Does anyone know the last date to order a 2005 and the first date to order a 2006? I was told by the dealer that march for 05, April-May for 06. If that's correct, does that mean someone could be driving in a new ordered 06 by June/July?

thanks,
Justin

If I remember correctly, I believe that they cut off orders for the 05's around June and start assembly in September. They use the down time to retool. I think that you can order an 06 after the cutoff date, but the you may be waiting a while.

They will start building the early ones (2006) in March. They do about 50-100 before regular (2006) production starts after change over. That occurs July4 for 1-2 weeks. They always are careful when they do MAJOR Changes as they have to be sure that the new material will go down the old assy. line without catching hold of something. People can order a 2006 & not even know what the price is. Howard

Well, I'm looking to order a truck between end of march and mid april depending on when i have time. Would it be an 05 or an 06? When would i get it..May/June?

Well, I'm looking to order a truck between end of march and mid april depending on when i have time. Would it be an 05 or an 06? When would i get it..May/June?
Sounds like a late 05. Rumor has it that there will be a 6-speed Allison for 06. If that is an interest for you, you may want to wait. But if you need the truck, waiting may not be an option.

Yes I would like the 6 speed allison but can I get it by June in an 06? My truck is currently for sale at several locations for a 12 week listing. If I sell it anytime between now and then, than I will be out of a vehicle but I really don't need one until June when I plan on starting a company. If I become real desperate, I will just have to settle for an 05 with the 5 speed...

does any one know how to tell if you already have the 6 speed ali???I ordered my truck in mid may... delivered on july 6th,I count six forward gears when shifting???third gear seems to add a long shift........I just dont know how to explain,but what #s in the vin show the new alli???it lowers the rpms after third like it shifted-then it goes to fourth-btw- I swear Iam not on medication!!!,today!

Sierradmax, the 2006 will start up after the July shut-down. That is when they do the retool for the needed departments. They slowly up the % rate of H.D. after they start production back up. It might take 2-4 weeks before they are up & running the same % numbers as they did during the year.
Michael Nelson, the vin only shows what engine is in a vehicle. In a truck, the 8th # in the vin. shows the engine. 8.1 = "G" & 2= 6.6. DURAMAX.

does any one know how to tell if you already have the 6 speed ali???I ordered my truck in mid may... delivered on july 6th,I count six forward gears when shifting???third gear seems to add a long shift........I just dont know how to explain,but what #s in the vin show the new alli???it lowers the rpms after third like it shifted-then it goes to fourth-btw- I swear Iam not on medication!!!,today!
My 05 shifts 4 times, 5 forward gears...maybe you got something special?

Is there really a big difference with the .61 6th gear?. I understand fuel economy would be better but what if I were to just put a set of 265,275, or 285 tires on which can help with fuel economy. I can't imagine the downshifting a 6 speed will do with larger tires..I mean if I'm gonna pull a bit of weight, I want a transmission that's not going to downshift all the time. Either way, I'd like to throw some larger tires on to get better fuel economy when not trailering.

All i'm saying is, is the 6 speed worth the wait in fuel economy.. Is a 5 speed going to give me the same mpg as a 6 speed with slightly larger tires and/or if I pull? I've never really pulled with a duramax so i don't know how the 2005 5 speed handles..

thanks for all the help,
Justin

bump

Michael, what you are feeling is the Torque converter locking up right after the trans shifts into 2nd gear. It almost feels like a shift, but it's not. The current Allison has only 5 forward gears.

I stopped into the local chevrolet dealer and asked when the first date was to order a 2006. Sales manager said I was the first person to ask this. He told me to wait and walked away for a few minutes while I checked out the showroom chevy avalanche. He came back and said I could order a truck towards the end of May/Beginning of June. I'm guessing he contacted a sales rep for N.E. region? Either way, He took down my info and asked me what I wanted and said I'd be the first person he would call when news gets out and if I don't hear from him by May 21st (oddly my graduation date) to call in....


Just so people know..end of May/beginning of June to order a 2006http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/rockon.gif

Any word on the changes on the 06' ???
Bigger cab maybe??? With the new Dodge Megacab coming out GM will have the smallest crew cab.

That 6 spd. Allison sound's great!!:ro)

No on the bigger cab. Just a 6 speed allison and probably some color changes. 07 Will be a new body style.

It may be that I cannot wait for an 06. I may have a job upon graduation which will require me to have a larger truck. My 01 s-10 crewcab with the 4.5' bed just can't cut it. So I guess an 05 with the 5 speed will have to do. My main reaoning was to order an 06 to get better fuel economy. But I am sure that with slightly larger tires and some aftermarket upgrades on an 05 will still give me good fuel economy.....

Here is a link for production start ups
http://www.wheels.com/reference/referenceFrame.htm

Chevrolet Silverado 1500/2500/3500 Pickups 6/27/05

GMC Sierra 1500/2500/3500 Pickups 6/27/05