thoughts on 2008 Chev 2500HD

[a-d-s]

Been looking for awhile and found an '08 2500HD Siverado. LT trim, Gas 6.0L, 6 spd trans, 4.10 rear end. Tow package. It has 88,000kms (54,000 miles) and they are asking $23,900 Canadian.

Basically this truck ticks most of the boxes for what I am looking for. The mileage is a tad high, but that is based purely on my unscientific gut instinct.

It's missing a bedliner and a backup sensor, both of which I can add. It needs front tires too.

I test drove it and it feels good, but I am comparing it to 3500/F-350's that I drove years ago. It def doesn't drive as nice as my '04 Expedition but I didn't expect it to either.

Any red flags with this model year and engine/tranny combo?

Thanks!

[monkey44]

Bolts broke on two on my '03 at about 88k miles - drilled out and replaced. No problem since and at 210k now.

[kw_00]

Yep in my 02 I had to replace the bolts, congrats on your new truck! You will enjoy the 6.0/6 speed combo. Does anybody know if the new 07.5 and above have problems with the manifold bolts? Being that the 6.0 had some changes, I was curious? Mine seem fine on the 09 as of right now.

[goukcats]

Congrats on the new TV. My last TV was an 08' GMC LT CC 6.0 W/373 loaded. Yours should do even better with the 410. I believe I had 153K when I traded. It did not use any oil & ran great. I will caution you to check your manifold bolts. The 6.0 engines are prone to break them; especially the ones in rear (check GM forums). They are pricy when replaced at a dealer. That is the only issue I ever had other than routine maintenance. My local svc center charged less than $500 to extract & replace 3 bolts. Good luck.

[Silver_Eagle_94]

I just bought my third 2500hd 6.0 after owning Ford and Dodge deisels bought my first 6.0 in 05,then got the new body style 07,put 96,000 trouble free miles on that one,made the final payment,a week later i was in town to get just a set of new tires and left in a 2014 6.0..

[nremtp143]

Congrats on that new ride! Beautiful!!

[LowRyter]

zogg wrote:
I will probably get slammed for this, but here it goes....

I had a 2007 Silverado Hd 2500 with the 6.0 and 4 speed. Traded for a 2010 GMC Hd2500 with the six speed....everyone said I would get better mpg with the newer truck. I did....went from 6.9 all the way to 7.2 when towing....wow!

I really thought I liked the GM products when I owned them, but last March I pulled my son's camper with his hemi....what a difference. I was so impressed, I bought a new 2013 Ram Hemi in May.....happy I did it.

Mileage towing is 9.6 to 10.2, ride is smoother by a bunch, truck seems more solid, and the 6 speed is a lot more responsive and does not down shift wildly as the GMC did.

Not saying thatbGM doesmnot make a good truck and I was a GM owner for a long time....just noting that you might want to look around at what the other manufacturers have put together.

I drove a couple of F250s and did not like the ride and the 6.2 did not seem to have enough power....maybe gearing??

BTW, I never got 14 mpg with any GM tduck hiway.....13.8 was the closesf I ever got. I continually get 19+ hiway with the 2500 ram hemi....

Maybe the new 2014s are better from GM....I dunno

that's pretty impressive mileage. The Dodge's I've driven didn't ride as smooth as GM, so Dodge must've made lots of improvements.

[Need-A-Vacation]

Sweet!!! Congrats in the new rig!!!!

[a-d-s]

The deal is done, picked it up for $22,300 plus tax. It's a shame I can't put it through its paces until the spring as the trailer is put down for the winter.

Anyone in Vancouver want to by a well taken care of Expedition!? Here is a picture from the dealer

[meesda]

I purchased a used 2008 GMC 2500HD,48000kms 6 spd, 3.73 ext cab 4 years ago for 25000$. It now has 92000kms and really happy with the truck. The only items that I would change is the 4.10 ratio. Truck pulls great but it seems that it always between two gears at the speed I normally drive. If i drive 100 km/hr (62 mi/hr) it shift a lot between fourth and fifth gear. If I drive 110 km/hr (70 mi/hr) it work's great. But then my cruise control in the passenger seat start beeping;)

I will keep the truck for at least another 5-6 yrs and will refresh for retirement.

DanT

[allen8106]

Just remember, the OP says 88,000 kilometers, 54,000 miles. 54k is nothing for that truck. I ust traded my 09 GMC with 77k on it and it was running like a champ.

[ktosv]

You probably have enough input at this point, but I love the 6L/6 speed combo in our van. When we shopped, I specifically limited myself to the vans with the 6 speed. In your case, as stated there haven't been many changes from 2007 to 2014 (HD trucks) with the exception of some of the nonvisible changes for 2011.

Our van tows so well with the 3.42 axle I would hate to know how the 3.73 or even 4.10 trucks tow.

Good luck with your decision.

[cdlaine]

A-d-s....

Sounds like a nice truck. I am very fortunate to be the
original owner of a big block (with Allison) ...I hope
your prior owner took as good of care of yours as I have
of mine... great trucks, built to pull something heavy .
Is salt an issue where you live ?

Enjoy your new ride.

Charles

[N-Trouble]

nremtp143 wrote:
It would be the truck I wanted. No matter what the mileage or year model. When you see it, you'll know. Forgive me, but I don't remember though, does the '08 2500 6.0 have an Allison transmission? I would tend to go with a truck that has a transmission that is not likely problematic down the road. I just can't remember if it does or not. That being said, if something were to happen to the tranny, they can be built to handle any of your towing needs if it were to come to that. Now back to your question. It boils down to what you want. If you want a newer truck with all of the bells and whistles, you'll most likely find them with higher mileage for the same money. My first dually, which I still have, was a base Chevy 3500 8.1L CC DRW 4x4. No power anything, but had a/c! It still serves its purpose well, just may need a little work now and then, but it does what I want it to do. That may be true for the older trucks. But at an '08 year model, I don't think a lot has changed. You should be able to get a fantastic truck in any model since then. Good luck in your decision. Get the one you want and are comfortable with, whether it be sacrificing miles or bell and whistles.

No, GM has never offered the 6.0 with Allison and never will. The Allison is complete overkill for the low torque output of the 6.0 and would have to work a lot harder (lower MPG) to turn that big trans. Only the Dmax gets the Allison. The 6.0 uses the newer 6 speed version of the old 4L80E that has been around for years and has a very good track record.

[N-Trouble]

a-d-s wrote:
One more thing I have been trying to wrap my head around: there are lots of similar trucks with more mileage but newer, for higher prices. So would you prefer an older model year with lower mileage? Or a newer model with higher mileage?

Seems to me the model year is only an issue if there is a significant change in the design (which there isn't to my knowledge from 2008-2013 in these trucks) and for resale. I plan to keep it for at least 7+ years so resale isn't a concern to me.

Forgive all my questions and uncertainties, this is a big purchase for me and I want to get it right!

The exterior and interior are basically unchanged however GM made big changes/improvements to the frame/suspension/brakes in 2011. THose changes also added noticeable weight to the truck. While these changes all made for a more capable truck I honestly believe that only the Duramax equipped trucks can pull loads that would take advantage of the stronger frame/brakes/suspension. For the 6.0 gas offering the older pre 2011 design is adequate in my opinion.