Over the last year I've been contemplating consolidating down to one truck since my driving needs have changed.Currently I have a 2015 Chevy Silverado 1500 double cab with 115,000 miles, and a 2002 Chevy Silverado 3500 regular cab with the 8.1L, Allison, and 53,000 miles.The 2015 had a problem with the AFS lifter in the #1 cylinder back in January, causing a bent pushrod and $2500 in damage that GM would not warranty even though the truck was literally 100 miles out of warranty. I got off easy, but the truck is giving me reasons to not trust it. I've been told the AFS lifter issue is a common problem, so I'm not real keen on getting another ticking time bomb.There is nothing major wrong with the 2002. It's been kept out of the salt so no body rust, but I'm sure the typical 20-year-old-truck issues are going to start nickle and dimeing me.I have a truck camper and a few trailers to tow, and no longer need to drive 50 miles round trip to work every day.My thinking was to trade both in against a Chevy 2500 regular cab long bed with a 6.0L, but come to find out GM no longer offers the 6.0L. All they have is the new 6.6L with VVT.Anybody have any experience with these? I don't want to be a beta tester again. What about Ford and Dodge's big gassers? I don't want a diesel.

The 6.0 as well as 5.3 have been outstanding engines from Chevy, owned several. Have not heard much negative about the 6.6 but feel Chevy may be loosing some ground against the competition. Ford coming out with that monster 7.3 pushrod engine paired with a 10 spd transmission has certainly got my attention for its towing prowess. Dodge remains a viable option with the 6.4 and 8 spd auto with a solid reputation of more truck for the money. Like you....don't want a diesel especially with the gas offerings today. All my elderly friends that I tow with are very happy with their 6.4 Rams but I'm buying within a month and favoring the Super duty with 7.3.Today's gas trucks can tow circles around the older trucks, think you'll still be very pleased with any of them.Good luck.

You’re out of luck unless you go used or leftover 6.0 GM.

Personally, I'd keep the '02 3500 with the 8.1 and sell the '15. I'd put up with the minor issues with the '02 or spent a few bucks and fix them at once. The 8.1 will last a looooooong time. Just my 2 cents.

mleekamp wrote:Personally, I'd keep the '02 3500 with the 8.1 and sell the '15. I'd put up with the minor issues with the '02 or spent a few bucks and fix them at once. The 8.1 will last a looooooong time. Just my 2 cents.That's all well and good but it's not a daily driver. Too loud. Too rough riding. 10 MPG going downhill with a tailwind.Plus it would not last a winter on the salt roads. By the next spring it would be a rusted out carbuncle.

kellem wrote:The 6.0 as well as 5.3 have been outstanding engines from Chevy, owned several.Betting you haven't owned a 2014-up 5.3 direct injection engine with the AFS.

Avoiding AFS/VVT issues in next truck | Good Sam Community

blt2ski
Moderator
Sep 02, 2020
Grit dog wrote:
Dadoffourgirls wrote:
I remember the days (like 2007) when the argument was that 6 speed transmissions were going to always be shifting, who needed more than 4 speeds. Now 6 is not enough.

10 may give a slight fuel economy advantage, it may keep the rpm range closer all the time. I have never thought "wow, I might be in 8th gear if it had 10, or wish I had more gears to shift through" while driving or towing 15k. Then again, when driving the 10 speed I never thought - "I wonder what gear I would be in if there was only 6".

Only 6 here and I still grab for 7th after hours of mind numbing high rpms on the highway. 175k miles later it still won't go into 7th gear dammit!!

I have 7 in my IHC, still look for 1-2 more at top end. Turning 2500 at 55mph! Top spped is 72 downhill with a tail wind empty. With its whopping 175 non turbo V8! Not sure an OD or DOD would do me any good frankly. Not sure I could make the 130-150 hp I need to go 55 at 26K lbs with the horrible aerodynamics of this thing!

Marty
deltabravo
Nomad
Sep 02, 2020
I'd try selling the 2002 w/ 8.1/Allison online before trading it in. It will bring far better money selling that way. The 8.1L seems to be a well sought after engine.
kw_00
Explorer
Sep 02, 2020
07.5 and up 6.0 engines have VVT. Never an issue and I have seen several 6.0 with excess of 300k. I’m thinking the new 6.6 should be a good engine. Time will tell if it lives up to the 6.0, but it should. I will run the gas engines as well, to many issues diesel/emissions issues. We have run diesels in our family for years... now the 2011 Cummins appears to be my parents last. They will go back to gas if they ever get another. I still run my 09 2500HD with the 6.0. Just love this engine, it has been so reliable and flawless.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Sep 01, 2020
Dadoffourgirls wrote:
I remember the days (like 2007) when the argument was that 6 speed transmissions were going to always be shifting, who needed more than 4 speeds. Now 6 is not enough.

10 may give a slight fuel economy advantage, it may keep the rpm range closer all the time. I have never thought "wow, I might be in 8th gear if it had 10, or wish I had more gears to shift through" while driving or towing 15k. Then again, when driving the 10 speed I never thought - "I wonder what gear I would be in if there was only 6".

Only 6 here and I still grab for 7th after hours of mind numbing high rpms on the highway. 175k miles later it still won't go into 7th gear dammit!!
Thermoguy
Explorer II
Sep 01, 2020
I know you said you don't want a diesel... But, in 2015, we took a 2007 Yukon with 100K miles and a 2001 GM 2500 with the 8.1 and Alison, and traded for a 2015 Silverado Diesel. Best decision ever. Love the truck. I thought the 8.1 was a monster towing, not even close. By the way, we got almost as much trading the 2001 in as what we paid for it 4 or 5 years earlier. Not sure what your uses are, but the Diesel gets even better mileage than our Yukon did and it had the engine that half the valves turn off at highway speeds. As for around town and other driving, you wouldn't know its a diesel.
mooky_stinks
Explorer
Sep 01, 2020
I've seen a bunch of GM techs online that state not to let the OLM go below 20%. Not sure why the manual states 7500 miles when they have no idea how you drive your truck. I would never let the OLM reach zero. Just doesn't make sense to me. BTW my 2017 owner's manual states to check the olm and change oil IF NEEDED at 7500 miles. It does say to change it yearly no matter what the olm says.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Sep 01, 2020
mooky stinks wrote:
You just have to keep good oil in them and change it on time. Run cheap oil and let the OLM get to zero and it changes everything.

Define, "on time."

Manual says 7500 miles.

Dealer says, when OLM gets down near 0%

I've been getting the oil changed at 6000 mile increments, by a GM dealer, since new. The OLM usually has 25-35% left on it at 6000 miles.
gmckenzie
Explorer
Sep 01, 2020
LanceRKeys wrote:
When I towed with a 5.3 Chevy with a 4 speed, I sure wished there was at least one gear between 2nd and 3rd.

I still find this with a 5.3 and 6 speed. Big jump in rpms at times. I might be jumping 2 or more gears, but it annoys me.
Geo_Boy
Explorer II
Sep 01, 2020
I am not a Ford guy but that F350 with the 7.3 Godzilla, a 10 speed, 4.10 gears and no DI or multi cylinder nonsense is an impressive truck. If GM would offer the new 6.6 gasser with a 10 speed and 4.10 gears they would have a nice truck. You could also look into finding a 2019 GM with a 6 liter and 4.10’s and call it a day. I love my 2015 6 liter.
LanceRKeys
Explorer
Sep 01, 2020
When I towed with a 5.3 Chevy with a 4 speed, I sure wished there was at least one gear between 2nd and 3rd.

Forum Discussion

Avoiding AFS/VVT issues in next truck

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Avoid dark?

Avoiding blow overs

Avoiding Atlanta

Roads to avoid

Avoiding Seattle