Long time reader, first time poster... I realize this is mostly a diesel forum, but it really seems like the most knowledgable information is here on all the trucks. Also, not sure where to make this post (Gasser/ZF-6/2500HD-3500) forums. So I will post here. This will be long winded, sorry.

I have numerous questions, so I will start with the purpose of the truck and things I have decided already. The truck is going to be a third vehicle, it will not really be for everyday driving. I intend to keep it for a long time, I keep vehicles in excellent condition. It will not be modified, it will be left stock. It will be for hauling household construction materials/yard materials (drywall, plywood, 2x4s, stone, block, etc.) It will probably haul a few trailers in its life (not sure of sizes.) I will be used to get around in heavy snow (only 4x4 I will have.) It will be a truck that will use for years to come, so I want long term reliability and I am researching them so I will hopefully get it right and not make a long term mistake.

Here is what I have decided so far:
1. It will be a manual transmission. I like them for many reasons, they last longer, they give me more control, fun to drive, easier to work on later on, every vehicle I ever owned has been.
2. It will be Silver. Preference.
3. 95% sure I want an 8ft bed. For hauling 4x8/4x10/4x12, & full yards of material.
4. Most likely a Chevy over a GMC. Preference.
5. I want certain comforts (CD,Power locks/windows/mirrors,Steering wheel controls.)
6. 4x4.

The rest is up to decision. This is where the questions come in.

Question 1. 1500 or 2500HD? I am heavily leaning towards the 2500HD, I can order an LS (1500LS forces auto.), extra towing/hauling capacity, better brakes (all disc), 1500 in stick biggest engine option is 4.8L. (also locks you to a regular cab, see below, may not be a problem), that great looking hood.

Question 2. Engine? This question is linked to Question 1 and 3. Not an issue if I order a 1500 (4.8), but leaning toward 2500HD, so 6.0 or 8.1? I want to avoid CSK, if possible, seems like 8.1 is safest bet there (older design.) I realize this is a diesel forum, and I like the diesel (buddy has a LB7/Ally, its nice), but since I won't be putting large amounts of miles on it, and won't be on super long distance trips, its a lot of money. As well as cold start issues (truck may sit for a few weeks at a time), so I am leaning toward gas. So opinions? Fuel economy is not a huge issue with me.

Question 3. Manual Transmission? Basically this is linked to the engine: 4.8/LD 5-speed, 6.0/HD 5-speed, 8.1/ZF-6, DMax/ZF-6. I have read, mostly on here, about the flywheel problem. Is this ZF-6 only? Is it DMax only?(cause of the massive torque?) Would the HD 5-speed/6.0 have same issue?

Question 4. Cab size? I am leaning towards a regular cab. I tend to dislike the extended cab, I think if your going to go with it, just go for the crew cab. Crew cab is nice, and visually stimulating (CCLB is a tough looking truck), but it is a monster to park, store, turn, and to be honest $8000 for me to become just the guy to drive everyone. I have other vehicles for basic people carrying.

Question 5. In leaning with the 2500HD, which wheels, I like the idea of aluminum (better style, and ease to take care of.), but long term durability? Are steel wheels (chrome) better? I wouldn't think, but not sure.

Question 6. Axle-Ratio? I think 4.10 is the only choice in 2500HD without the Allison (which gets 3.73), in 1500 there is 3.42 or 4.10, but the 3.42 behind the 4.8, that may be asking for not too much power.

Did I miss anything? Thanks to all of you for taking time to read, and for any responses.

I'd go with the 2500hd 6.0 5sp with the 4.10 gears. That should have more than enough pulling power for what your using it for. I'd get the ext cab just for extra space. No one really likes riding back there anyway. JMO

8.1, ZF 6-sp, 4x4,2500hd and manual shift transfer case. can all do all. if your spending money on a new truck, get more truck. Thats what I did, now I pay on a truck that I am happy with. Makes a difference when signing the monthly payment. rather than owning something that barely serves your needs which may grow in the coming years too.

ZF 6-sp with the 3.73 gear in the 8100, will do good or better than 6.0,4.10 gears far as MPG. just now you have more torque to work with if getting the 8.1. but than again big aftermaket for the 6.0 engine too and barely anything for the 8.1 aftermarketwise.

half-ton(1500) = Glorified car with awd.

my .02 cents

definitely go with 2500 over 1500. i would go with the 8.1 with the 5spd & 4.10 gears. since it wont be a daily driver, the 8.1s fuel mileage wont be an issue. since you said it will remain stock (come on, they NEVER remain stock - stock is boring! ahah), aftermarket isnt a concern. cab size - totally up to you. after owning my last truck (reg cab) for 5 years, i will never own another one, there is just no storage space. i had to put in a toolbox and that takes 2ft out of your bed space. youre right, the cc (esp if you got a CCLB) is a ***** to park. i would suggest ext cab. as for wheels, i have never heard of a durability or wear issue with aluminum. they wont rust like steel.

I got a brand new '04 CCLB 6.0 4x4 5 speed for $23.8k plus T&L (great rebates). Great truck, and has better turning radius than my old '93 Dodge ext'd cab. Long bed is a req'mt if you're going to use the truck to haul stuff like sheetrock and gravel. Gets 14 mpg and change, and I've got 1200 miles on the truck now.

Question 2. Engine? This question is linked to Question 1 and 3. Not an issue if I order a 1500 (4.8), but leaning toward 2500HD, so 6.0 or 8.1? I want to avoid CSK, if possible, seems like 8.1 is safest bet there (older design.) I realize this is a diesel forum, and I like the diesel (buddy has a LB7/Ally, its nice), but since I won't be putting large amounts of miles on it, and won't be on super long distance trips, its a lot of money. As well as cold start issues (truck may sit for a few weeks at a time), so I am leaning toward gas. So opinions? Fuel economy is not a huge issue with me.. I agree that gas is the way to go for your intended use. 8.1L is not older design than 6.0L . . .6.0L dates to 1999, 8.1L to 2001 and is very different than earlier big blocks. I know happy owners of both engines. Not much difference in power or fuel economy. Difference is in how they make power. 6.0 doesn't mind reving, and has decent torque at low RPM, but peak torque is at 4,000 RPM (just like the 4.8 and 5.3). 8.1L peak torque is at 3200 RPM and it makes more at 2,000 RPM than the 6.0 makes at any RPM.


Question 3. Manual Transmission? Basically this is linked to the engine: 4.8/LD 5-speed, 6.0/HD 5-speed, 8.1/ZF-6, DMax/ZF-6. I have read, mostly on here, about the flywheel problem. Is this ZF-6 only? Is it DMax only?(cause of the massive torque?) Would the HD 5-speed/6.0 have same issue? Only the D-max has the flywheel issue. 8.1L uses totally different flywheel. Flywheels are engine parts. D-max uses dual mass flywheel to prevent torsional vibrations at certain frequencys from damaging transmission during low RPM operation. Gassers don't make the same shakes. I have driven an 8.1L 6-speed. Very nice combination. I expect 6.0L 5-speed is also nice. If you're going to do any towing the 4.8L 5-speed is not a good idea, in my opinion. The NV-3500 5 speed doesn't have a deep low gear and is pretty light duty. I've owned two of them and towed some, but you've got to be gentle with them.


Question 4. Cab size? I am leaning towards a regular cab. I tend to dislike the extended cab, I think if your going to go with it, just go for the crew cab. Crew cab is nice, and visually stimulating (CCLB is a tough looking truck), but it is a monster to park, store, turn, and to be honest $8000 for me to become just the guy to drive everyone. I have other vehicles for basic people carrying. You aren't kidding about CCLB, they're pretty useless in town. A regular cab longbed is pretty handy to have around, and like you, I use the other cars to haul people.


Question 5. In leaning with the 2500HD, which wheels, I like the idea of aluminum (better style, and ease to take care of.), but long term durability? Are steel wheels (chrome) better? I wouldn't think, but not sure.Chrome wheels rust. Aluminum wheels don't.


Question 6. Axle-Ratio? I think 4.10 is the only choice in 2500HD without the Allison (which gets 3.73), in 1500 there is 3.42 or 4.10, but the 3.42 behind the 4.8, that may be asking for not too much power.If you're never going to tow anything 3.42 and 4.8L is great (I have 3.42 and 5.0L). Otherwise you have no choices.

Thanks for the replies so far, especially Colorado Kid. Few more specific questions.

8.1L is not older design than 6.0L . . .6.0L dates to 1999, 8.1L to 2001 and is very different than earlier big blocks.When I said older design, I meant the series of engines, i.e. the basic design, maybe I mispoke. Here is my understanding of the history of the engines:

The 8.1L (L18) is based on the L19/L29 Vortec 7400/HO. Same basic engine design, bore center/bore as L19/L29 with larger stroke, correct? Different heads (aluminum), but similar short block. Different firing order (1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3) vs. (1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2). And the L19/L29 to my best knowledge is basically the old Mark IV motor with fuel injection and new trimmings whereas the 6.0L (LQ4) is a steel block LS1, like the 5.3 and the 4.8. I know that one is basically a totally new small block, and the other is a heavily redone big block, but isn't the 8.1 only 80% new vs. all new for the 6.0, it (8.1) shares somethings to the '70s 454 does it not (basic block, etc)?

Only the D-max has the flywheel issue. 8.1L uses totally different flywheel. Flywheels are engine parts. D-max uses dual mass flywheel to prevent torsional vibrations at certain frequencys from damaging transmission during low RPM operation. Gassers don't make the same shakes.I knew that the flywheel was engine specific, but I was unsure what caused the issue: whether the ZF6 transmission didn't mate up well, or maybe by chance the engines had similar flywheel designs (didn't know much about DMF vs SMF, like learning about this stuff though) Good information though. Just out of curiousity, I don't know much about vibrations, much less torsional vibrations. Is the rough idling that is inheirent in a diesel the cause of this need for DMF? Does the Powerstroke and/or Cummins use DMF? I know some forum members have had SMF setups installed by one of the members (CPMac, something like that I think.) I imagine that they are much more beefy then stock SMF flywheels. So it is possible to use SMF, correct?

I have driven an 8.1L 6-speed. Very nice combination. I expect 6.0L 5-speed is also nice. If you're going to do any towing the 4.8L 5-speed is not a good idea, in my opinion. The NV-3500 5 speed doesn't have a deep low gear and is pretty light duty. I've owned two of them and towed some, but you've got to be gentle with them.Glad to hear the 8.1L 6-speed is a good combo, that is what I am leaning towards. I agree, although I have no experience, about the 4.8/5-speed combo, I fear that one day I will say "Should've got the 2500 with the ..."

As for the CSK, is that issue dead, do they still have the problem, anyone with a newer truck (2004-2005) have it?

Thanks for the input again everyone.