Is a 6.0 okay for me?

[07keo02]

While searching for another duramax on the cheap, I ran across a very nice 02 ccsb 4x4 6.0. I have a car for work and my wife has her own vehicle to drive. The trucks sole purpose in life will be to pull our 28 foot bumper pull camper toy hauler (around 7k max) within a couple hours once a month or so. I know they get terrible mileage but not a big deal for its seldom use. Are they pretty reliable? 4l80e correct? Decent trans?

 

[Hoffie]

I know a transporter who uses his 6.0 to move new travel trailers to the dealerships and he has 600k miles on it no issues with the engine and he is on his 3rd stock transmission. He says that he usually gets about 200k on a stock transmission and he tows every day with his truck.

 

[07keo02]

I know a transporter who uses his 6.0 to move new travel trailers to the dealerships and he has 600k miles on it no issues with the engine and he is on his 3rd stock transmission. He says that he usually gets about 200k on a stock transmission and he tows every day with his truck.

Does he tow pretty heavy with it or smaller ones?

 

[Toxic]

7k is nothing, I'm sure for that a 5.3l 1500 would do fairly well. I used to pull an old boat that was around that weight with an 01 4.8l 2wd 1500, it didn't have much trouble at all.

 

[Hoffie]

He tows for manufacturers of travel trailers from Indiana to everywhere. The trailers range from 14ft to 32ft. So, that would be 3k to 11k trailer weight.

 

[Chevy1925]

the 6.0 will pull that well when you compare it to other gassers. now if you are trying to compare it to a diesel, you cant. the dmax will just make the 6.0 feel like a slug any time you hook up.

intake manifold gaskets leak air into the intake mani unless the updated gasket has been installed, fuel pumps go bad between 80-120k on average, knock sensors under the intake manifold like to die due to corrosion, ABS computer may or may not give you the dreaded communication codes from broke soldiering points inside, and thats all i can think of off the top of my head. trans is a good trans if you leave the engine relatively stock for what you will be doing with it. just be prepared to use RPM to keep things going.

 

[07keo02]

the 6.0 will pull that well when you compare it to other gassers. now if you are trying to compare it to a diesel, you cant. the dmax will just make the 6.0 feel like a slug any time you hook up.

intake manifold gaskets leak air into the intake mani unless the updated gasket has been installed, fuel pumps go bad between 80-120k on average, knock sensors under the intake manifold like to die due to corrosion, ABS computer may or may not give you the dreaded communication codes from broke soldiering points inside, and thats all i can think of off the top of my head. trans is a good trans if you leave the engine relatively stock for what you will be doing with it. just be prepared to use RPM to keep things going.

Truck has an ABS light........

 

[Rancelot211]

the 6.0 will pull that well when you compare it to other gassers. now if you are trying to compare it to a diesel, you cant. the dmax will just make the 6.0 feel like a slug any time you hook up.

intake manifold gaskets leak air into the intake mani unless the updated gasket has been installed, fuel pumps go bad between 80-120k on average, knock sensors under the intake manifold like to die due to corrosion, ABS computer may or may not give you the dreaded communication codes from broke soldiering points inside, and thats all i can think of off the top of my head. trans is a good trans if you leave the engine relatively stock for what you will be doing with it. just be prepared to use RPM to keep things going.

Forgot about the exhaust manifold bolts that like to shear the heads off.:thumb:

 

[07keo02]

Forgot about the exhaust manifold bolts that like to shear the heads off.:thumb:

Also seems to have a bit of an exhaustive tick in the manifold area.....

 

[Rancelot211]

Usually the front and rear bolts on both sides. Easy to check.

 

[Chevy1925]

Forgot about the exhaust manifold bolts that like to shear the heads off.:thumb:

ah yes and they are oh so fun to fix :rofl:

 

[NC-smokinlmm]

Yes it will do fine, the fuel economy will be abhorent though. I had a denali quadrasteer that I towed a boat to Florida with, averaged about 4.4 mpg at 75 mph... lol... I had to stop for fuel 17 times... :rofl:

 

[AJH]

I made the jump to a 6.0. Have an exhaust manifold leak and the first tank that I hand calculated was 12.6mpg 90% highway on 245s...

 

[07keo02]

I committed to the 6.0. Not worried about the mileage much. Campground is local and I have a car for work. This one has atleast 2 broken manifold bolts. I hope I can get them all out ok. Going with ARP studs I think. Also has a knock sensor code. Both issues seem to be extremely common with these trucks. But it sure seemed to drive pretty good considering the 10 ply's and all.

 

[malibu795]

Good info to know.. picked up a 01 2500 suburban with a 6.0/4l85 and 251k... transmission is currently out.. who ever rebuilt it did something and messed up reverse.. so I get to rebuild that :happy2: easy day when I'm home...

 

[07keo02]

You know I'm pretty excited about the truck. It was that or an lb7 with a crankcase full of fuel. For what I'm going to use the truck for and the price I think I made the right choice. I know it won't get the mileage or pull like the dmax, but upkeep cost should be quite a bit lower considering how much I like to tinker and mod things. Should pull my travel trailer well. I have a 39 foot fifth wheel toy hauler that belongs to a buddy of mine. I'm thinking I am going to pull it back the 6 hours for him and really put it to the test.

 

[Rancelot211]

Mine wouldn't do a burn out but pulled anything I put behind it. Was my favorite gas motor. Ever more so then the 5.7s that you can't kill.

 

[malibu795]

I ran this as a hotshot.. blew the 6.5 up swapped in a LBZ and too much disagreement of them members on the forum.. kept the 4l85 in the truck.. in 160k of towing upwards of 19,000lbs trailer.. only had two trans failures... Broke the tcc piston and rolled the OEM 8 roller intermediate sprag..

When I went too fetch my LMM

 

[c20elephant]

That was a true 3500HD truck from GM with a I-beam front axle..
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[malibu795]

I'm still debating whether to build another one or jump to full MD truck