I am new to the heavy duty pickup market. I am looking for some advice.


I am currently looking at 2 trucks. The first is a 2001 GMC 2500HD ext cab 6.0L (45K miles) for $19995. The other trucks is a 2003 GMC 2500HD ext cab 8.1L (26K miles) for $22995.


Both trucks are loaded except for leather, which I don't want anyway. The truck will be used to drive to work during the week and tow the occasional trailer on the weekends hauling toys around. I want a truck that can tow a car hauler trailer with no problems, which shouldn't be a problem for either of these trucks. Here in Kansas, not too many hills to deal with. I would love a diesel, but I can't find any in my price range.


The main concerns I have about these trucks are (1) gas mileage ( I realize neither are jap cars that get 50mpg, but the 8.1L kinda worries me). (2) If the prices are in the correct range. (3) If there any know problems with either setup

The 8.1 is not too bad on gas if you keep your foot out of it and use reasonably stock tires. The early 6.0 had piston slap problems in some of them that GM is kinda looking the other way on (it is not terminal per say but can be annouying when cold and will get worse with age). Between the two my nickle would be on the 8.1 truck, newer too and may have some factory warranty left also! Edited by: snoman

I would go with the 8.1 in the '03. Gas mileage between the 2 aint that much different but the 8.1 has alot more power. Im also assuming that it has the Allison transmission. My 8.1 with the Allison gets about 12 on the highway and 9 in the city. That's if I keep my right foot out of the gas pedalhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Evil Smile.gif

get the 8.1, my 02 with 35" tires gets 13.7 hwy and low of 8.5, high of 10 pulling gooseneck(24'). And it's a CCLB 4wd

8.1 of course gets my vote. Unless you get bit by the modding bug. Then may want to look at the 6.0, as there is huge amount of aftermarket go-fast parts for it. The 8.1 as a motor has never really took off as aftermarket is concern.

If getting the 8.1, do air intake, and then PCM performance tune from one of these guys :

Nelson preformance
Westers garage
Pcmforless

This will help get the MPG goal that you want. Currently with mods below, I get 14.5-15 mpg highway and 12-13 mpg intown. Can't really report on towing mpg, since this is my toy, so she restricted from towing duties for now. But have hauled 2 snowmobiles and trailer, bed full of gear and made no impact on Mpg .

I have an 01' 6.0L HD and have been very satisfied with it's performance. I bought it new and the end of 2001 and it has been very reliable. I have put over 83,000 miles on it in just over 3 years, so it get's driven a lot. I see an average of 13.5 mpg with it between high and city driving. My best mileage is around 16mpg on long highway trips. Not towing of course. My truck does have a Westers Tune, but other than that it is stock as far as power adders go. I don't think you could go wrong with either of those trucks though. Good luck with your making your choice...

I had a 2002 6.0L and put about 12K miles on it and was very happy with it. I think you would like that truck. Plenty of power and runs great. I liked mine alot..

I had a 2001 8.1. Had virtually no problems. Best highway mileage was 15 mpg on the interstates with about 2500 lb load and towing a Nissan Maxima on a tow dolly. In town traffic (like Las Vegas) mileage deteriorated into high single digit. It had the 3.73 in the rear end. Think the 6.0 engine has only a 4.10 rear. Believe the fuel mileage is not a lot different between the two engines. The 8.1 used two quarts of oil on each cross country run which seems to be about par for that engine.

I had an '01 2500 HD 4x4 crewcab 6.0L and used it for towing. The 4L80E never let me down. The engine had piston slap which is easy to tell by the knocking when cold. I had it back to the dealer many times only to be told the slap would not effect longevity of the engine. I towed 8 ton many times up many hills here in B.C. on a gooseneck trailer with 285 tires and 4.10 rear. I sold it in 2003 with 147,000km on it no major problems.

I would go with the 8.1, im very happy with mine. If you can afford the gas go for it. I couldn't see the miliage diffrence between it and the 6.0, i would rather have more power and the Allison for 2 miles per gallon diffrence

I have the 6.0L in my 03 and i would go with the newer truck with the 8.1L. For a little more you will get a newer truck with a bigger motor and the sme gas mileage as the 6.0L. By the way the $22995 sounds like a asking price to me. Go tell them you will give them $20K today for it if they want to sell a truck and see what they say.

I just traded in my '04 CC 6.0L for an '04 CC 8.1L....while the 6.0L was a good engine, I love the 8.1L. WOW! Talk about power and virtually the same mileage. Had I known, I would have bought the 8.1 in the first place. Fantastic engine!!):h

sounds like you have to decide between the FUGLY front end or the sweet looking front end ):h

sounds like you have to decide between the FUGLY front end or the sweet looking front end ):hI personaly like the 01 & o2 body style almost just as well as the 03 and 04s, but 05, thats just awsome...:cool:

sounds like you have to decide between the FUGLY front end or the sweet looking front end http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/hihi.gifThinking the same thing. I really don't care for the chevy's 03-04 and definately don't like the 05's! GMC all the way :muahaha: !

i agree the gmc has an awesome look but the allison and an 8.1 is the better set up. flip a coin or ask the wife.......i would look a little harder for a duramax