Which GMT-800 to buy

Bxnanaz · January 2, 2019

In the market for a GMT-800 5.3. Will be used for towing my race car mainly, but also on "regular" trips. Do any years seem to be the best, or is pretty much any 99-06/07 good?

greatmizzou · January 3, 2019

I have a 2002 5.3 with max tow.

If you plan on doing any towing id suggest a 1500HD with the 6.0 or a 2500HD

My opinion, year won’t matter much as condition of the veh you buy. I’d take an 99 with a rebuilt transmission over a 2007 beater

Bxnanaz · January 3, 2019

15 minutes ago, greatmizzou said:

I have a 2002 5.3 with max tow.

If you plan on doing any towing id suggest a 1500HD with the 6.0 or a 2500HD

My opinion, year won’t matter much as condition of the veh you buy. I’d take an 99 with a rebuilt transmission over a 2007 beater

towing will be an 16ft open trailer, 4-5k lbs. That shouldn't be an issue for a 5.3, right?

mookdoc6 · January 3, 2019

16 minutes ago, greatmizzou said:

I have a 2002 5.3 with max tow.

If you plan on doing any towing id suggest a 1500HD with the 6.0 or a 2500HD

My opinion, year won’t matter much as condition of the veh you buy. I’d take an 99 with a rebuilt transmission over a 2007 beater

1500HD with the 6.0 or a 2500HD

The 1500HD with 6.0 was rock! Love those models....2500's too! They have their quarks and known cheap areas...engine and drivetrain not one of them.

Bxnanaz · January 3, 2019

I've thought about a 2500 with the 6.0 but the gas mileage is just awful on a 6.0

JimCost2014 · January 3, 2019

53 minutes ago, Bxnanaz said:

In the market for a GMT-800 5.3. Will be used for towing my race car mainly, but also on "regular" trips. Do any years seem to be the best, or is pretty much any 99-06/07 good?

Had a 2004, really liked the truck, was last year with 4 way disc brakes. Would think it will be easier to find a 2500 rather than a 1500HD. What is your budget, have you thought about a Duramax from that era?

Bxnanaz · January 3, 2019

1 minute ago, JimCost2014 said:

Had a 2004, really liked the truck, was last year with 4 way disc brakes. Would think it will be easier to find a 2500 rather than a 1500HD. What is your budget, have you thought about a Duramax from that era?

Budget is the $5K range. I'm not really looking for a 1500hd. Will either go 1500 5.3 or 2500 6.0

Bill336 · January 3, 2019

17 hours ago, Bxnanaz said:

I've thought about a 2500 with the 6.0 but the gas mileage is just awful on a 6.0

True. I have a 7.4 and I get as good or better.

However, for towing the kind of weight you want to tow, I suspect a 1500 isn't enough truck. Get a scaled weight on your fully loaded trailer, then consult the owner's manuals, which you can find online. Then you can pick out the appropriate truck and drive train.

riverbanks · January 3, 2019

Buddy of mine has '12 5.3,tows alot locally, no matter how he loads the trailer,it's felt in the seat,doable,yes, drive with respect to the max on the truck,yno,don't be late and try to make up time

intheburbs · January 3, 2019

How often/far will you be towing? For frequent towing and longer hauls, IMHO a 2500 will be the way to go. Yes, the mileage isn't as good, but they're completely bulletproof trucks. Buy once, cry once.

Yes, a half-ton should be able to tow your trailer. I towed as heavy as 7,000 lbs with my half-ton '01, including into the Rockies. The rear axle is the weak link on these trucks. The 5.3 motor from those years is awesome.

2003 was the mid-cycle refresh for the platform - new gauges/steering wheel/electronics, etc. If I was in the market, I'd be looking 2004-2006.

If you really want crappy mileage, go find an 8.1 2500. :-)