Bought a 2004 Chevy 2500HD LLY ext cab, s/b, 2wd. Over 7000 miles now, started out getting 16 – 17 mpg hand calculated combo hwy, town, and tooling around my ranch, got average of 16.1 on 2200 mile round trip from Decatur TX to Ashville NC pulling single axle motorcycle trailer with 2 sport bikes through hard rain from Texarkana to Ashville with long stretches of 85 mph, lots of good long up hill grades. The load wasn’t a fly on a bull’s butt, but was good for break-in. Never hydroplaned in all the rain, rock steady all the way around.

My first ¾ ton truck, owned a few Ford and Chevy ½ tons, both 2wd and 4 wd. Moved up to ¾ ton because of dissatisfaction with performance pulling large tandem cattle trailer with 8000 lbs of cattle loaded in. Have not pulled a load of cattle to market yet with the 2500.

Added drop in K & N replacement filter. Line X over rail liner, custom made ¾ rubber bed pad cut from heavy rubber horse stall floor pads. GREAT for absorbing shock from tossed in bed dent makers. Other than that, stock truck.

Changed engine oil at 1400 miles with amsoil, read end with mobil 1.

Opted out of 4 X 4 option, been stuck in the mud on my ranch 3 or 4 times in 20 years. Twice was in a Z71 and still stuck. I can pull myself out once in a blue moon with the tractor, so cost, extra weight and maintenance equals 4 X 4 downside. Although, you may like this story….stuck my truck with a square bail of coastal in the bed, walked to the barn, drove the tractor back and a dozed or so cows were pushing each other around the truck fighting for the hay, caved in the side of the bed and door, busted one mirror off and inflicted various other bruises on the truck. Not a good feeding trough.

Glad to have found this place for info. See ya, Guitarman

Hey Guitarman; great to hear about the good service with your truck. I know the feeling of the cow feeding, we haul hay to our horses and have to be careful they don't eat the truck!!!!! I have actually had one bite the paint off the hood. Luckily that was my old F150 not my new 2500 HD! Just curious, was your rear differential low, mine was?

THE REAR DIFF WAS ABOUT A QT LOW,





THE HAY / TRUCK EATING DEAL WAS ON A PREVIOUS Z71, NOT THE D MAX

guitarman,


Did you ride the dragon aka deals gap. I rode the area for a week last year in September. Better riding than I have found in Tx.Edited by: Corsair

That sux to hear about the cows! I bet you were wanting that 4x then. I would be so pissed!!!


I couldn't imaging having my truck without it. I use it a lot....mostly because I hate the g80 rear end on slow gravel inclines! And without a load in the back, the dmax likes to spin the wheels.

CORSAIR I have ridden Deals Gap in the past and most roads in the area. NC is my once a year sport bike riding vacation spot.


MOFUN, a 4 X 4 is mo fun fo shore, $$ goes to 3 teenage daughters mo than fun right now. The truck I stuck with hay in the bed was a 99 Z71 and I was in 4 x 4 mode. My place has a few low spots that gets real wet and I was being stupid, I know my land well enough to never get stuck no matter how much rain, we had 6 inches in 3 days and I drove everywhere I need to ever go where it is rocky enough and drains well. I like 4 X 4 don't get me wrong. It is just a toy for me though, I drive 25,000 miles a year and use my truck for daily driver also, so 2 wd is better choice for me. The crew cab would be nice, but won't fit in my garage and I seem to attract hail storms. I had a hard time locating an ext cab shorty 2 wd, not many around here.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/CCB_DSCF0007.JPG


guitarman,


Did you ride the dragon aka deals gap. I rode the area for a week last year in September. Better riding than I have found in Tx.