GMC 6.0L Hauls plenty

[monkey44]

Some comments over the years about the lack of power in a GM 6.0L gas truck.

We just left a campground on Rte 33 in W Virginia outside Harrisonburg ... was hauling 3200 lbs of camper, and a 1100 lb trailer with a 560 lbs bike and a buncha sports gear and 'other stuff' ... So, like Truck 5890 + 3200 + 11000 + 560 + 300 + two passengers at 190 + 130 ... 11370 lbs ...

2003 6.0L 4x4 X cab SB gas 4 sp auto w/3:73 w/199,880 miles on it ... Read a road grade and thought, Oh, OH ... 9% upgrade for 9 miles --

Truck hauled that puppy like it was born to it - so, sometimes, we all get into the size matters, and gears matter and all that other stuff, and makes me wonder what you all are doing to your trucks to make 'em so weak.

This 2003 never blinked, rode it about 40-45 mph with half-throttle due to the curves, and never rose a degree on the engine temp gauge, and raised about an eight higher than normal needle reading on the tranny gauge. So, anyone out there wondering about "wasting" operating money on a "weak engine and high RE ratio" - this set-up works fine, and I get 14 mpg highway and 10-11 towing.

I keep hearing 4:10 and six speed etc for hauling - well, then you get engine whine and gas money spilling out your pockets. SO, don't let any one convince you a 6.0L gasser won't do the job ... 🙂 🙂 🙂

[ksss]

I am about two years into owning a GM 6.0, my first HD gas pickup. I did not replace a diesel with it, I just needed something that I could pull around 13-14K and run around in. I like the motor, its no Duramax but it did not cost as much as a Dmax either and it pulls a decent load. I get mid 14's to low 15's if the moon is in the right phase unloaded. My D/A 3500 only gets 16.2 on the highway unloaded.

[TomG2]

For those that don't want to argue about definitions, I repeat that I am on my third Silverado 6.0 in the last six years and like them all. However, I don't think it gets better fuel mileage than the competition. I don't think it will always out pull them either. I don't see it as exceptional in any category, but an engine worth owning anyway. Apparently there are big improvements coming next year in regards to fuel economy as well as power. Both will be welcome and may lead me to number four.

[TomG2]

Good night.

[ls1mike]

TomG2 wrote:
"needs."

I still say the 6.0 came directly from the Chevrolet V-8's of the fifties. No? I think it is great that an engine that still uses pushrods can compete at all.

Descendant? Yes. Directly as you said? No. It was a fresh design. Six bolt main. Have a nice night.

[TomG2]

"The only thing that is the same is they have eight cylinders, cam and pushrods. Totally different heads, block intake, distributor less. the list goes on and on."

Where did I say they were the same? You and I have a widely different idea of what descendent means. Ed Cole would have no trouble seeing where it came from. Obviously you don't.

[BurbMan]

The 6.0 is a great motor, nobody ever said it was a weakling. I run at 17,100 combined truck and trailer, no way would I be going 45 up that hill.. Heck, my 8.1 would be working at 45 up a 9% grade.

[ls1mike]

TomG2 wrote:
"
I still say the 6.0 came directly from the Chevrolet V-8's of the fifties. No? I think it is great that an engine that still uses pushrods can compete at all.

.

The only thing that is the same is they have eight cylinders, cam and pushrods. Totally different heads, block intake, distributor less. the list goes on and on. The 6.0 is based off the LS1 which was introduced in 1997 in the C5 Corvette. The First 6.0 was an all cast iron motor(heads and block) Tons of improvements have been made since 1999.
Until Ford introduced the Supercharged Cobra and 3 valve Mod motors No N/A powered 4.6/5.4 mod motor could run with an LS based motor for size, power and MPG.

That "pushrod motor" has less moving parts, more torque through that power band and takes up less space then it's over head cam counter parts.

At any rate, Mine does fine lugging around my 7600lbsish trailer and 6000lbs loaded truck. It is leaps and bounds above the 1989 454 truck that I had.

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

You might be right, I didn't buy my truck so I could race to the top of a hill. I bought a diesel so I could wave buy buy as you gas boys stop for fuel every 150/200 miles. BTW my slow truck never lost one MPH going over the Jellico making 14.8 MPG round trip to the Keys with a 9836# TT in tow.

Remember my truck was the last year for the EPA free Cummins diesels. That's way I have a hard time getting anything new.

Don

[Taco]

Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:

This 6.0 owner has a different view Click Here

The sad thing is that 2004 6.0 gasser is likely faster up that hill that a STOCK 2004 ram cummins.

Both gas and diesel trucks have come a long way since 2004.

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

monkey44 wrote:
Some comments over the years about the lack of power in a GM 6.0L gas truck.

We just left a campground on Rte 33 in W Virginia outside Harrisonburg ... was hauling 3200 lbs of camper, and a 1100 lb trailer with a 560 lbs bike and a buncha sports gear and 'other stuff' ... So, like Truck 5890 + 3200 + 11000 + 560 + 300 + two passengers at 190 + 130 ... 11370 lbs ...

2003 6.0L 4x4 X cab SB gas 4 sp auto w/3:73 w/199,880 miles on it ... Read a road grade and thought, Oh, OH ... 9% upgrade for 9 miles --

Truck hauled that puppy like it was born to it - so, sometimes, we all get into the size matters, and gears matter and all that other stuff, and makes me wonder what you all are doing to your trucks to make 'em so weak.

This 2003 never blinked, rode it about 40-45 mph with half-throttle due to the curves, and never rose a degree on the engine temp gauge, and raised about an eight higher than normal needle reading on the tranny gauge. So, anyone out there wondering about "wasting" operating money on a "weak engine and high RE ratio" - this set-up works fine, and I get 14 mpg highway and 10-11 towing.

I keep hearing 4:10 and six speed etc for hauling - well, then you get engine whine and gas money spilling out your pockets. SO, don't let any one convince you a 6.0L gasser won't do the job ... 🙂 🙂 🙂

This 6.0 owner has a different view Click Here

[kw_00]

I agree the 6.0 is a great engine and can pull its rated capacity load very well if you ask me.

[TomG2]

"The only thing a newer 6.0L and the 283 have in common is the 4.4" bore center. Mediocrity would be a relative term in this case. It seems the OP has a better than mediocre engine for his needs."

I still say the 6.0 came directly from the Chevrolet V-8's of the fifties. No? I think it is great that an engine that still uses pushrods can compete at all.

What sets the 6.0 apart from mediocrity compared to some of the other engines available today? Volumetric efficiency? Torque? Fuel mileage? Horsepower? Longevity? I say it is a mid-pack engine. I like them, and am on my third one now.

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

Nothing wrong with a BB gas engine. Heck they used to use 454 GM,460 Ford and 440 Chrysler engines in dump trucks and large box trucks all the time. Longevity was the main reason you don't see that anymore.

A diesel will run 3 times longer before needing an upper half overhaul compared to a gas engine. There is a reason you don't see OTR tractors with a gas engine.

Used correctly the SB and BB gas engines are fine.

Don

[tx_racer_67]

My GCVW is 17,500 last trip out, had a jet ski in tow no problems .I love this truck.