Truck in front of the camper

wnjj wrote:

mkirsch wrote:
8.1L's produce a lot of heat and do use oil, up to a quart every 1000 miles. Mobil 1 5W30 seems to hold up the best.

When I bought my 8.1L, my dad already had his. At the time he had read that running 10W30 helped reduce oil consumption. I cannot confirm it helps but I have been running it since new and at 70k miles it still goes a few thousand miles before it needs a quart.

I think I’d be pouring 15-40 Dino oil in it as needed. Just like virtually every other 4s engine I own or have owned, for years.
Afaik, the 8.1 is a “loose” motor, just as most big bores are/need to be. So not only do they like/can handle a bit higher viscosity, 15-40 is just universally fine unless a particular engine needs thinner oil for “real” reasons….like the tight, small bore, small oil return galley old Triton 4.2, 4.6, 5.4s. I’m sure there are others too.

One thing to consider is not just oil consumption, but randomly variable oil consumption. A characteristic that I’ve really only seen in big blocks, save for the 350 in my buddy’s boat.
Recent example is the motor in our 86 GMC. It’s a low mile (like 20-30k miles, tops) Mark VI GM crate motor straight from the dealer about 20 years ago. So not a powerhouse by any means but a step up from the TBI peanut port heads engines.

That thing will suck down a quart in 3 tanks of gas one time and not use a drop the next. And it’s only a cruiser, rarely/never works hard.
Just a couple days ago I was scolding the boy about last time he checked the oil. He admitted it probably needed oil. While he was working on something else I popped the dipstick so I could give him a good told ya so, and it was full right to the top dot!
Doesn’t leak a drop, not even oily around the mains or anywhere else. Doesn’t burn enough to even make a hint of blue smoke on cold starts. Just sometimes uses oil, sometimes it don’t!

I personally wouldn’t want that, knowingly, for a daily driver or even more so a tow pig. I’m more of a change the oil, shut the hood and forget about it until the next oil change….
Maybe an intermediate check if it’s well into an OCI and going to hit the road for some high miles or big towing.

Again, the OP being super budget conscious, the best rig is the best condition, low miles, for the best price he can find. Whether it’s wearing a bow tie or a blue oval or a goat w/horns on the grille.

I think you need to find "any" camper. There are ones that are very big/heavy now. I'm assuming you are talking about a 3500 DRW not SRW.

Other than range and pulling mtns/elevation, I believe a gasoline engine either 6.0 or 8.1 will be ok. I had a Chevy 2500 with 6.0 and pulled a 4000 lb boat with it. It had enough power with 3.73s. No, it didn't pull like a diesel, but it was a simpler engine. I think a TC will be fine. Bonus for a GM is that they are a little more comfortable, but I feel 2005 and above Ford will have better brakes. YMMV.

As far as older Dodges not rusting any more as other brands, I don't agree. Most of the time, the rumors that many people have are somewhat true. Ram has improved the past 8 years or so. A lot of people prefer the Ford Interiors/transmission and given a diesel choice would take a Cummins in that era. If you are talking as much as other brands that don't see salt or winter deicer, then I would agree.

mkirsch wrote:
8.1L's produce a lot of heat and do use oil, up to a quart every 1000 miles. Mobil 1 5W30 seems to hold up the best.

When I bought my 8.1L, my dad already had his. At the time he had read that running 10W30 helped reduce oil consumption. I cannot confirm it helps but I have been running it since new and at 70k miles it still goes a few thousand miles before it needs a quart.

mkletka wrote:
Believe it or not, there are a few 8.1 w/ Allison's out there. Saw a 2001 2WD w/ only 89k miles for sale located in KY.

You driving to Kentucky now?
Just make sure it’s actually a 8.1 and not one of them rare 6.0/Alli combos you think are out there.

mkletka wrote:

Grit dog wrote:
No Alli behind a 6.0.

I've seen several for sale with an Allison and a 6.0. The 6.0 is more of a common motor with more availability of parts. Between the 8.1 & 6.0 they both have their weaknesses but both able to be wrenched on fairly easily.

Negative ghost rider. Not unless the 6liter was swapped into an 8.1 or a diesel truck.

Grit dog wrote:
No Alli behind a 6.0.

I've seen several for sale with an Allison and a 6.0. The 6.0 is more of a common motor with more availability of parts. Between the 8.1 & 6.0 they both have their weaknesses but both able to be wrenched on fairly easily.

Believe it or not, there are a few 8.1 w/ Allison's out there. Saw a 2001 2WD w/ only 89k miles for sale located in KY.

@mkirsch. Yes your low mile 8.1 is a real gem. GM really screwed up by not continuing the LS/Allison combo. Even if not the 8.1. They would have OWNED the HD pickup gasser market for many years. Only ones close up until just a few years ago was superduty gassers once they got the 6r140 trans in the early 2010s.
But to your point, older trucks like yours and any other good examples are fetching top dollar.
And for a budget minded purchase like the OP is after, even if the 8.1 is top dawg, it’s imo more about the overall package and value.
And with them not getting any younger, any less miles, any less wore out and any less rusty, finding a suitable truck with minimal miles, wear and rust AND not 25 grand is the name of the game.

@Stircrazy, yes to the 6L and most LS motors. They are arguably heads and tails above even the old GM small blocks and most other gas engines. I think the one other comparable in durability is the Triton V10s.
To the OP I was speaking stock for stock. As most folks here aren’t interested in mod motors, even tuning. But I agree with you. Hell, guys even slap blowers on high mile 4.8s and run em to the moon and they seem to hold up.
When time permits I have visions of a shortbed squarebody sitting on a GMT800 Tahoe/Yukon chassis. Almost the same wheelbase. Idk how the fab work would go but it would be the ultimate AWD sleeper. And all it would need is bolt on parts and a built trans to run with Hellcats. Hahaha
LS powered old trucks are a true bargain for making big power.