Order Advice(2009? Heavy Duty)

4wd · April 30, 2008

I plan to order a gmc 1500sierra x-cab or crew-cab short bed Vortec 6.0l (Durmax is not an option for me)engin 6 speed tranny, 4X4 offroad and heavy duty options. I talked with the dealer but told me that I have to wait few weeks because the system is not open and it will be 2009.

The dealr was hinting that this configuration may not be possible. I really like 1500 x-cab but I may end up with 2500HD or 1500 crew-cab if this configuration is not possible on 1500!?

I do offroad driving in the desert, comute and do highway. I also from time to time do help pull stuck cars and also do harsh offroad driving if needed.

I don't like the 2500HD size!

Any informed advice about the best configuration in GMC terms is apprecaited. Also I am looking at remote start and the other handy features but not the top of line stuff because of the $$$$!

Thanks

vranasaurus · April 30, 2008

What do you mean it won't come in this configuration? How do the 1500 EC's come?

If you don't need the capacity of a 2500 I would get the 1500, in a configuration that meets your needs, as the fuel economy will be much much better.

4wd · April 30, 2008

What do you mean it won't come in this configuration? How do the 1500 EC's come?

If you don't need the capacity of a 2500 I would get the 1500, in a configuration that meets your needs, as the fuel economy will be much much better.

the dealer say GM don't make vortec 6.0l and 6 speed tranny on 1500 extended cab!

vranasaurus · May 1, 2008

Do they make the 6.0 with a 4 speed?

If so that is the setup I would go with. The 6 speed tranny is not worth upgrading to a 2500. IMHO, you should not get a 2500 just to get a 6 speed tranny.

Or do they not put a 6.0 in the EC at all? If the choice is between a 1500 with a 5.3 and a 2500 with a 6.0 and you don't require the additional towing or hauling capacity of the 2500 then I would get the 1500. The additional power and torque output of the 6.0 is essentially negated by the fact that the 2500 is roughly 900-1000 lbs. heavier. I pulled my boat, about 2000 lbs., this past weekend and my new truck, 2007 2500HD CCSB 6.0 6 speed 3.73 4x4, didn't perform any better or worse than either of my old 1500's.

From what you described of your use for the vehicle you would be best to stick with a 1500.

In the end only you can decide what vehicle meets your needs. You need a drivetrain that will perform like you want and a cab/box configuration that will haul what you want.

Just my $.02.

wellinghurst · May 1, 2008

I think you have to get a crew cab if you want the 6.0 in a 1500. Anyway, sounds like the 5.3 would work fine for you. GM has alwasy had strange things you can and can't do (kinda like trying to get tan interior in a gray truck-you couldn't do it for many years, or trying to get a Silver 2003 Silverado-color not available that year), but hey, at least you can order it mostly like you want-the Japanese companies don't do special order at all!

chrisb1 · May 1, 2008

It is GMs intent to add the GM built 6 speed automatic to the 1500 series. The current limitation is one of supply. They did not have enough 6 speeds available through the 2008 model year to equip the 1500 series. You might want to check on the 2009

1500 series features and see if the 6 speed will be offered.

I have an 08 GMC 2500HD Ext, Standard Box,Duramax. The truck off road, on soft turf, is a lumbering turd. The front end is heavy and the turning radius is big. I would hate to own a crewcab with an 8' box! I I would agree with buying a 1500 unless your need extreame towing or load carrying capacity.

Ranger · May 1, 2008

They do have ECs with the 6.0L, they are really rare though...All the Vortec Max trucks I found at my local dealer were Crew cabs, but I have seen some ECs running around town.

4wd · May 2, 2008

They do have ECs with the 6.0L, they are really rare though...All the Vortec Max trucks I found at my local dealer were Crew cabs, but I have seen some ECs running around town.

sorry repeated........

4wd · May 2, 2008

They do have ECs with the 6.0L, they are really rare though...All the Vortec Max trucks I found at my local dealer were Crew cabs, but I have seen some ECs running around town.

Thanks for the great replies, I need some education here:

If the fuel economy is not an issue, is there a prblem having 6L vs 5.3 and 6 speed vs 4 speed, if I had the choice on 1500 shortbox EC or crew!

I read the other day about another tranny called SUPER duty? what is this? if still available, do you recommend it?

Also I just read about the adaptive learning feature in 6 speed which I don't like (from experience!) at all, but I am afraid this could be the future.

Is the 6 speed made by GM? cause I belive this is a very good option for highway and long trips!

So guys if you know or heard about any issue other than the fuel economy , please let me know before I make the order...

vranasaurus · May 2, 2008

They do have ECs with the 6.0L, they are really rare though...All the Vortec Max trucks I found at my local dealer were Crew cabs, but I have seen some ECs running around town.

Thanks for the great replies, I need some education here:

If the fuel economy is not an issue, is there a prblem having 6L vs 5.3 and 6 speed vs 4 speed, if I had the choice on 1500 shortbox EC or crew!

I read the other day about another tranny called SUPER duty? what is this? if still available, do you recommend it?

Also I just read about the adaptive learning feature in 6 speed which I don't like (from experience!) at all, but I am afraid this could be the future.

Is the 6 speed made by GM? cause I belive this is a very good option for highway and long trips!

So guys if you know or heard about any issue other than the fuel economy , please let me know before I make the order...

The 6 speed has an advantage over the 4 speed when towing because of the extra OD and the low first gear other than that it's not going to do anything for you. On long trips the performance of the two will be nearly identical as the final gear is so close. The 6 speed has a final OD of .67:1 and the 4 speed is .70:1.

If the 6.0 6 speed is an option in the 1500 you should get it. There is nothing wrong with that.

wellinghurst · May 2, 2008

I would hate to own a crewcab with an 8' box!

Whatever, you're just jealous of my turning radius!

5.3s always seem to get much better mpgs than the 6.0s-I don't care what tranny you put behind it.

4wd · May 2, 2008

They do have ECs with the 6.0L, they are really rare though...All the Vortec Max trucks I found at my local dealer were Crew cabs, but I have seen some ECs running around town.

Thanks for the great replies, I need some education here:

If the fuel economy is not an issue, is there a prblem having 6L vs 5.3 and 6 speed vs 4 speed, if I had the choice on 1500 shortbox EC or crew!

I read the other day about another tranny called SUPER duty? what is this? if still available, do you recommend it?

Also I just read about the adaptive learning feature in 6 speed which I don't like (from experience!) at all, but I am afraid this could be the future.

Is the 6 speed made by GM? cause I belive this is a very good option for highway and long trips!

So guys if you know or heard about any issue other than the fuel economy , please let me know before I make the order...

The 6 speed has an advantage over the 4 speed when towing because of the extra OD and the low first gear other than that it's not going to do anything for you. On long trips the performance of the two will be nearly identical as the final gear is so close. The 6 speed has a final OD of .67:1 and the 4 speed is .70:1.

If the 6.0 6 speed is an option in the 1500 you should get it. There is nothing wrong with that.

Good enough..thanks!