Posted 2006-03-23 10:52 PM (#171 - in reply to #170) Subject: RE: Chevy or GMC 8.1L gas truck?
Posts: 175
Location: nashville, In.
I had a 2001 Chevy and it didn't like to go past gas stations without stopping. I think I got something like 10-12mpg. That was loaded or empty. NOooooo problem with hills or across 60 in southern MO. in the Ozarks. Plenty of power to pull a 1995 steel 3h slant with 5ft sw loaded. With gas prices what they are now (and 2yrs ago) I went to a Duramax. Better mpg and longer life expected for engine. Both have Allison trans. Hope this helps....
Posted 2006-03-24 6:18 AM (#172 - in reply to #170) Subject: RE: Chevy or GMC 8.1L gas truck?
Posts: 2621
Originally written by jackbrat on 2006-03-23 10:44 PM
Does anyone have one of these 3/4 ton trucks? Is the gas mileage really that bad? How does it pull up hill? Cannot afford a diesel. Thanks!
A friend has one that he pulls a 30ft boat with. It pulls on hills like a VERY FAST and powerful tank, though I think he probably loses all the time he saves on extra gas stops. If you can't afford the diesel you certainly can't afford the 8.1 (-:
It also wears out tires quickly if you "turn it on" a lot
Posted 2006-03-24 7:29 AM (#173 - in reply to #170) Subject: RE: Chevy or GMC 8.1L gas truck?
Posts: 1563
Location: North Carolina
I have a 8.1 dually. The mileage is irrelevant if you want to tow a heavy trailer without a diesel. You want power, you have to burn fuel to get it.
The best reason to chose the 8.1 L over the 6.0 engine is to get the Allison transmission. The extra cash is worth it. Power up hills is great. You have to drive it differently than a diesel. For full power, you have to let the transmission downshift and let the rpm's rise. Some people don't do that and then say the engine can't pull. This applies to the most of the USA. If you're in Colorado, at 10,000 feet, get a turbo diesel. The turbo makes up for the altitude.
Posted 2006-03-24 8:25 AM (#174 - in reply to #170) Subject: RE: Chevy or GMC 8.1L gas truck?
Posts: 0
Thanks all for the feedback! I would be using this truck only for horsey stuff. I have a friend that just got the oil changed in her diesel and it cost her $95! Plus, it is almost impossible to find a decent diesel mechanic around here. She has that huge truck payment every month wether or not she uses it. At least with the gas it is expensive only WHEN you use it. Nothin' like climbing up to the Sierras here and having big-rigs pass you by!
Posted 2006-03-24 9:16 AM (#175 - in reply to #170) Subject: RE: Chevy or GMC 8.1L gas truck?
Posts: 2621
Originally written by jackbrat on 2006-03-24 9:25 AM
Thanks all for the feedback! I would be using this truck only for horsey stuff. I have a friend that just got the oil changed in her diesel and it cost her $95! Plus, it is almost impossible to find a decent diesel mechanic around here. She has that huge truck payment every month wether or not she uses it. At least with the gas it is expensive only WHEN you use it. Nothin' like climbing up to the Sierras here and having big-rigs pass you by!
I use my diesel only for horsey stuff, I still wouldn't want another gas engined truck.
$95 for an oil change is just silly, 3 gallons of synthetic oil is about $45, leaving $50 for the filter and "labor" of removing a drain plug and putting it back, removing and replacing the filter. 3 gallons of "regular" motor oil is about $20 or $25.
Answer: DIY.
A huge truck payment every month is probably not THAT much more for the diesel vs the gasser - and if you're not using it, well the whole REST of the truck is standing idle (-:
Decent diesel mechanics aren't found at corner gas stations - decent gas engine mechanics are rarely found there either. You DO need to seek out a competent diesel mechanic if you go the diesel route and/or learn to do the routine stuff yourself. The chances of needing specifically a diesel mechanic are in any case slim. I've found the big rig service places to all be competant and reasonably priced for the things that I want to not do myself. They have to be competant and good value, most of their customer base is more knowledgeable than most car owners.
Not much passed me climbing up out of LA last month, or going up to Flagstaff from New Mexico on the way out there - and I have ONLY the 300 HP Duramax, not the later 350 HP version (-:
Posted 2006-03-24 10:37 AM (#176 - in reply to #170) Subject: RE: Chevy or GMC 8.1L gas truck?
Posts: 1563
Location: North Carolina
Originally written by Reg on 2006-03-24 8:16 AM
Originally written by jackbrat on 2006-03-24 9:25 AM
Thanks all for the feedback! I would be using this truck only for horsey stuff. I have a friend that just got the oil changed in her diesel and it cost her $95! Plus, it is almost impossible to find a decent diesel mechanic around here. She has that huge truck payment every month wether or not she uses it. At least with the gas it is expensive only WHEN you use it. Nothin' like climbing up to the Sierras here and having big-rigs pass you by!
I use my diesel only for horsey stuff, I still wouldn't want another gas engined truck. $95 for an oil change is just silly, 3 gallons of synthetic oil is about $45, leaving $50 for the filter and "labor" of removing a drain plug and putting it back, removing and replacing the filter. 3 gallons of "regular" motor oil is about $20 or $25. Answer: DIY. A huge truck payment every month is probably not THAT much more for the diesel vs the gasser - and if you're not using it, well the whole REST of the truck is standing idle (-: Decent diesel mechanics aren't found at corner gas stations - decent gas engine mechanics are rarely found there either. You DO need to seek out a competent diesel mechanic if you go the diesel route and/or learn to do the routine stuff yourself. The chances of needing specifically a diesel mechanic are in any case slim. I've found the big rig service places to all be competant and reasonably priced for the things that I want to not do myself. They have to be competant and good value, most of their customer base is more knowledgeable than most car owners. Not much passed me climbing up out of LA last month, or going up to Flagstaff from New Mexico on the way out there - and I have ONLY the 300 HP Duramax, not the later 350 HP version (-:
Hey Reg .. Where are you buying Synth oil for $15 per gal? I just paid $22 per gal at Wallyworld..
Jackbrat. I looked at some of the passes in CA. The San Beradino pass is at 8,000 feet. A normal aspirated engine will lose power at altitudes that high. If you're doing a lot of high altitude driving, maybe a turbo is your better choice. If not, I'm with you. My truck is only for horsey stuff. the $4,000 diesel option is wasted money for me. Seems like Reg does a lot of long distance driving, so he's a bit biased toward a diesel. Right Reg ??
Posted 2006-03-24 12:58 PM (#177 - in reply to #170) Subject: RE: Chevy or GMC 8.1L gas truck?
Posts: 128
Location: Iowa
A while back, I was looking at used big block gassers vs used diesels. I was able to get a 2000 Dodge 2500 V10 with 78K miles for just under $12,000. Similar diesels (same mileage, year, etc) were consistently (and I looked HARD) $6,000 TO $7,000 higher. With 450 lbs ft of torque and 310 hp, the V10 pulls almost as hard as the Cummins (the regular, not the HO), so I have no problem pulling my 3H slant anywhere. I use the truck for towing about 3000 miles a year. Yeah, the gas mileage is only around 10 mpg...worse than a diesel for sure---but the $6000 price difference will pay for a lot of gas (about 26,000 miles worth, at 10 mpg and $2.30 a gallon...or in my case, about 9 years worth of driving). I ran the numbers and would have had to drive over 75,000 miles with the diesel to realize any "fuel savings." So...gas vs diesel...it's not a black and white answer most of the time. Depends on how many miles you tow each year and if you tow in the mountains a lot. If you tow all the time and in higher elevations, a diesel is probably better and more economical in the long run. If you don't tow that much the gasser can be a lot cheaper, and will pull almost as well as a diesel. Yes, diesels have a higher resale...but they cost a lot more to begin with, so they SHOULD have a higher resale.
So I would say to the OP, if you like how the truck drives, if you like the price, go ahead and get it. Sure, the gas mileage won't be great...but it WILL have all the power you need to pull your trailer. That 8.1 is a stump-puller, well-built big block engine that will do the job with no sweat if you get it into its powerband.
Posted 2006-03-24 2:24 PM (#178 - in reply to #170) Subject: RE: Chevy or GMC 8.1L gas truck?
Posts: 2621
Hosspuller,
Shell Rotella Synthetic was $14.xx at the local Wal_barf THIS morning.
Maybe its "regional conditions", i.e. you live in a high rent district, I don't (-:
Re intial cost of klattermotors - well, yes, but I probably get most of it back at resale. The usual distorton that folk put into break even arithmetic is that ALL the additional initial cost has to be recovered in fuel mileage savings. Tain't so.
Flooper,
Your case seems to bear out what I just typed - and more (-:
THOSE vehicles are going for more (relative to their gas counterparts) than they cost new (relative to their gas counterparts). So I guess the diesel delta $s was a positive investment for the first owners of those trucks ?
Hmmmm, yes I do seem to be doing some distance runs lately. I didn't buy it as a driveway ornament, so why not (-:
Posted 2006-03-24 3:02 PM (#179 - in reply to #170) Subject: RE: Chevy or GMC 8.1L gas truck?
Posts: 128
Location: Iowa
Yep, Reg, you're right. But I did figure in several other things. I had the $12,000 in cash for the gasser. To buy the diesel I would have had to borrow $6000. So I would have had interest payments, etc.
For me and my situation, it just came down to three things;
Gasser could do the job, no problem.
Cost less up front--no loan needed.
Don't drive enough to make up difference in cost of fuel/mileage.
It was clear to me that a gasser was a better value for me and my needs.
Everyone has a different situation...a gasser isn't right for everyone, and a diesel isn't right for eveyrone. Look at how you'll use the truck, then get what is best for you and don't let people talk you out of it because they think what they bought is the only way to go.
Posted 2006-03-24 10:23 PM (#180 - in reply to #170) Subject: RE: Chevy or GMC 8.1L gas truck?
Posts: 0
Hosspuller, Yeah- I won't be climbing alot of high altitudes. But do want the power for when I need it. Plus I think the Alisson trannie is the way to go anyways. I agree with you about the extra cost with a diesel vs gas mileage. I will be financing this truck so the extra 6-8k+tax and financing on that diesel ?! NO WAY!!!
Posted 2006-03-24 10:41 PM (#181 - in reply to #170) Subject: RE: Chevy or GMC 8.1L gas truck?
Posts: 0
Reg, I guess I need to do what you do for work so I can afford that diesel? Since I am single and have to buck my own hay, work on my own fencing, work two jobs- Do EVERYTHING on my own...no country boys around here. The last thing I can do right now is DIY on anything more than I already do. Lucky if I have the energy to ride, not in my twenties anymore!
Posted 2006-03-25 9:14 PM (#182 - in reply to #170) Subject: RE: Chevy or GMC 8.1L gas truck?
Posts: 15
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Hi jackbrat.
I just saw your post here.
I have 2 of the Chevy 8.1 trucks.
Mine are a little different than what you want, they're one ton duallies and have the six speed manual trannies.
Both of my trucks pull 6 horse trailers and I love them.
I have never bought the diesels because I usually trade them at 70K, and the break even point on a diesel is usually over 100K.
I've also had many of the older Ford 460's and Chevy 454's, but I prefer the 8.1 to any of my previous trucks.
Mileage wise, I get 13 running empty on the high way and 9 pulling a loaded 6 horse running hard.
Don't hesitate to get that engine, it's great!
- Dave
Chevy or GMC 8.1L gas truck?
