'05 GMC 2500HD D/A yesterday afternoon! It took longer for the transporation company to deliver it from the railyard to my dealer than it did for the rail trip from Flint to Houston!

First observations:

1) A/C performance isn't the best at idle and low speeds, BUT - it was 102 degrees yesterday afternoon when I picked it up. My old '02 GMC 1500HD 6.0 A/C was marginal under those same conditions, so prolly about the same. The ONLY times I heard the fan clutch pulling a lot of air was after idling for an extended period - 10 minutes or so.

2) Can't believe how smooth the powertrain is. Also, NO classic diesel exhaust smell - exhaust odor is more akin to a cat-equipped gas engine than a diesel. Turbo whistle is obvious but NOT intrusive.

3) Fuel economy looks great so far. Paid little attention to it yesterday due to the above mentioned extended idling periods. I reset the fuel economy this morning as I pulled out of my driveway headed in to work. Although I was admittedly driving VERY conservatively (for me, LOL!), it made 18.9 MPG for the 21 mile commute. My commute includes approximately 7 miles of surface streets - with lots of stops - and approximately 14 miles of freeway. Since I left home so early this morning the freeway was all smooth sailing. I did get on it pretty hard - about 35 MPH up to 75 - when I entered the freeway.

4) Allison feels great, though since I'm a first-time diesel owner it will take me some time to acclimate to the "short" (low RPM) upshifts. I'm not as impressed with the "grade braking" feature at this point. My commute home from the dealership last night was typical hellish Houston stop and go all the way, and it feels a little jerky on and off the throttle. I'm certain that I will appreciate this feature when towing, however.

5) The paint job and "fit and finish" look fine. I really like the updated GMC front end and the fog lamps are MUCH improved. The only changes I do NOT appreciate are the unavailabilty of the full length overhead console and the console storage bin is about 1/2 the size of my '02. Can't say enough good things about XM radio and the BOSE system, as well as the steering wheel controls! Much more comprehensive DIC, too. My daughter loves the RSE system. She didn't like riding in my old truck 'cause she was so used to riding in my wife's '03 Denali that has the RSE system.

6) The ride is better and worse than my '02. I had Monroe Reflex shocks on it which made it much firmer over big swells but too jarring on sharp expansion joint heaves. I also notice that the new truck doesn't "quiver" like my old one - I'm assuming that's due to the much heavier frame flexing less.

Now for a couple of questions. I know they've prolly been discussed many times before, but here goes:

1) Shocks - Monroe reflex, Bilstein, KYB, or ??? Suggestions and comments please!

2) Spray in bedliner. Line-X, Rhino, ??? Gonna go with plain ol' black.

3) Tires - gonna be installing my H2 wheels and new tires pretty soon. Seriously considering two different tires - Pro Comp 33x12.50x17 LT's or BFG P285/70R17 Rugged Trail T/A's. Comments and suggestions are welcome!

Thanks in advance for ya'll's help! I'll keep updating my mileage and comments from time to time.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/05_2500HD_RF_small.jpgEdited by: Lloyd-TX

Nice looking truck. I would not choose either tire and here is why. Go look at this thread http://dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13814&KW=comp, people are having trouble with the Pro-Copm tires. And the reason why I would not choose the BFG is that for every BFG tire I had on other vehicles I could never get them balanced correctly. I Always had a wobble with BFG A\T tires, and I have had small and big size BFG's.


Most of the peolpe on this forum use either the Bilstein's or the Rancho shocks. You can get the Belstein stocks for $260 here at JK's site, http://www.kennedydiesel.com/. You can get the Rancho's right know for $290 and get the remote kit for free at this site, http://www.samsoffroad.com/samsoffroadsto/rancho.htm. I have not heard anyone here using the KYB or Monroe reflex shocks.


I would go with the rhino liner. I personally have the black insert but it came with it, so I stuck with it.


Hope you years of enjoyment with your truck as I have.


P.S. Here's my truck http://upload.pbase.com/rjctamu/inbox&edit=YEdited by: BassinRVer

Congrats on your purchase. I have been reading about your journey in another section. It looks like your journey is ending and mine is just beginning. I am glad you like it.

If you install a 4 inch exhaust it will help a lot with the jerkyness of the on and off the throttle. This was my first diesel also and that was one of the things that I noticed. As soon you got off the throttle you really started to decelerate. I put an MBRP exhaust now my truck will coast like my wife's car. I think the deceleration has more to do with the engine backpressure than the transmission (unless you have the tow/haul on).

Nice truck. Good choice on the GMC.


I am going to go with the Bilstiens for reasons of many coments on here and other places that raive about them.


I have the Cooper Discoverer's on and they are not as expensive as the BFG's or the Bridgstones. They work great in snow and low highway noise. The Revo's have been supported here also.


I have the Rhino and It works great for me. I think more people are going with the Line-X because of the texture they say is better. I don't see any difference. Make sure you look at the sprayers work and compare to another sprayer.


I have a question someone may be able to answer is can you put an '04 or '05 bumper with the round fog lights on an '02 truck?

Lloyd,


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gifCongrats on the new truck! You're going to love it! I only have one thing to add to what's been posted above is that you will find that as you drive the truck and the tranny gets through it's learning phase, it will start to loosen up and glide better. The shifts will also get smoother. As for the grade braking, you really won't notice it too much until you put a load in it or behind it in the tow/haul mode. That's when I first really saw what mine could do.


Good luck with the new ride and all the mod's you'll want to do!


Jeff

I have a question someone may be able to answer is can you put an '04 or '05 bumper with the round fog lights on an '02 truck?





ak,


I work for GM and build these trucks. You shouldn't have a problem with mounting the bumper. We haven't changed the front of the HD frames since 2000 model year. The only problem you may run into is the contour matching the new front grills and the wiring for the fog lamps. It would definitely be something to check on though!