How common are 8.1L Allison trucks?

[Motojay]

Looking at a 2003 8.1 Allison at a local dealer.

 

Has everything I need... CC, 4x4, all the toys...Even the right color. 37k, one owner...

 

Only thing is... I dont need it for 2-3 months.

 

Seems like Dmaxs and 6.0s are more common.

 

Will I find another?

 

Jay

[Needgasmoney]

I started a thread on this exact subject a short time ago. According to GM, on average, they produce 50% (6.0), 45% (D-Max) and 5% (8.1). In short, it may be hard to find another.

[Mark_in_Tulsa]

Looking at a 2003 8.1 Allison at a local dealer.

 

Has everything I need... CC, 4x4, all the toys...Even the right color. 37k,  one owner...

 

Only thing is... I dont need it for 2-3 months.

 

Seems like Dmaxs and 6.0s  are more common.

 

Will I find another?

 

Jay

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I went to one of the bigger stealerships here....and they had no 8.1's on the lot. He said they may order one a month at the most.....but useally they come in from dealer trades. But sadly I wanted to drive a BB for the first time and they didn't have one.

[ABQFirefighter]

Tough to find. I'd buy it now if the price is right and it's what you are looking for. I had mine for about 6 months, put it up for sale to see what it would do and I had every Chevy dealer in town call me to try and trade it in for a new one. They had people looking specifically just for the BB and nobody had one on their lots. I decided not to sell.......I'm glad I did. It's a beast!

[BBSilverado]

They are a little hard to find, I know I had to order mine

[99-2door]

Yeah, as rare as the 8.1L is, add the fact that the Allison is an additional option and then try to find one.

[Motojay]

Tough to find. I'd buy it now if the price is right and it's what you are looking for.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Well, can I get opinions from you guys on the price?

 

2003 GMC SLT 8.1 Allison CC SB 4x4 white. Loaded with all the popular options, bench leather seat. 38000 miles

 

Edmunds.com has it at $23,585 trade, $25,209 private, $28,151 retail.

 

NADA is at $27,200 trade and $30,000 retail.

 

I don’t know how up to date these numbers are though… GMS pricing on new is driving down used values by the minute.

 

I can buy this truck for $23,500.

 

What do you guys think?

 

Thanks,

 

Jay

[Trouttrooper]

On top of all that, try and find one with 4:10 running gears. My dealership did a nation-wide search and found 2 when I was looking. I compromised on color (wanted dark blue) and no sliding rear window.

 

I was lucky one of them was set up the way I wanted. Figured I'd live with the color since my wife liked it and some day I'll just replace the rear window with a slider.

[Haulin' 8.1]

That's a good price for that truck. Yeah it might go down another thousand or less in three months, but it might not either. And in three months you probably won't find another like it. I bought my 2001 just over a year ago now for $19,000 with 52K on it from a 2nd owner 23 year old who had it about 9 months before he figured out he was in over his head payment wise. I got it for $900 less than he still owed on it. It was the first and last 8.1 I've seen for sale. I'm a mechanic in an area where these HD's are a dime a dozen, I've seen hundreds. I know of three in my area including mine that are 8.1's. I've driven dozens of 6.0's for work, great trucks but I coudn't imagine giving up my 8.1 for one, and the diesels are really great but I didn't need one, that and I didn't have the loot for it either.

 

In short I like that price for year/mileage and love the truck. In your shoes I would jump on it while the getting's good. No matter what happens, unless they start giving good trucks away, you're not likely to regret the purchase.

 

Vernon

[ABQFirefighter]

I second that.....Jump on it for that price!

[Daubs]

Ordered my 8.1/Allison. I wasn't really looking for truck off the lot. Knew I wanted to order mine just the way I wanted it. Glad I did. Not many out there...and when I tell people it's the big block they get all wide eyed.

[SimplyRAD]

I have yet to see another truck like mine. Very rare.

 

I still would like to know if anyone here has seen or owns one like mine.

[moo snutz]

I had to order my 8.1 / 6 speed. I had the dealer look everywhere, no luck. They are definitely hard to come by. I put 40-60 miles a day on my truck so I'm having to get used to the extra $$$ spent on gas - but I wouldn't change a thing.

 

The 496 is a beast & it feeds when it wants.

 

 

 

 

BTW - That price sounds pretty good. Good luck!

[Motojay]

Went to drive the truck today, and probably bring it home.

 

 

It ran like crap.

 

It seemed OK when it was cold, but on full throttle shifts from 1-2 it would hang in the upper RPM ranges for a few secconds, then finally SLAM into 2nd. Same on the 2-3 shift. Then it began stumbling, and missing at low RPM. Seemed like a computer problem, but we shall see.

 

Overall a not good experience.

 

I told him that I wanted it fixed, and if I bought it I wanted an extended warranty in the purchase price.

 

Left the ball in his court.

 

Thanks for the advice gentlemen.

 

Jay

[linda]

LT

8.1L

Allison

4.10:1 rear

Ext. Cab Short Box

Every option. You name it, I got it. Even got some they didn't offer..

sittin at 14,700 miles so far with zero problems

 

I wouldn't change a thing!

Love my little 496