Useless GMC Information

[joshua32064]

Greetings,

When I fist joined the forum, I had asked some questions about my tow vehicle. I have a 2003 GMC 1500HD Crew Cab.

It was very hard to get some information on this vehicle, because as soon as this vehicle was brought out by GMC, it was discontinued.

The 2003 GMC 1500HD was equipped with a Votec 6000, 6.0L V8. This engine produces 300 horsepower. If you research the current GMC line, that combination is only available with the Sierra 2500.

The new Sierra 1500 crew cab which is not out yet is equipped with a 295 horsepower 5.3L V8.

I guess it looks like I have a truck that has the features of the 2500 but has the 1500 name tag. Maybe I have a Sierra 2000 then? :-)

Either way, as I said, it is useless GMC knowledge.

Josh

[garry]

Not sure if your complaining about what you heard from fourm members or from GMC ???

Garry

[joshua32064]

Hi,

I am not complaining at all. If it came across that way, I truly apologize. If anything, I appreciate all the imput that has always been given.

The information which I listed was just and interesting tidbit so to speak.

Josh

[Pahaska]

What you have is a light-duty 3/4 ton truck. The Chevy 1500-HD is the same thing. Why these models were discontinued is a mystery to me because I think they are ideal tow vehicles.

I recently looked for a left-over 2003 1500-HD with the intention of trading my 1500, but I couldn't find one in LT trim and I'm not about to give up my nice interior.

[Steve Heywood]

Originally posted by Pahaska
What you have is a light-duty 3/4 ton truck. The Chevy 1500-HD is the same thing. Why these models were discontinued is a mystery to me because I think they are ideal tow vehicles.

GM didn't discontinue them, they re-badged them. They are now known as a 2500 (not to be confused wit a 2500-HD) which is what the the 1500-HD was all along. The whole 1500-HD thing probably had something to due with the need to compete with the Ford SuperCrew which is based on the F150 chassis.

[joshua32064]

John,

I certainly can appreciate your comments about having the SLT interior. Luckily, my 2003 GMC Sierra 1500HD is an SLT. Why they discontinued this truck is a mystery to me?

In addition, my truck is also equipped with Quadrasteer. I can't begin to tell you how many people question me about the Quadrasteer when I am driving the vehicle. I can tell you that it makes a HUGE difference and I love it.

I am purchasing a new Airstream this month and am still figuring out whether to go with a 22' International CCD, 25' International CCD or 25' Safari. Hopefully, the truck will be able to pull any of them with ease.

Josh

[joshua32064]

Steve,

You make a very good. Although they did rebadge the truck, they still made a few minor interior changes.

From what I believe, the tow capacity between the 2003 1500HD and 2004 2500 are the same.

Josh

[Pick]

There is a good discussion on "model numbers" going on now at pickuptruck.com. All of the "Big 3" have muddied the waters when it comes to the 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton ratings and the 1500, 1500HD, 2500, 2500HD, 3500, 3500HD, model series. Much confusion exists.

I have been told my new 2500HD with 9200 GVW is NOT a 1 ton, but my old 3500 with 9200 GVW is.


But, since the truck weighs 6000 lbs. does that really mean it is a 1.6 ton truck?

I think this could all be cleared up just by using the GVW as the model number. A 9200HD would use 17 oz. pounds instead of the usual 16 oz. pounds. Further confusing everyone.

Engine horsepower can be very misleading too. The 6.0 L gas engine can be rated up to 325 HP, I believe in the Escalade, but thats at 4800 RPM. Who revs up to 4800 and keeps it there besides drag racers? The Duramax is rated at 300 HP, but at 3200 RPM, which is it's "redline".

[Silvertwinkie]

Pick are you sure on that 3200 RPM redline for the Duramax? That seems really low. I was thinking somewhere in the 5000 range. I was just on the Chevy website this morning and they claim you can get the 4.10 gears with it. If that's right, with the 16" rims, 65MPH could easily see 3000+RPMs.

Heck a few of the turbo diesels we've owned didn't even have redlines....

Eric

[john hd]

eric,

pick's head must still be swimming in all those new diesel fumes!

pick,

how is that new truck anyway?

john

[71tradewind]

Hi all ,Im just guessing here but I think that GM was competeing with itself by having to many similar eguiped vehicles in the same the same price range. As far as mudding the waters ......look at McDonalds and the meduim....large.....Xtralarge .....garbage,I luv to ask for a small coke and and have the headset wearing kid say we dont have small ...... and then list off the avail size ...in reply I simply say give me the smallest of those avail sizes , I know its a tangent to the orig. thread ,but I think thats what the BIG THREE is trying to do with the 1500,2500,150,250 ect,ect,ect.

[Silvertwinkie]

Pick what are the rear gears you have on your D/A 2500HD?

Eric

[Rusty Bucket]

We've had our '02 GMC 1500HD since April '02---22,000mi. No mechanical issues(knock on wood)other than the dread cold start piston slap on the 6.0. Emabarassing to start the thing cold in polite company. Maybe I'll get some DuraMax emblems. Oh yeah, I've got a knocking noise/feel from the steering column when I go around curves that has recently developed. I think the truck rides HARD---harder than my buddy's F250 CrewCab Powerstoke, and I'm not much of a Ford guy. Our previous tow veh. was a '93 GMC 1 ton window van. 5.7 eng, OD trans. and 3.73 gear. Rides hard too, but gives better mileage and I think the 5.7 throttle body engine makes at least as much power as the 6.0 in the truck.(no slappin' pistons, either) I don't feel like the product has been improved much. Always thought it odd that the GMC 1500HD doesn't have any emblems ANYWHERE on it that identifies it as a 1500HD. Howard

[joshua32064]

I have to admit that I was always a bit shocked that the 1500HD wasn't badged with a special HD emblem. Nonetheless, I think it's a great truck.

[luke warm]

"I've got a knocking noise/feel from the steering column when I go around curves that has recently developed."
Rusty, I had the same clunking in the steering on my 2000 silverado 1500 and it turned out the intermediate shaft was "dry" and needed lube. At 22k you are still under warranty so chevy should be aware of the free fix. luke

[Rusty Bucket]

Thanks Luke, I've been saving up a little list of stuff the dealer needs to fix under warranty. Mainly interior stuff. Haven't been too impressed with the selling dealers service dept.

[Pick]

Eric, yes the Duramax is redlined at 3200 RPM. It has 3.73 gears and as far as I know, that is the only ratio it is available in. The way it runs, it does not need 4.10 gears

John, so far so good, on our first camping trip it did 12.8 mpg, which the 454 got 9.5 mpg on in the past. Second tank, mixed freeway, city, country, horsing around to see how fast it will go, etc. 17.15 mpg. Just turned 1K miles this weekend. I am going to add a Caterpiller 2 micron fuel filter, as everyone, including a factory certified GM Duramax tech is advising everyone to do. This engine uses a high tech 23,000 PSI common rail injection system by Bosch. Many feel the OEM fuel filter, provided by GM and designed by Racor, is not doing a good enough job. The Cat filter is supposed to remove 99% of 2-7 micron particles, where the OEM filter is only 50%. Caterpillar's research indicates 7 micron dirt particles cause excessive injector wear, that is why they developed this filter. It costs around $4500 to replace all 8 injectors in a Duramax. Thankfully it has a 5 year, 100K warranty.

[Silvertwinkie]

Thanks for the confimation Pick. 3200 seems a bit low for a redline, but heck, I've had my head in gas engines for years now that do 6k redlines, but I do understand that diesels are totally different beasts....still 3200....that is kind of a shock to me. I'd have thought at least 4500-5000.

How is it off the line (not towing)?

Eric

[john hd]

pick

dump your rearend oil and replace with synthetic (it comes with it from the factory), your differential should be broke in by now.

you will be suprized by the color of the oil.

fourtunately they come with drain plugs on the bottom of the housing now.

10 min. job tops.


john

[Pick]

Eric, it's a little slow off the line, but turbo really kicks in around 1500 RPM.

John, what did you put in yours? I am thinking Amsoil. How many quarts.?