LT Trail Boss - Poor Value?

Bikerjon · January 1, 2024

1 hour ago, AJMBLAZER said:

Not worth the argument.

Life is too short.

SporkLover · January 2, 2024

On 12/31/2023 at 1:54 PM, 4banger said:

that 6.2 has massive jugs, have a hard time thinking that’s same block as the 5.3

This confirms it. You don't know. That's not an admonishment..... you are smart, enthusiastic and like to spread knowledge. So I'll help you with a few points.

You are definitely on point that the 2.7L is a lighter power plant than either the 5.3L or 6.2L. You are wrong about the physical size. Generally speaking GM has been making one size (external dimensions) engine block per each generation of V8 they produce. The exception is back in the day when there were distinctions between "big block" and "small block" engines. The last "big block" engine in a production vehicle was in 2010. In absence of that big block differentiation..... all GM V8's use the generational block design..... and the external dimensions don't change meaningfully....its the internal castings of the blocks that might be different or even materials between the blocks.

For the current generation 5.3L and 6.2L they are both aluminum block Gen V V8's. External physical dimensions are the same. Weight differences negligible..The 5.3L should have more block material because of smaller cylinders but the 6.2L should have a slightly heavier crank because of the slightly longer stroke. But at the end of the day it would be negligible and not noticeable.

Other things you have to consider weight comparisons are the transmissions and definitely the trim levels. A Custom Silverado vs a AT4 is going to have weight differences that will be attributable to extra features. Plus the AT4 likely had a 10 spd.... no idea if the custom did. The 10 speed is definitely heavier. but based on what you said I dont think you can logically draw 500lbs difference due to the engine being pig heavy.

I'd venture to guess most of your observations are seat of the pants feel that is probably very much bias fed....... and that's ok. You are really happy with your truck and you should be. But let's spout facts.

newdude · January 7, 2024

On 12/31/2023 at 4:06 PM, dieselfan1 said:

The weight of a 6.2 is actually about 80 lbs lighter than a cast iron block 5.3.

All 6.2s are aluminum block.

5.3s can be aluminum block also but most are cast iron.

I also didn't buy the 6.2 to save gas.

...you do realize the 5.3 has been all aluminum since 2014...right? Block and heads. L84 vs L87 the weight isn't all that far apart for the current engines 5.3 and 6.2.

2013 was the last year for an iron block/aluminum head 5.3 which were gen 4 LS. They offered both iron block/aluminum head and all aluminum in gen 4 LS and I believe late gen 3 LS.

Edited January 7, 2024 by newdude

4banger · January 9, 2024

I did not say the 535 lb difference was all motor. Learn to read better. I said I don’t know much of that difference was motor. Yes 10 spd vs 8, yes at4 stuff, spray liner, 10” longer box, leather sunroof side steps. We know at minimum 160 lb was motor lol but the gmc 6.2 felt like a tank compared to lighter nimbler custom.

Now that we cleared that up. Pump your air with 8 cylinders or 4 and 1 turbo. The only possible advantage I could come up with for the 8 was subjective....sound. A useless measure. And in fact for truck duty for long highway and outdoorsman stuff the stealth of the turbo motor has proven a bigger winner also.

enjoy your lifters and weight and loss of power at elevation and fuel economy etc

Egghaus · January 9, 2024

Base curb weights straight from GM for a Crew Cab Short Box 4x4, lifted;

w/L3B 2.7L - 5010lbs

w/L84 5.3L - 5080lbs

w/L87 6.2L - 5240lbs

ZR2 w/L87 6.2L - 5550lbs

ZR2 w/LZ0 3.0L - 5710lbs

Looks like a 70lb difference between the 2.7L and 5.3L, the extra weight of the 6.2L truck is from additional standard features like bucket seats, heavier axle, etc.

KARNUT · January 9, 2024

11 hours ago, 4banger said:

I did not say the 535 lb difference was all motor. Learn to read better. I said I don’t know much of that difference was motor. Yes 10 spd vs 8, yes at4 stuff, spray liner, 10” longer box, leather sunroof side steps. We know at minimum 160 lb was motor lol but the gmc 6.2 felt like a tank compared to lighter nimbler custom.

Now that we cleared that up. Pump your air with 8 cylinders or 4 and 1 turbo. The only possible advantage I could come up with for the 8 was subjective....sound. A useless measure. And in fact for truck duty for long highway and outdoorsman stuff the stealth of the turbo motor has proven a bigger winner also.

enjoy your lifters and weight and loss of power at elevation and fuel economy etc

While I agree the 4 cylinder is one bad motor. From my first V-8 Ford truck a 289 to my Avalanche the V8 sound is a symphony to me. Driving my 50K miles a year the rumble of those twice pipes made the trip. My biggest enjoyment of driving my avalanche besides it’s a truck. Hearing the V-8 rumble at startup and cruising. I appreciate the other engines, I got to have that sound.

Bikerjon · January 9, 2024

9 hours ago, Egghaus said:

Base curb weights straight from GM for a Crew Cab Short Box 4x4, lifted;

w/L3B 2.7L - 5010lbs

w/L84 5.3L - 5080lbs

w/L87 6.2L - 5240lbs

ZR2 w/L87 6.2L - 5550lbs

ZR2 w/LZ0 3.0L - 5710lbs

Looks like a 70lb difference between the 2.7L and 5.3L, the extra weight of the 6.2L truck is from additional standard features like bucket seats, heavier axle, etc.

Have you made up your mind about which truck to buy?

lennybg · January 11, 2024

On 11/11/2023 at 10:05 PM, Dunn said:

LTZ way better value, everytime i see a TB I think the dude just doesnt know any better....your paying a premium for something you can do better....

AT4 is a different story....

OR it could be that the TB owner found a truck that looked like he wanted and doesn't have the time nor the care to do all the work himself.

Egghaus · January 15, 2024

On 1/9/2024 at 6:08 PM, Bikerjon said:

Have you made up your mind about which truck to buy?

Nope, still waiting because it seems like prices are coming down in Canada. I still want the Trail Boss, but the withholding of options still annoys me.

Another gripe is why do the RST and TB, the sporty and rugged off road trims, have fake wood trim on the interior? I could not think of a worse choice, it should be black or something with a metal look/pattern to it. Of course in the AT4 and ZR2 there is proper carbon fiber pattern trim. I guess it's a classic strategy, you're still getting hosed price wise on the lower trims, and to step up trims and get proper options, you're really bending over.

Edited January 15, 2024 by Egghaus

AJMBLAZER · January 15, 2024

Honestly, buy a Z71 or X31 package truck with the options you want and for about $500 parts and less than $500 labor if you can't do it yourself you will have a better truck than a Trailboss/AT4. Tires will be extra but still less than the TB/AT4 premium and you'd have to choose pretty poorly to not get a better tire than the Goodyear crap.

SporkLover · January 17, 2024

On 1/8/2024 at 9:17 PM, 4banger said:

I did not say the 535 lb difference was all motor. Learn to read better.

I based it off the fact you were using that one experience and the weight difference to base your judgements on and you cited 500lbs. Sure you said you didn't know how much that was attributed to the motor BUT you attributed your entire opinion of it feeling like a heavy pig because of the motor.

Egghaus got it right. There is roughly 70lb difference between the V8 and the 4 Banger fully dressed. 6.2L trucks have a heavier transmission, and more standard equipment. Those are not meaningful weight differences.

You are happy with your 4 Banger....... and no one is saying you shouldn't be. Is it really necessary for you to justify your liking of it by spouting off statements not based in reality but just based on your own self admitted uninformed opinion on the other solid options?

I guess you got us with the lifters. You win? Is that what you are looking for when no one is saying there is anything wrong with your choice....but also noting that there really aren't the problems you think with the others. But if validation is what you are looking for..... I guess you can take the W with the lifters. Or the W with NA ICE losing power at elevation. Hopefully you got the validation you are looking for and don't feel the need to justify your enjoyment of your truck by trying to take down others!

SporkLover · January 17, 2024

On 1/15/2024 at 11:09 AM, Egghaus said:

Another gripe is why do the RST and TB, the sporty and rugged off road trims, have fake wood trim on the interior? I could not think of a worse choice, it should be black or something with a metal look/pattern to it. Of course in the AT4 and ZR2 there is proper carbon fiber pattern trim.

Yeah classic differentiate trim strategy...... the good news is that you can get some overlays that look nice and cost way less than the upgrade to the upper trim levels. I just did that in mine last month and am pretty happy with the aesthetics.

4banger · January 18, 2024

23 hours ago, SporkLover said:

I based it off the fact you were using that one experience and the weight difference to base your judgements on and you cited 500lbs. Sure you said you didn't know how much that was attributed to the motor BUT you attributed your entire opinion of it feeling like a heavy pig because of the motor.

Egghaus got it right. There is roughly 70lb difference between the V8 and the 4 Banger fully dressed. 6.2L trucks have a heavier transmission, and more standard equipment. Those are not meaningful weight differences.

You are happy with your 4 Banger....... and no one is saying you shouldn't be. Is it really necessary for you to justify your liking of it by spouting off statements not based in reality but just based on your own self admitted uninformed opinion on the other solid options?

I guess you got us with the lifters. You win? Is that what you are looking for when no one is saying there is anything wrong with your choice....but also noting that there really aren't the problems you think with the others. But if validation is what you are looking for..... I guess you can take the W with the lifters. Or the W with NA ICE losing power at elevation. Hopefully you got the validation you are looking for and don't feel the need to justify your enjoyment of your truck by trying to take down others!

the engineers in video said 5.3 is 160 lbs heavier, also, two headers, two cats, dual exhaust? the 4 banger has one of everything, it would be hard pressed to outweigh a typical modern aluminum 3.5 v6, yup...no lifters, one head, one string of valves, lighter trans, it's less of everything to support it and you feel it on the nose and in handling overall and my assessment of the 6.2 handling as a wallowing fat pig compared is still accurate, I spent time in both, 3 weeks with the pork chop knowing I was getting the turbo, I paid extra attention to log the differences, anyone else here do the same?, I'll take that W for no lifters, and another for boost and having no power losses due to elevation, another W for having peak torque 1100 rpm less...and another for having way more peak torque lol...can you solve for the lifter stuff on the 5.3? sounds like it...still a good motor, I've got a gazelle that can pull stumps lol and one of only 2 engines the gm engineers admitted to not being able to kill in trying to kill them in testing...

MaverickZ71 · January 18, 2024

On 1/15/2024 at 11:30 AM, AJMBLAZER said:

Honestly, buy a Z71 or X31 package truck with the options you want and for about $500 parts and less than $500 labor if you can't do it yourself you will have a better truck than a Trailboss/AT4. Tires will be extra but still less than the TB/AT4 premium and you'd have to choose pretty poorly to not get a better tire than the Goodyear crap.

“Goodyear crap.” Coming from someone who drives cheapass Coopers. AND Goodyear owns Cooper. You can’t make this **** up. . .

Edited January 18, 2024 by MaverickZ71

AJMBLAZER · January 18, 2024

10 minutes ago, MaverickZ71 said:

“Goodyear crap.” Coming from someone who drives cheapass Coopers. AND Goodyear owns Cooper. You can’t make this **** up. . .

Goodyears have a lot of history over the past several decades of “meh” performance and worse.

Yes, I’m aware Goodyear bought Cooper 2 years ago. Still not happy about it.

Priced Cooper tires lately? You sound like a brand snob. Interesting choice to pick Goodyear to defend though.