augie58

Check that truck out carefully I don't think Chevrolet combined the Z71 with the 4.8 engine. More than one person has purchased a set of decals from the parts department and made their own Z71 truck. Does the truck have the factory towing package and the G80 locker (positraction) rear? Most 4.8's were base equipment price leaders. There are one pile of great used truck deals out there.

Tow-N-One

The Z71 option was available with a 4.8. Get me the vin and I can give you all the specs and warranty history. We will see what it is then.

wieland77

This is the Vin: 1gcek19v43e255925.

For the most part, i will only be towing with this truck a little bit around town and to the launch here and there. Other than that just normal transportation. From what i hear is that under normal driving conditions, the 4.8L is not very noticible over the 5.3L which is what i wanted to hear. As long as is i can use it to tow 7K lbs 5-10 miles at a time that is good for me. Anything longer than that i will use my 3/4 ton diesel. Thanks for the responses guys. MIKE

Tow-N-One

it has 3.73 gears, Z71, 6400LB GVWR, big charging system. i dont see a towing package, no engine oil cooler, does have skid plates, all recalls have been performed, no warranty work has been done other than recalls. It was originally sold at Grass Lake Chev. in MI. I can fax all this to you if you want.

cigrocket

I had a 2001 chevy extended cab 4.8 liter. It towed my checkmate 251 convincor fine. However, for everyday driving and fuel economy. The 5.3 2003 chevy truck that I had, got better gas mileage then the 4.8 on average. The motor had to work less. Also, talk to any dealer, the resale on the 4.8 is ruff. People don't want it. So if you ever want to trade it back in, you may not be able to get what you think it is worth. Just my .02 cents. So many chevy's for sale, setup with 5.3 I think you should shop around. Lot of trucks for sale with the gas crunch now.

gmcman

The key statement was that you don't trailer very often. Either motor will get the boat to the water and out. If you're trailering very often buy the biggest motor you can. If it's just an occasional trip, buy the best maintained, cleanest v8 truck you can find.
I've been a GMC dealer for a long time and I see people over buy power all of the time(some do underbuy as well).
The 4.8 is a good motor that is perfect for every day driving. It'll work a bit more in tow but you'll get there. Don't expect much better fuel economy though. There's very little difference in mpgs between any of the gas engines under normal driving conditions.
I don't know what year this truck is but GM has gone back to drum brake rears on 1/2 tons without the Vortec Max package. I'd be more concerned about stopping the boat than pulling it.