Hi everyone! Im new to the chevrolet forum, although I am not new to the forum world. Im a member of an Audi forum and a Mercedes forum and am an avide collector. I have everything from Ferraris to Chevys!

Heres my question...a friend of mine needs a new work truck. She currently has a 2002 Silverado 1500, 4x4, long bed and short cab. She uses the truck to pull a dump trailer, GVWR of the trailer being about 11,000 lbs, and has needed the transmission rebuilt about 5 times. By the way, it has, I believe a 4.3 litre V8??? She is tired of having this truck out of service, so shes in the market for something that isnt going to break.

She wants something used, 2 or 3 years old and either a diesel or gasoline. She also needs 4WD.

So, Ive done some research myself and looked at the 2500 or 3500. The 3500 just has a biefer drive trane? And its an option on both trim levels to get either a gas or diesel? She also DOESNT want a dooley.

So, would getting a 3500 be an overkill? As well, does she really need the extra torque of the Diesel, or will the gas engine do just fine? How about realiabilty on the gasoline? Because I know the Duramaxs are bullet proof!

Sorry about the long intro,

Thanks!

 

4.3 is a v6...maybe she has a 4.8 which is the baby v8 chevy has. if she's towin 11,000 pounds, get the deisel no matter what. it could be 3500 or 2500 either way

 

If she pulls that all the time yeah get the 2500 with the dmax. If its only a part time puller the 1500 with a 6.0/6.2 gas burner and the trailer package will handle it just fine.

 

I think the deisel would e the better choice...the Allison transmission will hold up 10x better than any gas tranny unless it's a built tranny then maybe it'll have some competition. if she doesn't like the power from a gas truck while pullin the trailer, then get the deisel. he won't regret it at all

 

I think the deisel would e the better choice...the Allison transmission will hold up 10x better than any gas tranny unless it's a built tranny then maybe it'll have some competition. if she doesn't like the power from a gas truck while pullin the trailer, then get the deisel. she won't regret it at all

 

yea sorry, it is a 4.8. So, she could either get the 2500 with the Duramax, which comes with the Allison tranny standard? Or she could get the 2500 with th Gas V8 and get the upgraded transmisson package?

 

If she is going to be towing the trailer around for the next 200,000 miles the disiel is the choice. The extra torque will be good for towing and the engine and transmission will hold up to the extra strain of towing much better. As for 2500 or 3500, I would think the 2500 would be plenty.

 

is she usin this truck to just pull the trailer with or is it goin to be a DD to? I think either way i'd get the deisel but thats me. like said above the extra torque will be awesome compared to a 4.8 pullin 11,000 pounds of trailer. and much better gas mileage while pullin too, along with no headache of havin a transmission rebuild

 

I would vote for the '2500 HD' in a New York minute, with the nod going to the 6.6L Duramax Diesel and the Allison automatic transmission. Look for a pre-emissions version if you can find one (prior to the 2008 model year) without a DPF. The truck will run better and get better fuel economy.


A diesel engine will obviously cost more up front than will a gasser.....but it will last longer, will have a better transmission and get you more miles per gallon - especially under load.


The second-best choice would be a 2500 HD with the 6.0L gas engine; but be sure it has a transmission cooler and a trailer towing package (it should). It will get you up the road, but you better plan on stopping to get gasoline more often than you would like.

 

Yea the upfront cost of the Diesel will be more, but I really do feel its worth it. Unfortunatley, she wants the newer body style (2008 and newer?) So, she not going to be able to get one older than an 08 and will therefore not be able to get a pre-emissions truck.

One more question...its my understanding that you CAN get the Allison 6 speed auto with the 2500 Gas V8 as an option? This would than be the same standard tranny in the Diesel???