Which Truck Should I Buy?

mas110 · September 3, 2008

I am going to be purchasing a used truck. The two I have it narrowed down to are a 2005 1500HD 6.0 liter with 55000 miles, and a 2004 Silverado Z71 5.3 liter with 32000 miles. Both are in about the same, good condition. Both I can get for around $16k. I have had a truck for 14 years of my life and then decided to get a car to save gas. I can't stand driving the car anymore and I miss my Chevy truck! I started with a S-10 and went to a Silverado, and then a 1500HD, and then to the duramax diesel so I know about all the different models and what each offer. I am just stuck on my decision and here are my thoughts on why I am stuck on this decision. I want the HD for the extra power, towing and hauling. I do firewood during fall and pull a trailer to cut a couple lawns on the side and it would be nice to have the extra towing hauling ability of the HD. I want to get a travel trailer in the next year or two, nothing to big, so either truck would be sufficient. The Z71 has 24,000 less miles than the HD which is another two years of driving for me so that is a plus for the Z71. The Z71 has a little better gas mileage, this isn't that big of a deal but my everyday driving is just about 15 miles both ways back and forth to work. The HD sits a little higher and therefore looks a little meaner. You see where I am going with this!!! I can't decide, what are your thoughts??? Thanks in advance, and sorry for the rambling, but I am really stuck here!

davzog · September 3, 2008

I bought my HD2500 only because the wife talked me into a 5th wheel, and my 1/2 ton would not haul it.

I hate the poor mpg with the 6.0L, and it is maxed out pulling the 5er, but I LOVE the truck. As a daily driver it is just fun to drive...sits high, comfortable, plenty of room and will haul anything I throw at it....

I have a Lincoln Town car that gets twice the mpg but I drive the truck....

99silveradoz71 · September 3, 2008

I pulled an enclosed trailer with my yard stuff in it with my 99 ext cab Z71 5.3 with no issues at all. In your case, I suppose it's all a matter of what you see yourself doing down the road. You mentioned a travel trailer. It'd be better to have too much truck and be ready for it, than to buy small and limit yourself down the road when it comes time to trailer shop.

mas110 · September 4, 2008

Do you think the mileage difference should come into play? I went and looked at both of them again this afternoon and there are only two things now holding me back from buying the HD. They are 1) the 55,000 miles on the HD compared to the 32,000 on the Z71, and 2) The Z71 is a little "fresher/cleaner" looking, although I think the HD would clean up nicely with a little elbow grease. Thanks Again.

VMax2007 · September 4, 2008

Get the 6.0

Thread closed!

mas110 · September 4, 2008

Bill,

That is a sweet truck you have! I love the oval step bars myself better than the round. I had the same stainless oval ones when I had my duramax.

Back to my original post, I am just second guessing the mileage difference between the two. Thirty some thousand is big difference, but I want the HD! If only the two were swapped I wouldn't be in this dilema. I guess I am just looking for some hard evidence why one over the other? Like will the HD hold up longer or vice versa, etc. etc. etc...

Thanks

VMax2007 · September 4, 2008

Bill,
That is a sweet truck you have! I love the oval step bars myself better than the round. I had the same stainless oval ones when I had my duramax.

Back to my original post, I am just second guessing the mileage difference between the two. Thirty some thousand is big difference, but I want the HD! If only the two were swapped I wouldn't be in this dilema. I guess I am just looking for some hard evidence why one over the other? Like will the HD hold up longer or vice versa, etc. etc. etc...

Thanks

4L80E vs the 4L60E.

Nuff said! Get the HD!

mas110 · September 4, 2008

4L80E vs the 4L60E.

Nuff said! Get the HD!

Jeff,

Is the 4L80E standard on the 1500HD? Do you personally, think I should worry about the difference in mileage between the two trucks? I tried looking up the difference between the two transmissions but was clueless with what I was reading. What is the difference between the two (in lehmans terms)? Thanks

VMax2007 · September 4, 2008

Jeff,
Is the 4L80E standard on the 1500HD? Do you personally, think I should worry about the difference in mileage between the two trucks? I tried looking up the difference between the two transmissions but was clueless with what I was reading. What is the difference between the two (in lehmans terms)? Thanks

Both the 5.3 and 6.0 are great engines. But since you mentioned fairly heavy towing, I would say the 6.0 with the 4L80E is a far better option for longevity. The 4L80E is FAR stronger than the 4L60E's. When subjected to heavy towing loads, it will last ALOT longer than a 4L60E.

I have the 4L70E and I wish I had the 4L80E. There are motorheads out there that replace their 4L60E's with 4L80E's to handle their modded truck's added power. They do have alot more parasitic loss though, due to them being so much heavier duty. Not good for drag racing, but great for not exploding.

Don Green · September 4, 2008

Keep the car and look for a 2500HD.Sounds like you need it.My old half ton sierra 350 TBI lasted a long time but the rear end was too light-same as a caprice.Blew a hole through the housing when the pinion teeth sheered off at about 150K.Had a crummy ratio in it though like 300 or something like that.Seemed like it struggled to tow a 24ft camper+a bed full of camp stuff.I like the truck and still have it.I never heard of a 1500HD maybe it has a stronger rear end and springs.I have a HD2500 now-a lot more truck like no car parts are shared with it

dietz4ibanez · September 4, 2008

Get the 6.0

Thread closed!

+1

VMax2007 · September 4, 2008

Get the 6.0

Thread closed!

+1

The 7.0 is only available in the Z06 Vette.

dietz4ibanez · September 4, 2008

Well then I guess he is going to have to buy the truck and the vette and do an engine swap...

mas110 · September 4, 2008

Well then I guess he is going to have to buy the truck and the vette and do an engine swap...

If I would have that kind of money I wouldn't be looking at trucks! I would be having someone else doing my work for me and driving the vette down the coast hitting every beach on the way!

I think I am going to go with the 1500HD. Hauling trees during the fall and winter, and possibly a tt in the near future, I think I will appretiate the 1300 or so etxra pounds I can put in the bed. Thanks for all the replies. Leave me some more replies cause I am not going until the weekend or early next week. Who knows, I may change my mind until then!!!