The fuel mileage on diesel 1/2 ton is at least 50-65% better when not towing, 20-25% better when towing and the maintenance schedule is a lot less costly. Even my insurance went down switching to the 1500. I am saving $3200 a year in fuel, maintenance, and ins.
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Gas or Diesel??
- Thread starter money_pit_yj
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I've been monitoring this thread since I recently downgraded my buggy/trailer setup to 7300lbs, and I think I'm ready to ditch my 06 8.1L 2500hd for an F150 5.0 with max trailering and the 36 gallon tank.
Just read the fine print regarding towing. Regardless of trim, package or engine the max towing without a WD hitch is just 5000lbs and a max hitch weight of just 500lbs.
A weight distribution hitch is needed to go higher, and I hate setting up those hitches with a passion.
Just read the fine print regarding towing. Regardless of trim, package or engine the max towing without a WD hitch is just 5000lbs and a max hitch weight of just 500lbs.
A weight distribution hitch is needed to go higher, and I hate setting up those hitches with a passion.
Bateman
Well-Known Member
Man them 8.1 HD's can fetch some money. Friend has the avalanche HD. Thing yanks for a gas rig.
My 8.1 truck has been amazing. In 15yrs and 120k miles, all I've had to fix was broken manifold studs when I added headers, 2 calipers, brake lines, blower motor resistor, 1 front hub and an evap valve, and that's with 12 years of commercial snowplow use.
I'm overdue for some maintenance stuff like hoses (original) and front steering components and balljoints (original), but other than the rusted out rockers she purrs.
I've kept it cause spending $50k-$60k on a new 2500 truck just to gain 2mpg highway doesn't make sense to me.
I'm overdue for some maintenance stuff like hoses (original) and front steering components and balljoints (original), but other than the rusted out rockers she purrs.
I've kept it cause spending $50k-$60k on a new 2500 truck just to gain 2mpg highway doesn't make sense to me.
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Wish Chevy still offered the 8.1,I had a 2500 Avalanche also and it never hesitated to drag whatever I put behind it.
Before Covid hit us GM was actually in development of a new big block gasser with a displacement "well over" 8.0L. This was planned in response to Fords 7.3 gasser.
onepieceatatime
I like turtles...
I have a 04 8.1/Allison and wouldn't trade it for anything. Pulls my 30' toy hauler and my 14k equipment trailer just fine for as much as I pull either one. I drive too far to work everyday to justify even an economical halfton so I just use a small car for my daily and my truck is for work/play.
Zjman
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Holy ****. You're still alive. Yore lame ass 8.1 couldn't hold a candle to my 7.3 leaving Harlan. About wore my breaks out slowing down for ya
onepieceatatime
I like turtles...
Your breaks wore out because that truck doesn't have a decent transmission and you had to ride them all the way down Pine Mountain. As far as that 7.3 out running me that's not how I remember it at all.Holy ****. You're still alive. Yore lame ass 8.1 couldn't hold a candle to my 7.3 leaving Harlan. About wore my breaks out slowing down for ya
I got a 8.1 and while it's definitely the best gasser I've ever used, it is nowhere close to a 7.3 powerstroke.
I'd like to try the 7.3 gasser but no way I can afford such a rig.
My setup a couple of weekends ago:
Tows at 75-80 on the flat. 50-60 in the hills of KY. 6 to 8 MPG depending on variables.
I'd like to try the 7.3 gasser but no way I can afford such a rig.
My setup a couple of weekends ago:
Tows at 75-80 on the flat. 50-60 in the hills of KY. 6 to 8 MPG depending on variables.
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onepieceatatime
I like turtles...
I heard Kentucky Speedway was full of Super Duty trucks waiting on microchips not too long ago. Hopefully they got that figured out and you don't have to wait to long for it.
Zjman
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Yup it still is full.
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Beerj
Sonzabitches!
My buddy ordered a new gmc 6.2 gasser a couple of months ago. Just picked it up this weekend. Nice truck but there were a ton of options that he couldn't include due to the chip shortage. Probably for the best imo. He paid 11k more than I did for a new 2500 Cummins.
offroadman83
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I don't tow big ass weight as I upgraded to a lighter buggy recently. However I traded my 2015 gmc 2500 with the 6.0 and 4.10s for the 2021 1500, just a 5.3 and I don't regret it at all. You do have to account for squat (airbags or whatever) but the damn thing tows better than my 3/4 ton all day.
TBItoy
Well-Known Member
what trans does the 5.3 come with now?
Depends on the trim. It starts at the same old 6 speed for WT and Custom Trail Boss. Upgrading to LT, RST or LTZ gets you the 8 speed. To get the 10 speed you have to Jump up to the LT Trail Boss or High Country.
Ford said "screw that" and put the 10 speed in all trims.
Ford said "screw that" and put the 10 speed in all trims.
offroadman83
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Mines an 8spd...so far so good
Eddyj
Well-Known Member
Damn quote function
Eddyj
Well-Known Member
I have a lovely 7.3 F 550 I'd sell ya
![IMG_3518[1].JPG](http://attachments.www.hardlinecrawlers.com/xfmg/thumbnail/4/4932-51b6e0ee9f1fda9164921c0c1f775715.jpg?1625928495)