Pros And Cons Of 1500 V 2500

Daytona955 · January 24, 2008

Hi all,

I'm within a couple months of buying a new pickup and can't decide between the 1500 and 2500HD series. I'm out in the Middle East (Qatar) for a few years and the local GMC dealer basically has a 'you can have whatever you want as long as it's on my showroom floor' policy so special orders are out of the question.

I like the idea of the 6.0 in the 2500 series as I love horsepower and gas is real cheap here but have read about accelaration delays due to some torque management system these things run.

Getting a decent tune here is out of the question so whatever I choose has to be most suitable for me straight out of the box.

I currently drive a 5.3 single cab, short box 2001 1500 series with 5 speed manual and with the roads here being what they are, unloaded its a pretty rough ride. I see the 2500 series still has the torsion bar setup so i'm wondering if the coil overs in the 1500's now are that much more luxurious in the ride.

It'll mostly be used for the daily commute with weekend towing of a 3 bike trailer with maybe another bike plus gear in the box.

I want to go for the extended cab with a short box and want the best power and pickup as well as a decent ride quality.

So whats the advice? The 1500 with 5.3 or the 2500 with 6.0? Which is quicker off the mark up to say 80mph? What about ride quality unloaded over rough road (desert)? The dealer has a 2500 in my specs right now but how do I tell the gear ratio it has? asking the dealer resulted in blank stares, can I tell from the VIN number or ID plates somehow?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

cm5 · January 24, 2008

does that GMC dealer have any 1500's with the vmax motor (6.0)? that would be the 'fastest' option.

the 1500 with a 5.3 is a lighter truck and doesnt have as much trq mngmt on it as the 6.0L 2500. I'm pretty sure that the 1500 would be slightly quicker.

a 5.3L 1500 can tow about 8,000 lbs so that wont be an issue for you.

i haven't driven the new 2500's but i would think that the 1500 would have a smoother ride. i know my 2007 gmt900 1500 has a very smooth ride (z85 suspension).

in your conditions i would suggest a Z-71 or Z-85 package.

the 1500's run cheaper, so i use the extra cash on better options on the 1500 rather than less options on the 2500.

so my choice would be 1500 with vmax 6.0L motor, then the 5.3L 1500 as second choice.

ChrisNJ · January 24, 2008

Based on your specs, the 1500-5.3 will be the best option with the 1500-6.0 as a great choice but hard to find. They ride and handle better than the 800's. I've heard that the new 2500's ride better than the old ones, but I don't see how as they are the same setup. I wouldn't get the 2500, I did and regretted it.

Daytona955 · January 24, 2008

Thanks for the advice! The dealer here is telling me they don't make the 1500 series with a 6.0 and showing him print outs of the GMC website doesn't help either so I guess if I go 1500 it'll have to be the 5.3.

I saw on the web there is a 1500 'All-Terrain' which looks sweet, I bet that won't be available out this way anytime soon though....

509vista · January 24, 2008

Just out of curiosity, how much is gas over there? And in regards to your question, I have a 2007 Silverado 1500 RCSB 4wd and I'm very pleased with the power. And I just came out of a 2007 Mustang GT.

Daytona955 · January 24, 2008

Just out of curiosity, how much is gas over there?

How does about 86 cents a gallon sound? You see why I don't care about what size engine I get as long as its powerful?

jrrod2004 · January 24, 2008

dang.....wish that was the same over here....

07BlueSierra · January 24, 2008

Daytona - you wouldnt happen to be a triumph owner would you? That Daytona 955 was pretty sweet. I wish they would bring out another 1Liter Super bike. Unitl then my Speed Triple will work

Cheers

Seth

unit731 · January 24, 2008

Is this a truck you will leave in Middle East once job is done?

Gasoline is leaded over there isn't it?

I do know of people who have purchased over there, and once done, tried to bring back to N. America. The price to 'federalize' was prohibitive.

$0.02

Rocco715 · January 24, 2008

The coil overs on my 1500 ride very very smooth you'll almost forget your driving a truck. if your going to be riding in rough terrain then deffinatley get something set up with the z71 suspension. I think a 2500 would be a little overkill for just hauling bikes but they do look very nice and have an optional Duramax . I think your best bet would be to get a 1500 w/ the 6.0L and I wouldn't get the short box if your going to want to put a bike and gear back there get the standard 6.5' box. As for the gear ratio it should say it on the window sticker. If any of the trucks on your dealers lot have the trailering package none of them will come with anything less than 3.73. Also if your dealer doesn't beleive you that the 1500's come with a 6.0L print out pictures of trucks with the Vortec Max badging.

Happy shopping

mini1 · January 24, 2008

Are there no other dealer available to you besides this idiot who will not order what you want or even acknowledge that GM makes a VMAX 1500? Go somewhere else.

Big_D · January 24, 2008

Just out of curiosity, how much is gas over there?

How does about 86 cents a gallon sound? You see why I don't care about what size engine I get as long as its powerful?

d**n thats crazy price difference than what im paying. in canada(alberta) gas is $1.04 per liter. so around $4 per gallon

tinie0416 · January 24, 2008

They do make a 1500 w/6.0l...............I have one, and it is a Z71 pkg. Very fast and smooth for a truck. Great Truck!!

Daytona955 · January 25, 2008

Theres only one GMC dealer in town and Qatar really has only 1 decent sized town so this guy is the only option. I could go to the Chevy dealership but I prefer the GMC grill. All the 1500's they bring in seem to be the Z71 package so does that mean they are likely to have the 3.7 rear end or better?

The gas here is all unleaded and it's 98 octane for the good stuff and I think 91 octane for the regular gas. When I leave here the truck will stay as will the dirtbike, they all get pretty well flogged out in the desert.

As regards my forum name, yeah I had a '99 daytona, sweet bike in the black, real shame they only do the Daytone 600 now.....

2004GMC1500CC · January 25, 2008

Just out of curiosity, how much is gas over there?

How does about 86 cents a gallon sound? You see why I don't care about what size engine I get as long as its powerful?

d**n thats crazy price difference than what im paying. in canada(alberta) gas is $1.04 per liter. so around $4 per gallon

There is some interesting reading out there about how much the subsudized fuel is really costing alot of the middle eastern countries. And I don't feel sorry for them on bit.