Hi everyone, I'm looking at getting a truck after I graduate and am having trouble deciding what route to take. I know I want a 2500HD and atleast an extended cab. I wondering on how roomy the e-cab really is, I'm 6'6" so its hard for me to judge. I dont have to worry about having people back there too much as I'm only 22 and dont think I'll have a family for a little while yet. How will this truck handle a 20ft flat bed with 4 or 5 quads? That would probably be the max it'll ever tow. The usual trailer will most likely be a 20ft enclosed with 2 or 3 quads. How does everyone like their 6.0? Its hard justifying the extra $6k right now. Any help would be great. Thanks everyone.

I think most crew cab owners would agree that they would never go back to an ext. cab again. IMO, Get the crew cab diesel. Yes the Duramax is an extra 6k now but when you sell it you get another 6k back.

gt - As Max said, resale value is a big reason for the diesel..Also, the trans will add $$$$ to the final cost of the truck...Keep your eyes open for the rebates too....Also, if you don't want a diesel, you might want to look at the 8.1 too..If you ask around, I think you'll find the 8.1 and 6.0 fuel mileage is about the same, especially if you are towing a trailer....Happy hunting for a new truck :)

GM typicaly hold resale better that "the rest". This being my first one i now understand why... I will say that i wont go back to an extend cab. Even though your not sitttin back there, your buddys will be. Nothin worse than someone behind you squakin bout how ya should havent been so cheep n went for the crew cab. As far as the diesel goes theyre reallly nice backed by the ally. Still it all comes down to the allmighty $, no matter what you like or what anybody says....your buddys included!
HAPPY HUNTING AND BUY WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD

I've sat in the back of mine a few times. I am sure glad I got a crew cab!

On a side note, I sat in the back of an 05 F150 ext cab a few weeks ago. Worst seat EVER!!!!!!!!!!

Get what you can afford now and plan for the future. Because at your age, things will change. Get a girlfriend, get married, buy a house, have kids and before you know it, that truck payment is too much to handle.
BTW, with rebates I just picked up a leftover, new '04 Crew LS 4x4 w/ 6L for $23.8K. Thought that was a good deal. MSRP was $35k. Diesels were over $40k. Would've loved a diesel, but the ~$20k difference was silly since most of the rebates didn't apply to the Dmaxes. I got somewhat lucky with my find.

really up to you,

Diesel, will be more maintance, possible even addition of extra aftermarket fuel filters. Which I hear help with injector life greatly.

don't bother with the 6.0 unless you are going to mod it, then goes with it (big aftermarket support), other wise go with the 8.1.

But lately I have been having visons of owning a 02' CC dmax with 4" lift and and 35" with dual 4" stacks running behind the cab. Weird and frighting.

I just ordered a 2500 with the 8.1 and a 6spd. I was going to buy another Dmax,but with the cash back incentives and 0% APR the 8.1 was a better deal.After all the numbers were in I saved almost $10,000 with the only difference being the engine.

I wont have people in the back much at all and I like the look of the E-cabs over the CC. So I'd probably go for the E-cab. Right now I can get a 2005 EC 6.0 LS for ~27k, I figure probably about $25k in fall when I plan on buying it. I would consider the 8.1 but they seem to be hard to find usually.

I recently picked up a '05 crew cab with the 6.0. I never considered an extended cab. Even though I won't be carrying people in the back all that much, I need a certain amount of internal storage on occasion at the same time I need the bed open, so it was a no brainer. I wouldn't ever get a extended in the future, even without those requirements. I like the room in the cab.

I've never driven the 8.1, but I do think the 6.0 is a little anemic without some mods, especially if you add larger tires.

GMCjamie,
how do you like the 6.0 so far? whats you mpg been about? I'll be doing a good amount of unloaded highway probably.

I really like the Ecab look.

I have owned three Extended cabs in the past. The first and second ones had no third door. The last one was a three door. My current truck (bot Sept 04) is a crew cab.

Since my kids are grown up and gone my back seat does not get used that much by people. However I bot a crew cab because I can see the progression in body styles from Ext cabs with no doors, to three doors, to four doors, to crew cabs. So my point is, think of resale in the future. I think crew cab is the way to go for that reason.

GK

I second the comments about the crew cab. When I bought mine I didn't really think I would need it all that much, but if/when I did, it would come in handy. Sure makes for a nice place to sleep on those long road trips. You can also comfortably haul 5-6 people to lunch, or you say you are planning on hauling 4-5 quads. You can haul the riders plus the gear. I think I would have made the ex-cab work, but I am sure glad I went the the Crew Cab.

Toughest choice ever, I should just get a CC D/A and an Ecab 6.0. Problem solved.

i know you may like the ecab look better, but add me to the list of "i will never own another truck that isnt crew cab"! they are great. i am only 23 and newly married so i dont haul other people much but the back seats fold down flat and its a big flat storage space that holds all my hunting gear without a problem. plus, there is so much room under the seat, i dont need a toolbox taking up room in the bed (you wouldnt believe all the crap you can store under there - tow strap, logging chain, tons of bungees and rachet tie downs, jumper cables, 12v air compressor, 2 gal gas can, 4way tire iron, gloves, more im sure i cant remember) and i can still fold the seats down with all that under there. plus, now when i do need to bring extra people, i dont have to worry. i usually end up driving to lunch on fridays now since my vehicle is the only one that can comfortably fit 5 full size guys (one being over 350lbs).

as for the 6.0, ive had it about 6 months and it has plenty of power. i tow my 21' center console boat in OD and dont even notice its there, i have as much power as unloaded. i also couldnt afford the diesel and got too good a deal on my 6.0.

though the 6.0 gas mileage may be bad (13.5 city, 15 hwy), the 8.1 is horrible (<10)so unless you really need a lot of power (doesnt sound like you do), i would stick with the 6.0. just my humble opinion of course.

nope sorry

mine with mods listed below
12.5 city
14 to 15 highway

my uncle owns, long bed excab, get 16 highway all the time.

both 8.1's

Well, time to chime in as I traded my 2004 CC 6.0 4x4 in for a 2004 CC 8.1 DRW 4x4 back in early December, and can tell you for a fact that my mileage has never been as low as 10.

I have noticed a huge difference in the power and performance of the 8.1 and the mileage has been exactly the same as the 6.0. I don't just take it from the DIC but also calculate it to ensure I've got good numbers. I've got just over 2200 miles on it and consider it to be getting fantastic mileage for not being broke in (12 city, 13/14 highway) - the same numbers I got with the 6.0 but alot less power.

The statement below is not true nor should it even be considered. Take it from the guys who run the 8.1's, we know.
"though the 6.0 gas mileage may be bad (13.5 city, 15 hwy), the 8.1 is horrible (<10)so unless you really need a lot of power (doesnt sound like you do), i would stick with the 6.0."

I don't know why all you guy's are getting such lousy mileage with your 6 liters. My 02 EC/SB 4X4, is still getting consistent 18+ on the freeway and 14 or so in town, I've gotten as high as 20.5 on the freeway, 16-17 going across country towing a trailer, with my Camaro on it. My truck has 27,XXX on it (it's also for sale ):h ), drop me a line if you still want to buy one, I love my truck, but we're trying to save for a new house right now, so my truck's got to go.

Actually on second thought get the ext cab. The more ext cabs that are sold, the more it keeps the resale value up for us crew cab owners. :D

GMCjamie,
how do you like the 6.0 so far? whats you mpg been about? I'll be doing a good amount of unloaded highway probably.

I really like the Ecab look. So far I like it a lot. Gas mileage wise, I'm looking at 12.5 average with about 2500 miles on the truck, bone stock, and my commute is not exactly highway driving. The little highway driving I've done with it, the computer said 14.5.

The extended cab looks nice, but I don't regret the CC. My last ride was a Yukon, so I'm still used to having some interior storage.

Hope to get the MPG up a bit with some of the mods I have planned, so we'll see. Good luck with your decision!

If I can get 15mpg highway with the 6.0 I'd be plenty happy with that. Seem doable to everyone? I"ll see what CCs are in stock when I get it. I want black, blue, or dark gray. I'll be happy then.

weve taken one trip to my inlaws in south florida 350 miles one way and a trip to south carolina that was 400 miles one way. on both trips, i got 15+ mpg when i was driving "normally" (cruise set at 80) and 14.5 when i was driving with a heavier right foot.

haneym,
thats about what I was hoping to hear. Were you able to make that 350 miles trip on one tank?

thanks everyone for all your help.

I get 400 miles on a tank full before refuelling (fuel light still not turned on); and thats getting about 13.5 - 14.2 mpg (commute). I do have a long bed, however, so that adds some capacity.

ive never pushed it to 350. ive got a 24 gal (i think) tank and when i get to 300, i start looking for gas stations. ive also never had the gas light come on though (dont like cutting things that close personally). i think 22 gallons is the most ive ever put in.

EDIT - i just checked the chevy website and short beds have a 26gal capacity and long beds have 34. so that makes me feel a little better, i guess i could stretch it to 350 miles. on my 89 k1500, when the gas guage hit 1/4 you only had about 50 miles left, it wasnt very accurate. it would stay on full forever and once it hit 1/2, it would drop like a rock. i guess this one is more true.

Seeing that you are 6'6" in height I'd go try out the front seat leg room in all the trucks. I'm 6' 2" and the front leg space in mine is barely adequate. Would like to have several more inches of front space.

I took a 6.0 CC SB for a test drive this past weekend to check it out and thought it was amazing. That truck rode so smooth and had plenty of power. Definitely think it would suffice for my needs.

I've owned a CC 8.1, a CC D\A, and now a EC 6.0.
At the time I owned the the 8.1 & Duramax I was pulling a 15,000 lb car hauler but now I have a small 24' trailer that I only tow occasionaly.

Unless your going to tow over 8000 lbs the 6.0 will do just fine

I also went back to an EC after owning 2 CC trucks, the 6.0 CC fits my current needs just fine, it gives me more room in the garage, it's easier to park and the 6.0 has plenty of power unless your going to tow something heavy.

I think the most I"ll being towing normally will be a 20ft enclosed with 2 or 3 quads, sometimes with a lot of hills. I've towed an open trailer with 2 quads with a 4.3 blazer and it made it, but it struggled alot. So I figure the 6.0 will do just fine. The power felt pretty good to me.

Well, I"m getting very close. My blazer is up for sale and as soon as that goes its truck time. I've pretty much decided on an EC SB 6.0 with the LS package and alloys.

Can anyone tell me a recent price on this setup? I see it on simmons-rockwell.com for about $26-29k

Anyone with the dark gray metallic or dark blue, how hard is it to keep clean? Thinking black but it might be too much of a pain.

Final decision is going to be automatic or 5 speed. I like manuals but dont know if I really want to deal with it anymore. How does the 5 speed hold up with towing?

Thanks everyone, this is the greatest site I've ever found. I've spent the last year trying to read up on everything so I know what to be looking for.

Dude get a dmax with a ally and :grd:

I'm 6'4" and I have plenty of room. I have to move my seat up a little if anyone sits behind me who is over 5'10" or so. If you plan on hauling a lot of people around... get the crew cab. As for an engine... D/A all the way.

My 6.0 CCLB is a 5 speed and does fine for what I use it for normally (Daily driver, haul slide in Lance camper, haul bark/dirt, etc). I towed a heavy dump trailer a few weeks back and loaded with gravel it was about 8k, and that's as much as I want to tow with it. It struggled up hills and I backed up traffic, but the truck handled well otherwise (just was wishing for the Dmax under the hood).

My dad's '02 Dodge dually CTD pulled it better, and we could load the trailer up to 11k+ with no probs. Hauled 28 yards of gravel in one day. So far it has been the only day I NEEDED a diesel, instead of just wanting a diesel.

I got a great deal on my truck $24k + T&L, but I wish I had spent the $ and got the Dmax...

i have the blue and like it. initially i wanted silver birch or sandstone but this was a good deal so i accepted the blue. now i like it cause its different but not as hot or hard to keep clean as black.

FWIW, i bought my 03 last fall 1 year old with 21k miles for $24k. CCSB 4x4 6.0 auto. Not sure if you're looking new or used? When I was looking new, you could get them down to around $30 on a CC, i guess EC would be a little cheaper.

Sadly, due to money, I wont be getting a 2500HD. I'm going for the 1500 now, with the 310HP 5.3. I found an LS EC SB with the safe and sound package and the dealer gave me a price of $27,059. Any one know if this is a good price?

To all of you, I know D/A would be ideal, but money talks.

gtchief,

My wife purchased an '05 1500 4x4 extended cab short bed almost 3 months ago. It's not a heavy duty unit by any means, but I really LOVE the truck. We were very close to buying a second diesel, but when it came down to it, this truck was going to spend most of its life doing no more than hauling people. For the difference in price, we just couldn't justify the additional cost. I'm sure that you will be quite happy with your choice. The 1500 will make you a very good vehicle for the price.

Justin

Justin,
Does that price seem decent to you? I dont know how your truck is set up and location costs, but I"m just trying to get an idea. Thanks.

We ended up paying invoice minus incentives. Invoice +/- a couple of hundred, plus factory incentives seems to be the going rate around here recently. If you are somwhere near that level, I think you are looking at a decent deal. Take a look at some of the online vehicle price sites (KBB, Vehix, etc) and get yourself a ballpark guess at what your vehicles invoice price is and use that as your starting point for negotiations.

Ours was a few thousand less than the price you stated. We ended up with the 4.8L V8 instead of the 5.3L (my wife liked the way this one was equipped...color, interior options, etc). Ours also does not have onstar. Considering that, you are probably looking at a fairly good deal.

Well, the first stealership I went to tried to screw me on my trade in so I left there. Went to another one and will be bring home a 1500 Z71 EC SB. It has the alum block 5.3, autotrac, power seat, camper mirrors, 2 tone paint, alloys, basically nicely set up for what I want. I'm getting it for about $1500 cheaper than the 1st one I was looking at and they both have same MSRP. $26,500 OTD and I pick it up tuesday. cant wait that long though. mod time

Congrats... I'm sure that you will be quite happy.