400 vs newer

454cid said:

How is the 400 not up to the 800's ergonomics?

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That's what I am saying, the 95+ GMT400's had roughly the same ergonomics as the GMT800. Btw a truck will forever ride like a truck especially if they are body on frame, regardless of how many fancy bits you put into the suspension.

PolarBear said:

Subjective is the long way to say "I disagree", just be upfront next time.

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I don't disagree, I have 2 800's and a 400. They tick different boxes for me.
I know what subjective means, and it ain't that...

PolarBear said:

Research,

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Where?

PolarBear said:

road function testing

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This would be objective, if you mean acceleration times are shorter, braking distances are shorter, rated payloads are heavier, etc. But you didn't say that. You said:

PolarBear said:

Power,

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As has been discussed to death here, hp is greater, but the tq curve is shifted up the rpm range, which some people dislike, so that's subjective.

PolarBear said:

ride,

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Purely subjective

PolarBear said:

interior quality,

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Based on what?

PolarBear said:

ergonomics,

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Subjective

PolarBear said:

overall capacity as a truck, to name a few.

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Beds are the same size, payloads and tow ratings are a little improved, so this is objective.

PolarBear said:

and large national surveys show the 800 is better in all of the previously mentioned areas.

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Do you have access to the data?

PolarBear said:

It isn't just a "Subjective" or biased opinion.

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Sure it is. You like them better.

618 Syndicate said:

I don't disagree, I have 2 800's and a 400. They tick different boxes for me.
I know what subjective means, and it ain't that...

Where?

This would be objective, if you mean acceleration times are shorter, braking distances are shorter, rated payloads are heavier, etc. But you didn't say that. You said:

As has been discussed to death here, hp is greater, but the tq curve is shifted up the rpm range, which some people dislike, so that's subjective.

Purely subjective

Based on what?

Subjective

Beds are the same size, payloads and tow ratings are a little improved, so this is objective.

Do you have access to the data?

Sure it is. You like them better.

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It the same as asking what’s the best oil. It becomes subjective! You can go back and forth on performance, ride, ergonomics……
I still say 400’s look way cooler. Like, just on the concept, the 400 is a real standout, amongst all trucks, of any year. That look has withstood the test of time. “Like a Rock”.

Spent the last week in eastern Washington and western Idaho. I didn't see many 400s on the road, but the ones I saw had had no rust and very nice original bodies. Soo jealous coming from Minnesota. They were all working trucks, not show trucks. Like the energizing bunny, they keep going, and going...

My truck is not a show truck and doesn't have a lot of exterior rot. 400k+ miles and it doesn't have as my Tahoe. I almost fell through the fender on my Tahoe today. My Tahoe is a 02 Z71 Special Edition.

Edit: I meant to clarify on how I "fell through". I leaned against it to change the air filter and 1 crunching sound and "where did my support go?" and I realized it fell through. One trip to the junkyard and "Why didn't I realize that a rusty fender isn't a good support" and I have a new fender ready to go on when I inspect it next.

Macs Garage said:

Spent the last week in eastern Washington and western Idaho. I didn't see many 400s on the road, but the ones I saw had had no rust and very nice original bodies. Soo jealous coming from Minnesota. They were all working trucks, not show trucks. Like the energizing bunny, they keep going, and going...

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I was going to say this. I'm in Oregon and you don't see a whole lot of them, but they are still around. There are a ton of them in the junkyards and facebook marketplace for dirt cheap though. You actually see a lot more squarebody trucks around here than GMT-400's. I've got a 2011 Suburban that is my wifes daily and that we use for family vacations and towing our travel trailer. Its quiet, comfortable, and has plenty of towing power. Its sitting at 210,000 miles now and still going strong.

My rides are a 1980 K25 pickup for work/hunting/truck stuff, a 93 Honda Civic for commuting around town and to work, and a 67 Buick Riviera for burnouts. I actually only came on this forum because I bought a 97 K2500 Suburban to strip the drivetrain out of for my 1980. I have the 454/4L80 rebuilt and going together in my garage right now and they will hopefully go in the squarebody by the end of the year with an 0411 to run them.

67 Buick Riviera for burnouts? I wanna see that!!

I think gmt400 still has appeal of the"vintage truck" like squarebody, 70s rams etc. because it's simple and "square". Big wheels, KCs and bars don't look out of place on them. 800 lost it with all those curves. It's a purely subjective view.

Dariusz Salomon said:

I think gmt400 still has appeal of the"vintage truck" like squarebody, 70s rams etc. because it's simple and "square". Big wheels, KCs and bars don't look out of place on them. 800 lost it with all those curves. It's a purely subjective view.

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I like the early 800, it really wasn't all that different to me, but when they did the front end change they ruined it.

I have owned a few 400 trucks. They are what they are. I do currently have a 98 Burb that I have been trying to sell for a few years now. Cant even give it away due to the fuel usage. Even before all this current crap. Here in Oregon, they use a blended fuel all year. And that caused it to go, with out of state fuel, from the high teens to about 8 or 9 mpg. To lose almost 10 mpg just by the fuel alone sucks. So here it sits. I currently also have a 2004 CCLB DRW Duramax because I own a boat that weighs close to 13,000 lbs. It seat everybody and the dog for trips. And even with the B-20 crap, it still gets better mileage. We also have a 2000 1500 ECLB and it gets great mileage. But that is used mostly for pulling the 19' boat and nothing else.

So my reasoning is the 400 sits due to the state of fuel and the fact it doesn't really have a intended purpose. Insurance was higher on the Burb as well. Some day it will go to a new home or be scrapped. If nobody wants it by the end of summer, it's going to be scrapped.