has a 7000 lb. tow rating.