Gas Or Diesel?

rdubb · March 11, 2008

Hi there, my name rdubb and I am new to the site. i have basically owned a gm vehicle all of my life. I am now in the market to get myself a gm/chev 2500hd. I have a question for those who currently own this style of vehicle and i would also like their opinion.

i am in the market to get a 05/06 2500hd and i am unsure of whether or not to get a gas (and what size) job or a diesel. I have just recently heard that there is more than one diesel motor available, and if so, which is better?

the truck will hopefully be used for work. it will hopefully do alot of highway travel along with some side/gravel road and travel down the right aways (for those who dont know are generally narrow, rough, muddy, snow covered, ect.. they are roads down oil/gas pipelines, roads to rigs, ect..). it will be under load most of the time, anywhere from 50% to max. it will also pull a trailer under load occasionally too.

i would really like to hear what kind of mileage people are getting, both free of load and with load and at what speed. what kind of power they have and if it is sufficient enough for what they are doing?

any and all help would really be appreciated.

thanks

rdubb

ZZ327 · March 12, 2008

as far as the 6.0Ls go its about 12 or less MPG loaded. Maybe 15mpg unloaded.

mitchell87 · March 12, 2008

If you will be loaded down most of the time the diesel will get you better mpg and have a better get up and go. The gas truck has a bit more payload i believe because of the weight of the diesel, but not sure on that. The diesel engines in those years would be the LLY and the LBZ, both great engines, the LBZ is rated to be a little more powerful and cam with a six speed allison rather then a 5 speed. They both have had there problems, nothing really serious. The bad thing about diesels are cold weather starting, but maybe were you live this won't be much of a problem. Diesel fuel is more expensive right now and the maintience costs of diesel are more than that of gasoline, so you have to take this into consideration. Diesels can make rediculous power with only a few upgrades, much more than that of a gas engine with the same upgrades. The new 6.0L in the NBS trucks i have heard have good power and get decent milage with the new 6 speed. The choice is up to you, do a little research and you will find a lot of info.