Like the title says, I'm thinking about going back to a gasser. I haven't had any problem with the truck, and love the towing power, just thinking a gasser might be better suited for me. Tired of the cooldown after towing all the time, extra maintanance, not letting it idle cold, and whatnot. So... how does the 8.1 compare. I know mileage will be quite a bit less ( average 17 with my Dodge), but as far as pulling power and reliability. I've only ridden in an 8.1 truck once, unloaded, and it seemed real strong. All comments are appreciated. Truck used as a farm truck

Still have my 2006 GMC SLT EC SB 4x4. 8.1/Allison. Real strong puller and hot-rod to boot! Wish I could keep both trucks - new one is '08 GMC 3500 DMAX/Ally. PM me for more info. on 8.1 abilities.
Idahotruckman

I loved my 8.1 when i had it. I just didn't like the mileage. You need to go out and test drive one, that will tell you alot! :)

I went from a Cummins to gas for the same reasons you are contemplating. After 2 years, I hated the diesel....just my opinion, as I know a lot of folks love them.

Anyway, I went with the 6.0 because the 8.1 had been discontinued in the 07 Classic trucks.

It is a bit disappointing in the MPG area (12-13 to work, 8-9 towing 10000 lbs) and it is about at it's limit towing our 5th wheel....

THe 8.1 would be a better choice, and MPG is about the same, from what I understand. A colleague at work has the 8.1 with a 14,000 lb 5th wheel, and swears by it....actually, he swears AT IT at the pump...ha.

If I had it to do again, I would go with a used (low mileage) 8.1 in lieu of the 6.0. If I was not towing anything, I love the 6.0 otherwise.

If you make the switch, you'll be happy you dumped the diesel...I sure was, and I'll live with the adequacy of the 6.0 and shut off the engine when ever I want to....ha

Low mileage is the only downside to the 8.1 Silverado, if you can handle that you won't be disapointed. It's a great truck. The ease of maintainence and associated lower costs of the gasser is a benefit. All of those things you are tired of dealing with will be some elses concern. If you are using it on a farm I would look long and hard for a truck equiped with a manual transfer case just to keep it more simple and rugged. Use Autotrader.com or a similar site to search far and wide. All 8.1's have "G" as the 8th VIN digit. The last years with Allison's are 6 speeds.

Vernon

I have an 8.1 Sierra and have driven several Cummins. Cummins is a strong puller and has an excellent reputation but they're gutless in all around driving.

The 8.1 will runs circles around any stock Diesel I've ever driven and they're just much more fun to drive.

My DIC is showing 12.9 mpg. However you also have to calculate the high price premiun for diesel over reg. gas. That will make the fuel costs almost a net wash.

The other beauty of the 8.1 is that you get the Allison tranny. (much better than any Dodge A/T).

The problem with the 8.1 is that they're rare and hard to find.

My 8.1 drives like a rocket unloaded. Fun to drive.

Vernon, you are right all the dot. I had two Dmaxes, and loved them for what they were, but I didn't earn my living pulling, and I missed my 01 8.1, so I sold the 05 max and got on Autotrader, and narrowed the search, and did exactly what you said, I figured out that G stood for 8.1, so I narrowed it down to regular cab, gas, 4X4, and then searched through those for the G's. Found one a year ago in WI. Long haul from MO, but it has been a great truck so far. I like the quickness of the gas, and simplicity. Much more fun to drive.

My '04 Sierra 8.1L DRW was a great truck. I had the 4.10 rear locker and I could pull just about anything and accelerate like crazy. The only down side was the fuel mileage as you noted. I averaged about 12.5 mpg unloaded at freeway speeds and 9 mpg pulling my trailer. For several years, I only drove between 7K and 12K miles per year, so the fuel mileage was acceptable. I went with my current Duramax because I started having to drive more miles starting this year, so the economies of scale no longer made the fuel mileage of the 8.1L reasonable for me.

Me and my buddy both have 8.1's with ZF's his is an 01 reg cab DRW though, he pulls a gooseneck cattle trailer behind it about 80% of the time, loves it, as do I. The gas mileage is around 9 or 10 in town but the highway is around 13, even loaded for him, at least thats what he claims. There are a lot more 8.1's out there than you think, especially if your wanting an ally! I think you'll be happy with your change! I've heard that the 01 and 02 8.1's are a stronger engine than the newer ones from a few guys that have the 04's but that could just be there opinion.

i HAD AN 02 ZF AND LOVED IT. TRADED FOR DIESEL AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE BIG ARSE HAULIN GAS GUZZLER BACK. Pulled just as good as a Dmax and was easier to take care of.

I've having trouble finding one around here. I'm wanting a reg. cab SRW. I'm sure the Allison's the best auto out there, but I'd really like to find one with a manual. That's my biggest gripe about my Dodge. It was my first auto truck and will probably be my last, just personal preference. Thanks alot guys.

I have a 2000 Dodge Cummins and an 01 8100. I must be the excpetion,but I love my cummins engine.The 8100 is a toy next to it,it does the job,but the cummins does it like its not even there.Then there's the fuel,around town my cummins gets double the mpg of the 8100,on the highway if i keep it under 70 i get 17ish with the cummins 13ish with the 8100.I like the GMC trucks room,crew cab,and allison,but I wish it had my 2000's cummins in it. I say you will like the 8.1 ,it is quiet,smooth,nimble and peppy around town,but i think it will be a bit of a diasspointed towing heavy,and the fuel is going to absolutely kill your budget quickly.

I've having trouble finding one around here. I'm wanting a reg. cab SRW. I'm sure the Allison's the best auto out there, but I'd really like to find one with a manual. That's my biggest gripe about my Dodge. It was my first auto truck and will probably be my last, just personal preference. Thanks alot guys.

How close is around here? I'm from Texas so I'm thinking the one I found for you in South Dakota isn't to far away, or Michigan. Finding this truck right down the street only happens in rare instances like mine. :D Are you actually in Iowa, what zip?

Vernon

Then there's the fuel,around town my cummins gets double the mpg of the 8100,on the highway if i keep it under 70 i get 17ish with the cummins 13ish with the 8100.I like the GMC trucks room,crew cab,and allison,but I wish it had my 2000's cummins in it. I say you will like the 8.1 ,it is quiet,smooth,nimble and peppy around town,but i think it will be a bit of a diasspointed towing heavy,and the fuel is going to absolutely kill your budget quickly.

Let's do some analysis:

Cummins - 17 mpg
8.1 - 13 mpg
Gas price - $3.10/gallon*
Diesel price - $3.59/gallon*
Average Use - 15,000 miles/yr

* based on current west coast prices

Cummins Annual Fuel Cost - $3167
8.1 Annual Fuel Cost - $3577
Diff - $410 (I'd hardly call that difference a budget killer unless you're a very high mileage heavy tower.)

Let's do some analysis:

Cummins - 17 mpg
8.1 - 13 mpg
Gas price - $3.10/gallon*
Diesel price - $3.59/gallon*
Average Use - 15,000 miles/yr

* based on current west coast prices

Cummins Annual Fuel Cost - $3167
8.1 Annual Fuel Cost - $3577
Diff - $410 (I'd hardly call that difference a budget killer unless you're a very high mileage heavy tower.)


Not even close, The 8.1 gets 1/2 the mpg the cummins does around town.Cummins gets 16-18 around town,the 8.1 gets 8-10. I dont do much highway,and plowing i burn 3tanks in the 8.1 to 1 tanks in the cummins.You took my highway 70+ mph only figures and used them only.Most cummins trucks have 3.55s, if mine did,my highway mpg would be 20+,and most 8.1s have 4.10. I chose 4.10 in the Dodge because my truck pulls a trailer most of the time on local streets,and plows snow.

I have my fuel credit card to prove it,believe me,the 8.1 is a budget killer compared to the Cummins,expect to use double the fuel.

I've owned two 2001 Dodge Rams with the Cummins ETC (235 hp/460 Ft Lbs) and NV4500 transmission. The first one was a 3500 DRW, Quad-Cab 4x4. It was a great truck and looked awesome with it's stock lift! I recall it averaged 17 MPG and close to 20 on the highway, and 13 towing my 6,500 lb Baja 25 Outlaw. The only mods I did to it were A-pillar gauges for EGT and boost, and an EDGE fueling module. It was and early 'box' from Edge Products, with an in-cab module with a button and 3 LEDs. It had LOW, MED and HIGH settings. I towed in LOW, and blew soot at ricers in level 3. The EDGE made a HUGE difference towing, as the truck/trailer combo would accelerate with much more authority. Imagine pulling out onto a main road and having to go thru the gears with cars coming up behind, or being stuck behind a slowpoke but not having enough grunt to pass. With the EDGE on, I could safely pull out into traffic, up on-ramps, and pass with ease. EGTs towing were safe in Level 1, but too high on Level 3 except for quick empty runs thru the gears racing teenagers. That was fun!
After owning it for a year, I sold it and bought a 2001 GMC Yukon XL 2500 4x4 with the 8.1 and 4L85E, and 4.10 gears. It was a strong running setup, probably because of the 4.10s (it was noticably quicker than my current 8.1 Avalanche with 3.73's). My wife was the primary driver of the Yukon XL and worked 5 days a week. As expected, the gas bill was higher than the payment so I sold the XL and bought her a Jetta TDI diesel VW to commute to work in. Much better, averaging 40+ MPG but the addition of a new baby in the family necessitated a larger vehicle. She got a Trailblazer (16 MPG average) and I ended up having diesel withdrawal (every time I pulled up to a stoplight anywhere near a Cummins Ram I'd roll down the windows and listen to the 'music'). I looked for and found a 2001 QuadCab short-bed 2500 ETC/NV4500 4x4 Ram. I bought it brand new off the lot, and drove it for almost 70,000 miles. It was a sweet truck. I had saved my EDGE box and installed gauges and the box on my shortbed Ram. I also installed Bosch 275 HP Cummins injectors myself. This Ram weighed 6,700 LBS and ran the 1/4 mile (Rockingham Dragway Test N Tune, 2002) 15.8@92 MPH. Not very quick by today's standards but consider that the Duramax trucks were just coming out and no mods were yet available. So back in 2002-03 I had one of the quickest diesels around. Much quicker than anything stock. It wasn't until 2004 that a modded DMax gave me a hard time, and he didn't have much more than I did (he beat me by 1/2 a trucklength up to 60 MPH). My shortbed Ram would get 20 highway and average 16 in town, and would get 13 towing my Baja. It would get better mileage towing my boat than my current Avalanche 8.1 gets EMPTY. The heaviest load I towed was a 2004 Baja 33' Outlaw (with twin 8.1 Mercruiser bigblocks, BTW) and tripple axle trailer (weight around 12,000 lbs boat and trailer). I pulled it about 120 miles round trip and my Cummins Ram actually got up to highway speed of 65 MPH on the interstate on-ramp (an uphill ramp too) with the 33' behind it. I'm still impressed and grin thinking about that truck.
As far as the Cummins V/S 8.1 is concerned, in my opinion, the Cummins, particularly with basic mods such as a mild fueling module and injectors, is unbeatable in the towing department. From time to time I still get diesel withdrawals. If I were to go back, I'd search for a low mile 2001-2002 4x4 shortbed QuadCab with the NV4500 or NV5600.
Yes I miss my Cummins Ram. One of the main reasons I sold mine was because the back seat in the 2nd Gen QC is very small and adults would complain about the lack of leg room, and the near vertical back seat. My Avalanche has a nice big back seat and I love the utility of the fold down mid-gate and covered bed when I'm not hauling stuff.
My current 8.1 Avalanche gets about 12 MPG average, and driving from TX to NC not towing I got about 13-14 on the highway. Pulling my Baja from TX to NC when I moved in April, I was getting 9 MPG. OUCH. But I don't tow very often. Yet I do find myself visiting the gas pump and seeing $100 on the readout way to often. The gas tank is about 38 gallons in the Avalanche. One of the things I loved about my shortbed Ram was the fact that the fuel tank was about 36 gallons. The fuel tank on a shortbed GM pickup is what, 26 gallons I think?
To summarize, I would love to have a Cummins powered 2500 Avalanche. :)

two months ago I picked up a 07 GMC classic with the 8.1/6sp ally to replace the 06 chevy.

8.1 has power to spare, my preferance for the everyday loaded with tools work truck. running from job site to job site this is much better for me.

D/A in my sig. is the truck I use to tow, much better at that than the 8.1

If I'd could only have one truck it would be the 8.1 but I only tow once a week, if I'd tow more than 50% of the time it would be the D/A

good luck

I've having trouble finding one around here. I'm wanting a reg. cab SRW. I'm sure the Allison's the best auto out there, but I'd really like to find one with a manual. That's my biggest gripe about my Dodge. It was my first auto truck and will probably be my last, just personal preference. Thanks alot guys.



Dont judge all auto trans on dodge's. Its well known that dodges auto sucks compared to the ally.

Just because your dodge auto sucked, doesnt mean you should never get an auto again. But the ZF is fun too...

When comparing a GM truck with a Dodge you must figure in the cost of rebuilding the piece of axle up front every 3 to 4k. I think it is funny how some people try to trash chevy ifs but it is the most trouble free setup with out a doubt. The 8.1 that I had pulled an empty 6500# trailer up a steep grade quite a bit faster than my brothers cummins with the fuel plate removed and the waste gate plugged. He is the one that told me so.

Just as general info, I was playing on the chevrolet.com site yesterday in the find your vehicle section. There are a bunch a 2007 8.1's in the Orlando, Fl. area.

Dan

In comparing the 8.1 to the DMax:

Fuel milage - The DMax gets 1.5 times the milage as the 8.1 under all conditions be it towing or unloaded. Even at the current cost of diesel being 30 cents a gallon above gas, at the 25K miles I run each year I spend $2,000 less per year on fuel.

Power - Both pull great but there is no comparison. If anyone has ever been on I-75 in Campbell county Tennessee (miles 134 to 141) then you are famiiliar with the big hill. The DMax can haul a trailer at 70, stay in 6th gear and never struggle. The 8.1 will hold 70 mph too, but it will drop from 5th to 3rd to do it. You can watch the fuel guage drop too!

Fun - 8.1 wins here. No turbo lag just lots of power right from the start.

Cost - You pay for the Allison for both but the Diesel option runs about 5k more above the cost of the 8.1. On the flip side, the extra cost of the Diesel holds its value through the life of the truck and yougt it back when you sell.

My opinoion you dont say waht type of weight your hauling but the 6.0 fells pretty strong. Youll hate the milage of the 8.1. The 6.0 isnt a lot better.

When comparing a GM truck with a Dodge you must figure in the cost of rebuilding the piece of axle up front every 3 to 4k. I think it is funny how some people try to trash chevy ifs but it is the most trouble free setup with out a doubt. The 8.1 that I had pulled an empty 6500# trailer up a steep grade quite a bit faster than my brothers cummins with the fuel plate removed and the waste gate plugged. He is the one that told me so.

Another non dodge owner ,telling us how bad the dana 60 is in the Dodge:rolleyes:. Both mine must be special,both my dana 60s went well over 100K before needing ball joints,and that was with plowing every winter,with 1000lb plows and cummins engines.Most of my friends run Dodge/Cummins,with similar results.Only other issue is track bar,but it never leaves you stranded,truck will wander a little. My GM IFs trucks havent been as good,i lost 2 actuators in storms,1 halve shaft seized,and stopped the truck in its tracks,the other grenanded internally,leaving me again with 2wd,but i was able to drive the truck.Ball joint wear is about the same on the GM's as well from my experiences plowing and working the trucks.The new HDs are known for very shorthub/wheel bearing life,bending tie rod sleeves,when racing,and exploding cv shafts when guys lift them by cranking the t bars,instead of the right way with a diff drop.Im failing to see how the GMs are the most trouble free ?I have both,and like both,the Gm clearly rides better,and handles more like a car.The trade off is strenth,tire wear,and ride height.It doesnt get much more simple and strong than a front D60 in a HD 4x4 pickup,at the cost of ride quality,and road feel.Both have there place,and there's nothing wrong with either.

When comparing a GM truck with a Dodge you must figure in the cost of rebuilding the piece of axle up front every 3 to 4k. I think it is funny how some people try to trash chevy ifs but it is the most trouble free setup with out a doubt. The 8.1 that I had pulled an empty 6500# trailer up a steep grade quite a bit faster than my brothers cummins with the fuel plate removed and the waste gate plugged. He is the one that told me so.

Really? I have a 2001 2500HD/4dr/4wd/8.1/auto/3:73's/285's and a wait4me tune. Also have a 2002 Dodge2500/quad cab/4wd/5 speed manual/3:55's/305's/duel 5" miters/ different tunes-currently running a lowely Hypertech (for fuel milage)/added-removed injectors(didn't like the higher egt's). Dealer rebuilt the front end on the 8.1 at a hair over 51000, tie rod ends, centerlink, both front hub bearings, right rear wheel seal. Also replaced output shaft, seal, u joints, transfer case (famous pump rub issue) Dodge........just rolled over 58000 and haven't touched the front end/rearend/transmixer/etc. Although i did have the famous VP44/liftpump replaced at 52000, along with all the fluids in anything that moved for the cheap price of $3044.00. The Dodge has been abused more than the 8.1 has off road, Dodge will go places 8.1 will not. I like both. Like the interior of the 8.1 better than the Dodge, like the higher ride height of the Dodge better than the 8.1. Change oil on the 8.1 (torsion bars cranked all the way up), unless i used a jack, my chest would not fit under the frame, had to cut a 5 gallon bucket in half to fit under the drain. Dodge, i can roll over, sit up between the frame rails, put a 5 gallon bucket under the drain plug. I did have to adjust the king pin height on my TT to stay closer to level on the Dodge due to the increase in height over the 8.1. 8.1 rides better with and without the travel trailer. 8.1 will average about 10 to 11mpg, did manage to get a hair over 13 once. Dodge will get a little over 20, last 3 tanks have been 20.3, 20.1, 20.4mpg. Towing......the best the 8.1 will get unloaded is still not as good as the Dodge pulling the TT. TT tips the scales around 11500 depending on if the wifey goes or not.......she weighs 98lbs, her gear weighs a lot! Haul my 4020 with round baler with the Dodge and still get better loaded than the 8.1 empty.......don't know what the baler weighs, it is heavy though, 4020 alone with wheel weights, fluid in tires weighs over 12000. Dodge pulls this load better than the 8.1 pulls the TT. 8.1 will accelerate about the same pulling the TT as the Dodge will with the tractor/baler, the Dodge will climb right over a hill in 5th gear where the 8.1 would have to down shift. However, the 8.1 is designed to run at a higher rpm than a diesel. In the gassers defense i will say this though, anyone that says they pull a 20000 load in the mountians of Colorado in their diesel and it not break a sweat it full of sh*t, don't care what brand it is or what tune you have. Yes, they do hold the speed in high gear, but they are working hard. The 8.1.......put your foot to the floor, hold it there all day, no worrys about egt's, overheating, or any of that mess, just make sure there is a gas station every 200 miles and keep the fuel door hinge oiled up so it doesn't wear out.
Don't get me wrong, i'm not saying what i am getting from either truck is what anyone else would get, just stating what i do get. I am saying your "ideas" are incorrect if you think the Dodge front end needs to be rebuilt every 3 to 4 thousand miles. No truck for that matter has to have the front end rebuilt at 3 or 4 thousand miles. I'm not trashing the front end on the 8.1, i do like it, i do think it is very strong, i do like the solid front axle on Dodge also. I have been places in the Dodge that i would not think about trying to go with the 8.1........simply due to ground clearance. If i were driving on the road all the time and not on the farm, i'd take the 8.1 front end any day over the Dodge, however, off road i'll stay with the Dodge. One thing the Dodge does do is it just plain feels tougher offroad, feels and acts more like a.....................a truck.
Again, this is just what i get with my trucks, the guy next in line may have axle issues early on with what ever truck he buys. I do think 51000 is somewhat premature to need the things done to it that both these trucks needed. GM 2500/3500 HD front hub bearing failures are very common, seem to go out at about the same milage and on the same side, odd, but true. Just like the frickin running lights, not knocking GM, but how many one eyed trucks do you notice? I noticed a lot........right after mine lost one.