boomer

Hey can you chevy guys help me out. I am looking for a 00-03 burb and from reading this I assume you get a different tranny when you go with the 8.1?

ZP\'d

Sorry diesel junkies but I can't see paying extra for it sittin as much as it will regardless of how well it pulls. Now if it was to be used a bunch then of course!

130K on the 8.1 and no isues is stuff I'm looking to hear!
Had to throw in the 6.0 though as the 8.1's aren't a dime a dozen in the used ads as is the 2500's with the 6.0's.
Don't want to look at 100K mile p-u's if they aren't cutting it past that kind of miles.

Sydwayz

In a HD PICKUP platform you get the ZF 6spd. Manual or the Allison 5spd. Automatic.

In a 2500 Avalanche, Suburban, or YukonXL you get the M32 aka 4L85E 4spd. Automatic Transmission, and that's it. The Allison does not fit between the framerails (without mods) of a Suburban 2500 frame.

The torque is turned down (considerably) in 1st gear via electronics on the 8.1L when installed in the Suburban 2500, so the 8.1's TQ does not rip the tranny out.

It still tows well, and aftermarket powertuners (Diablo Predator Powertuner) can get you that torque back, but you do so at some risk to your transmission.

ALL THAT being said; BUY A DIESEL. Just get an older one with 100K miles on it. Grab a 1-ton PSD Ford; 1999.5 to 2003 with the 7.3L. They are BULLETPROOF, and can be had for the same money.

I was born into a tried and true GM family. Only owned 1 Ford in my life, and it was a Taurus SHO (w/ a Yamaha engine). Given a LOT of research and input, I too could not see dropping a fortune on a diesel truck that was not going to be worked, and was going to sit 5 days a week. I bought a 2000 7.3L PSD Ford Dually for a song with 58K miles on it. The truck was and is better than new, and ITS BULLETPROOF. All that, AND you have a more capable truck.

I LOVED my 8.1L Avalanche 2500; but I love my PSD Dually MUCH MORE. I towed for 3 seasons with the Avalanche, 1 season of 7200 lbs. and two seasons of 12,500 lbs., with NO issues. However, the PSD/1 ton is the MONEY AND the SHlT.

My $.32

cuda

Since you are buying used, a gasser wouldn't be so bad. They suck up fuel, but where you really get hurt with a HD truck and a gasser, is if you buy new, then try to sell. They don't hold value worth chit. If buying new, you can bet you will get more than the original cost of a diesel when it's time to sell or trade.

t500hps

See Sydwayz post. The 8.1 trucks come with the Allison tranny, but the burbs do NOT. (I have a 03 2500 Burb with the 6.0).....why do you want one? What are you towing? and no, I'm not looking to sell.

t500hps

ZP'd: As posted before me.....a 100K used diesel is worth more than a 40K used gasser.

More truck
More power
More re-sale value

(I was looking at used f350's but ended up buying a NEW one from MCRaymond3 here on OSO a month ago...I love that truck!!!)

tblrklakemo

Buy either motor and I will sell my extra PCM with all the torque management removed. You will want a transgo shift kit. REALLY wakes up these motors. GM pulls timing back a lot on its gas motors to extend trans life.

boomer

Thanks for the answers I want a burb for the room we have 3 kids and tow a 21' boat for now. I also like the room behind the 3rd seat so the tahoe and exp are out. I like the 2500 over the 1500 because you get the bigger motor 6.0. Not sure if there is any suspesion or frame difference between them. Are there any other major diff. Brakes,?
Thanks for you help guys. Also sorry if I side tracked the thread (I know if never happens).

f311fr1

I have 174K on an 02 8.1 with Allison. I drive it every day for work. I average about 300 miles a day. It will need a quart of oil @ 3500 miles on an oil change. I try to change it every 3k.My wife has a 05 Tahoe XL 3/4 ton with an 8.1 and 4le80 trans. 70k miles. Blown head gasket at about 50k. This was so unusall that the parts had to be flown in from Detroit. Runs fine ever since. The 8.1 is a work horse of an engine.

tblrklakemo

Unfortunatly you only get one 6.0 in the burb, LQ4...320 hp and 360 ftlbs. The 2500 has bigger everthing, frame, axles, brakes, etc. Much better suited for towing large loads, but both trucks are very heavy and both will pull a 21' boat no problem. I would think the extra weight of the 2500 will have a negative effect on whatever extra power the 6.0 motor gives you.