09 Confusion.

west_dt · November 17, 2008

Hey everybody, I have been looking at NNBS Crew Cabs for a while now anticipating getting one when the 4.5L diesel comes out and now there are rumors of it not coming out till 2012 and I don't wanna wait that long. So I might end up with a gas since my towing will be minimal approx 8,000 lb boat a couple of hundred mile trips a year. The rest it will be at my dock. The 09 specs say that the 5.3 4x4 is rated to tow 9500 lbs. That's a 2,000 lb increase from the 08 which doesn't make since. I am not sure the 5.3 will meet my needs so I might look at the 6.0 and 6.2 for more torque and HP. Is the 6.0 the only available engine with the Vortec Max package? If this is true then I will probably end up with the 6.0 due to the main reason to get the Max package is the rear disc brakes and 9.5 rear end. I don't know why the Max package wouldn't be offered with the 6.2 since it has more HP and torque. Any information on this would be appreciated.

jrrod2004 · November 17, 2008

Hey everybody, I have been looking at NNBS Crew Cabs for a while now anticipating getting one when the 4.5L diesel comes out and now there are rumors of it not coming out till 2012 and I don't wanna wait that long. So I might end up with a gas since my towing will be minimal approx 8,000 lb boat a couple of hundred mile trips a year. The rest it will be at my dock. The 09 specs say that the 5.3 4x4 is rated to tow 9500 lbs. That's a 2,000 lb increase from the 08 which doesn't make since. I am not sure the 5.3 will meet my needs so I might look at the 6.0 and 6.2 for more torque and HP. Is the 6.0 the only available engine with the Vortec Max package? If this is true then I will probably end up with the 6.0 due to the main reason to get the Max package is the rear disc brakes and 9.5 rear end. I don't know why the Max package wouldn't be offered with the 6.2 since it has more HP and torque. Any information on this would be appreciated.

Yes you are correct (according to specs). The primary reason that the 6.2 is not considered the vortecmax engine is because of the build. When I was at GM, the 6.2 was designed to be a more 'high feature' engine versus workhorse. That is not to say that the 6.2 cannot be made into a workhorse but any 6.2 equipped truck has the 3.42 rear end and not the 4.10 rear end. the 6.2 also comes with the 6 speed and I dont think GM has confidence in the 6 speed as a workhorse (yet) so they are going easier on it.

VMax2007 · November 17, 2008

Hey everybody, I have been looking at NNBS Crew Cabs for a while now anticipating getting one when the 4.5L diesel comes out and now there are rumors of it not coming out till 2012 and I don't wanna wait that long. So I might end up with a gas since my towing will be minimal approx 8,000 lb boat a couple of hundred mile trips a year. The rest it will be at my dock. The 09 specs say that the 5.3 4x4 is rated to tow 9500 lbs. That's a 2,000 lb increase from the 08 which doesn't make since. I am not sure the 5.3 will meet my needs so I might look at the 6.0 and 6.2 for more torque and HP. Is the 6.0 the only available engine with the Vortec Max package? If this is true then I will probably end up with the 6.0 due to the main reason to get the Max package is the rear disc brakes and 9.5 rear end. I don't know why the Max package wouldn't be offered with the 6.2 since it has more HP and torque. Any information on this would be appreciated.

Yes you are correct (according to specs). The primary reason that the 6.2 is not considered the vortecmax engine is because of the build. When I was at GM, the 6.2 was designed to be a more 'high feature' engine versus workhorse. That is not to say that the 6.2 cannot be made into a workhorse but any 6.2 equipped truck has the 3.42 rear end and not the 4.10 rear end. the 6.2 also comes with the 6 speed and I dont think GM has confidence in the 6 speed as a workhorse (yet) so they are going easier on it.

The 6.0 also has the 6 speed behind it. Also, they dropped the "VortecMax" name for 2009. 4.10's are also no longer available on any 1/2 ton for 2009.

onac255 · November 17, 2008

So the 2009 Max equipped trucks get 4.10s? I thought they did away with the 4.10 option because of the Six Speed transmission.

jrrod2004 · November 17, 2008

Hey everybody, I have been looking at NNBS Crew Cabs for a while now anticipating getting one when the 4.5L diesel comes out and now there are rumors of it not coming out till 2012 and I don't wanna wait that long. So I might end up with a gas since my towing will be minimal approx 8,000 lb boat a couple of hundred mile trips a year. The rest it will be at my dock. The 09 specs say that the 5.3 4x4 is rated to tow 9500 lbs. That's a 2,000 lb increase from the 08 which doesn't make since. I am not sure the 5.3 will meet my needs so I might look at the 6.0 and 6.2 for more torque and HP. Is the 6.0 the only available engine with the Vortec Max package? If this is true then I will probably end up with the 6.0 due to the main reason to get the Max package is the rear disc brakes and 9.5 rear end. I don't know why the Max package wouldn't be offered with the 6.2 since it has more HP and torque. Any information on this would be appreciated.

Yes you are correct (according to specs). The primary reason that the 6.2 is not considered the vortecmax engine is because of the build. When I was at GM, the 6.2 was designed to be a more 'high feature' engine versus workhorse. That is not to say that the 6.2 cannot be made into a workhorse but any 6.2 equipped truck has the 3.42 rear end and not the 4.10 rear end. the 6.2 also comes with the 6 speed and I dont think GM has confidence in the 6 speed as a workhorse (yet) so they are going easier on it.

The 6.0 also has the 6 speed behind it. Also, they dropped the "VortecMax" name for 2009. 4.10's are also no longer available on any 1/2 ton for 2009.

that is true...

onac255 · November 17, 2008

Hey everybody, I have been looking at NNBS Crew Cabs for a while now anticipating getting one when the 4.5L diesel comes out and now there are rumors of it not coming out till 2012 and I don't wanna wait that long. So I might end up with a gas since my towing will be minimal approx 8,000 lb boat a couple of hundred mile trips a year. The rest it will be at my dock. The 09 specs say that the 5.3 4x4 is rated to tow 9500 lbs. That's a 2,000 lb increase from the 08 which doesn't make since. I am not sure the 5.3 will meet my needs so I might look at the 6.0 and 6.2 for more torque and HP. Is the 6.0 the only available engine with the Vortec Max package? If this is true then I will probably end up with the 6.0 due to the main reason to get the Max package is the rear disc brakes and 9.5 rear end. I don't know why the Max package wouldn't be offered with the 6.2 since it has more HP and torque. Any information on this would be appreciated.

Yes you are correct (according to specs). The primary reason that the 6.2 is not considered the vortecmax engine is because of the build. When I was at GM, the 6.2 was designed to be a more 'high feature' engine versus workhorse. That is not to say that the 6.2 cannot be made into a workhorse but any 6.2 equipped truck has the 3.42 rear end and not the 4.10 rear end. the 6.2 also comes with the 6 speed and I dont think GM has confidence in the 6 speed as a workhorse (yet) so they are going easier on it.

The 6.0 also has the 6 speed behind it. Also, they dropped the "VortecMax" name for 2009. 4.10's are also no longer available on any 1/2 ton for 2009.

I was just about to say that Jeff had told me 4.10s would no longer be an option with the six speed.

montecarlo31 · November 17, 2008

They trust the 6 speed, they've had it behind the Caddy 6.2 for years now. I wouldn't worry about it breaking. They also have a HD 6 speed that's rated to 22K lb GCVW. The LD 6 is rated to 14K GCVW but is rated to 17K w/ the Max Tow package.

jrrod2004 · November 17, 2008

IMHO, get a 2500HD if you actually are gonna use it, if not then you might want to go with the highest towing rated truck you can find.

pm26 · November 18, 2008

I just saw a new '08 extended cab 2WD 1500 Silverado with the V Max 6.0 engine and without the Vmax tow package. The engine option was something like $ 1000 extra. I t had a 4 speed super duty transmission and 3.73 gear ratio axle. And 20 inch wheels (optional).

I bet that this is one quick truck.

I guess this combination is no longer available for the '09 model year? You will probably get a 6 speed transmission.

VMax2007 · November 18, 2008

I just saw a new '08 extended cab 1500 Silverado with the V Max 6.0 engine and without the Vmax tow package. The engine option was something like $ 1000 extra.

Yep, but keep in mind, that only includes the drivetrain upgrade (engine, 4L70E tranny, HD rear end and 4 wheel disc brakes (on Stabilitrak equipped trucks)). You have to add on the G80 and HD Trailering pkg seperately.

montecarlo31 · November 18, 2008

I just saw a new '08 extended cab 1500 Silverado with the V Max 6.0 engine and without the Vmax tow package. The engine option was something like $ 1000 extra.

Yep, but keep in mind, that only includes the drivetrain upgrade (engine, 4L70E tranny, HD rear end and 4 wheel disc brakes (on Stabilitrak equipped trucks)). You have to add on the G80 and HD Trailering pkg seperately.

6.0 comes with the 9.5" rear end and that give you the G80. It also gives you the engine and trans cooler, the only thing that might be missing is the 7 lead wiring harness, when you click the 6.0 box it adds a lot of features for the $$$.

VMax2007 · November 18, 2008

I just saw a new '08 extended cab 1500 Silverado with the V Max 6.0 engine and without the Vmax tow package. The engine option was something like $ 1000 extra.

Yep, but keep in mind, that only includes the drivetrain upgrade (engine, 4L70E tranny, HD rear end and 4 wheel disc brakes (on Stabilitrak equipped trucks)). You have to add on the G80 and HD Trailering pkg seperately.

6.0 comes with the 9.5" rear end and that give you the G80. It also gives you the engine and trans cooler, the only thing that might be missing is the 7 lead wiring harness, when you click the 6.0 box it adds a lot of features for the $$$.

Nope, I had to add the G80 option ala carte when I ordered my 07. $195 option IIRC.

pm26 · November 18, 2008

The truck I described did have a locking differential, but it could have been a stand alone option (do not remember). I do believe however, that it had drum rear brakes, which means that rear disc brakes only come with the VMax trailering package.

The question I have: without the VMax trailering package, would the truck have the auxiliary transmission oil cooler? So that all you need to add is a trailer hitch and wiring harness? What woudl be the tow rating with the 3.73 rear end without the VMax package? What does the V Max trailering package get you other than the rear disc brakes (and of course hitch and wiring harness)

VMax2007 · November 18, 2008

The truck I described did have a locking differential, but it could have been a stand alone option (do not remember). I do believe however, that it had drum rear brakes, which means that rear disc brakes only come with the VMax trailering package.

The question I have: without the VMax trailering package, would the truck have the auxiliary transmission oil cooler? So that all you need to add is a trailer hitch and wiring harness? What woudl be the tow rating with the 3.73 rear end without the VMax package? What does the V Max trailering package get you other than the rear disc brakes (and of course hitch and wiring harness)

Let me clarify once again...

6.0 equipped trucks come with 4 wheel disc brakes if, and only if, the truck is equipped with Stabilitrak. Which means ALL 6.0 Crewcabs get them (Stabiltrak is std on Crewcabs in 07/08) and Ext cabs with Stabilitrak option will get them. It has nothing to do with the Max Trailering Pkg. My truck is a non-Max Trailering Pkg Vmax and I have 4 wheel disc brakes.

Yes, all L76 6.0 equipped trucks get the Tranny cooler and engine oil cooler.

My tow rating with 3.73's is 8500 lbs.

The Max Trailering pkg includes the L76 Engine option (and all it's goodies) plus the G80, 4.10 gears and the HD trailering package. It is ONLY available with 17" wheels and has the Z85 suspension.

pm26 · November 18, 2008

Ok, thanks, now it makes sense to me.

The truck I mentioned is actually a pretty good deal - it is a black LT2 extended cab 2WD with 20" wheels and 6.0 VMax engine. Discounted from $ 32,500 to $ 23K.