Considering a lot of things at the moment for a truck. The one thing I had considered but don't know much about all the differences is gasser pickups. I eventually want a camper and a diesel to tow it..for the short term, say next 5 years that's not happening. Would a gas pickup be decent as a daily driver/weekend hunting and fishing rig? I have considered all options from 8.1 to 6.0 to 5.3 half ton. Only requirements are 4x4 and CC
Gasser
- Thread starter Akdiesel
- Start date
If you don't need a heavy duty truck then the 1500 will be the most comfortable and wallet friendly. Would make the best daily driver out of the 3 choices you listed also
The 5.3 makes enough power to do most things and parts for it sure seem like they are free compared to the Duramax. I picked up a running 5.3 from the wrecking yard for $400 a few months ago.
Drive an 8.1 before you decide on it. I owned one with 450,000 miles on it, but it was a POS and didn't make the power I expect for something that drinks that much fuel.
My personal gasser is a 2000 5.3 half ton ec/sb with 250,000 on it with original everything.
Drive an 8.1 before you decide on it. I owned one with 450,000 miles on it, but it was a POS and didn't make the power I expect for something that drinks that much fuel.
My personal gasser is a 2000 5.3 half ton ec/sb with 250,000 on it with original everything.
Depending on how power hungry you are, you might want to look at 6.2 trucks or 6.0 vortec max trucks. The 5.3 is a dog stock, sorry it's just the honest truth. I'd try and stick with the 6l80 trucks as well if possible. The 4l60 is very weak in comparison.
Just my 2 cents
Just my 2 cents
My cousin drove a 2007.5 1500 ec/sb 5.3 and it had plenty of power.
Towed my 3300lbs boat around all the time, and towed a car trailer with 6000lbs on it through the mountains on a 5 hr trip without issue.
Only reason he sold it was he went to a 2014 cc/sb 1500.
Towed my 3300lbs boat around all the time, and towed a car trailer with 6000lbs on it through the mountains on a 5 hr trip without issue.
Only reason he sold it was he went to a 2014 cc/sb 1500.
The 5.3 is actually pretty quick and can be built if desired. The 10 bolt rear ends are weak in stock form. Rebuilt with an eaton posi makes them pretty stout from my experience. The 4l60 is ok….depends what you do with it.
I would probably go with a 3/4 6.0 for a gasser. They get worse mpg but get it tuned with efi live and they do decent. Pretty solid drivetrain too.
I would probably go with a 3/4 6.0 for a gasser. They get worse mpg but get it tuned with efi live and they do decent. Pretty solid drivetrain too.
LB7 is the answer... You can find them for the same money as gas trucks. Maintenance really isn't what people make it out to be IF you do the work.
That's not too terrible. I mean I haven't owned a diesel in a good 6 months and I always have the itch for one but don't really NEED one at the moment...the other trouble I have is I need a truck as I will hopefully be moving back to AK otherwise I'd get something real fun like an SS Camaro.
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