Hey guys about to buy a new rig and am eyeballing a new 2004 chevy 3/4 ton extra cab, short box, 4x4 ,auto. I have heard that they get very poor fuel milage single digits around town and low teens on the open road. What is the real scoop?? I currently am coming off of 3 diesels, 2 cummins, and 1 duramax. I dont tow anything just like the resale and fuel economy of the turbo diesel. But for 11000$ less for the 6.0 it is looking pretty good. I can buy alot of fuel for 11 grand. Thanks!! Mark

i traded a 02 2500hd 4x4 ext cab last year for my d/a.
my milage after breakin was 13 hgwy, 11 city. i drive like an old man, thats what my broyher says anyway):h

FWIW, my Duramax consistently gets 20-25% better fuel economy than my '00 6.0 did. I do ALOT of interstate highway driving (that's why I bought a diesel), so I've kept a pretty close eye on my fuel economy to compare the two trucks.

I get between 13.8 and 14.3 so far in 1200 miles of ownership with my 6.0. I do have a manual tranny if that makes any difference. I mostly drive a mix of freeway and sideroads to commute to work. I haven't taken it on any long interstate jaunts yet.

Here's some mileage numbers, I just completed a trip from dallas to philly, on the open road cruise set at 65 I averaged 14.9 mpg over 1580 miles! Some stints were over 16 mpg, however got caught in nashville rush hour and only got 11.4 mpg for that tankfull- yikes! Anyway i was surprised at the 16+ on some of the longer stints- '01 1500HD 6.0L crewcab auto w/ 3.73 rear and nitto off road tires

i get 13-14 in town to work and back (20 miles each way with many stoplights and traffic) and 14-15 highway. this has been consistent over the 5 months ive had the truck.

EDIT - thats with an auto tranny

Not sure on the new trucks, but my 1999 K3500 ext.cab 4x4 with the 7.4 (454) Auto trans 4:10 gears. 10-11 MPG. empty

my 01 5 speed got 8 in town and 11 on highway, one reason I now have a duramax