Diesel to gas jobs questions

[bootss]

From 2011 to 2017

Looking to buy a 1500 crew cab 4x4 v8.

 

What are the good/bad years?

 

Common problems with the years and are they easily fixable

 

 

Thanks in advance

 

 

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[CamGTP]

I highly suggest you take a few hours to research each generation of truck.

 

11-13's have their own specific problems as well as the 14-17's.

 

The GMT-900's from 11-13's still suffer from possible oil consumption and lifter failure from the AFM/DoD system. Rust is common in the rear wheel wells and under the doors. They are easy to repair if you are handy with a wrench, buy in price is cheaper. With that you get a more dated interior and less performance with the 5.3 compared to the newer truck.

 

14-15's and 16-17's have different grill/headlights etc etc, so that's up to you on looks. The interior is better, 5.3 is more powerful than previous gen trucks. Engines still can have issues like any vehicle. Still pretty easy to fix but some things are more complex with the new direct injected motors.

 

Again, do lots of reading.

[2018GMC]

Best option would be a 6.2L from 2007 - 2013. 6.2L does NOT have AFM in trucks for those years. Only offered in Denali from 2007 - 2009. Denalis had 6 speed from 2007+

 

2010 - 2013 6.2 was an option for extended and crew cab trucks.

 

2009+ have 6 speed.

 

VortecMAX trucks have the 6.0 which has AFM but a decent power upgrade from 5.3. I believe it was only offered with the 4 speed auto from 2007 - 2009.

[2018GMC]

That said the 5.3 can be "woken up" with a tune, intake, high flow muffler.

[2018GMC]

Dash is known to crack in all years. The base truck dash and higher trim dash that is shared with the SUV's crack. Easily covered with a Dashmat. 

 

https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2018/gm-cracked-dash-lawsuit.shtml

[KARNUT]

If I didn’t luck out on my 92 that’s modified and lowered. 01-04 were my favorites. My interstate driven 04 went 180K miles with fluid and tire changes only. I would beef the trans and add a blower and keep forever. 5.9s and 7.3 early diesel until early 2000s we’re reliable but slow, painfully so. The 6.5s weren’t as reliable. We stayed away from GM diesels after dealing with those. With the fuel change and emissions I wouldn’t touch a diesel unless pulling. My parents drive old diesels. 97 Ram, 2000 Ford. Both still reliable driven often. The 97 Ram gets very good fuel mileage, painfully slow. The Fords a little better getting up to speed.

 

 

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[newdude]

K2 2014-2018:

 

- If features/content/better factory headlights are your thing, 2016-2018.  They've got faster radios than 2014-2015, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, HID and LED (LTZ/SLT/High Country/Denali) headlights.  2018 typically have the updated EBCM software and most have the updated vacuum pump installed from the get go.

 

-2014-2017, most if not all used ones on lots have the vacuum pump recall reprogram done, and should have the special coverage on the pump as well itself. 

 

- If the pump were to fail bad enough, there has been reports of engine failure as engine oil lubes the pump off a passage in the block.  Pump fails, metal gets pumped through the engine.

 

- AFM.  Most of the trucks we get in at work don't have any issues with lifter collapses.  A couple 2014's have over 150k and they've never been apart for anything.  Range AFM delete will solve that if you get one.

 

- Direct Injection.  5.3 LT engine in 2014+ picked up something like 40hp and 40 torque.  Only downside is if the high pressure pump fails, an injector fails, its more work, some special tools possibly and more parts to solve it.

 

- Carbon buildup.  Lots of hits and misses on this.  Catch can if you want, but make sure its near engine heat.  The further away from the engine the more "oil" you will find as its got more moisture away from the heat.  If its too far, it could freeze up and block PCV flow.

 

GMT900 2007-2013:

 

- 2009+up with a 6 speed would be what I would go for. 

 

- 5.3.  AFM here as well.  Some do it, most don't.  Range AFM delete will solve that if you get one.

 

- 2007-2009 they have the 4L60/4L70.  Meh.  They are usually good, but have plenty of problems losing gears in them.  Reaction gear failure, band failure, etc. 

 

[bootss]

K2 2014-2018:
 
- If features/content/better factory headlights are your thing, 2016-2018.  They've got faster radios than 2014-2015, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, HID and LED (LTZ/SLT/High Country/Denali) headlights.  2018 typically have the updated EBCM software and most have the updated vacuum pump installed from the get go.
 
-2014-2017, most if not all used ones on lots have the vacuum pump recall reprogram done, and should have the special coverage on the pump as well itself. 
 
- If the pump were to fail bad enough, there has been reports of engine failure as engine oil lubes the pump off a passage in the block.  Pump fails, metal gets pumped through the engine.
 
- AFM.  Most of the trucks we get in at work don't have any issues with lifter collapses.  A couple 2014's have over 150k and they've never been apart for anything.  Range AFM delete will solve that if you get one.
 
- Direct Injection.  5.3 LT engine in 2014+ picked up something like 40hp and 40 torque.  Only downside is if the high pressure pump fails, an injector fails, its more work, some special tools possibly and more parts to solve it.
 
- Carbon buildup.  Lots of hits and misses on this.  Catch can if you want, but make sure its near engine heat.  The further away from the engine the more "oil" you will find as its got more moisture away from the heat.  If its too far, it could freeze up and block PCV flow.
 
GMT900 2007-2013:
 
- 2009+up with a 6 speed would be what I would go for. 
 
- 5.3.  AFM here as well.  Some do it, most don't.  Range AFM delete will solve that if you get one.
 
- 2007-2009 they have the 4L60/4L70.  Meh.  They are usually good, but have plenty of problems losing gears in them.  Reaction gear failure, band failure, etc. 
 

That's exactly the Information i was hoping to recieve. Thank you for your time and expertise

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[2018GMC]

K2xx 1500 is the first generation offered with crew cab 6.6" standard bed. All prior 1500 GMT800 1999-2007, GMT900 2007.5 - 2013 were only available with short 5.8" bed in crew cab.

 

GMT900 were also available in extended cab 8' bed in 1500. Although those are pretty rare. GMT900 was last generation to offer extended cabs with front opening rear doors (no center pillar).

 

Of course 2500 / 3500 was available with crew 6.6" standard bed all the way back to GMT400 1988-1999. 

[Jacoby]

On 12/21/2019 at 9:57 AM, KARNUT said:

If I didn’t luck out on my 92 that’s modified and lowered. 01-04 were my favorites. My interstate driven 04 went 180K miles with fluid and tire changes only. I would beef the trans and add a blower and keep forever. 5.9s and 7.3 early diesel until early 2000s we’re reliable but slow, painfully so. The 6.5s weren’t as reliable. We stayed away from GM diesels after dealing with those. With the fuel change and emissions I wouldn’t touch a diesel unless pulling. My parents drive old diesels. 97 Ram, 2000 Ford. Both still reliable driven often. The 97 Ram gets very good fuel mileage, painfully slow. The Fords a little better getting up to speed.

 

 

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Guy wants advice on a 2011-2017 Chevy truck and you tell him about how great a 97 Ram and 2000 Ford diesel is. 
 

[KARNUT]

Guy wants advice on a 2011-2017 Chevy truck and you tell him about how great a 97 Ram and 2000 Ford diesel is. 
 

What an idiot. Maybe some info on past experience would be helpful. I never dreamed I’d like my 92 until I bought it 10 years ago. It’s the longest I’ve owned a truck. I’ve owned new trucks every two years or so up till my 14 since the 70s. My family business continues to do so all brands. Probably over 100. Ifs that’s too much for you don’t read my post. Yours provides me with laughter every now and then.


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[Pt187]

My opinion whatever year you decide get one with a 6.2. Not hating against the 5.3 but to me just don’t have enough power to it. I loved my 14 but sold it because the 5.3. End of the day it’s your money and choice though 

[Nitrousbird]

On 12/21/2019 at 9:50 AM, 2018GMC said:

Best option would be a 6.2L from 2007 - 2013. 6.2L does NOT have AFM in trucks for those years. Only offered in Denali from 2007 - 2009. Denalis had 6 speed from 2007+

L92 from 2007-2008.  L9H from '09 - '13 in the trucks (L9H is a flex fuel L92).

 

On 12/26/2019 at 11:38 PM, Pt187 said:

My opinion whatever year you decide get one with a 6.2. Not hating against the 5.3 but to me just don’t have enough power to it. I loved my 14 but sold it because the 5.3. End of the day it’s your money and choice though 

This.  Further, I wouldn't do a '14 or '15 at all.  Older front end, have to do a HMI 2.5 upgrade to get a decent head unit, no LED headlight option, tend to have the most issues, no 8-speed on the '14 models.  

[Penguin VII]

On 12/26/2019 at 11:38 PM, Pt187 said:

My opinion whatever year you decide get one with a 6.2. Not hating against the 5.3 but to me just don’t have enough power to it. I loved my 14 but sold it because the 5.3. End of the day it’s your money and choice though 

I don't know how common an issue but I feel like I see more posts complaining about something with the 6.2 or it's 8spd trans more than the 5.3. I feel like at this point in the game the 5.3 is a pretty bulletproof engine outside the AFM stuff which is pretty easily rectified in a number of ways. I probably shouldn't have said anything since I don't have enough knowledge on the 6.2 to speak to why, it's just something I've noticed.

 

6.2 requires premium fuel where as the 5.3 can take regular for what it's worth.

[Pt187]

On 1/8/2020 at 7:09 AM, Penguin VII said:

I don't know how common an issue but I feel like I see more posts complaining about something with the 6.2 or it's 8spd trans more than the 5.3. I feel like at this point in the game the 5.3 is a pretty bulletproof engine outside the AFM stuff which is pretty easily rectified in a number of ways. I probably shouldn't have said anything since I don't have enough knowledge on the 6.2 to speak to why, it's just something I've noticed.

 

6.2 requires premium fuel where as the 5.3 can take regular for what it's worth.

I have seen people posting about the 8 speed trans but the 6.2 is a solid motor. I personally think the op coming from a diesel with the tq won’t be happy with a 5.3. Best thing would be for the op to

drive both and make his decision.