ordering a 2006 2500HD 8.1/Manual?

3/4tonYJ · August 14, 2005

I'm planning on ordering before the end of September sometime, have been waiting to see the what changed from the 2005's models.

anyone unhappy with any options they have? OR very happy and would order them again, wish they would have. This will be my first New Purchase and am getting alittle gun shy, I won't even be able to test drive first (i live in Italy currently) but that is getting me a large discount i just can't pass up.

Z71-cummins · August 14, 2005

Hey i wouldnt buy a 06 until the new diesel came out but since ur not gettin a diesel thats a good truck.

Haulin' 8.1 · August 14, 2005

Well the advice is free so here's my opinion. Most of my faivorite add ons are aftermarket but if I was checking off boxes on an order forum here's how I would go.

Sunroofs are now availiable in the trucks and some seem to think this is the greatest thing since sliced bread. To me these are a PITA, a definate waste of time and money. I've had several vehicles over the years with sun roofs, T-tops, convertables, and just plain old hard tops. Of all the choices the sunroof is the worst one.

Convertables are the next best thing to a motorcycle for open air motoring pleasure and worth the noise and maintainence associated with it's presence.

T-tops are rugged and offer a large reduction in roof on the occasions when that is preferred with the lowest maintainence and problems (at least on the newer stuff).

Sunroofs offer very little in open air pleasure with all of the drawbacks. They all produce higher interior temperatures on sunny days. A/Cs aren't what they used to be. They generate more wind noise in the cabin that increases with speed. They all eventually jam up and stick, usually at the worst possible time like when it's raining and you're dressed up. The repairs must be preformed by a professional and it's costly and time consuming.

Hard tops are just that solid metal, and since this will be a truck I can't think of anything better than that for a roof over my head. Like I'm driving around looking straight up and seeing anything when I do.

Gearing. I have an 8.1 with 3.73 gears. The tires they put on these trucks are undersized compared to the styling and capabilitys. The just plain look silly in those fenderwells. So like everyone else I run larger tires. I'm running just 265's and still it reduced gear leaverage. If I had 4.10 gears the overall ratio would be the same as stock. If all you're going to do is lightly loaded hiway cruising then get the 3.73's. But if your going to do some pulling and spend a good deal of time in city type traffic you'll get better mileage out of the 4.10s. You'll use overdrive at lower speeds and more often. I'm often hung up in 4th gear and traffic won't allow me to speed up enough to catch 5th. So if it was me I would order as much gear as they would allow, the 4.10s, as chances are you're mileage will be better with them, especially if you ditch the roller skate tires. I'm going to 4.56's as soon as finances allow.

I tow a travel trailer from time to time and wish my truck had camper type extendable mirrors. My climate is warm so the heated mirrors are not needed. The regular mirrors are useless to see around the camper, bring a co-pilot for spotting the right lane.

I've got front buckets and think I would like a split front bench better so I could sit next to my baby on trips. A friend who has the split bench says he ordered his for that reason also but didn't realize he'd loose rear A/C vents and now his kids stay to hot unless he blasts the A/C. He says he'd get the buckets if he could do it again. So if getting a crew and planning on carrying passengers regularly it's something to consider.

My auxillary tape player and the Onstar system have never been used by me and probably never will. All my tapes are antiques and we have cell phones. Speaking of audio systems the base speaker system is weak. I still run the factory deck but amps and speakers with subs were just what the doctor ordered for enjoyable, not just loud, audio.

The rear view mirror with compass and thermometer is nice and I use it. The over head console I forget is there.

My dual batterys have been more trouble than help, and you still need jumper cables if the main one goes dead.

Four wheel drive should be mandatory. I hate to get stuck. It also holds the value a bunch more than two wheel. These are big heavy trucks, if you ever will get off the pavement, get 4WD. The push button 4WD is great though the manual stuff has more long term durability.

It's time consuming and laborious to wash the truck, pick your color accordingly.

The Allison really is a great transmission, nothing wrong with the 6 speed but don't pass on the Allison just because you usually dispise automatics like me. Drive one if possible before you decide.

I do use the rear window defroster to defog, very usefull.

My truck is black and the chrome mirrors don't fit in with the paint. I would get black to match the paint and trim better.

Vernon

3/4tonYJ · August 15, 2005

thanks very much,

4x4 is a must for me, (i've needed 4wd in the alley behind my house before) but i would get it anyway.

i want a manual transfercase lever (so that limits the package i can order)

i want fitted rubber floor.

no sun roof (thanks for the thoughts, i forgot most of that)

as said before manual trans.

3.73 or 4.10, what a choice, i was leaning twards 4.10, never had a truck that couldn't use a little lower gearing (numerically higher gears) i also suspect i will go with a little larger diameter tire at some point also......

as far a gas mileage, i'm sure a 2006 8.1 will do better than my 1984 318 1-ton dodge (it's just depressing, i don't even check it anymore)

options wanted, power windows, door locks (and stuff), power seats (i think for them long trips) fog lamps, skid plates, radio controls in steering wheel (maybe), trailering eqip package, and on/off road tires with alluminum wheels.

as far a seat, i think the 40/20/40 is what comes with the LT1 package...........anyone know, can a 7 year old sit in the middle?

anyone see flaws in my options, going to get a more finialized price today.

curly · August 15, 2005

I went from bucket seats on my '03 to the split bench on my '05. I honestly don't see much of a difference and my girlfriend says she is actually more comfortable on long trips since having the open space in front of the seats gives added legroom for stretching. I would recommend the steering wheel controls and power seats, etc. like you mentioned.

FlaMan · August 22, 2005

Not trying to change your mind but we are selling our 2002 2500HD with the 8.1 and the automatic 5 speed Allison. It's a 4WD Crew Cab, leather, loaded, peuter in color with Amsoil all around. It only has 50K on it and it runs perfect. Hate to sell it but we only bought it to pull an RV but my wife wants a motorhome so we are selling the RV. Call me if Interested. Will sell for $25K even. Well worth it. It stickered for over $42K back in 2002. Brad at 850-997-6396

I'm planning on ordering before the end of September sometime, have been waiting to see the what changed from the 2005's models.

anyone unhappy with any options they have? OR very happy and would order them again, wish they would have. This will be my first New Purchase and am getting alittle gun shy, I won't even be able to test drive first (i live in Italy currently) but that is getting me a large discount i just can't pass up.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

moo snutz · August 22, 2005

3/4 ton - Welcome to the boards. Lots of good (actually great) 8.1 info here. I was in the same boat a few months back. I had to order my 8.1 / 6 speed. Took about 6 weeks to come in. I ordered the LS CC/SB 4x4 with 4.10s and the rear locker in sport red metallic. I have a slide-in camper so I optioned the truck out accordingly - dual batteries, 140 amp alternator, camper wiring, tow package, skid plates, roof clearance lights (cuz I think they're purty ), cloth 40/20/40, On Star (never have used it), and the steering wheel controls (GET THESE). If I had to do it again, I would do it exactly the same way. I also ordered the manual transfer case option as I don't really care for the push button type.

When the truck came in, I had the dealer swap the forged aluminum wheels that I ordered for the truck with the steel wheels from a 3500 SRW. This gives me a 1/2" wider wheel with a little more load capacity.

Be careful putting small(ish) people in the middle front seat. With only a lap belt, they can easily submarine under the belt in the event of a collision. Sorry if you already knew that - just thought I'd pass it along.

Looking back, I should have ordered the optional donkey team that GM offers with the 8.1 - that way I'd have something to pull me down the road when I ran out of gas....Oh Well

2wheelsRbetter · August 22, 2005

Steering Controls are a must. I won't have another vehicle without them.

I have buckets in a Crew Cab. The center console is huge, but it hides the bass for the Bose 6 disc stereo and as a previous poster mentioned, your plumbing for the rear AC is included so the kids don't bake in the back.

Foldaway mirrors are nice. I use them every time I park in the garage.

Tire and wheels. I would save the dough for the upgrades and go aftermarket.

Cab marker lights are cheap as an option (~$45.00), buy them with the truck. Well worth the $$ if you like the look. My '03 did not come with Fogs, which looks really silly. I think they may now be standard.

Good Luck!