Wanting to know how the truck performs on road as well as off road. Have you had any prolbems with the trans, x-case, or front and rear ends? Thinking about getting one in the next few months and wanted some real world feedback on these trucks.

Will be my daily driver and tow rig for my 89K5.

Thanks for any input or suggestions:D :D :D :D

Eric.

Originally posted by SILVER89K5
Wanting to know how the truck performs on road as well as off road. Have you had any prolbems with the trans, x-case, or front and rear ends? Thinking about getting one in the next few months and wanted some real world feedback on these trucks.

Will be my daily driver and tow rig for my 89K5.

Thanks for any input or suggestions:D :D :D :D

Eric.

I've got an '02 Chev 3500 with the Duramx/Allison. I love it! I use it to haul my 11' camper and my 10,000GVW car trailer and Jeep. It's got tons of power (passing lanes are still an option :D) and it gets good mileage.

I've had no problems with it (other than a loose fuel filter drain). The ride is great on road (for a one ton truck). Offroad it could be better. It doesn't have the greatest ground clearance (the IFS front and frame rails are too low) and the tires could be taller. I've never had a problem on gravel roads but I did bury it in the snow. The 11' camper probably didn't help though :D

Buy one. You won't regret it.

FWIW, The latest box for these things gives it a 14.2-14.4 time in the quarter mile. Not bad for a 7,000lb diesel truck.

Hey Eric, did you work for AMD?

J Bruce--thanks for the info, I was thinking about going to 19.5 wheels and tires to solve some of the small tire and low clearance prolbems due to the IFS. Also waiting to see if someone comes out with a 4" or less lift for the 3500 series.

BTW you have a nice set up:flipoff2: :D :D :D



Whiplash--what the hell is amd?

Eric.

It's a company in Austin. Sorry, thought you might be somebody I used to know. The truck, name and state were a match.

Originally posted by B.C. 05
J Bruce--thanks for the info, I was thinking about going to 19.5 wheels and tires to solve some of the small tire and low clearance prolbems due to the IFS. Also waiting to see if someone comes out with a 4" or less lift for the 3500 series.

BTW you have a nice set up:flipoff2: :D :D :D



Whiplash--what the hell is amd?

Eric. Rancho has a4'' lift kit for 2500/3500 trucks. I have a picture of a 2002 Chevy with a 4'' lift and 22.5'' wheels.

Hello, I have a 01 Duramax / Allison 2500 HD I have had it since Feb. 01 I have about 55, 000 miles on it know and have not had any problems with it. The motor has tons of power and the transmission is the excellant. I tow a 30' travel trailer about 5-6K miles a year You can literally drive down 6-8% grades with out using your brakes except to engage the transbrake. I would buy another without hesitation. The only downside is the price when I got mine the Ford and Dodge were both alot less money.
The Chevy is the best riding of the three, but it is the lowest and least 4x4 capable in its stock form. You won't regret buying the Chevy.

Good Luck :D :D

I had an 03 2500HD. I sold it. I'm a diehard chev/GMC fan, but this truck made me think twice about that. Tranny/limp mode problems, faulty speedo (the warranty solution was to replace the entire gauge pod) errant heater- I turned on the heater once and it just never shut off. Even with the key out of the ignition! I had to pull the fuse. This went on for weeks, it would work, then it wouldn't. On and on till finally the dealer caught it. Problems with the power mirrors, problems with the rear window defogger...

Hands down, it is the nicest riding HD truck on the market. I really liked the low step in height. My personal experience with lousy road and logging trails was the GMC did the best of the big 3 off road. I put a few thousand miles in ford and dodge in the same conditions, but even with the gm's lower chassis height, I still never got stuck in the mud and snow.

Being that this truck was a lemon, or possibly gm just can't get their shit together I sold it.

When my heater went, in the same weak so did 5 other heaters in 03 GM trucks that I know of. I've heard of tranny lines blowing at the most innoportune times, and all kinds of electrical problems associated with these trucks... To be honest, the taste left in my mouth really soured my opinion of these newer trucks.

In any event, I sold it and now I'm looking at a 97 f-250 or a 91 crew cab K-3500.

Hope that helps,
Chad.

My Dad has one. Has I think 28000 on it, 03 model. So far no problems with it. He likes the ride and the lower height. It's deffinately the nicest of the big 3. Off-road it performs pretty well to be so heavy. The rear limited slip works really well. I don't like the IFS for lifting it and bigger tires. Also I've hung the low frame rails a couple times. The allison transmission works pretty well (truck is stock) and the tow/haul feature is nice. They can be made to make a ton of power.

Now I've owned an 02 F250 Powerstroke and now own a 04.5 Dodge Cummins. Towing the same weight with all three trucks the Chevy just doesn't have the same power. Empty it's quick but when towing on the interstate, the truck has to downshift on every hill to try to maintain speed and even then most times it can't hold 75 mph. I live in the south so not big hills here. For my Dad who doesn't tow much, wants a good riding, nice truck it's perfect. For me towing heavy alot, throwing a lift on it to clear 35's, the Dodge is the best truck for me. I had a LOT of trouble with that Ford and will not buy another for a while.