Build "The" Perfect Truck for me

[leechlake]

I've had three Suburbans and I'm ready to move on. I'd like to recruit the help of FM'ers to help me build the perfect vehicle. My only things I need are four doors, topper, rear entertainment for the kids and big tires. Kind of looking for handi and cool accessories that make it look good and perform well. I hunt and fish a lot, only pull a 18' ProV, I would like an engine bigger than the 5.3 I have now, but really not a diesel. Thanks, build away. If I get it I'll post photos, price isn't too much of a problem, for this scenario (unless someone goes crazy, but do it anyway).

[hanson]

My "Dream Truck" would be...

-2500 Series GMC Sierra Extended Cab (It still has 4 doors. ) in Black

-Duramax Diesel/Allison Auto

-Westin Stainless Step Bars

-Westin Sportsman Stainless Grille Guard w/ chrome PIAA 520 Series fog lights

-Putco Stainless Bed Rails

-Access Tonneau Cover (Sorry, its not a topper but more versatile IMO)

-Yakima rack system for the cab roof

-BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A tires in the largest size I can fit under the fenders without a lift.

-Warn Winch

That would start me off but where does it stop?

-Stereo, Navigation, GPS, etc, etc.

[iffwalleyes]

Well if you go the HD route in the 1500HD (this gets you a crew cab) you can get the 6.0 vortec. It is a great motor in a nice truck but it is thristy in the fuel department. My dad just got one of this this summer and he loves it. He put a Leer topper on it and the topper looks awesome. Now myself personally I have a 2500HD Duramax/Allison crew cab. I couldn't be more happy with this truck. My only regreat is that I didn't buy one sooner. Much better milage than a gas for me. I don't pull alot of heavy stuff with it but I have the ability to. I put on around 36,000 miles annually so I was looking for something that can be run for a long time without to much worrying about maintenance. I have mine set up pretty sweet beacause I pretty much spend more time in it than I do my house. So I have a westin grill guard, luverne stainless running boards, putco box rails, access cover, herculiner bed liner, XM radio, my GPS is mounted inside the cab, and skybar gun rack over then back seat. I have the standard size BF Goodrich All Terrain tires on it 245R7516. Would like to have bigger tires but even the 265's I had on earlier would rub on my mud flaps under a hard turn. You can raise the torsion bar to gain some clearance and get up to 285 on it. But it you run bigger tires and have problems under warrenty get your own check book because GM won't cover it.

[Matt Johnson]

My good buddy owns and operates a truck accessory on-line store and there are some pretty cool things you can do to a truck if you have the money. A person could go all-out if they wanted to, the options are just about endless.

I run a 03 Chevy ZR2 with Baja tires and a 3-inch lift. I put a Westin Safari Bar and a set of KC Hilites Floods on the front of my truck just the other day. Granted it's only a 4.3 Vortec 6, but it pulls and moves just fine for want I need it for. It's awesome out on the frozen lakes, and that's where I need it the most I would eventually like to up-size to a Chevy 2500HD, but college and loans will push that idea to the side for a couple years.

If I could choose any truck, I would probably go with a Chevy 2500HD 3LT. Add a 6-inch Superlift, with a set of BF Goodrich Rock Krawler T/A Tires. Put on a Westin Ultimate Bull Bar and a set of KC Hilites Floods. Also go with a Westin Signature Series step bar. This will give your truck a total off-road look, and you'll be able to hit 3-foot snowdrifts with ease at 30 mph

Of course you'll need a drop-down hitch, but that won't be a problem. There are also several other things you could do with the truck, and those ideas are just the more common adjustments. Motor, exhaust, flow, etc, enhancements would need to come into play as well

I'd also consider getting an Avalanche with a Superlift. I know you want a topper, but the Avalanche is a roomy truck that can be easily transformed into an off-road machine...

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[leechlake]

thanks for the replies so far...my slight frustration is that when I look at the 2500 HD, I just don't like the look of it. I believe the tires are what I don't like (16 inch). I went to a dealer today and frankly, the two salespeople I talked to didn't help me with the tire issue I'm grappling with. On my search on line I ran into a question regarding safety and/or warranty on the tires that I suppose an educated dealer can take care of me on. I don't want a "monster" truck just a truck that looks like I want it to. Keep the ideas coming, I like em so far.

[Valv]

Just 4 words: Dodge Cummins Turbo Diesel, and you won't drive anything else again.

[JohnMickish]

Quote:

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Just 4 words: Dodge Cummins Turbo Diesel, and you won't drive anything else again.

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Dito.

[Curly]

Don't forget the spinner wheels!!

[DANR]

Leechlake,

A lot of guys are upgrading to 285/16 tires (aftermarket) on the HD2500. It fills the wheel wells up & improves the look. There is enough clearance on the HD2500, but not the 1500HD. Your dealer can reprogram for 265 tires, which gets you close enough. One advantage to the 1500HD is that it is available with a 3.73 ratio vs 4.10, which helps with the fuel economy. If you think at some point though that you might want to tow heavy loads (5th Wheel, etc.) stick with the 4.10

[LMITOUT]

I had a '99 Z71 with BF 285's and they fit fine. No rubbing and the rims are actually 1/2" wider than what come on the HD's so they fit better. I moved those tires to a '02 2500HD when I traded and that was a fine lookin' truck after I turned up the torsion bars to level it out. I look at the before (245 tires and nose-dive stance) and after pics and you wouldn't believe it was the same truck.

I then got a '03 2500HD with the Duramax and just went with 265's. The 285s look good, but they are a bit too wide for those 6.5" factory wheels. You have to make sure you don't air up too much or the centers will wear prematurely. I wouldn't recommend those tires if you were going to pull a 5'r as they aren't E-load. BTW, the tire shop gave me $500 for the 245's that came on my truck and they had 5000mi on them when I went to the new Bridgestones. Can't complain about that.

The only issue you'll have with bigger tires at the dealer is if you need warranty work on the tranny. There is a bulletin out on that. They won't void the warranty on the entire truck....

Many people have mentioned that the dealer will recal the speedo for the bigger tires, but I've yet to hear of one that succeeded.

The Duramax is super and I am glad I ditched that 6.0L when I did due to the gas prices and lackluster mileage. I've added a trick or two to the Duramax and still get fantastic mileage as long as I keep my foot out of the go-pedal. : )

[hawkeye43]

That's hard to do with a duramax, keep your foot out of it. I too have a 02 2500HD, its the best truck I ever bought I have 265's on mine and the speed-o is off 1 mph, not worth the time to change it. I did chip it and get 19 mpg in town and 21-22 out on the freeway.

[Gissert]

I'm with Valv on the Cummins Turbo Diesel. 173,00 miles with very few problems. Just knocked down 22mpg on a trip from Fergus to Theif River and back last week.

[leechlake]

yeah but you drove slow, 'cause you had the wrong contacts in.

[Gissert]

LMAO!! Yes- yes, I did. For those you you wondering about this inside joke - I went on a scouting trip last week, and my eyes bugged me the whole time. I blamed allergies until I got home when the Warden informed me that I put in HER contacts that morning.

I just filled up the truck again yesterday. 19.9 MPG with a lot of 70 mph freeway running.

[hanson]

Here's a photo of my current 'almost dream truck'.

Upgrade this truck to a 2500HD with the Duramax/Allison Auto and I think it would be my dream truck as described above.

Pay close attention to the tires. Those are 285 All-Terrains under those fenders. I've had them on for about 3 years now. No rubbing at all. The proper tires definitely can change the 'look' of a truck.

[leechlake]

Hanson, you made my day. That's the photo I'm looking for, regarding the tires. I've heard from others that cold weather and the diesel's aren't a problem anymore, is that correct? By the way, I have the FM decals across the back window of my Suburban and I get a ton of thumbs ups when I cruise the highways (I think I do at least, I'm always going past them...)

[Gissert]

Cold weather has not been a problem for my Cummins. I do plug it in on a timer below 20F, just because it spins easier. I have started it down to -20F with out being plugged in. The Cummins does not have glow plugs, but has a intake heater grid that heats the incoming air.

I have not heard of any cold weather starting issues with the Duramax or Powerstroke in recent years. Those are also execellent engines.

Most fuel is blended for winter use, and has anti-gell in the blend also.

[iffwalleyes]

Cold weather isn't as big of a problem as it used to be no but you still have to be aware that it can potentially be a problem. You need to used the right kind of fuel. I like to use #2 diesel as much as possible and you are probably ok to about 10 degrees but after that you should like to the blended fuel or else #1 diesel. I myself like to do my own blending of #1 and #2 but that is a personal choice. As far a voiding the warrenty I didn't mean to imply that it would void the entire truck warrenty but rather just the Duramax as mention. But when that sucker costing around 5K I would rather run smaller tires and not worry about paying for it down the road. If you get BF all terrains it really doesn't matter what size they all look bad a$$.

[SCUMFROG]

One word for you

EXCURSION.

[not_nuf_time]

I have 1500HD love the truck hate the milage 12mpg pulling or not. Wish and am still debating getting a 2500HD dura, have also heard that guys are getting 21 mpg's. I would Suggest with fuel prices to go dura or cummins. the diesels Ford run only get about 14-16 mpg's. I like the Dura over the Cummins only because Dura is much quieter(sp)and can hardly differ between regular gas truck.

[LABS4ME]

Where did you hear 14-16 mpg in a ford? We have 9 powerstrokes and none of them gets that kind of mileage unless pulling loads. My new 2005 6.0 l gets 16-16.5 in town and 18-20 on the highway without the stop and go. My partner even got 22mpg going to Des Moines a couple months ago. When I pull my boat (20' fiberglass) it goes down to around 14, but I'm fairly happy with my mileage per gal. thus far... It has slowly been rising through these 1st 20,000 miles. Even our older 7.3 l get better than 14-16 on average unless again they are pulling equipment or in town with a lot of stop and go, then I'd say they are getting around 14. While my motor may not be as quiet as a duramax on the outside, while in the cab on the road you cannot hear the motor noise at all (2005 6.0 l).

Not bashing the duramax, but the mileage you've stated has not been our experience at all, and Ford is all we've run since 1997. Prior to that we ran GM products, but we had too many problems with them with all the day in and day out "grinding" work trucks take. If I was looking for a nice comfortable personal truck, I'd strongly consider a GMC. My brother has the 2500HD duramax crew cab and it is a very nice truck... you won't go wrong with any nice diesel crew cab... the ultimate outdoorsman rig.

Good Luck!

Ken

[Gissert]

Just a note on the noise level of the Cummins engine - The '03 and up trucks have gone to a different injection system, and they are very quiet.

'02 and below are the louder units.

[not_nuf_time]

Not an expert just going of what my brother and friend tell me they got with their F350's both are 02's maybe thats a reason.

[hawkeye43]

If you had a chevy before 2001 it was not a duramax. I would'nt buy a used 01 or early 02 because of the injector problem. All trucks have some problems. I just got back from a trip to southern Wis. all freeway and cruise at 72 and got 22.7 mpg, I was happy to see at 147,000

[Biggestfish]

Agree here, After several years driving 1/2 ton 4X4 gas trucks I bought a new 2500 Dodge 4X4 with the Cummins Turbo Diesel. I have a hard time keeping the smile off my face everytime I drive it.... 18 to 20mpg pretty much all the time with it droping down to 16 to 17mpg when pulling my 3000lb boat.

[Blaze]

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By the way, I have the FM decals across the back window of my Suburban and I get a ton of thumbs ups when I cruise the highways

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leechlake - you sure those were thumbs?

I have to agree with most of the posts above - with diesel being $.10-.20/gallon cheaper right now, I'm REALLY wishing I would've gone diesel. I have an '02 2500HD with the 4.10 rear end. Hiway: 13mpg City 12mpg. Pullin' my boat (17' Lund): 12mpg. The 2 things I would change about it are the motor (6.0 ==> Duramax) and the suspension is rough. Feels like I'm ridin' a stuck pig most of the time - that's the one and only reason I would ever consider a half-ton again.