For maximum towing: '04.5 now or wait for '05?

wheeler · July 6, 2004

Love my '03 2500HD D/A but just got heavier fifth wheel and need added payload capacity now. I see a few remaining 2004.5 3500s in nearby dealer inventory. I'm deliberating picking up 2004 now at good price or waiting for ordered 05 delivery in September/October.

Much speculation as to changed appearance for '05, that is not important to me. Just looking at performance and published towing capacities, as I'm towing heavy and will need all I can get. The only functional changes I've heard about are upgrades to the brakes and late year availability of a sunroof option.

Same LLY engine into 2005, right?!? Does anyone imagine the 2005 3500 HP/torque or payload numbers to be different from current 2004.5 numbers, ie, 11,400 GVWR and 23,500 GCWR? (Of course you never know, you could wait for an early '05 and then mid-year they could up the numbers on the late '05 models... imagine!) Thanks! --wheeler

snoman · July 6, 2004

I would imagine that any changes will be minimal. I here is may pick up a few more HP but tow ratings are subjective to corperate wishes and marketing anyway. I would get my best deal on a 2004 1/2 and save a few bucks. It is alos my understanding the the 2004 1/2 and 2005 will use same engine version too.

wheeler · July 6, 2004

Make things a little more interesting, my dealer seldom orders dooleys for his lot but he received one yesterday that he ordered for a horsey event later this month. I have the brand new (7 miles on it) 2004 3500LT downstairs tonight, seeing how a dooley fits in my garage (barely but doable.) I didn't buy it yet. It's on loan from my local dealer. Will decide tomorrow whether or not to buy the truck.

I plan to do exhaust mods and new LLY Juice when available-- and the promise of "more power" from GM doesn't seem critical to me.

I would prefer to stay within the manufacturer's published GVWR and GCWR numbers, as close as possible, as I will be towing a 5er at and slightly beyond today's numbers. So for an '05 I'd be waiting a few months and spending more for a vehicle just to see if/when the General changes the numbers...

The '05 F&rd numbers are already announced, right, w/ GVWR of 13000 and GCWR of 23500-- so, you guys who watch these things, is it very likely GM will follow suit and raise the GVWR/GCWR numbers from 11,400 and 23,500 for 2005, with or without a bumped LLY?

Hmmmmm. Ideas? Thanks. --wheeler

snoman · July 7, 2004

I was just looking up specs online and I see that GM no longer offers 4.10 with Dmax and this is a bit troubling to me. Not the Dmax is weak but if you get up around 20,000lbs GCVW and tow in mountains, a 4.10 would be a big plus to have. Even more currious is that the SRW has a tow rating about 1500lbs higher than the DRW version!

bigdogs · July 7, 2004

I don't think they ever offered 4.10's with the Dmax, just the 3.73's.

For towing have you seen the GMC 4500? They had one at the dealer that I checked out. It had a crew cab with the pickup box and the 7.8 Dmax and Allison. It's like $60K tho.. ..

Wow those must be some big tires to weigh 750lbs each

snoman · July 7, 2004

I don't think they ever offered 4.10's with the Dmax, just the 3.73's.

For towing have you seen the GMC 4500? They had one at the dealer that I checked out. It had a crew cab with the pickup box and the 7.8 Dmax and Allison. It's like $60K tho.. ..

Wow those must be some big tires to weigh 750lbs each

They did in 02 and 03 because I looked at them then. They must have stopped in 04 and there had to be reason they did so quitely.

bigdogs · July 7, 2004

I have an 03 Sierra Duramax/Allison and 3.73 was the only choice available.

snoman · July 7, 2004

I have an 03 Sierra Duramax/Allison and 3.73 was the only choice available.

I know I have seen it and seen it in trucks too. It was a option ans I drove one some time ago. 03's were out when I drove it but maybe it was left over 02 as I was drive several models with my son then. I look to see if my son has some old brouchures floating around.I rember that it redlined a little over 70 in drive with 4.10's and ones I drove with 3.73 would make a little over 80 in drive. This may have been the reason they killed it as they did not want owner cruising with a heavy load up hill at or near redline which would be near speed limit. Just a though anyway.

LARSONEM · July 7, 2004

Duramax/Allison combinations have always had a single axle choice - 3.73 ratio. An 8.1/Allison could get either a 3.73 or optional 4.10 axle.

Roofer · July 7, 2004

That's correct. The Dmax is and was only available with 3.73's. With the 8.1 you had a choice of 3.73's or 4.10's. I think the 6.0 2500HD only came with 4.10's.

snoman · July 8, 2004

That's correct. The Dmax is and was only available with 3.73's. With the 8.1 you had a choice of 3.73's or 4.10's. I think the 6.0 2500HD only came with 4.10's.

Not so as I have driven one once with 4.10s and remember seeing it on the option list when they first came out. The used to offer a 4.56 with a 454 too and they stopped doing it with the 8.1.

bigdogs · July 8, 2004

Not so as I have driven one once with 4.10s and remember seeing it on the option list when they first came out. The used to offer a 4.56 with a 454 too and they stopped doing it with the 8.1.

Maybe it was a typo or added by the dealer or something as everything I have seen or heard from GM says they only came with 3.73's Was it a 4x4 or 4x2? (with the 4x4 being obviously more $$$ to change and would be reflected on the sticker price). If it did say it on the options list I bet it was a typo GT5 (4.10) instead of GT4 (3.73)

snoman · July 8, 2004

The one I drove was not a typo because it turned more RPM than ones I have drive since. (it maxed out in drive/4th, in low 70's and the other ones would hit around 80 or a bit better). It diffinantly had a 4.10 in that one. I am thinking it was a 2002.

8100HD · July 8, 2004

Dmax equipped 2500HD/3500's never...NEVER were available with a 4.10 ratio..period!!

And once again all your experience has shown through

"it maxed out in drive/4th, in low 70's and the other ones would hit around 80 or a bit better" well thats funny the Allison is a 5-speed and the ZF a 6-speed....and they top out a 96 not 80...but then again you already knew that...