2004 chevy 2500 6.0L

[bdhsfz6]

FWIW, I had a 2003 Chevy 2500HD with 6.0L gas engine. I pulled a 10K dump trailer and an 8K boat with it 2 or 3 times per week. I also used it daily to commute and plow my 1.25 mile private road in Winter. I put 90K miles on it in 10 years with not one visit to the shop.

It was the best truck I've owned so far.

 

[rankrank1]

As follow-up to my earlier post I do still have a 2005 2500 hd with the 6.0 that I bought from Craigslist for not much money. No plans to ever get rid of it.

 

[Kioti Dave]

Have a 2002 1500HD with the 6.0. Tow a 10k 5th wheel. While it works pretty hard on some hills in the mountains, it has always got me from A to B. No complaints.

 

[Gord Baker]

By now, any Hydraulic Lifter problems should have been fixed. There is more to life than MPG!
Enjoy. Life is short.

 

[stoshu312]

are these trucks reliable looking to buy one to tow 6-8000 lb?

I have a 2006 Ford Excursion that I haul up to 12,000 lbs with.
I paid $16,500 for it with 116,00 miles on it.
The 6.0L engine blew a head gasket at 130,000 miles ($9,000)
The emergency brakes did not work when I bought it, got them fixed ($1,500)
The factory hitch had rusted out but not where you could see it and fortunatly fell off the truck while still in the yard ($800)
Fuel tank had to be removed to install new hitch, filler neck rotted out ($500)
I am currenly having rocker panels and bottoms of doors being replaced ($5,000)
Many other smaller items repaired.
I have $35,000 in a SUV (truck) that is 17 years old with 140,000 miles on it.

My reason for posting this reply is if you buy a FORD 6.0L engine make sure that you can see head STUDS not bolt heads.
This means that the engine has already been rebuilt at least once. 6.0L is a strong great engine after it has been fixed and you change the oil every 5,000 miles.
If you have never had a diesel before stay away from them unless you are a quick learner and don't mind paying more for fuel.
How often will you pull 8,000 lbs? If not often stay with what you know in trucks.

Good luck!!

 

[iptman]

I have 2 2500 Suburbans (2003/2004), one has the 6.0 and the other 8.1. The 8.1 is far and away better for towing if that's mostly what the truck will be used for. As long as you're not commuting with it that's what I'd get. Either engine will get you 300k+ miles if taken care of properly. The 8.1 in the GMT800 pickups will get you the Allison 1000 transmission which is a nice bonus.

 

[KingBubba]

I have a Chevy Suburban 2003 2wd with a 350ci V8. It is a 1500 model. It will tow 8000lbs like nothing is being towed. Suburbans are the top towing vehicle made in the US. One of the reasons they tow so well is that they have more weight over the rear wheels than a typical car or pickup. I towed a large boat every year for 15 years and never once did it ever slip on the worst ramp in the area.

It also will hold 4X8 sheets of plywood inside, nice and dry. It has been the most wonderful vehicle I've ever owned second only to my 2005 Toyota Camry, which ha 274,000 miles on it with nary a big problem in it's history.

 

[stso9d]

are these trucks reliable looking to buy one to tow 6-8000 lb?

anyone else having Google highjack the thread when reading post?

 

[MossRoad]

I have a Chevy Suburban 2003 2wd with a 350ci V8. It is a 1500 model. It will tow 8000lbs like nothing is being towed. Suburbans are the top towing vehicle made in the US. One of the reasons they tow so well is that they have more weight over the rear wheels than a typical car or pickup. I towed a large boat every year for 15 years and never once did it ever slip on the worst ramp in the area.

It also will hold 4X8 sheets of plywood inside, nice and dry. It has been the most wonderful vehicle I've ever owned second only to my 2005 Toyota Camry, which ha 274,000 miles on it with nary a big problem in it's history.

I also have a 2003 Suburban 1500, with the 5.3. We've had it for about 9 months, now. I really like it.

The only engines offered in 2003 Suburbans were 5.3., 6.0 and 8.1. A 350 is 5.7. They dropped those in 2000, except in Mexico, when they dropped in 2002. A 5.3 is about 25 cubic inches smaller than a 350. Doesn't seem to matter. It's a completely different engine, and much better, in my opinion.

So unless there was an engine change or model year mixup, you might want to check that out.

 

[MossRoad]

anyone else having Google highjack the thread when reading post?

no