Silverado / Sierra HD

[M.Cueva]

Good Morning Fellas,

I have several questions for those who know or have experienced something related.

For those who are not aware, I took a job with Time Warner Cable as an installation tech for residential services. I use Sally as my office since I am a 1099 contractor so as one can imagine, she is getting alot of road time. She has crossed 105,000 miles in the last several days or so. She has no issues except that chirp chirp that seems to come back every so often (has to be misaligned pulleys but that is another issue for another time). I intend to keep Sally and not trade her in. Zoe (GT650R) is probably going to be either stored or sold since I dont have a chance to ride her....which leaves me with the following:










Now, let me be clear: I have no need for heavy duty truck save for the monthly trips to Home Depot/Lowes for some sort of building supplies. This truck purchase WILL be purely a purchase of WANT and not NEED; I am not looking to purchase immediately or simply settle for something less. Having said that, I have several questions:



The new truck:

2013/2014 Silverado 3500HD 2WD (or Sierra 3500HD 2WD) Crew Cab Single Rear Wheel Configuration with the 8 foot bed. Duramax equipped in front and 3.73s out back. LT or LTZ package (either one works).


1) I was informed by the dealership that the Z71 Appearance Package is available on both the 3500HD SRW and 3500 DRW configurations. I do not believe this to be true since Chevy.com does not show the option for the 3500 DRW.

2) Those 18" Forged Polished Aluminum Rims look stupid to me. I like the 20" Forged Polished Aluminum Rims that I see on the 2500HD. Can I swap out the 18s for the 20s or will this reduce the overall carrying capability of the truck?

3) The Convenience Package (Power adjustable pedals, Rear Parking Assist, Remote Starter System, Universal Home Remote) is not available on the 3500HD. Is this available at all as a package?

4) The Dual 125 Amps that are available with the Duramax seem to be rated too low. Is there a specific purpose in which these alternators would be rated lower than a standard 1500 alternator? Can I just rip out these alternators and install the High Output alternators (350 amp rating)?

Any other thoughts considering the line of questions and purpose? Thanks.



Mike

 

[OldCracker29]

Hey Mike, how's it going?
If you don't need a heavy duty truck, why are you considering a 3500?

 

[M.Cueva]

Hey Mike, how's it going?
If you don't need a heavy duty truck, why are you considering a 3500?

Hey Jeff, not much going on at the moment...life comes at you fast

Main reasons: 1) I can get a 2500HD or 3500HD for less than a comparably equipped 1500 since I am a returning customer at my dealership. 2) 1500s do not come in an 8 foot bed and a crew cab configuration.

The third reason is just a "because its easier" reason: Home Depot/Lowes runs (seems to happen more frequently than not).

 

[ScottyBoy]

I think the dealer is telling the truth. I have seen a Dually recently with Z71 stickers on the bed. I was like WTF? Even 3500's come in Z71 now?
Not sure if the front grill and all was color matched or not. I only got a side view of the truck as it was driving.

 

[OldCracker29]

Hey Mike, how's it going?
If you don't need a heavy duty truck, why are you considering a 3500?

Hey Jeff, not much going on at the moment...life comes at you fast

Main reasons: 1) I can get a 2500HD or 3500HD for less than a comparably equipped 1500 since I am a returning customer at my dealership. 2) 1500s do not come in an 8 foot bed and a crew cab configuration.

The third reason is just a "because its easier" reason: Home Depot/Lowes runs (seems to happen more frequently than not).

I got you. I have to have an 8' bed, but two doors work fine for me. Four of the five trucks I've owned have been 2500. The only one I had that wasn't was a '72 Chevy Cheyenne, but they called it a heavy half.

 

[The_Chupacabra]

I would go with the 2500 because an unloaded 3500 will ride like they are driving down the roads in Oklahoma even on smooth roads.

I like the looks of the 2500 anyways.

Sent from my DROID RAZR

 

[Bowtie2Sierra]

I would go with the 2500 because an unloaded 3500 will ride like they are driving down the roads in Oklahoma even on smooth roads.

I like the looks of the 2500 anyways.

Sent from my DROID RAZR

Another vote for a 2500...especially for your needs. Unless you are pulling around skid steers or tractors every day or have frequent weekend trips with a large travel trailer, there isn't a need for a 3500. Unless you want to get beat to death on a daily basis.

Back in my landscaping days when our fleet was both 3/4 & 1 ton trucks, there were very few occasions when I grabbed the 1 ton. And I was pulling large Bobcats, excavators, & tractors daily.

 

[M.Cueva]

I would go with the 2500 because an unloaded 3500 will ride like they are driving down the roads in Oklahoma even on smooth roads.

I like the looks of the 2500 anyways.

Sent from my DROID RAZR

Another vote for a 2500...especially for your needs. Unless you are pulling around skid steers or tractors every day or have frequent weekend trips with a large travel trailer, there isn't a need for a 3500. Unless you want to get beat to death on a daily basis.

Back in my landscaping days when our fleet was both 3/4 & 1 ton trucks, there were very few occasions when I grabbed the 1 ton. And I was pulling large Bobcats, excavators, & tractors daily.

Thanks Matt and Matt. I assumed that with the GMT900s, GM had improved both the 2500 and 3500 unloaded ride quality. Definitely a consideration that I will need to address. Other thoughts?

 

[The_Chupacabra]

If GM is going for hauling capacity then naturally ride quality is not top priority.

I drove one of our 3500 trucks to our shop from the dealership without the bed on and wow! You could feel every bump in the road. I would go drive them and see what you think.

Sent from my DROID RAZR

 

[Bowtie2Sierra]

The ride quality has been improved in both. However, the 1 ton will always ride rougher unloaded than the 3/4 ton due to the stiffer springs and heavier suspension in general.

Good luck with your decision. A guy I work with just picked up a new '13 Duramax Crew LTZ Z71 with the 20" forged wheels. He only bought it because his family decided they wanted a 36' travel trailer to take out a handful of times a year. So they bought the truck last weekend and are still looking for the right travel trailer. I really wish I could some how justify one sitting in the garage.