new truck need help choosing

[TTavenier3]

ok i have the choice of a 06 silverdao ext cab ls 5.3L with 113xxx or
a 2500hd ext cab lt 6.0L with 175xxx
the 2500 is about 1200 bucks cheaper.
both trucks are 4x4 both are ext cab. my concerns are gas milage and hp.
i dont pull much weight. i usually pull a race truck on a trailer and a boat.
both trucks have airride kits on the rear axle so that should be a problem for either. i do alot of highway driving though. does anyone have either truck and whats your milage. its 38 miles to my work one way so this truck will be my DD. i currently have a 93 c1500 2wd that gets 13mpg weather pulling a trailer or not and weather on the highway or not.
whats your thoughts thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: new truck need help choosing

the 5.3 will get better mileage than the 6.0
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2006_Chevrolet_Silverado.shtml

the 2500 will haul more and ride a bit stiffer.

depends on how much weight your pulling and how often.

 

[TTavenier3]

Re: new truck need help choosing

how much difference i see the 1500 at 13/18
either way i think im getting a great deal.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: new truck need help choosing

Let me get this straight... both are 06s, both ext cab 4x4s.
1500 5.3 has 113,000 miles
2500 6.0 has 175,000 miles

2500 is $1200 less?

No brainer... the 2500. The fuel economy won't be hardly any different than what you have now. And if you have to ask about the price of gas, you can't afford it. But you already know, because of what you're currently driving.

 

[TTavenier3]

Re: new truck need help choosing

the 2500 is a 2001 and the 1500 is a 06
gas prices dont bother me.just a general question

 

[briangcc]

Re: new truck need help choosing

I had an '04 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE 5.3L Z71 Ext cab, short bed, 4x4, towing package which is more than likely very similar to the '06 you're looking at. If memory serves I had the 3.73:1 gearing. Towing my '05 Four Winns 200Le (19'6" I/O) I'd get about 13mpg. Normal driving I'd get 17-18mpg. That's mixed city/hw.

That truck would do OK towing my boat.I also towed my 78 Trans Am on a U-haul trailer. I could easily keep it at 65mph going up hill in the terrain I'm in. I would have to downshift into 3rd to do it but it did fine.


Can't comment on the 2500 series as I've not been in one.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: new truck need help choosing

the 2500 is a 2001 and the 1500 is a 06
...

Ok, you didn't say that in your original post. Big difference then.

I'd go with the 06 1500 then. Less mileage, newer truck, still plenty capable.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: new truck need help choosing

Too many people buy a 2500 that really don't need one. I guess the only ? I would have is, how big is your boat and how far/often do you trailer it and your race truck?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: new truck need help choosing

Peak into the glovebox and read the build label. It's proper name is the SIPI label. The codes are all printed together but once you see one you will understand. See the image below

This will give you exactly which rear end is in the truck

These are the codes you might see:

GQ1 -- AXLE REAR, STD RATIO
GT4 -- AXLE REAR, 3.73 RATIO
GT5 -- AXLE REAR, 4.10 RATIO
GU4 -- AXLE REAR, 3.08 RATIO
GU5 -- AXLE REAR, 3.23 RATIO
GU6 -- AXLE REAR, 3.42 RATIO
G80 -- AXLE REAR, LIMITED SLIP (POSITRACTION)

The G80 is desirable My K2500 has a GT5 which is heavy duty and is a stump puller! The GT4 is excellent however the GU4 & 5 are common so the trucks would get better MPG

hope this helps

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: new truck need help choosing

...
GU4 -- AXLE REAR, 3.08 RATIO
GU5 -- AXLE REAR, 3.23 RATIO
GU6 -- AXLE REAR, 3.42 RATIO
G80 -- AXLE REAR, LIMITED SLIP (POSITRACTION)
...
The G80 is desirable My K2500 has a GT5 which is heavy duty and is a stump puller! The GT4 is excellent however the GU4 & 5 are common so the trucks would get better

A 4wd, unless it's got the 6 speed auto, is NOT going to have a 3.08 or a 3.23. 3.42 was the tallest ratio they put with the 4x4s. That would be plenty. 3.73 would be a little overkill, 4.10 is just too much. In a 1500.

 

[HopinImFloatin]

Re: new truck need help choosing

not sure how bad a problem rust is in your area, but a shiny truck on the outside can still mean nearly junk on the underside, i see it all the time espesially if it was a plow truck at sometime. do a real good inspection underneath, epsecially the brake and fuel lines and the hitch area. yes, even the 06 is a candidate for bad rust. just my .02