2003 2500 Silverado LT

[Bostonyj7]

Looking seriously at one for a tow rig for the Jeep and trailer. Will she be OK with the load, what are the trucks pros and cons. This will replace the Dodge Ram 2500 that I have now

I appreciate every ones input on this.

Thanks
C-

[1967K10]

A Duramax I assume? I love mine,as does my Dad.He's got 90k on his,I've got 98k on mine.Both D-Max's.Could use overloads but otherwise they sure work very well.I'll definately buy another as long as they keep making 6spd's.

[TEX]

A Duramax I assume?

The only available engine in the 2500 is the 6.0 gasser. That's what I have in my 2500HD & I love it. I only tow about 5,500-6,000 lbs.


TEX

[1967K10]

I forgot about that LD 2500.I wouldn't buy one of then.Semi floater rear if I'm not mistaken.

[n9emz]

I really liked my 99 2500HD extended cab longbed with the 6.0 and 3.73s. It was a good bit more economical to operate and had more power than my current F-250 with 5.8 and 3.55s. But sadly, it started going downhill in performance around 60K miles and it seemed that every month I was having to replace something....starting with O2 sensors, coils, wires, u-joints, axle bearings. I attribute that to my program of hooking up to anything and pulling it, regardless of weight. But, I'm doing the same thing with the F-250 and it's rolling 100K miles this month....I haven't had to do anything but have the radiator re-crimped.

If I just stuck to the 5750# tag RV trailer and the car hauler, I'd have probably gotten more mileage out of the Chevy, and I'll recommend it to anyone who plans to pull around 7K.

[TEX]

I really liked my 99 2500HD extended cab longbed with the 6.0 and 3.73s.

That combo doesn't exist IIRC. The 6.0 HD's only come with 4.10's & I don't believe they made the "HD"'s in '99.


TEX

[BarrelRoll]

I forgot about that LD 2500.I wouldn't buy one of then.Semi floater rear if I'm not mistaken.

Just because it's got a semi floating rear doesn't mean it's a junk truck :shaking: . For towing a single rig a 2500 or 2500 hd is plenty, with the gas motors or the diesel. Depending on where you live/ terrain you tow in, what your towing, how fast you want to go, and how often you tow a 3/4 ton is more then enough and a 1/2 ton will do the job. I bet if you did a survey of the entire US and all the rigs people tow their rigs to the trail with you'd find that it would average out with either 1/2 tons or LD 3/4 tons being average. I'm sick of the attiude that you need a 40 grand 1 ton diesel dually to tow a jeep on 33's on a 16' car hauler to the trail, you don't and much less of a truck will work.

I work with a guy that has an '01 2500 (non hd, "junk semi floater") extended cab/ short box, 6.0/auto. It's got around 85k on it, lots of towing (anything from a couple pieces of dock on a 16' aluminum trailer to a d3 dozer on a 20' equipment trailer) and all winter it's got an 8'2" v plow hanging off the front bumper that's used for comercial plowing in the UP (atleast 100" of snow a year). The truck has held up fine with no major drivetrain parts replaced yet. Riding in it with around 7k in tow you bearly know it's back there. Now we do live in the midwest where are hills arn't very big or long but there's some that are noticable.

My oppinion is that they are nice reliable trucks, they pull great though mileage can suck. If the price was right i'd buy it in a heart best.

[TEX]

Just because it's got a semi floating rear doesn't mean it's a junk truck :shaking:

Admittedly, the FF rear was the primary reason I upgraded to the 2500HD, but I VERY VERY nearly went the 2500 route & I'm sure I would have been fine.


TEX

[1967K10]

I should have stated for those of you only towing 6k or 8k it'd probably be OK.I tow 15k-20k regularly so a SF rear end isn't an option.I'm big on 3500's but I couldn't find a SWR 3500 D-Max when I needed to trade.

[n9emz]

That combo doesn't exist IIRC. The 6.0 HD's only come with 4.10's & I don't believe they made the "HD"'s in '99.


TEX

Here's a 2003 I almost traded for last month with 6.0/3.73s. It's at Ray Skillman Discount Auto in Greenwood, IN.
http://members.aol.com/n9emz/2500HD.JPG

Had my 99 2500HD's window sticker up last month, and will put it up again in the morning after work. Perhaps I ought to keep it up as this issue arises frequently.

BTW...I agree where it comes to LDs and the 6.0. My current work truck is a 2003 2500LD w/6-lug wheels, 5.7 and 3.73s; all of our LDs are so equipped. As far as I know, if it has 8-lug wheels it's an HD.

[ramv]

Huh?


There is no 6.0 L HD in 1999. In 1999 and 2000 the 6.0 was in 2500s only. (the 2500 HD s in those years were the old body style and had 5.7/7.4/6.5TD)

All 2500 and 1500HDs have 8 lugs from 1999 and up. There is no 6 lug 3/4 ton.

What is the 5.8 you speak of? There were no 5.8 trucks sold in NA in 2003. Also no 3/4 tons with 6 lug wheels. The Chevy 1500s have 4800 or 5300s and the 2500s come standard with the 6.0. 2500 trucks have an option of 3.73 or 4.10s. 2500HDs have 6.0s with 4.10s only, 3.73s are available with the 8100 or Dmax.

You are extremely confused.....

[n9emz]

Huh?


There is no 6.0 L HD in 1999. In 1999 and 2000 the 6.0 was in 2500s only. (the 2500 HD s in those years were the old body style and had 5.7/7.4/6.5TD)

All 2500 and 1500HDs have 8 lugs from 1999 and up. There is no 6 lug 3/4 ton.

What is the 5.8 you speak of? There were no 5.8 trucks sold in NA in 2003. Also no 3/4 tons with 6 lug wheels. The Chevy 1500s have 4800 or 5300s and the 2500s come standard with the 6.0. 2500 trucks have an option of 3.73 or 4.10s. 2500HDs have 6.0s with 4.10s only, 3.73s are available with the 8100 or Dmax.

You are extremely confused.....

Oops....my bad.....5.7 and I fixed it.

First off, are all 2500s 3/4 ton rated?

Otherwise, where are you cats getting your info from? My 2000 3500HD was old body style with 7.4 Vortec and 4.10s; but, I assure you my 1999 Chevy 2500HD was new body with 6.0 Vortec and 3.73 rear. I'm gonna have to get more ftp space where I can just leave this stuff up. Right outside my lobby sits my 2003 Chevy 2500 4x4 with 6-lug wheels, 5.7 Vortec and 3.73 rears. In fact, there's also a 1995 2500 4x4 with 6-lug wheels and 5.7 (have no idea what rears). Stay tuned, amigos.....flix on the way again.

[n9emz]

Here's my old 1999 2500HD w/6.0 Vortec and 3.73s:
http://members.aol.com/n9emz/OldRVrig.JPG

Here's the window sticker:
http://members.aol.com/n9emz/2500HDwindowsticker.JPG

In case it isn't clear enough on some monitors, here's a larger window sticker image (Dial-up Warning):
Large Image; 99 2500HD w/6.0 & 3.73s (http://members.aol.com/n9emz/Large2500HDwindowsticker.JPG)

And, finally....here's my current work truck; 2003 2500 4x4 w/5.7 Vortec and 6-Lug Wheels:
http://members.aol.com/n9emz/2003sixlug2500.JPG

I apologize for taking up so much space with this. It's really not important what we believe, but I feel it is important that accurate information is made available. I'd really like to know the source(s) behind info that these vehicles are non-existent so that it can be corrected.

All y'all take care with my regards. BTW....any of you within striking distance of Attica, IN July 14th thru 17th, try and stop by BadLands Off Road Park. RRORC's annual ChubFest event is one helluva happening and all are welcome.

Sambo

[Black Dog]

You are (obviously) correct that they called the 8600 GVWR 2500 pickup a "2500 HD" on the sticker. They did not say 2500HD on the side of the truck though. The 2500HD that started in 2001 has a GVWR of 9200 lb, and uses a totally different frame than those older "HDs".

I would be willing to bet that the yellow truck in the picture does not have a 5.7l engine as you state though.

[n9emz]

You are (obviously) correct that they called the 8600 GVWR 2500 pickup a "2500 HD" on the sticker. They did not say 2500HD on the side of the truck though. The 2500HD that started in 2001 has a GVWR of 9200 lb, and uses a totally different frame than those older "HDs".

I would be willing to bet that the yellow truck in the picture does not have a 5.7l engine as you state though.

You've got me winding my tail and scratching my watch here. I don't know if you're saying they only "called it an HD" and it really wasn't....or actually, I don't know what shape this discussion is taking.

My ownership of GM towrigs stopped with purchase of a 2000 Old Body 3500 Crew Cab Long Bed Dually w/7.4 Vortec and 4.10 rear. Previous to that, the last two were the 99 2500 pictured and an 89 2500 Std Cab Longbed w/5.7 and 4.10 rear. Were they merely called "HD" as none of them had HD on the sides?

As for my work truck, the 2003 6-lug 2500....to be perfectly honest, I only glanced at the paperwork on all the turnover vehicles when they crossed my desk, and I'm assuming they're 5.7s. I've never popped the hood as we send them to Fleet Maintenance when the windshield washer reservoirs run dry....obligatory. They demand that we do nothing but drive them and file condition reports. For the purpose of the discussion up until your post my stated info is adequate. However, I took OT tonight so I will check and take the digital camera along to clear this up. Photos to be posted tomorrow morning.

Thanks for your input and have a great day,

Sambo

[1967K10]

From 88-98 {OBS trucks} the 8 lug with fender flares are the HD's.From 99-00 the so called HD's were only a LD that they tryed to call HD.They are light duty when compared to the current 2500HD.I haven't ever seen a NBS 6lug 2500 :confused: .That's wierd.

[wanderer-RRORC]

and I bet your TEAM FAT plate isnt issued by the DMV...

and yer co-worker isnt as hot as you say..the picture was photochopped...

and puttin a 5th wheel in isnt that hard...


cant think of anything else to argue with ya about Sambo... :grinpimp:


ya'd think these guys were buyin parts based off what ya were tryin to recall..

now sell me a cheap trailer... :D

[n9emz]

Damn, Tony....
Just when I was beginning to puff and gloat. Yeah, I've been getting my ass kicked a lot over here lately, no matter how quick I am at keeping it turned toward the wall. On the other hand, considering I'm a lame-ass poser, I figure I'm doing pretty good at trying to hang with this crowd. Seeya at the Chub and best to you and the family.

EDIT: BTW....you figure all the time, effort and money that goes into this site, they think about upgrading and tweaking this slow-ass chatroom. I'm gonna blame that on David. :flipoff2:

[Bostonyj7]

The truck is a HD. Im sorry for not saying that in the first place. There are 22K miles on the truck and its coming with a 7' Myers plow.What kind of front dammage wil the plow cause as in sagging springs and such. Asking $ was 28K, got him down to 23K now. I just want to be sure that she will be up to the task as with the motor and trans. for towing the rig and trailer. Full leather and all the goddies inside. Is there anything I should look for before I lay the cash down?

[n9emz]

The truck is a HD. Im sorry for not saying that in the first place. There are 22K miles on the truck and its coming with a 7' Myers plow.What kind of front dammage wil the plow cause as in sagging springs and such. Asking $ was 28K, got him down to 23K now. I just want to be sure that she will be up to the task as with the motor and trans. for towing the rig and trailer. Full leather and all the goddies inside. Is there anything I should look for before I lay the cash down?

Well, Chu....
I just added extended cab with your sketchy info and ran NADA value for my area and came up with a retail of $29,475.00. So, on the face of it it appears to be a good deal. Our 6-lug 2500s see 10-12 nights per year plow duty and when they're rotated out at average 6 years use with less than 10K miles, the front suspensions are pretty well bottomed out. It's gonna have to be your call with the truck you're considering.

As for hauling capabilities, it should make you happy. With respect to economy, I can't say because it's a 4x4 and my 1999 was 2wd. It got 14 rural/city and 16 interstate without trailer; averaged 12 mpg from IN to FL and CA with the 5700# 25J Fleetwood Wilderness RV trailer pictured. It pulled fine in OD on a flat, dropped to direct on slight grades, and two holes on hard inclines.

About the only thing I'd caution you about is the infamous 6.0 piston slap that may have been addressed by 2003....mine had it and though it never actually caused a problem it was annoying and worrysome. I'd check the condition of the tranny fluid and differential lubes. Otherwise, just the general things you'd check in any used vehicle.

Good luck and sorry I can't be of more assistance.

[ramv]

There is no New body style 6 lug 2500.

Your window sticker is off of a 2500 w/ 8600 GVWR. My mistake for '99 and '00 they called both trucks HDs as they both had 8600 GVWR. They however weren't the same truck as released in '01, the "2500HD" with 9200 GVWR.

There was never a new body style with the 5.7l.

Dude, you really get worked up over this stuff, but when it comes rihgt down to it, it doesn't matter much....

[n9emz]

There is no New body style 6 lug 2500.

Your window sticker is off of a 2500 w/ 8600 GVWR. My mistake for '99 and '00 they called both trucks HDs as they both had 8600 GVWR. They however weren't the same truck as released in '01, the "2500HD" with 9200 GVWR.

There was never a new body style with the 5.7l.

Dude, you really get worked up over this stuff, but when it comes rihgt down to it, it doesn't matter much....

And, my mistake on my current work truck....it's a 4.8L. Nah....I get worked up over wheelin' and gettin' lucky every other month or so....I just have nothin' better to do for 12 to 16 hours, 14 to 17 nights a month, 8-1/2 months out of the year.

Have a good one.

[ramv]

Ditto

[Bostonyj7]

what gas millage are you guys getting on the highway and city. I realize that it all depends on the driving style, Im not a real lead foot

[1967K10]

Did you ever mention which motor it has or did I just overlook that?

[Bostonyj7]

It only came with the 6.0 if I remember it right