Guidance on tow vehicle

belairbrian wrote:

Grit dog wrote:

First whoever "enjoys" towing with pretty much any gasser even the mighty 8.1 over a LB7 Dmax or any modern diesel is just trying to justify their purchase......unless they enjoy less power and worse fuel economy apples to apples.

Good grief another Diesels are manna from heaven rant. Would help if you knew the facts. LB7 made 235 hp until 2004 when it was 300. The 8.1 makes 330 hp. The LB7 makes more torque 500 (520 in 2004) THE 8.1 450 lb/ft. Then there is the fact that the LB7 was only offered with the 3.73. 8.1 could be ordered with 4.10 (which I have). The Vortec makes 400lb/ft from 1000 rpm so the myth of high reving gasser to make torque is simply not true.

A per gallon mileage advantage of 2 is eaten up when diesel is 40-50 cents more per gallon.

The diesel will have a longer range (about 60 miles with the factory tanks). Diesels can extend range by adding an in bed tank, something a gasser can't really do. If I was full timing and pulling the western grades (arguably one of the biggest benefits of turbo diesels) I'd go with one of the newer diesels. but for the weekender and short range vacation hauler they aren't the only option.

Brian I agree with you on the last part and also that the 8.1/Alli combo is still among the top gasser tow rig drivetrains out there.
You're wrong on the Dmax power rating in GM pickups though. There was a detuned LB7 at 235/500, but the LB7 pickups were 300/520 from day 1.
And unlike your beloved gasser, a significant increase in power was simple and cheap. $3-600 for a decent tuner, stock fueling, no other mods put the LB7 right smack where all the new OE diesels are today, without roasting the trans, as long as you knew to stay out of the upper power levels in 5th gear.
Save for injectors which are easily changed, the LB7 has gone down as one of the best light truck diesels to date.