2500HD/3500 SRW PURCHASE ?

BASIC · May 4, 2005

Hi guys.I'm need to buy a new truck,I have a 99 Ford F-350,4X4,diesel,6-speed ,155,000 mi.that I use as a landscaper and to plow snow with.I won't buy another Ford,I don't think it is reliable as it should be.I'm looking at a Dodge/Cummins 2500(which I really like) and a Chevy/GMC 2500HD/3500 SRW,both wood be regular cab trucks.I'm going to drive a GMC tomorrow.What can you tell me about the 6.0 and the 8.1 in regards to MPG and Reliability?How good is the GM auto trans,both the regular and the Allison?I've heard good things about the Duramax is it deserved?I drove the Dodge/Cummins with both the auto and the manual,I think I like the auto better(have been told there much better to plow with),how are the GM manuals with the 6.0 and the 8.1?I did drive the Dodge with the HEMI,it was OK not what theDiesel is,has anyone driven the Hemi and compared it to the 6.0 and the 8.1?Thankyou all for any help you may giove me,BASIC

SxViper · May 4, 2005

Hi guys.I'm need to buy a new truck,I have a 99 Ford F-350,4X4,diesel,6-speed ,155,000 mi.that I use as a landscaper and to plow snow with.I won't buy another Ford,I don't think it is reliable as it should be.I'm looking at a Dodge/Cummins 2500(which I really like) and a Chevy/GMC 2500HD/3500 SRW,both wood be regular cab trucks.I'm going to drive a GMC tomorrow.What can you tell me about the 6.0 and the 8.1 in regards to MPG and Reliability?How good is the GM auto trans,both the regular and the Allison?I've heard good things about the Duramax is it deserved?I drove the Dodge/Cummins with both the auto and the manual,I think I like the auto better(have been told there much better to plow with),how are the GM manuals with the 6.0 and the 8.1?I did drive the Dodge with the HEMI,it was OK not what theDiesel is,has anyone driven the Hemi and compared it to the 6.0 and the 8.1?Thankyou all for any help you may giove me,BASIC

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Perosnaly I wouldn't buy another GM truck after the one I have had. Its a lemon and the dealership I had sucked! Got a good dealer now but I am just have a real bad taste from GM as a Corp and their products. Its a shame as I am only 26 and will be buying a lot more trucks in my life. 2500HD CC LB 6.0L... Nothing but problem after problem...

rascal · May 4, 2005

I understand the allison is good tranny and the duramax is close if not the top in torque. I have a 6.0 with a 5 speed, I like it alot, but for a about $2000 I could've got a bit more hp at a lower rpm range and less than 100 ft lbs, plus a tranny with a closer shift pattern. gas isn't enouph to make a difference. My advice is drive them all.

KyleBst264 · May 6, 2005

Test drive the GM's and you'll be sold.

Don't waste your time with Dodge, they are garbage.

MOPAR stands for

Move Over Parts Are Rattling

Daubs · May 6, 2005

Welcome! This is a wonderful site for picking people's brains and learning lots about GM trucks. While it's good to see a Ford guy looking at Chevy's, one think you have to realize is when you are hard on trucks (landscaping) they are going to break down eventually. 155k is pretty darn good...and I'll bet you drive and work em hard.

My Dad alwasy said "don't buy a used truck that you know has been used to plow snow or pull heavy trailers..." He knew they get worked hard. Okay, all that aside, here's my $0.02

I'm 37 and have owned several GM's (71, 82, 87, 99, 01, 03, 04). Buddies have owned Dodge and Ford also, so I've driven lots of different trucks. I've been a GM guy ever since young, so I'm a little biased here. My current truck is 04 2500 HD / CC / 8.1-Allison. Really like it, but I don't work it hard. My daily driver and I don't tow anything or push snow.

I opted for the 8.1 because it was getting just slightly worse MPG than the 6.0's...and it comes with the Allison tranny. I've been able to bump my MPG numbers by installing a Volant intake and Westers custom tune.

Was getting 8.5-9 around town and 11-12 highway. Now I'm getting above 10 around town and had all time high of 15 MPG Highway. I don't drive-it-like-i-stole-it, but I don't baby it either.

Heard wonderful things about the D-max. Buddy has a Hemi and really likes it, but it sucks down the fuel. Another buddy had the Cummins and really liked it, but he didn't like the rest of the truck.

I think the best advice anyone ever said was drive em all and make your choice. If you opt for the GMC/Chevy, I'd stay away from the 6.0. I think you can get almost as good MPG with the 8.1 and some mods and still have the pulling power of a diesel. Or just opt for the Duramax and be done with it. The 4L80 behind the 6.0 is a great tranny...but the Allison is even better in my opinion.

Again, welcome. Let us know what you buy.

496 CUBIC INCHES · May 6, 2005

I don't think you can get a regular cab 3500SRW from GM.

With the exception of Fords new Torqueshift tranny,GMs trannys are better than anything Dodge or Ford has. IMO the Allison is still the best HD tranny on the market,when the Torqueshift has more time under its belt it may become a draw.

I'd get the 8.1 or the D-max,I don't believe in getting the the smallest engine available in a truck,especially a HD truck like a Super-duty or 2500HD.

The 8.1 and the 6.0 will get MPG thats within about 1-2 of each other,if you don't believe me do a search. There are alot of reports of the crappy MPG with the 6.0.The 8.1 also gets crappy mileage,but its also about 130 more Cubic inches than the 6.0.

jamashke · May 6, 2005

No one likes my 6.0L??

I have a 6.0L and love it. I get 13mpg in the city as a daily driver. Towing a boat and trailer on the weekends.

Now I have a friend that runs a landscapping business and plows snow as well. He bought a simple 2500 (not even the 2500HD) and it has 175k on it and still in great running shape. Now the body of th truck is beat to but the engine and tranny is still running strong. It is a 6.0L.

As everyone else said. Drive ALL of them. Enjoy by the time you are done you will have driven about 1/4 million dollars around (when you add the trucks together)

99-2door · May 6, 2005

What is the difference in the NBS truck between the 2500HD and 3500 SRW.

They both have the FF rear.

Superman TNT · May 6, 2005

I have owned all three types. Like you I'll NEVER get another Ford. It was the biggest piece of junk I've ever owned. I didn't treat my Ford any differently than I do my other trucks. Everyone has their own experience I guess.

I have used trucks both professionally and personally. Until recently i had a 3500 Dodge 1 ton with a dump body and the Cummings. I used it to haul around small (3 - 4 tons) loads of stone and to pull my 40hp John Deere 4500 with a bucket loader, back hoe, bruch hog, etc... I bought the Dodge used and I went Dodge because I got a great deal on it. After I bought it I got the impression that the trucks actually milage was far more than the odometer had on it. None the less I never had any problems with it. I also plowed snow with a 9' Fisher in the winter. It was a really good work truck. My gas milage did suck and it was so noisy you didn't need to worry about the radio option that came in it. I also hated the steering, VERY LOOSE! I thought my truck had a problem but after talking to the dealer and several people who owned them they all are loose. I got use to it.

By far I have owned Chevy's more than anything else. They cost more than the Fords initially but down the road they ended up saving. My grandfather use to tell me you get what you pay for. All my Chevy's have been very dependable. I tow ski boats, ATV's, snowmobiles in the winter and a 5th wheel camper. I tow a lot.

Ask people who tow and know what they are talking about, GM is the way to go for the most part. I go to large camp grounds and to the NASCAR races where you see thousands of camper/truck combinations. Until the last year or so I noticed by far that GM ruled this market. You could add the Fords and Dodges together and there would still be more GMs. I have had a couple of friends with 2500 Dodges and they tow 5th wheels too. They can't stay with me on the road and they have both had their trannies replaced at 40k miles.

However during the last two years Dodge has made some big strides into this market (towing). I am seeing an ever increasing number of Dodges. I think some of this is because Dodge engineers aren't sitting on their collective asses waiting for someone else to come up with new options, accesories and features. Look at the 3rd door, then 4th door, then the quad cab, and on and on. I love GM but lets face it, they are following Dodge.

I have to admit when I recently switched trucks I went and test drove a Dodge. Nice truck. I loved the features, under seat storage, factory BFG KO's, camper mirrors that flip up, lots of 20" wheel options, a real radio that can be upgraded without ripping the entire thing out, factory install winch, killer sport appearance packages, etc...

Biggest Dodge draw back --> MPG, torque, tranny, and cost.

My biggest Chevy complaint --> their 5.3L V8 sucks, has no power should never have replaced the 350 and their factory options suck.

I just bought a 04 2500HD LOADED! I got a great deal on it (don't we all). I moved up to the 8.1L with the Ally tranny. GREAT transmission, best by far I have ever driven! ! ! Torque problem solved! ! in a gas engine. I get better gas milage with my 8.1L than my friend gets with his Hemi! You got to like that.

Biggest problems, I have the best radio they offer and yet it doesn't play MP3s. It has no iPod interface. The truck came with crap 16" 245 summer treads. Get real! It has 6.5" wide 16" wheels. Ya they are nice polished AL wheels but I can't put any real tires on them. I had to finish dressing the truck up after I brought it home.. Ok, yes you could argue I didn't "have to" but there was no good sport appearance package from Chevy. What are they living under a rock? Don't they read and watch their own forums?

Net --> They have the best tranny on the market. They have a ton of torque in a gas engine that gets better MPG than most of the competitions smaller engines.

They are asleep at the wheel concerning options.

just my $1.50's worth . . .

BASIC · May 6, 2005

Thanks for the replys.I still haven't had the chamce to drive the Chevy/GMC.The few things I don't like about the truck is the IFS front end and the lower ground clerance.I do like the fact they offer a work truck W/T,and the 8.1 seems like the best gas engine offered.Has any one driven an 8.1 with a manual trans?I think since MB took over,Dodge is a much better truck.I don't know what Fords problem is.Thanks,BASIC.

sonjaab · May 6, 2005

BASIC....................Measure ANY brand pickup truck from the

plow push bar to the ground........................

All about the SAME !!!!!!!!!

These new quick mount plows are ALL low to the ground.

Can't be blamed because of IFS !

Take a trip to the snowplowing forums around the net......

Lots of problems with Fords front suspension woes.

Not to mention a BUNCH of the new Torqueshift tranny failures !

Pros and cons for ANY brand......................

BASIC · May 7, 2005

sonjaab,sir,ggod point about the clerance.Your preaching to the chior about Fords problems.The thing about Chevy/GMC,$2000 for a trans,I'm sure it's a good one if not the best but $2000,BASIC.

BASIC · May 10, 2005

I drove a 03 GMC Duramax/Alison 2500(thats all the dealer had.I think the Dodge/Cummins was faster but it also has more HP/TQ,I'd like to compare it with a new GMC/Chevy.The GMC rode and steered very well,very civilized,untruk like.The trans was smoothest I've driven,1 st gear felt extremely low,almost like a manual trans.What are the pros and cons of the torsion bar front suspension.The salesman spoke very highly of the locking rear differential,how good is it and how does it differ from Ford and Dodge?I can't order an 05 and if I went with the Duramax/Alison I understand there will be a 6 speed for 06.I opened the tailgate and was suprised how much lighter it was than my Ford,I don't know if it matters,just an observation.I like the fact that the Cummins has such a good reputation and is a true medium duty engine compared to the Duramax and the Powerstroke.I also understand a pickup like many other things is a sum of it's parts.Thankyou.BASIC.

mmmikkke · May 10, 2005

...Biggest problems, I have the best radio they offer and yet it doesn't play MP3s. It has no iPod interface. The truck came with crap 16" 245 summer treads. Get real! It has 6.5" wide 16" wheels. Ya they are nice polished AL wheels but I can't put any real tires on them. I had to finish dressing the truck up after I brought it home.. Ok, yes you could argue I didn't "have to" but there was no good sport appearance package from Chevy. What are they living under a rock? Don't they read and watch their own forums?

Net --> They have the best tranny on the market. They have a ton of torque in a gas engine that gets better MPG than most of the competitions smaller engines.

They are asleep at the wheel concerning options.

just my $1.50's worth . . .

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The only good thing about GM living under a rock is that when you deck out your GM product, it stands out because most of the other GM owners just leave them the way they came off the showroom floor.

Anybody can get a decked out Dodge, so there are a lot of 'em. Doesn't take a gearhead to deck them out, Dodge does all the hard work *for* them. So they're more of a commodity.

I agree with Superman about the 6.5" rims, I squeezed some 285's on mine but I would have rather GM gave us a 7 or 8" rim to work with. In my opinion, the 2500HD should have 285's on it from the factory.

By the way, when I bought my 2005 2500HD, I noted the SRW 3500 choices: You get painted steel wheels, no option for aluminum wheels (but you can get the shiny center cap for your painted wheels for extra $$), No extended cab/short box combination...There are other shortcomings. Just note that the 3500 SRW in 1995 was 9200GVW, and now the 2500HD is 9200GVW. So the 2500HD might be the truck you're looking for, and you're being thrown off by GM's re-badging.

Which brings me to the stupidest thing GM could have done. For 2005, they rebadged the 2500 as a 1500HD. There is no longer a plain 2500. Think of all the people who would have bought a 3/4 ton truck who drop in to their GM dealer and have to choose between the 2500HD, which they assume is "too much truck" and a 1500 (which just doesn't have the Tool-Time appeal of the 2500 badge).

ctfan · May 11, 2005

I don't think you can get a regular cab 3500SRW from GM.

You can get a 1ton SRW in a regular cab, crew cab long bed and ext cab long bed.

I am happy with my 6.0. I put 285's on my truck aswell, no triming but had to adjust the t-bars a touch. Either way, you be good.

As far as no plain 2500, the 1500HD has the same GVWR as a 2500 8600#, but you can only get this in a cc/short bed combo if I remember correctly. You also can't get the factory plow prep package on it. Now that hasn't stoped people from putting plows on cc/short beds. I guess you would have to talk to your dealer and see how they would warranty it.

William