Opinions wanted

[CosmoAU]

I would like to get everyone's opinions on GM's 6.0. I'm considering an 03 1500HD with the 6L in it. I know they are thirsty and that's not a huge concern. I'm more interested in the longevity or any recurring problems it may have had. It has 140K on it now and wanted to see if anyone has one that has alot of miles, and if they have had any major problems. Thanks.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would like to get everyone's opinions on GM's 6.0. I'm considering an 03 1500HD with the 6L in it. I know they are thirsty and that's not a huge concern. I'm more interested in the longevity or any recurring problems it may have had. It has 140K on it now and wanted to see if anyone has one that has alot of miles, and if they have had any major problems. Thanks.

Buying anything with 140,000 miles is sticking your neck out. That motor is pretty good and a good match for a 1/2 ton. Its a little weak in a 3/4 ton and up. I have had 3-4 friends/customers with them in 3/4 tons and have had no issues but had auto tranny issues on 2 of them.

Chris

 

[CosmoAU]

Yeah, anything with that high miles is a crapshoot I guess. I think I can get it at a good $ is what makes it tempting. Keep any thoughts and opinions coming please.

 

[grnspot110]

My 2001 2500 HD has 164,000 on it, just put new water pump, hoses & belts on for the first time. Only minor other problems! No transmission problems here. 140K, yes a lot of miles to be buying, at least would be for me! I'd rather buy around 35K, just let somebody else wear off the new price!

As far as weak, I wouldn't call it that! I pull trailers regularly, though not as heavy as I used to. Mine has pulled the 720D (around 8000#) + trailer & a second trailer w/4 bottom mounted plow on a second trailer often, including up a pretty good hill. I could gain speed all the way up the "river hill" near here, if I wanted to buy the gas! ~~ grnspot110

 

[bdeboer]

I had a 2002 K2500 6.0L/3.73 Suburban with the same suspension traded it in with 99,000 miles in 2008. I can't say that it had recurring problems.

I changed out what appeared to be the original brakes around 80,000 miles.

The last year I had it the gas line rusted off at the top of tank requiring a new fuel pump. I had a bearing go out on the end of the front axle that was $300 or $400 just for the bearing.

The 6.0L in it was a dog with the factory tune compared to my '05 5.3L/3.43 gear 1/2 ton work truck. It had decent power once it was rolling but getting a load rolling it kinda sucked. I put a "mail order" tune on it and this helped that out alot.

Another thing I didn't like about was that when I got it warm pulling our RV across long grades outside of Ohio it wouldn't cool down very quickly on either the engine or the transmission when you reached the top of the grade. I did put a larger transmission cooler that helped some.

It was a definite upgrade over the 1/2 ton it replaced, when it came to towing.

 

[CosmoAU]

Thanks for the opinion grnspot. I'm with you, it has plenty of power for me. I think I'll let this one go. BTW the 720 looks great. :thumbsup:

 

[Bikewanderer]

I have no direct ownership experience with the 6.0, but weak is the wrong word. I think the 6.0 will take my ford v10 any day of the week.

I'd think the 6.0 would be good up to 20k gvwr, much past that it's probably underpowered with the gearing in our class of pickups.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have no direct ownership experience with the 6.0, but weak is the wrong word. I think the 6.0 will take my ford v10 any day of the week.

I'd think the 6.0 would be good up to 20k gvwr, much past that it's probably underpowered with the gearing in our class of pickups.

You must be kidding. The 6.0 GM motor was made to compete with the Ford 5.4L

Even though the 5.4 Ford and 5.3 GM are often compared the 5.3 GM just could not make the torque. The 6.0 was able to do that but its no V-10 (6.8L)

Here are the numbers.

GM 5.3L makes from 285hp / 325tq to 315hp / 335tq
GM 6.0L makes from 300hp / 360tq to 345hp / 380tq

Ford 5.4L makes from 260hp / 360tq to 320hp / 390tq
Ford 6.8L makes from 310hp / 425tq to 362hp / 457tq

Chris

 

[Bikewanderer]

You must be kidding. The 6.0 GM motor was made to compete with the Ford 5.4L

Even though the 5.4 Ford and 5.3 GM are often compared the 5.3 GM just could not make the torque. The 6.0 was able to do that but its no V-10 (6.8L)

Here are the numbers.

GM 5.3L makes from 285hp / 325tq to 315hp / 335tq
GM 6.0L makes from 300hp / 360tq to 345hp / 380tq

Ford 5.4L makes from 260hp / 360tq to 320hp / 390tq
Ford 6.8L makes from 310hp / 425tq to 362hp / 457tq

Chris

I'm not kidding. To me the 6.0 feels more powerful than my v10 with 4.30 gears. It's a heavier truck too, so that could be the difference.

I'm serious about gvwr too. You've got plenty of HP and torque to yank around that kind of weight with any of these engines with the exception of the 5.3. The v10 is used up to 30k combined weight and the chevy 8.1 is used up to around 45000 lbs.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I haven't checked any of my specs, but are you sure it's the 6L engine? That typically is for trucks over 8600 GVW, 2500 & 3500 GMs. Still too many miles.

They made a 1500 HD that had around a 7700# GVWR for a few years. It had a 6.0 in it. One of our pilots had one for awhile. Ford did the same thing. The Ford had weird 7 lug wheels and it was called F-150 7700. I have driven one once pushing snow. Every one I had ever seen of the Fords had the 5.4L, 4.10 gears, and were long bed regular cabs. Tough little trucks but not the best for pushing snow with the IFS. GM made the 1500 HD in a variety of bed and cab configurations.

Chris