billy bee
Newbie
I made the switch to a GMT800 and may be able to add some perspective. The backstory: I have towed race trailers with other GMT400's in the past. I had a 92 K2500454, 4:10, 'burb with a dual rear wheel kit on it. That really towed well. Also had a 94 K3500 ECLB with the 6.5. It towed well, too. Both would haul my 34' enclosed two-car hauler with ease. Both towed all over the the east coast and mid-west. Not many steep or long grades, like in the Rockies, but plenty of hilly towing. including in my home state of Vermont.
In 2010, I bought a 1995 K1500 ECSB, 3:73 gears, for $3500 with 75k. Towed a utility trailer and ski boat with it, no problem. Then started towing race cars...problem. I was towing a 20' enclosed trailer which was right at my tow capacity of the K1500 at 7000#. It was a great truck otherwise. During our ownership, we rebuilt the trans and did the rear end bearings. Otherwise, basic maintenance and minor repairs. Good truck. Just sold it for $3500 with 150k on the clock.
Wanting some additional towing capacity, I bought a 2002 2500HD 4x4 CCSB, 6.0, 4:10 gears, for $7400. There really is no comparison between the trucks. I find the 800 better in almost every way. Yes, the interior materials are really cheap plastic. Yes, it is more complex. Yes, parts are more expensive...but not by much.
The thing that really bothers me has been mentioned: it's a huge adjustment running much higher rpm's in the 800. I drive high-revving cars in wheel-to-wheel racing but am wildly uncomfortable with the way the 6.0 spins up. Somewhere deep inside my reptilian brain, I have a genetic predisposition to torquey V8-powered trucks that don't rev like that. It just feels wrong. It should pull like a freight train up to 3500 rpm and then poop out. This 6.0 comes on cam at 3500 and screams like a banshee from there up to red line. In its defense, it does so without complaining. Trans and engine temp stay cool. It's remarkable. Weird, but remarkable.
Otherwise, it's all upside. It rides much better than my 400. It's quieter...I can actually have a conversation with my wife while driving on the highway (but you may not want that). It is more efficient. I can easily get 16mpg on the highway...never got that in my 400. It has way more power.
I am very happy with the switch. I miss this forum, however. This is by far the best automotive forum I've every been on. I wish there were something half as good for the GMT800. I am on the SilveradoSierra forum, which is good but nowhere near as technical and most people have NBS trucks.
Good luck with your decision. Let us know what you do.
bb
In 2010, I bought a 1995 K1500 ECSB, 3:73 gears, for $3500 with 75k. Towed a utility trailer and ski boat with it, no problem. Then started towing race cars...problem. I was towing a 20' enclosed trailer which was right at my tow capacity of the K1500 at 7000#. It was a great truck otherwise. During our ownership, we rebuilt the trans and did the rear end bearings. Otherwise, basic maintenance and minor repairs. Good truck. Just sold it for $3500 with 150k on the clock.
Wanting some additional towing capacity, I bought a 2002 2500HD 4x4 CCSB, 6.0, 4:10 gears, for $7400. There really is no comparison between the trucks. I find the 800 better in almost every way. Yes, the interior materials are really cheap plastic. Yes, it is more complex. Yes, parts are more expensive...but not by much.
The thing that really bothers me has been mentioned: it's a huge adjustment running much higher rpm's in the 800. I drive high-revving cars in wheel-to-wheel racing but am wildly uncomfortable with the way the 6.0 spins up. Somewhere deep inside my reptilian brain, I have a genetic predisposition to torquey V8-powered trucks that don't rev like that. It just feels wrong. It should pull like a freight train up to 3500 rpm and then poop out. This 6.0 comes on cam at 3500 and screams like a banshee from there up to red line. In its defense, it does so without complaining. Trans and engine temp stay cool. It's remarkable. Weird, but remarkable.
Otherwise, it's all upside. It rides much better than my 400. It's quieter...I can actually have a conversation with my wife while driving on the highway (but you may not want that). It is more efficient. I can easily get 16mpg on the highway...never got that in my 400. It has way more power.
I am very happy with the switch. I miss this forum, however. This is by far the best automotive forum I've every been on. I wish there were something half as good for the GMT800. I am on the SilveradoSierra forum, which is good but nowhere near as technical and most people have NBS trucks.
Good luck with your decision. Let us know what you do.
bb
Especially for guys who make engine swaps sound as simple as installing a new light bulb... and more power to 'em for that! But not within my wheelhouse.
