Which GM is right for me?

[Allegedly]

So I am actually a ford ranger guy. But I need a full-size truck for well full-size truck stuffs. Hard to fit ply wood and haul cars and tractors with a ranger. So I thought about it and decided I'm after a truck to haul 10k lbs. Figured that would do anything I'd ever need with ease. Like towing any offroad toys I'll be getting. Trail truck or SxS ya know that stuff. 

 

When I learned about how shitty triton engines were I decided I'd never own one, and I can't afford an ecoboost nor do I want to try and fix a twin turbo setup in 10 years. And as for dodge well...it's dodge no thank you. So that just leaves GM products (can't afford a tundra). So I figured a 2500 4x4 truck would do it just fine what do you guys think? 

Anyone know of a specific tow package for 1500 or is it not so good for their trans to tow like that? Looking for input 1500 or 2500? 

 Sorry in advance I don't know my way around the forum yet.

[CamGTP]

If you are going to tow 10,000lbs on the regular you really need a 2500 truck.

 

The 1500's can do 10,000lbs with the correct towing package but you are way up their in weight on a light duty truck. You'd also need a newer model 1500 just to do that weight too.

 

A 2500 with a 6.0 from 2001+ would tow that weight really well if the truck is in good running condition. Gas mileage won't be that good but that is the price you pay when towing heavy loads.

[Allegedly]

Ok thank you!! that's a slight bummer...I have seen some really nice 1500s in my price range (15k with 100k or less miles). Was hopeful for a min that I could get away with a 1500. Honestly I can get away with my ranger for most of the stuff I do but when It comes time for those bigger adventures when your hauling a bed full of dirt bikes and towing a offroad jeep or tracker ya know. Along with all the support stuff. Tools gas food beer people ya know like that. 

 

I'm more choosing 10k lbs as a safe number I'm not sure I'd ever hit. But if/when I do I can tow with confidence that I'll be able to finish the job.

[CamGTP]

If the towing you'll mainly be doing is way under 10,000lbs then maybe a half ton is the better choice. Say you do need to be able to tow more for a short period the half ton truck still needs to be able to reach that and only certain trucks and packages can do that. Most trucks will top out around 9,500lbs because they could be crew/extended cabs with 4X4.

 

Just make sure it's got the right package and the gearing for it. Depending on year of the specs are different. Most 4 speed auto trucks are going to have 3.73's with the towing package and the later trucks with the 6 speed auto will have 3.42's.

 

Don't buy a truck with 3.08's or 3.23's as those will suck for towing.

[Colossus]

I'd suggest a 3/4 ton even if you were towing 7000-8000 regularly.  They will hold up better in the long run.  The best and longest proven V8 Gas engine in the 3/4 tons has been the GM 6.0L.  It's not a saint when it comes to fuel economy, but then again no gas engine in a 3/4 ton and up ever is.  But it is reliable as long as you follow the maintenance schedules.  If you go the route of a Diesel, I'd suggest a 06-07 Duramax (if you can find one) or the 08-10 duramax.  just have it looked over very heavily by an independent repair facility in a pre purchase inspection.  The Allison tranny is the best out there as long as it isn't abused and has been serviced regularly. 

[Allegedly]

I wasn't really after a diesel truck. I was at first but in my opinion value of them just isn't there for me. I could get one for 15k but it would have 235k miles on it. Not that I'm worried about the engine but everything else all the knobs and push buttons, and comfy seats will have all the "good" plumb wore off.. It

 

Hhhmmm yeah i could do a 1500 if I found the right one. But a 2500 would be a sure bet to do what I need. And I do like 6.0ls I'll look for one. 

 

I'm curious though. When did they change the trans from the 4L series?

[Mike GMC]

The 4L80 in the 3/4 ton truck is a great tranny.  Don't why away from it.  Not sure exactly when the 6 speed came out, but probably newer than you will be looking if you want to stay under 15k for 3/4 ton.

 

That said, I would NOT try to talk you out of a 3/4 ton.  In my opinion, the brakes on the older 1/2 ton trucks just won't handle bigger loads.  The brakes on my 2000 1/2 ton are not great.  My 18 1/2 ton have great brakes.

[Allegedly]

Oh ok that's actually great to know. Thanks. I'm hoping for like 07/09 plus for 15k (ish) and 100k or less miles 4x4 with ext cab. Quad cab would be nice. But Im already pushing my luck with my 15k price tag lol it's gonna take me quite awhile to find it im sure but I'll get it eventually dang it lol

[Allegedly]

Hey! I just found an 11 ext cab 6.0 4x4 71k on it for 18!. Hopefully it'll still be there this weekend gotta go clear to NY for it I'm in ohio. Anything specific I should look for in a 2500 when I intend to use it fory above purposes?

[CamGTP]

The 6 speed auto started with the NNBS trucks, so 2007.5+.

 

Rust is the biggest trouble on those in my opinion. If there is rear wheel well rust and rust under the rubber seal on the doors I wouldn't buy it.

 

If they let you and they should or even have them do it, remove the tails lights and shine a light into the inner fender to look for rust starting in there. Dirt/mud will can rest up there and slowly eat away at the metal, then it starts to eat away at the outer panel.

 

The rest is just normal stuff, check that all the interior stuff works. Check the trailer harness plug in and wiring. Look for oil leaks on the engine and for sure the front diff axle seals on both sides. The seals are fairly easy to replace and are cheap but it's an annoying repair to do.

[Allegedly]

Ok so you mean the weather stripping around the doors? The inner fender on the rear. I'll bring a mirror if they are shitty bout it. But honestly I'm tired of crusty trucks if this one is crusty like really at all, I'm good. I won't pay 10k+ for a rusty truck don't care how small the rust is...nope. and I don't care if I drive 4 hrs to come home empty handed.

[CamGTP]

No around the doors but at the very bottom of the door there is a rubber weather stripping that runs along the entire bottom. Salt/mud/water can be trapped under it and will start the rust/bubble the paint there.

 

Only pictures I could find real quick but you can see the rubber seal with the little push pins on the bottom of this black door. It blends in but you can still see it. You can pull on the seal and pop them out super easy, it's the best way to check the bottom of the doors or just get down on the ground and lift up the rubber to look at it.

 

[Allegedly]

Pic wouldnt load right. But I get the gist. 

I talked to dude on the phone today. He said that there is starting a wee tiny rust bubble on the rear quarter panel....has me concerned about what I'd find when I pull the tail light housing.... Mehh.

[riverbanks]

I'm in n.y.,I'm going south for my next truck, another thing to look at,did it have a plow?that's a no go for me, even if it's cheap

[Allegedly]

It had a plow on it at one time when this guy bought it but he pulled it off when he bought it. Said he got it from an old timer and all the plow hardware was like new. But he did away with it all for the same reason we don't want plow trucks...TRE's and BJ's.