GM 'o7classic LBZ dsl 6 spd to '21 L5P dsl 10 spd report

[SDcampowneroper]

It just became time for a new truck The 'o7 gave us great service for over 14 years, towing our 16k 5er and many times a 2nd trailer over 50k mi. towing. Youve seen us in the Q, in Baltimore, Brookings, San Diego, to Tampa and everywhere in between several times in the past 20 years.
Last winter or 2 ago DW says its time to upgrade. so we considered 'A ' MH s, back to TTS, new 5 ers.
5er won out, keep our Carriage, with our travel style of overnighting( which we always drycamp, boondock on public lands ) en route to longer term destination.
So we ordered mar 27/ 21 a new 2021 chevy 3500 srw L5P dsl crew cab 8' bed.w/ b& w companion hitch.
Took delivery jun 7 21. Cleaned up the 07 for private sale, sold it in 2 weeks for 1/2 of what we paid for it 14 1/2 years ago. less than $1500/ yr depreciation/yr cost of ownership.
Now the tow comparison, with our same 5er on a 1400 mi. rd. trip to Ks. last week in temps over 100 up to 106 and into 35 mph headwinds. The L5P and 10 spd tranny didnt even notice, minor gear shifts into 9or 8 on the hills in the headwinds, Tranny temp never got avove 175.
On past comparable trips the 07 struggled in those head winds and temps ran higher. fuel mileage comparable. 10 mpg + to minus. The new truck never struggled or got warm.

We do miss that faithful and dependable 07, are expecting the same depedability from the new 21 as well as it holding its value into the future.

[jaycocamprs]

GM has for many years

[Grit_dog]

Groover wrote:
"Tranny temp never got above 175."

There was some discussion on a different recent thread about Ford preventing the gauges from telling the truth, basically reducing them to idiot lights. Now I wonder how many brands do that.

Regardless of that, I am glad that you are happy with your new truck and hope that it keeps you happy.

I wonder. Temp gauges seem pretty accurate though iMO. In general on all vehicles I drive.
If not and just an algorithm they do vary a lot with conditions.
Fwiw 2016 68rfe, runs 170+\- once heat soaked unless pulling a big hill with a lot of weight. But even then 175-176 is the highest I’ve seen. Hope it’s right?

[Groover]

"Tranny temp never got above 175."

There was some discussion on a different recent thread about Ford preventing the gauges from telling the truth, basically reducing them to idiot lights. Now I wonder how many brands do that.

Regardless of that, I am glad that you are happy with your new truck and hope that it keeps you happy.

[noteven]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Maybe the "PowerStroke" should have a "PowerShift" behind it???

They have a "Torqshift" transmission.

My Fird 3 fitty gas has a 6R140 "Torqshift" trans - I'm told it is the same trans as the diesel trucks, doesn't matter I'm not changing it ...

It works plenty good behind the "Boss 6.2" (don't you love the names?)

[Cummins12V98]

Maybe the "PowerStroke" should have a "PowerShift" behind it???

[noteven]

deltabravo wrote:

noteven wrote:
Are the new GM diesels only available with the 10 speed powershift transmissions?

THe Duramax is only available with a 10 speed speed Allison (branded) transmission. I've never heard of a transmission in a GM truck called a "powershift transmission."

"Powershift" would be a good marketing name for a pickup transmission - no, but wait, the internet would immediately start comparing it to a 1968 Powerglide...

"powershift" is a generic term from ag tractors of the last 20-30 years or more - multispeed automatic transmissions 6-8-12-15-16-24 speeds- to allow small on the go changes in travel speed while maintaining constant engine rpm when running power take off driven pull type or mounted machinery. Now they have CVT behind 600hp engines...

Seems like excess complication in a powerful diesel pickup truck with their flat torque delivery.

[Cummins12V98]

I have seen Larry’s truck. It’s showroom condition and does every task he asks it to do with ease.

[Lantley]

Grit dog wrote:

larry barnhart wrote:

bob213 wrote:
I have an 05 with 45K miles. I don't really need a new one but I've been bitten by the "new truck bug". I can't find what I want so I think I will have to order as well. I just need to get over the sticker shock. ENJOY your new truck!!!

We have an 05 chev duramax with 114K miles and still feel I am driving a new truck. We could drive a new truck but why?

chevman

Right on Chevman!
Of all the mid 2000s diesel pickups, the GM is on par or maybe preferable and the drivetrain is the best hands down total package.
Your LLy I think you can program in a turbo brake as well.

At 7000 miles a year your 05 has been barey used and I'm sure it a good truck.
However a 2021 is a far superior truck to your 05. More power , more comfort,10 speed tranny, more capacity.
There is really no comparison between a 2021 and a 05.
I upgraded to a 2019 from my 07. My 2019 is far noticably more capable than the 07. A 2021 with a 10 speed tranny is a step above my 2019.

[deltabravo]

noteven wrote:
Are the new GM diesels only available with the 10 speed powershift transmissions?

THe Duramax is only available with a 10 speed speed Allison (branded) transmission. I've never heard of a transmission in a GM truck called a "powershift transmission."

[Cummins12V98]

I have the RAM Companion puck hitch. It’s the biggest of the big three. No pry bar or hoist is needed. It breaks down into two PCs. Not hard to separate and remove one pc at a time!!!

[Cummins12V98]

noteven wrote:
Are the new GM diesels only available with the 10 speed powershift transmissions?

Why would a 10 speed be needed behind a diesel in a pickup annyways?

Behind a gas engine yes.

They are not needed.

[Vintage465]

There is no comparison from the trucks of the 2000's to the trucks between 2010 and 2021. Just like there is no comparison between the 1990's rigs and the 2000's. Things just get better............Well, except for the late 70's and 80's, things got pretty bad during those dark days!

[SDcampowneroper]

I didnt have to get the B&W hitch from chavy, There are other aftermarket hitches to get or install yourself. I have a welding shop, considered making my own mounts for some other brand, the math for savings just didnt add up.
The 4 puck system is easier for install and removal than this goose ball socket mount as the 4 puck doesnt require any wrenches, is lighter and lifts freely. To remove the Companion takes a chain hoist or pry bars and a buddy.
I am not a fan of the bed height, I' m 6' , trim and in good health, but it takes a step to reach in to work the hitch or any cargo. I now carry a 3 step folding step. A milk carton used to be plenty.
Trannys were huge improvements for any engine, my first was a pontiac 2 spd behind a 389 super duty in a '65 GTO. Gearing allows tighter shifts, locking converters, lower rpm at lighter loads.
In the early '70s I drove farm grain trucks with 318 detroits with 15 spd. roadrangers and Macks with 4x 4 16 spd.
Regardless of engine the reason is to keep the machine in the power band at its most efficient for the task. Thats why I reported that the new truck only shifted down into the next best gear to maintain that torque , same as a semi driver would do.
The LBZ with its 6 spd was a great improvement over our '98& '03 4 spd behind the troubled GM 6.5 s
Heres another new tidbit concerning gearing and mileage. The new truck with 3.42 diff. and 18" wheels has the dmax spinning at 1275 rpm @ 60 mph.
The '07 with 3:73s and 16" tires spun at 1500 rpm @ 60 mph
Many times I monitored fuel mileage, empty, loaded, heavy, into head wind or with a tail wind. I now have done enough of that to report the new truck is 5-15 % more efficient on fuel than the '07. I attribute a lot of it to the tranny. I recently attained a 21.7 mpg 100mi. rd trip that the '07 old trucks best was 19.3 with 10 % city, 90% 55- 65 speed zones with lots of hills.
My Pappys 1977 3500 454 gassers 3 spd. best was 11. 5.5 towing 12k

[noteven]

Are the new GM diesels only available with the 10 speed powershift transmissions?

Why would a 10 speed be needed behind a diesel in a pickup annyways?

Behind a gas engine yes.