Chevrolet 2500 HD 8.1 litre performance

[Lineman North Florida]

I'm looking at upgrading to a 3/4 ton pickup to pull my 20' bumper pull equipment trailer which the heaviest thing I haul is a 40 hp compact utility tractor with loader and 6' bush hog mower, but it is a real load on my 1/2 ton truck. I have been looking at 2000-2004 models with the 6.0 litre and 8.1 litre gas engines and was wondering how much worse is the fuel economy on the 8.1 over the 6.0 litre? I was just hoping that some of you who have or do own one or have first hand knowledge may be willing to shed some light on these models good or bad. Thanks in advance for any information.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I'm looking at upgrading to a 3/4 ton pickup to pull my 20' bumper pull equipment trailer which the heaviest thing I haul is a 40 hp compact utility tractor with loader and 6' bush hog mower, but it is a real load on my 1/2 ton truck. I have been looking at 2000-2004 models with the 6.0 litre and 8.1 litre gas engines and was wondering how much worse is the fuel economy on the 8.1 over the 6.0 litre? I was just hoping that some of you who have or do own one or have first hand knowledge may be willing to shed some light on these models good or bad. Thanks in advance for any information.

Do some research on both motors. Both will do what you want. The 6.0 is pretty much bullet proof but in that era down on power. The 8.1 has the power but has its issues like oil useage. The good news with the 8.1 is you can get a Allison as a option. It was a option so watch closely. It was not available behind the 6.0


The guys I know with 6.0 motors of that era see 8 mpg average towing, 10 day to day, and 13 on the highway. The 8.1 is thirsty. They get 6 towing, 8 around town, and 10 on the highway.

Chris

 

[GGB]

I just bought a used 2002 2500HD with the 8.1. and Allison transmission for our farm to pull our 5th wheel trailers but haven't had a chance to use it yet, so will be interested to here from others about their mileage.

Thankfully in our case I'm not too worried about mileage, especially after considering how much I saved over the cost of a diesel-that will buy a lot of fuel. We tried to find a nice used diesel, but decided to buy another tractor with the money we saved by going with the 8.1.

 

[brain55]

Chris is about right with the mileage numbers for those engines. We were seeing about 9 mpg towing 10k lbs with the 6.0 in our 2004's. My personal 2001 1-ton dually with the 8.1 and Allison got 6 mpg towing 10k, 8-9 average, and 12 strictly on the highway. My 8.1 used 2 quarts of oil every 3000 miles from the day it rolled off the lot.

Brian

 

[Wakey]

I have a '96 Dodge Ram 3500 with an 8 Liter V-10 Magnum and it gets 8 miles to the gallon on a good day. TON of pull though.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I guess I should have asked about the Ford Super Duty's in the 2000-2004 era with the 5.4 gas engines as well while I was asking because I haven't ruled one of those out either. My 1992 Chevrolet 1500 with the 350 motor has plenty of power to pull my trailer but it doesn't have the suspension, thank's for the info on the Chevy 2500's.

 

[ericher69]

I guess I should have asked about the Ford Super Duty's in the 2000-2004 era with the 5.4 gas engines as well while I was asking because I haven't ruled one of those out either. My 1992 Chevrolet 1500 with the 350 motor has plenty of power to pull my trailer but it doesn't have the suspension, thank's for the info on the Chevy 2500's.

Stay away from the superduty 5.4 combo. The 5.4 has a hard time getting an F150 to roll never mind a much heavier truck!

 

[Diamondpilot]

Stay away from the superduty 5.4 combo. The 5.4 has a hard time getting an F150 to roll never mind a much heavier truck!

I agree. The 5.4 is OK in a F150 with 3.73 gears but should have never been put in a Super Duty. Look at a 05 or newer V10. Power house and in 05 they put the torque shift tranny from the diesel behind it along with coil front end and a major increase in HP and TQ.

My uncle has had 3. All F350 SRW 4x4. 12 mpg all day long and 8 towing. He has had one with 3.73 gears, one with 4.10's, and his current has 4.30's. All got the same mpg. All trouble free and are plow trucks. He tows 25,000# with the last two without hesitation.

Chris

 

[brain55]

I guess I should have asked about the Ford Super Duty's in the 2000-2004 era with the 5.4 gas engines as well while I was asking because I haven't ruled one of those out either. My 1992 Chevrolet 1500 with the 350 motor has plenty of power to pull my trailer but it doesn't have the suspension, thank's for the info on the Chevy 2500's.

We had the F250's with the 5.4's in the fleet I was in charge of. Trust me, you'll be much happier with the GM products.

Brian

 

[buickanddeere]

The Chev 8.1 was not their proudest achievement. Stick with 5.3,6,0 or 6.2 .