I am trading up my truck to a 2004 suburban 2500 (bigger family now) and need some advice on what motor to get vs gear ratio and milege.
My 2001 2500HD Silverado 4x4 has the 6.0 with 4.10 and gets 10 MPG towing, uphill, downhill, AC, no AC, etc. It gets 10 almost no matter what. Regardless, it is an awesome tow vehicle.
I normally tow about 3000# and occasionally up to 7000# with race car and equipment/ crew (kids).
So my question really boils down to this- the 2004 6.0 is actually more powerful than the 2001 6.0, so should I step down to 3.73 with he 6.0 and will it be roughly the same or should I go with the 8.1 and 3.73 or even the 6.0 with 4.1?
How will this affect my fuel mileage?
What have people been getting with the 6.0 with 3.7 vs 4.10?
Or the 8.1 with 3.73 vs 4.10
I live in chicago and elevation is roughly 600 feet.
Thanks guys! I am new and this looks like an awesome forum!
2004 2500 Suburban LT 4X4 with 8.1 and 3.73 rear.
Prodigy V2.4
BFG All Terrain Tires- AWESOME! New Exhaust to come shortly...
2005 SX230 Yamaha Jet boat!
No camper-yet
(Traded in for above) 2001 Silverado 2500HD 6.0 / 4.1 with BFG Mud tires, dual flowmaster exhaust
I have a 2500 Sub with the 8.1 and 3.73 rearend. I got around 8-10 MPG when towing my trailer (6Klbs). My nephew has the 6.0 in his 1/2 ton and gets about the same MPG with the 6.0. I would go with the 8.1 and a 3.73. with that weight, without the trailer its overkill and the engine never has to work, with the load you apprciate the added capacity. My package included the electronic leveling which is also great for towing.
I have 2003 3/4 ton Yukon XL, 4.10, 8.1 and get 10-11 mpg while not towing and 7.5 mpg while towing. A 1/2 quart oil loss (+/-)between changes at every 7000 miles. Trailer weighs 8000lbs and the 8.1 barely notices its' there. Best to have too much than not enough. Can't speak to the smaller engine, but I have never lacked power. I personally do not get too concerned about gas mileage.
I have a 2000 2500 with 6.0/3.73 and get 8-9 towing (7 if there's a huge headwind) and 15-16 on the highway not towing. If I could do it new, I would get the 8.1L but keep the 3.73 rearend so it's revs stay lower at 60-65...
usmctrucker- I have a similar dilemma. I currently tow with a 99 GMC Suburban, 1/2 ton, 3.73, 350, with a Hensley and it pulls fine, including into the mountains of North Carolina. I am about 1,000 pounds below my tow limit loaded with my Holiday Rambler Aluma-Lite so I have margin. However, we want to upgrade to a bunkhouse and make a couple of trips cross country which will exceed my truck's limits. I have been talking to GMC dealers regarding 2500HD's with the D/A powertrain. I have heard from some good sources that GM will be coming out with a DA in the Suburban in 2005 (or maybe 2006). If that is true, it will be superb. My inclination is to wait until the 2006 model year so they will shake out the first production year bugs. But since the Suburban and the D/A have been in production for a while, the problem risk for the 2005 would probably be low. It should be a super tow vehicle, the 2500HD pickup with a D/A has a CGVWR or 22,000#, anything even 5,000# less than that would be awasome. We'll see. Good luck.
Regards, Joe
Just a quick comment. The 2004 3/4 ton Yukon XL does not have load leveling shocks.That is only available on 1/2 ton models. The 3/4 ton with Autoride (required with the 8.1l) has bistate variable shocks.
Al
2004 GMC Yukon XL 3/4 Ton 8.1L 3:73
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