Photog101
Garden City, Michigan
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I no longer need a 3500 dually and would like to downsize to a 2500HD. I have been looking for a 2006 C2500HD with a 6.6L Duramax/Allison, but they just are not out there to be found, at least within 200 miles from my dealer.
I have probably used the 6 X 6 option less than 4 hours over the life of my present vehicle, so I really don't need it. 2WD should be good enough, to reduce weight and maintenance. I also do not need a crew cab, and would like an extended cab, but I would like to stay with the long bed, specifically to keep the larger gas tank. I also no longer have a heavy truck camper that required a dually to handle it and will be carrying a gooseneck trailer or a smaller truck camper in the future.
So the next choice is a 2500HD with a 6.0L gas engine/auto. I have exactly "0" experience with this engine. What kind of gas economy does this get while running around empty, and how much does this loose with about a 10,000# load?
I have no experience with the smaller automatic transmission, and really hate to give up my Allison, but supposedly the one linked to the 6.0L will handle 19,000# GCVW. I can live with this easily. I'll probably be around the 15,000# GCVW mark while loaded.
Has anyone had any real experiences with this engine/trans combination.
Any suggestions on what to look for?
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Rollincool
Always Rollin
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Joined: 08/10/2007
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Mike,
Yes, the "C's" in 2 wheel drive are hard to find.
The new 6.0's are a good motor with 353HP. You will notice a difference in torque coming from a 8.1 though. The new 6 speeds are nice once you get used to them. I like mine.
As far as mileage goes, around town with a light foot, I get around 11-14. Highway with a steady foot, I get around 16. You would probably do better with a two wheel drive.
I pull 9200 pounds without a problem, but it's not comparable to a duramax diesel. A diesel will always pull better on a hill because of it's high torque capacity.
Honestly, I think you'll be happier with a diesel with the allison over the 6.0 with the weights you'll be tugging.
Good luck,
-Joe
Obviously you've mistaken me for someone that gives a damn. 
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blt2ski
Kirkland, Wa
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On the other hand, if you go with the 6L gas, there will be some initial savings up front, less fuel costs for the first 100K miles or so. How many miles a year do you really drive? if over 20K, then a diesel will make sense, if not, then the SB gas will.
For seat of the pants, well, what can I say, there is a difference tween a diesel and a SB and even a BB gas motor.......so take you pick there.
Pickup.com did a test a yr or so go, and found that in reality, the 6.0 pulled almost on par with the dmax. The new 6 sp auto behind it seems to be a pretty good backup for that motor. So reality is, pulling 10K lbs, should not be an issue for the 6.0 properly geared etc. Your overall low in 1st is around 15-1 for the 6.0, vs 11-1 for the allison with a dmax, plus the TC. Putting the 6.0 in the mid 20 range, and not quite 20-1 for the dmax. One might be suprised at the GM6.0 with the 6sp hydromatic as to how well it will do. Especially at lower elevations.
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BFL13
Victoria, BC
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I have no experience with the smaller automatic transmission, and really hate to give up my Allison, but supposedly the one linked to the 6.0L will handle 19,000# GCVW. I can live with this easily. I'll probably be around the 15,000# GCVW mark while loaded.
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The 6.0/4.10 (only choice of rear end)that came with the 2006s and the classic 2007 have GCWR of 16K.
The new 2007s and later have the 6 sp transmission and a choice of rear ends. With the 3.73 you get 16K GCWR and with the 4.10 you get 18.5K
An extended cab long box 2wd "classic" 6.0/4.10 weighs about 6,700 loaded for camping including hitch etc, etc. (our weight) Assuming the new one is similar weight, that leaves trailer wts of
classic- 16K-6,700 =9,300
new with 3.73 =9,300
new with 4.10 18.5K -6,700= 11,800
Wrt crew cab vs ext cab, note the new ones' ext cab back doors swing right around unlike the classic ones, making them much better in parking lots for access to the back .
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Photog101
Garden City, Michigan
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Shoot, one thing that I forgot to add is that my K3500 has an 8.1 gasser and it is killing me with the gas economy. Especially when I have a large frontal area on my trailer. Best I can get is under 9.5 MPG whether the trailer is empty or loaded at 10,000#. In the city (empty), I just can not break 8.75 MPG. Although, if I single out the rear duals for empty city driving, I do get just at 10 MPG. Right now, I need to increase mileage as much as possible. Supporting OPEC is not my goal in life.
Thanks for the quick responses.
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2K5RKC
Midwest 50001
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Joined: 08/18/2007
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Hereis a 4x2 Diesel that has been in the "for sale section" for a little while, in case you had not seen it.
Nick
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Photog101
Garden City, Michigan
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2K5RKC wrote:Hereis a 4x2 Diesel that has been in the "for sale section" for a little while, in case you had not seen it.
Nick
I did see that truck, but my dealer will only deal with other dealers or from the GM auction. Not only that, I have seen plenty of 4X4 vehicles similar to the specs on this one, for $10,000 less. Just a bit out of my practical range. Thanx for the thought.
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Charles Myatt
McAllen, Texas
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Good luck Michael! We exchanged notes a few times about how you liked your 8.1. I just looked again at the local dealers and they all have only oil burners and mostly 4WD.
I still have my paid for 2000 F250 SWB and can't really "go buying" until O'bama sends me my share the wealth checks. Having only 3 useable gears to tow is still a pain. The 6 speed on the 6 liter looks a whole lot better from my position. A friend has a 1500HD with the 4 speed and is happy with it pulling a 25 foot 5'r. Personally, I wish they still had the 8.1.
One other thought, have you considered the V-10 in the F250? The stock std. bed has 30.5 gallon tank and the long bed has 38. I under stand that they use every one of those gallons, but, they do work!
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LIKE2BUILD
Mt. Zion, IL
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Photog101 wrote:I no longer need a 3500 dually and would like to downsize to a 2500HD. I have been looking for a 2006 C2500HD with a 6.6L Duramax/Allison, but they just are not out there to be found, at least within 200 miles from my dealer.
None to be found??? How about this 2008 C2500HD in Beecher, ILwith 321 miles for $26,000? 
Okay, so there's a couple of caveats with this truck. It's standard bed, where you said you wanted long bed. But, that's the reason they make extended pin boxes and slider hitches. Also, it's vinyl interior where you may want something a little fancier. However, an essentially new diesel for that price seems hard to pass up. When I got my truck I wasn't all that enthused with the vinyl interior. Now I see it as a feature because it's so easy to clean and it doesn't stain!!!
Good luck in your search.
KJ
2002 Jayco Qwest 324G
2004 Chevy 2500HD CrewCab |6.0L|2X4|4.10:1 | Eaton Posi-Trac
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Photog101
Garden City, Michigan
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LIKE2BUILD wrote:Photog101 wrote:I no longer need a 3500 dually and would like to downsize to a 2500HD. I have been looking for a 2006 C2500HD with a 6.6L Duramax/Allison, but they just are not out there to be found, at least within 200 miles from my dealer.
None to be found??? How about this 2008 C2500HD in Beecher, ILwith 321 miles for $26,000?
Good luck in your search.
KJ
Thanx, but I am looking for an LBZ engine ("D" in the 8th position of the VIN). That was the best 6.6L that was made. I have been talking to some trailer delivery drivers that have the newer 6.6L and they are very disappointed with the mileage and wish that they had renewed their LBZ engines rather than replace their trucks.
I believe that the reason for this low price is that it is a W/T model (with one option package), and those can usually be had at a good price.
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