2005 V8's - stock 5.3L or 'chipped' 4.8L?

[Jagmandave]

Re: 2005 V8\'s - stock 5.3L or \'chipped\' 4.8L?

I think the problem with the "04 F-150 is weight!
those suckers are heavy! My boss has one and averages 12 mpg on his hiway commute - of course he drives like a bat out of ****

 

[JoeinTX]

Re: 2005 V8\'s - stock 5.3L or \'chipped\' 4.8L?

A bit OT, but concerning the mileage.....

I've had both the newer Dodge 4.7l and now the 5.7l Hemi in a half-ton pickup. Like many of you guys with the other brands, I could tell very little difference in mileage between the two with both getting about 18mpg on the highway...but a real difference in power. Today's smaller V-8s aren't bad motors and the little 4.7l ran very well for what it was.

 

[dholly]

Re: 2005 V8\'s - stock 5.3L or \'chipped\' 4.8L?

Thank you murph, et al, that was the type of response - actual, real life [disappointing] experiences - that I was interested in hearing. I know the mileage #'s are very close on paper and, as a result, was all but certain I would go with the 5.3L but was curious if anyone would step up in defense of the 4.8L. Hello... anybody out there?! Guess not. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

At any rate, I pick up my new truck this evening after they install a few aftermarket items. I've decided to post the details, as I am a bit curious about Regional pricing differences (usually N.E. pricing is higher for just about everything).

2005 GMC 1500 Sierra Reg Cab Long Bed Work Truck 4x4 (Carbon Metallic/Dark Pewter)
LM7 - 5.3L V-8 w/ 3.42 Rear Axle Ratio
VYU - Snow Plow Prep Pkg
Z85 - Suspension Pkg, HD Handling/Trailering
Z82 - Trailering Equipment Pkg, HD
G80 - HD Locking Rear Differential
AJ1 - Deep Tinted Rear Glass
AE7 - Seat Upgrade w/ Center Armrest
SAF - Spare Tire Carrier Lock
K34 - Speed Control
QVM - Tire Upgrade, 265/70R17 OWL

GM Accessories Included: Under-rail Bed Liner, Bed Rail Protectors, Hood Bug Deflector, Window Rain Guards
___________________________________

$27,112.00 Sticker/$24,509.10 Invoice/$25,034.34 Dealer Cost (Includes GM Dealer Adv Fee)

$19,600.00 Net Cost Paid (after all Factory Discounts/Rebates, etc.*)
$21,998.32 Out-the-door (after 8.25% tax, title, license)

* Does not include up to $1,000 Cash Back from the GM Business Choice Commercial Upfit Program. I.e., I can purchase a snow plow, hard tonneau, cap or similar accessory of my choice, have it installed and, as long as I present a copy of the bill to GM by 5/31/05, they will send me a check for $1,000. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Since I was going to put a new plow on anyways, I figure the $27,112 truck ultimately cost me a net, net $18,600. And, I should have NOooo problem towing my stuff now! Thanks for the input.

 

[coveredbridge]

Re: 2005 V8\'s - stock 5.3L or \'chipped\' 4.8L?

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have had identical trucks one with the 4.8 and my current is a 2001 1500 4wd ext cab 4x4 w/the 5.3, both got the same mpg but the 4.8 was not as powerful as the 5.3L. So get the big one. I'm good for 17mpg in everyday driving and 19 on the highway doing the speed limit. But my wife says I drive like a little old lady!! )</font>

I would like to know how you and boondox are getting 17mpg with the 5.3L V-8. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif My 2001 GMC Sierra ext cab 4x4 with the 5.3L V-8 (48,000 miles) has never done better than 15 mpg highway and averages about 12.5 - 13.5 commuting, mainly a 10 mi one way commute over mostly rural roads (i.e. minimal traffic). /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I drive the speed limit (really, I do) and I don't believe I'm a lead foot. No, I'm not running in auto 4wd /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif, except when roads are snowcovered, otherwise it's in 2-hi.

I use mid-grade (89 octane) gas and maintain a regular service schedule. So, what's your secret? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif 4mpg adds up fast at $2.30 per gallon.

 

[jwstewar]

Re: 2005 V8\'s - stock 5.3L or \'chipped\' 4.8L?

Don't know what they are doing, but I've got a 99 Silverado w/ 5.3, ext cab, 4X4, auto tranny w/ 3.73 rear gears. I'm getting between 19 & 20 consistently. Wife usually drives it (I drive our car most of the time - 54 mile one way commute 33 MPG sounds a whole lot better, plus the Accord is a cheaper vehicle to wear out vs. the truck /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif) When I drive it I'll typically run 65 - 70 MPH w/ usually both of us in the truck plus the kids and their car seats and toys. I do have a tonneau cover. BTW, I run Pennzoil 5W30 oil w/ AC oil filters changed when the dash light tells me to. I only run 87 Octane (used to run 93, but when got married and fuel prices spiked had to cut costs somewhere - didn't change the MPG). I'm approaching 90k on it, no problems. Love the power to pull whatever I hook on to the back of it.

 

[thcri]

Re: 2005 V8\'s - stock 5.3L or \'chipped\' 4.8L?

Actually our 1999 Suburban with the older I think 5.7L motor got better gas mileage than our 2001 5.3L. On trips we always got over 20mph and if with the wind we could see 22 at times and I, have a heavy foot. Our 2001 doesn't quite do as well and I still have a heavy foot.

murph

 

[Dozernut]

Re: 2005 V8\'s - stock 5.3L or \'chipped\' 4.8L?

My Chevy, 5.3 V8, auto, 4x4 with 3.73 rear end, gets 18 mpg hwy. Most likely you have a 4.10 rear differential. Great for towing, lots of pep, but bad for milage.

 

[Alan L.]

Re: 2005 V8\'s - stock 5.3L or \'chipped\' 4.8L?

My 2-wheel drive 2003 GMC Sierra with 5.3L V8 gets between 18 and 19 mpg on my commute to work, mostly highway. It has the 3.73 rear end.

I used to have a 1997 Suburban with 5.7L V8. I pulled my tractor and trailer behind both, and the Suburban had quite a bit more power. My present truck downshifts while pulling my 16 foot trailer empty!

But the truck drives great and I'm happy with it.

 

[Boondox]

Re: 2005 V8\'s - stock 5.3L or \'chipped\' 4.8L?

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My Chevy, 5.3 V8, auto, 4x4 with 3.73 rear end, gets 18 mpg hwy. Most likely you have a 4.10 rear differential. Great for towing, lots of pep, but bad for milage. )</font>

My 02 Chevy, 5.3 V8, auto 4x4 with 4.10 rear end gets 17.5 consistently in rural driving. The vast majority of my commute is 50mph on a ten mile straightaway with no lights or stops...and about a mile of backroads on each end. With a full load of firewood or 300 gallons of water in back that drops to 15mpg. In 4WD plowing snow...let's not go there! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[coveredbridge]

Re: 2005 V8\'s - stock 5.3L or \'chipped\' 4.8L?

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My Chevy, 5.3 V8, auto, 4x4 with 3.73 rear end, gets 18 mpg hwy. Most likely you have a 4.10 rear differential. Great for towing, lots of pep, but bad for milage. )</font>

I checked the sticker last night, 3.73 gear ratio, just like I thought. Unless the sticker's wrong. Still, boondox is getting 17.5 with his 4.10 gear, about 4mpg better than me. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

A lot of my driving is up and down hills, but I would think that would even out in the long run.

Maybe I can confirm the gear from the VIN. Anyone know how/if that can be done? I know the engine can be determined by the letter in a certain position in the VIN. Is the gear also noted by a certain number/letter in the VIN?

Then again, maybe it's my driving style, because I've owned two other GM 1500 pickups with the 5.7L V-8 and I got similar mileage with them. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I just thought of something! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Do you guys that are getting 17 - 19 mpg have the locking differential on your trucks? Because I do, and that could be the culprit, couldn't it?