NEW 2500 DILLEMA HELP

grimm2420 · January 9, 2004

I am planning to buy a new Sierra 2500-LD crewcab this weekend and was wondering if there is any difference in gas mileage between the 4x2 and 4x4 6.0 gas models. I will only use 4x4 maybe a couple times a year so i am wondering if it is worth getting. I just think its a nice option to have when u need it. Also, i like would like my truck to be quick on its feet, so do any of u think that i should wait for the 1500 crew cab with the 5.3 to be released before buying? Either one would be a Light Duty Which one would be quicker? I would definitely appreciate the extra gas mileage too.

2500LD or 1500LD ?

4x4 or 4x2 ?

6.0L or 5.3L ?

Please give me input this will be my first truck! Thank yOU!!

Roofer · January 9, 2004

I would say the 1500 CC would be the quickest and would get the best mileage. If it was me, I would get 4x4 just for the resale if nothing else. Only problem I would have is with the short bed, but thats me.

gunslinger45 · January 9, 2004

Well I'll take a stab at your questions.

1) 4x4 or 4x2: Well the 4x2 will get better gas mileage and be slightly quicker for mainly two reasons. The first is that with a 4x4 you are having to turn the front differential and axles all the time. This eats up some power and thus uses more gas. I wish there was a manual hub conversion for the new chevys to avert this and other issues, but I have not found one. The other issue is that you have to carry around a little more weight with the 4x4 due to the addition of a tranfer case, driveshaft, and front differential and axles. An additional 200 to 300 pounds maybe. The difference in gas mileage between a 4x4 and a 4x2 shouldn't be too much, maybe 1-2 mpg less for the 4x4.

2) 1500 or 2500 LD: Well I always like to round up if I can't make a decision, so I would go with the 2500 LD. It may be a bit heavier, but not much and I think you get a little more durability. Otherwise, I really don't see much difference here. You can tow a little more with the 2500, but that doesn't seem to be a priority for you. So I would assume your choice here would come down to available power train options for either the 1500 or 2500.

3) 5.3L or 6.0L: There is no replacement for displacement and the 6.0 will be quicker than the 5.3L. The power to weight ratio is just a bit more, even if you have the 6.0 in the 2500LD, I would say it should be quicker than the 5.3L in the 1500. Get the 6L, you won't be dissapointed. Gas mileage between the 6.0 and the 5.3 is comparable, but yes, of course the 6.0 will get slightly less, but not by much. I think the difference between the two engines is around 2 mpg from what I have seen from other members.

Best of luck, and let us know what you decide.

Gunslinger

grimm2420 · January 9, 2004

Thanks alot gunslinger, that was very helpful, im going down to the dealership this weekend. The truck will have to be shipped from out of state because there arent any more black 2500's around. Thanks again, ill get pics up when i get it !

Roofer · January 9, 2004

I have to disagree with no. 3. I'm pretty sure a 5.3 is faster than a 6.0, plus it is in a lighter truck. The 1500 CC super short box has to be alot lighter than a 2500 CC reg. short box. The 5.3 revs higher and faster than a 6.0.

According to tests, a Dmax is faster than a 6.0, and a 5.3 is a tad quicker than a Dmax.

There is alot of differences in these two vehicles. 5.3 vs 6.0, 4L60 vs 4L80, bed size, tire size, wheel size, towing capabilities, and hauling. Alot to consider when comparing these two.

AlanTDickey · January 10, 2004

Roofer:

You are correct, of course, that if the 1500 is lighter, that will make it faster - every thing else equal.

Acceleration is purely a function of the HP / weight ratio - assuming that no loss of traction (while high levels of torque will allow you to maintain speed with heavy loads).

However, the new 6.0 has marginally (5) more HP at 4,400 rpm (300 HP) than the new 5.3 has at 5,200 rpm (295). Thus, assuming that these published specs are correct, the 5.3 will not out accelerate the 6.0 assuming the same weight of truck and load.

I would also assume that a 6.0 being gunned regularly to 4,400 rpm will last longer than a 5.3 regularly gunned to 5,200 rpm.

Mind you, I'm not an engineer, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.