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2004 Gmc 2500hd 8.1


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Posted

Hey guy's newbie here, I did a search on the 8.1 and found a lot of info but would like a little more. I'm looking at a 2004 gmc crew cab 2500hd with the following toys on it,

8.1 auto (not sure if its a allison or not)

65000 miles

rhino lining

K&N air cleaner system

Megnafow mufflers

loaded, xm, mirriors, windows ect.

285 tires

great shape, runs sweet, drives sweet

ANY info on this beast would be great! $19000.00asking

Am i missing something? seems like a good deal.

Posted

First off, welcome to GM-trucks. That truck sounds like a find these 8.1 are getting harder and harder to find. If it has tow/haul mode and an OD crossed out on the column shifter than it has the allison trans behind it. I love both the 8.1's we have. By far the allison is the best for towing in the HD(the burbans no slug but the allison makes all the difference). Dont expect good gas mileage out of it lucky to get 10city/13hwy.....but normally 9.5/12. It seems everyone has oil consumption, depending on the driving habits usually about a quart every 3,000 miles. The price to me seems a little high. These bigblocks should be pretty cheap with how much gas cost. For comparison I got my 04 extened cab short bed 4x4 LS (35k miles) for 19g's almost a year and half ago from a local dealer (it had been there for almost 4 months). But a CC is defiantly going to bring more money. Good luck with the truck you'll love the power and it will pass anything on the street but a gas station.

J

Posted

Sounds like a great truck, just hope your not expecting it to be a suitable daily driver. Cause you will be making friends with the gas station people alot :lol:

 

The price is kinda high though, I say $17,000 its more worth. The fact that it has one of then K&N intakes..... well... you can put a better one in :)

 

If you get it post pics! & i'd love to hear how that thing sounds.

Posted

Just traded my 04 cc 8.1 in today. Going to try to sell it while waiting for the new one. I'm asking 19 with 37,000 miles, so that sounds a little high for that one.

Posted

Thanks for the responses guys, so the 8.1 is a good motor aside from the bad gas miliage? Is there anything else I should be aware of?

Posted

I'm not sure about years but I have a 2002 GMC Sierra with the 8.1 and it had a bad crank position sensor. Thats how I found this site when my truck kept having intermediate stalling with no codes. When we changed it the dealer told my dad that gm changed the design of it 3 times so I hope gm finally got it right and this one last me. :D

Posted

I agree with the others, my truck was very similar to that one with 50K on it and I paid $1,000 less. All 8.1 Silverado automatics are Allisons. The 8.1 SUV's have the 4L80E automatic. The failure prone crank sensors were 01-02 model years. You're looking at a very comfortable, dependable, and capable pick-up truck. All you need to do is look it over carefully to see if it's been taken care of. Take the oil filler cap off with the engine running and look for any smoke coming out, there shouldn't be any. Smell the transmission dipstick, if it smells burned that's bad. Drive it over bumps and listen for loud popping in the front steering, the pitman and idler arms are quick to wear out but they are easily replaced. If you can live with the 10 MPG and get the price down a bit it's a great truck.

 

Vernon

Posted

I just bought an 05 crewcab 2500hd with the 8.1 and allison with 4.10s, it has dual magnaflow exh, spray in liner, remote start, 26,000 miles, leveling kit, 285/75/16 tires, airaide cold air intake, 5 year 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warrenty, and a couple of other little goodies for $20,000

Posted

I've got an 04 2500HD crew with the 8.1. True, they only came with the Allison tranny -- the 5 speed version. Check and see what rear end it has...either 3.73 or 4.10.

 

Mine is getting consistent 10-11 MPG city, but not in winter months. All that warming up, sitting drops me down under 10 MPG. Highway I've been known to get 12-14 depending on lots of factors.

 

Love my truck and have 0% financing on it, so I'm going to keep driving every day for a long time. Also have ext warranty that will cover me until 10 years, 100k miles, with zero deductable.

 

I've heard the 6.0's don't get that much better MPG, so figured I would be happier with the Big Block. I've never been disappionted. Yes, doesn't do great on fuel...but does better than my Dad's old 1976 K20HD regular cab long box. That truck got 6 MPG city OR highway! Getting 10 MPG from heavier truck with 496 cubic inches and all the comfort goodies (leather, XM, on-star, heated seats, etc.), well, I'm not going to complain about the price of gas one bit. It is what it is...and I'm driving what I'm driving. Nuff said.

 

Another thing to think about when considering the 8.1...you are driving the biggest production V8 ever put into a truck! And they aren't making them any more...

Posted

If you have questions about the 8.1L engine, we at Raylar are kind of considered the "word" in 8.1L engines and upgrades. You can also visit our website www.raylarengine.com might peak your interest.

Regards

Ray @ Raylar :lol:

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for all the replies guys, and being they don't make the 8.1 anymore is it hard to get parts for?
Posted

Not meaning to hi-jack this thread but since the 496 was killed off by the tree huggers.. There is the option with a littlle wrenching time to drop in a ZZ502/502 crate motor. Been running one of these for 8 seasons now and that will put a grin on yer face...

Posted

Hey guys, just wanted to say thanks on all the info about the truck. I pulled the trigger today and bought it. I will pick it up tomorrow :D:mad::D it also has the 410 rear end!

  • 10 months later...
Posted

I have the 2002 GMC 2500 Hd with the 8.1. I can not seem to get better than 8.9 mpg on the HWY. I have tried injector cleaners and different brands and octane of gas. I changed everything over to Amsoil 10 months ago and put there high flow airfilter in, that is it, any ideas.

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