Chevy/GMC 8.1 Or 6.0?

[No Regrets]

Who has either and what mileage are you really getting
4x4 only, thinkin about ditchin the duramax.
Thanks

[Daytona100]

You wont be happy with the 6.0 pretty gutless.

[sigepmock]

I agree. I had an 03 4x CC Short box with the 6.0L. Gutless and crappy milage. Ave 13 mpg, 8 mpg towing. Newer 6.0L might be a bit more powerful but the milage still sucks. You gotta remember it's only a 366 cu in motor in 3/4 ton truck.
What's wrong with the Dmax? I love mine and will never go back to a gasser, especially after owning that 6.0L.
Chris

[bohica]

I have an 04 Suburban 4x4 with the 8.1. Round trip to Lake Powell towing a Conquest Deck, I got 7.5 mpg. My non towing mileage is around 12-13.

[Kachina26]

GM tech here, drove plenty of 6.0's and I can sum 'em up in one word. GUTLESS!!!!!!!!!!! If you're gonna go gas, go 8.1. But I'm pretty sure the d max was better on fuel. I would stick with the max if I were you.

[Caribbean Jet]

I have a two buddies that have these trucks. Both are selling them to get the D MAX. The 6 liter thinks that his is gutless and the 8 liter wants the better gas mileage

[desertbird]

I shopped and shopped before deciding on the 8.1L for my HD.
Crew Cab, std bed. 2WD
I visited a lot of RV forums and every one gave a thumbs down to the 6.0, a big thumbs up to the 8.1 and a two thumbs up for the Diesel.
I chose the 8.1 with the Allison 6 speed, (consider nothing else but this transmission, it is a pleasure to drive behind). I do not have the tow requirements to justify the additional money for the diesel, and even with the gas prices today, I can buy a lot of gas for $6000 dollars.
To answer your question: I also have the Hypertech tune, 87 octane and get 8 to 10 city, 10 to 12 highway with a 2 inch lift and 33's. I have observed this under most all conditions, even towing. My boat is only a moderate load for the truck and I am sure it is less than 5500 lbs.
Something else to consider is that GM has scratched the 8.1L for '07 Suburban (if you're not looking at a truck)
Find PHOTOGLOU on the boards here. He is the resident Chevrolet guru, and has sold many of us a vehicle or two. :cool:

[No Regrets]

Thanks,
Was thinking of the 8.1 but wanted real mpg numbers. My D-Max 4 x 4 is only gettin 13-14. Torque- it is great. Raw HP- it blows. Passing at speed (70-80) is frickin sscary. Finding diesel pumps is slim and pumping that shit always greases you up.
I figured the mpg diff doesnt offset the extra money, especially when diesel price for the last 2 years hasnt been a real bargain.
Naturally, the minute I start thinkin about changin to gas, the price of diesel goes back down- Figures.
Those of you w/ 8.1 - does the A/c blow real cold in 110 while idling for extended period of time?. The dmax does but my 6.0 litre Denali always heatd up.
Thanks for the info-keep it comin.

[No Regrets]

I have an 04 Suburban 4x4 with the 8.1. Round trip to Lake Powell towing a Conquest Deck, I got 7.5 mpg. My non towing mileage is around 12-13.
Thats not far from the D-Max- WTF?

[No Regrets]

I shopped and shopped before deciding on the 8.1L for my HD.
Crew Cab, std bed. 2WD
I visited a lot of RV forums and every one gave a thumbs down to the 6.0, a big thumbs up to the 8.1 and a two thumbs up for the Diesel.
I chose the 8.1 with the Allison 6 speed, (consider nothing else but this transmission, it is a pleasure to drive behind). I do not have the tow requirements to justify the additional money for the diesel, and even with the gas prices today, I can buy a lot of gas for $6000 dollars.
To answer your question: I also have the Hypertech tune, 87 octane and get 8 to 10 city, 10 to 12 highway with a 2 inch lift and 33's. I have observed this under most all conditions, even towing. My boat is only a moderate load for the truck and I am sure it is less than 5500 lbs.
Something else to consider is that GM has scratched the 8.1L for '07 Suburban (if you're not looking at a truck)
Find PHOTOGLOU on the boards here. He is the resident Chevrolet guru, and has sold many of us a vehicle or two. :cool:
Does the 2WD spin at all on the ramp?

[Beer-30]

Thats not far from the D-Max- WTF?
I have personally seen a Dmax 4wd CC short bed 2500 fill up with 21 gallons at the 425 mile mark. That was empty with tailgate down. You do the math.
Now, I have personally drove that Dmax with a 21' Malibu behind it and saw 7.8 at 70 mph. Went to 8.8 at 60-65.
My '98 7.4 Vortec dually gets just shy of 12 (around 11.8) tailgate down on the freeway. About 11 with the tailgate up / freeway. And about 8.5-9 around town. About 7.5-8 towing. That's about all you could expect from an 8.1.
Where the Dmax will pay off is if you do alot of freeway driving.

[Beer-30]

Does the 2WD spin at all on the ramp?
My dually only does if I goose it. Have been on several ramps including Windsor South along that west wall where the stand/debris piles up. Spun just a little and then pulled the 8500 lb load out of the water. Have been launching boats since '99 and have never needed a pull.

[goneboatin]

Thanks,
Was thinking of the 8.1 but wanted real mpg numbers. My D-Max 4 x 4 is only gettin 13-14. Torque- it is great. Raw HP- it blows. Passing at speed (70-80) is frickin sscary.
Have you considered a Banks kit or an Edge unit? Those items are considerably less than a new truck. And either one of those would seriously wake that Dmax up.
BTW: You don't have a 6.2 or 6.5 Dmax do you? If you do than I understand your disappointment.

[No Regrets]

I have the 05 LLY? I think.

[78 challenger]

Another thing to think about is a gas motor will not last as long as a diesel. Gas motor gives 3 year 36,000 mile warranty, d max is standard 5 year 100,000 there is reason for that. I just bought the new gmc crew cab 4x4 short bed with d-max 360 hp and 650 ft lb. I have 1200 miles on the truck and went to Laughling last weekend. Towing a 24 ft Eliminator Daytona I got 11 mpg. I get 15.5 around town, and 18.5 not towing on frwy. I am told the milage gets better as the motor breaks in, not sure how true that is though.

[2Driver]

Big difference over the 5.3 and regular 6.0. Not an 8.1 for sure but I am only towing 5500-6000. Tow cap is 10,000 Lbs. I wanted as much power without the 3/4 ton ride.
Votecmax is new for 06 with an alum block high compression it puts out 345 HP and 385 Lbs torque vs the stock 6.0. With the 4:10 it is great. It came stock with the HD tranny as well. I drive it to Parker pulling in OD and it doesn't downshift and will run 70 towing all day. Mine is the 4x4.
MPG with a Tonneau Hwy 18-19 Towing 12
Around town 16-16.5
Was towing prior with a 5.3 Avalanche and it's day and night and then some
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/506/3347DCP_0478.JPG

[77charger]

Another thing to think about is a gas motor will not last as long as a diesel. Gas motor gives 3 year 36,000 mile warranty, d max is standard 5 year 100,000 there is reason for that. I just bought the new gmc crew cab 4x4 short bed with d-max 360 hp and 650 ft lb. I have 1200 miles on the truck and went to Laughling last weekend. Towing a 24 ft Eliminator Daytona I got 11 mpg. I get 15.5 around town, and 18.5 not towing on frwy. I am told the milage gets better as the motor breaks in, not sure how true that is though.
There both rated as 200k motors from gm!Besides who keeps thier trucks that long these days.My brother just got an 04 d max and so far its first trip it overheated towing a 21 ft toyhauler to glamis over the 8 and on the way back from powell he said it it went into limp mode climbing the hills it has 70k on it.
as for the 6.0 i have one it does fine with the boat can get 11 with it and everyday avg is 13.5 (4x4 ex cabsb 4.10 gears) but with 21ft toyhauler fully loaded near 7500# mpg drops way off any headwinds it goes to 6-7 and very gutless IMO no winds 7-9 and 65-70 comfy 50 on the steep hills at 4k

[hondajoey]

I have a 2001 GMC 4x4 Dually with the 8.1 & allison and it has 125000 miles on it and it has been a great truck, you need to install a catback exhaust and K&N intake. i live in Phx area and drive all over and tow with it i get about 12-14 on the highway and 10-12 when towing (you have to keep you foot out of it) 55-60 and it will flat out pull the 6.0LChevy and my ac is colder than ice. it is alot colder than my wifes 01 with a 5.3. if you want a gas motor and still want to tow that is a good motor

[Jeanyus]

Go with the gas motor, loose the smoke belching,stinking rattle bomb deisel.
Diesels are for farm equipment. If you are getting 20 MPG out of a full size 3/4 ton truck, you are stoned.
Diesel engines last longer?
300,000 miles on a 7.4, engine has never been touched, still runs strong.
How many more miles are you going to get out of a duramax?
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/58591991.jpg
I got a 2006 6.0 Vortec Max 350 horsepower,all stock, It will run away from a stock duramax. It gets 15 MPG combined. The Duramax package costs $6,000. How long will it take you to save $6,000 in fuel, if your geting a couple MPG more, it will take 10 - 15 years.
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/5859torsion_keys.jpg
I had a diesel ounce, never again.
If you have a big heavy boat or trailer, you don't have a choice, the 6.0 lacks towing power, but it pulls my jet boat with no effort.
Diesel guys I'm just teasing so don't get all bent out of shape. :rollside: :)

[springerpete]

I'm jumpin in here. Keep the duramax put a 4 inch exhaust on it and a free flowing intake and filter (AFE). This will wake up your engine and let it breathe. Duranaxes are detuned off the lot for a number of reasons (liability).
My duramax gets 20-22 mpg unloaded at 75-80mph. I pull a 36ft toyhauler and get 10-11 mpg but have all the power I need. I also pull a 24ft carhauler enclosed and still get 13mpg. I also have an Edge Attitude stacked on a Diablo 60 hp program. I only use the Edge when I'm playing with punk kids in "hotrods".
As for the smell. put a pair of glove in the door pocket for when you fill up.

[STINGER]

We use a 2006 2500 HD 4 door 4x4 with the 8.1...it gets about 9 towing and about 11 empty.
But I love it...especially with the Allision shifting thru the gears.
Now our friend has the 2006 duramax, and he really likes the power it has.

[Jeanyus]

A Toyota truck with a 4 cylinder engine, and 5 speed manual transmission gets about 22 MPG.
If your getting 22 MPG out of a full size truck, then I have a couple books I would like to recomend.
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/7350000/7355632.gif
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/10420000/10423646.gif
I can drive my truck to the top of the summit turn around and head downhill, reset the gas milage, and drive downhill at 55 mph, and it shows I'm getting 20 MPG, that doesn't mean the truck get 20 MPG.

[springerpete]

If you are a Jeanyus then you understand power to weight ratio. The HD GMC that I drive is entirely overpowered (torque) compared to other vehicles that are on the road. Therefore the motor does not have to work as hard to move the pickup. This is the 4th diesel pickup that I have had and they all got good fuel mileage. The trick to making them get that is letting them breathe. All of my trucks did not get that number stock(16-18mmpg), but I did not say my truck was stock.
There are not any mountains close to where I live it is mostly flat and rolling hills. I drove this truck yesterday for 300 miles on the highway and got 22mpg. I know to divide miles driven by the gallons used. If gas motors were a great idea for mileage they would put them in Peterbuilts.

[dossangers]

Ive had 2 8.1's 3'' dual flowmaters k n filter s 6'' lift 35's nothing like em! 10 mpg on a good day tows like a mutha and the sound going thru the gears NO SMELL NO VIBRATION!! and the 6k savings ill buy alot of gas!!

[SoCalHD]

I have the 6.0 gas motor in my 2500HD. Every time I tow my boat I am wishing the entire drive that I had that 8.1 or the diesel......and my 6.0 is even Supercharged!!!!! Repeat after me, there is no replacement for displacement!!!!LOL

[bohica]

If you are a Jeanyus then you understand power to weight ratio.
Hmmm, you must not be a genius. Sorry but that just had me laughing my ass off.

[No Regrets]

Any 8.1 A/c issues in Hvasu style heat- idling in 115?

[CampbellCarl]

Still driving and loving my '01 HD2500 2wd ,8.1 with allison 5spd and 80k miles. Never had temp guage go over 200 with AC on sitting in DILLIGAF's favorite launchramp (KathLand). A little slip sometimes out of ramp with boat but never towed. Mileage, 14 to and from river not towing, running 80mph and about 8-10 mpg towing 7-8k lbs. Never a break down, no warranty work ever on motor. I also did the calcs when buying in '01 and figured breakeven on the duramax surcharge would be around 100k miles.
My .02$
Carl

[springerpete]

My point is that you already sprung for the duramax. Your going to pay up if you trade. Just do a little work to the truck and allow it to show you its potential.
As far as the break even mark between the 8.1 and the duramax mine is going to be a little shorter. I bought my truck to work and it has spent at least 50% of its time hooked to one kind of trailer or another. The fuel savings empty to empty is not that great. You are right that you would have to drive alot of miles to make that pay. But when you hook those same two trucks to a 5-10k lbs trailer that is when the duramax is in its element. I'm not suggesting that the 8.1 doesn't have the power but with a load the mpg goes in the toilet.
Read my post and then read the post of the guy with big blocks. They put exhaust and filters on their 8.1. Why did they do that; for mileage and power. Why would you not do the same for your diesel.
The 4 inch exhaust also helps to cool the intake charge and the egts. Allowing the diesel to be more efficient.
Apples to apples.
And I know what you are thinking "This guy is an ass and a know-it-all" Thank you in advance.

[Jeanyus]

Sounds like GM is missing out on marketing thier diesel trucks. They could say "this truck has a 14,000 pound towing capacity, and gets the same MPG as a mini import pickup" Of couse they would get sued cause it's not true.
No one thinks your an ass, you just have a problem with math. :rollside:

[springerpete]

Who wants to lower themselves to be compared to an import?

[Jeanyus]

Who wants to lower themselves to be compared to an import?
You realize that the engine in your Chevy is made in Japan.

[springerpete]

It is an Isuzu engine. I know that. It is a global market. Toyotas, Nissan, and Hondas are assembled in the US. Now your just grasping at straws to win a disagreement.
GM has had ongoing relationship with Isuzu for more than 30 yrs. Chrysler is now owned by Daimler-Benz. Ford Motor Co. has Yamaha engines in them. Harleys have Japanese front ends on them and a Porsche designed enginge in their VRod. Ford also owns Jaguar.
What's your point? Are you wanting to sell me your so-called 400,000mile truck?

[No Regrets]

[QUOTE=springerpete]My point is that you already sprung for the duramax. Your going to pay up if you trade. Just do a little work to the truck and allow it to show you its potential.
QUOTE]
Actually, selling the dmax outright & buying a new 8.1 isnt that big a hit-especially w/ 0% for 60 right now-Payments stay the same.
Im having a hard time droppin another 2k to make a truck "wake up" that cost 4-5k more to begin with.

[No Regrets]

Still driving and loving my '01 HD2500 2wd ,8.1 with allison 5spd and 80k miles. Never had temp guage go over 200 with AC on sitting in DILLIGAF's favorite launchramp (KathLand). A little slip sometimes out of ramp with boat but never towed. Mileage, 14 to and from river not towing, running 80mph and about 8-10 mpg towing 7-8k lbs. Never a break down, no warranty work ever on motor. I also did the calcs when buying in '01 and figured breakeven on the duramax surcharge would be around 100k miles.
My .02$
Carl
Thats what I thought- Who wants to buy an 05 Duramax?

[springerpete]

I hope that you will be happy with your new truck. No sarcasm implied.
Sorry about hijacking your thread with a stupid off topic argument.

[don johnson]

For what its worth I posted the below test results a year back on the mod's I made to my 8.1 Suburban. Here were my findings;
Test- 2005 Suburban 4 x 4 8.1L
Stock= 262 HP and 386 ft lbs torque at the rear tires
Added Gibson Shorty headers and cat back= 14 HP and 27 Ft lbs of torque increase
Added Volant Cold Air Induction= 6 HP and 9 ft lbs torque increase
Added Westers tuned computer= 56 HP and 63 ft lbs of torque increase
In total picked up 76 HP and 99 Ft Lbs which maxed at 338 HP and 485 Ft lbs at the rear tires
The Westers tune was by far the biggest add on. Lyndon Westers custom programmed my computer in 4 days and the tune was set up to compliment the headers and cold air. A huge plus of the Westers is the reprogramming reduces the torque management and removes the speed limiter.
The Westers tune was a huge improvement. The car passes with ease without downshift now and is simply a lot more fun to drive. It now drives like an 496 CI motor should.
For the hell of it I also dyno'ed an Hypertech handheld reprogrammer to compare a handheld/ flash reprogrammer to the Westers custom tune and can tell you that the Hypertech sucks by comparison! The Hypertech did pick up 17 HP and 24 ft lbs of torque. However, not even close to the Westers... Both tunes were set to run on 91 octane.
I am currently getting 10-11 MPG on the HWY but I drive with a heavy foot.

[WannabeRacing]

The 8.1 with the Allison is a great option.
But before you go get a new truck, spend just a few bucks to spice up your truck and see how it goes.
Airaid intake system $229
Hypertech programmer $289
Put those two things on and see if it does not give you the better mileage and performance you are looking for. Now it can't make your fill-ups stink less, (But you could do the gloves.) It can't make more green handled pumps pop up in town.
But what it can do is
17.2 mpg. Run 15's @ 87mph in the quarter mile with the air on, and full of tools and passengers. And tow way better than it could stock. And if you do not believe these numbers, please come ride with me and you do the math.
http://www.buzzzmiller.com/truck set.jpg
If you like what you see after these small upgrades, then you can run the new exhaust, and the higher priced upgrades. If you don't, you can get more in resale for having these already installed.

[Jeanyus]

Go with the 8.1 you wont regret it. Chevy has had great succes with the cast iron big block which has lasted for over 35 years.
Plus you won't be embarassed when somone asks what kind of engine your running.
Isuzus are made in Japan and the are not chevy motors, reguardless of who owns stock in what company.

[565edge]

I have a crew cab hd with the allison 8.1 combo.It was a turd when I bought it.I installed a cat back exhaust and a volant air intake with a westers garage computer.The truck is night and day difference.I have friends with duramaxs and powerstroke that shit themselves when I pull out and pass them up grades pulling the same wieght.Truck will get 12 mpg on the highway and roughly 9 mpg in town.It pulls like a raped ape.I have a 02 and wish it had the newer 6 speed paddle shift on the wheel.This truck will out run a chiped duramax and it out ran my buddies 6.0 powerstroke.Im happy with it.

[No Regrets]

Looks like I might have to wait for one of these
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/458sie4.jpg

[blackcloud75]

Good=8.1L
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/1453100_0837.JPG
Bad=6.0L
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/1453MVC-001F-med.JPG

[77hallett]

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/7733/01513ka5.jpg
8.1L all the way! Takes me from phoenix to havasu with my 77hallett on 3/4 tank of gas.

[77hallett]

Any 8.1 A/c issues in Hvasu style heat- idling in 115?
NOPE! not for me anyway.

[hairysituation]

This truck will out run a chiped duramax and it out ran my buddies 6.0 powerstroke.Im happy with it.[/QUOTE]
I would like to see you try to out run my chiped dmax.I had a 8.1 I thought it was awsome untill I got my dmax. For how big the 8.1 is it should have way more power it doesn't even come close to the diesel in power.A $6000.00 dollar option for the diesel is well worth the money for the ability to out pull a gutless gas guzzling 8.1. Pulling a 30ft toy hauler my 8.1 got 7.5 mi to the gal and my dmax gets 12 mi hauling ass.

[Jeanyus]

This truck will out run a chiped duramax and it out ran my buddies 6.0 powerstroke.Im happy with it.
I would like to see you try to out run my chiped dmax.I had a 8.1 I thought it was awsome untill I got my dmax. For how big the 8.1 is it should have way more power it doesn't even come close to the diesel in power.A $6000.00 dollar option for the diesel is well worth the money for the ability to out pull a gutless gas guzzling 8.1. Pulling a 30ft toy hauler my 8.1 got 7.5 mi to the gal and my dmax gets 12 mi hauling ass.[/QUOTE]
Post up that challange on this website http://www.performancetrucks.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=139
If I was you I would pick on the 4.8 or 5.3 engines, but even they will make your Isuzu look silly.

[hairysituation]

Lets put a 10000 pound trailer behind one of those trucks and see how far they get.I didn't by my crew cab long bed 4x4 to go 1/4 mile racing its for pulling and out pull an 8.1 it will.

[stillgoin]

I went round and round on what to buy, I finally got the DMax. I justified the extra $ on the dmax in the gas savings.
Cant write out.
take 15k/ 12mpg=1250*$2.90=$3625/ yr.
take 15k/ 16mpg=2906*$3.10=$2906/ yr.
a difference $719/ yr savings on Dmax
X 5yr loan= $3595 savings.
I took that difference and justified spending more up front. I was looking at the 6.0. That's 3xs the truck with the Dmax. Take that 3600 + 2k and you come out pretty good. Plus the Dmax should last a whole lot longer.
Maybe this is how I talked myself into it, doesn't mean it's right.
But on my first tank, the computer came in under the mpg. It said 17.3, I calculated 17.97, and was still having fun with the power...a ton more than my old 5.7L.

[Brewzed]

You have to go D-Max. The '06 Allision tranny is bad ass. they are night and day to the '05s I get 14 mpg with 38's. My father in-law averages 21 mpg with his.

[springerpete]

Post up that challange on this website http://www.performancetrucks.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=139
If I was you I would pick on the 4.8 or 5.3 engines, but even they will make your Isuzu look silly.[/QUOTE]
I checked that website. Here's the results. The first Dmax was in the 12's with nitrous @ number 29 on the list. The second Dmax was in the 12's also @ number 31. The first 8.1 doesn't show up until number 41 then number 96.
There is however a Subaru with a 2.5 liter that was at number 51. I'm sure he pulls a travel trailer.
"you can fix ugly but you can't fix stupid" Ron White
"Arguing with some people is like wrestling with a pig in the mud. Sooner or later you realize the pig likes it!" Jeff Bute

[Jeanyus]

This truck will out run a chiped duramax and it out ran my buddies 6.0 powerstroke.Im happy with it.
I would like to see you try to out run my chiped dmax.I had a 8.1 I thought it was awsome untill I got my dmax. For how big the 8.1 is it should have way more power it doesn't even come close to the diesel in power.A $6000.00 dollar option for the diesel is well worth the money for the ability to out pull a gutless gas guzzling 8.1. Pulling a 30ft toy hauler my 8.1 got 7.5 mi to the gal and my dmax gets 12 mi hauling ass.[/QUOTE]
In this post I thought you were talking about racing, guess you were blowing smoke (pun intended). Nice backpedal job.
I tried to talk myself into the Duramax, but couldent get past the Isuzu part. I asked my Uncle (who is the sevice manager at a Chevy dealer) "shuold I buy one of those Isuzu's" after he got done laughing, he said "no !" Why doesn't Chevy put Isuzu on the side of the truck,Dodge is not ashamed to put Cummins on the side of thier trucks.
Have fun driving your Isuzus. I think they should call it an IsuzuMax. Except most Chevy guys won't buy anything with Isuzu on it.
Hop sing, One Hung Low, and Ching Shing Fong, love you for paying $6,000 for thier junk motors.

[springerpete]

Who has either and what mileage are you really getting
4x4 only, thinkin about ditchin the duramax.
Thanks
This is the first post. This is what the thread is about.

[Jeanyus]

Post up that challange on this website http://www.performancetrucks.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=139
If I was you I would pick on the 4.8 or 5.3 engines, but even they will make your Isuzu look silly.
I checked that website. Here's the results. The first Dmax was in the 12's with nitrous @ number 29 on the list. The second Dmax was in the 12's also @ number 31. The first 8.1 doesn't show up until number 41 then number 96.
There is however a Subaru with a 2.5 liter that was at number 51. I'm sure he pulls a travel trailer.
"you can fix ugly but you can't fix stupid" Ron White
"Arguing with some people is like wrestling with a pig in the mud. Sooner or later you realize the pig likes it!" Jeff Bute[/QUOTE]
Then why did you post this? Mr perfect, go drive your Isuzu

[hairysituation]

So when GM and Ford sell out to Japan in the next couple of years cause they are going broke what are you going to drive then? You can't hang on to that little chevy forever you are going to have to buy a new truck in the future some time.

[stillgoin]

Mileage-
2006 Dmax, CC, SB, 4X4, HD 2500
One tank down, no towing 17.97 mpg

[78 challenger]

Go with the gas motor, loose the smoke belching,stinking rattle bomb deisel.
Diesels are for farm equipment. If you are getting 20 MPG out of a full size 3/4 ton truck, you are stoned.
Diesel engines last longer?
300,000 miles on a 7.4, engine has never been touched, still runs strong.
How many more miles are you going to get out of a duramax?
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/58591991.jpg
I got a 2006 6.0 Vortec Max 350 horsepower,all stock, It will run away from a stock duramax. It gets 15 MPG combined. The Duramax package costs $6,000. How long will it take you to save $6,000 in fuel, if your geting a couple MPG more, it will take 10 - 15 years.
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/5859torsion_keys.jpg
I had a diesel ounce, never again.
If you have a big heavy boat or trailer, you don't have a choice, the 6.0 lacks towing power, but it pulls my jet boat with no effort.
Diesel guys I'm just teasing so don't get all bent out of shape. :rollside: :)
It wouldn't walk away from mine I can promise you that(it is stock also). Your 6.0 would not even tow my toy hauler.

[Brewzed]

Mileage-
2006 Dmax, CC, SB, 4X4, HD 2500
One tank down, no towing 17.97 mpg
mileage gets better as they break in. I have 10K on mine and it has gotten a little better. My father-in-law said he noticed a difference around 20K

[Jeanyus]

Made in Fujisawa Japan. Enough said.

[LOWRIVER2]

If gas, go with the 8.1. I had an 01 2wd lifted GMC CC 2500 with Gibson exhaust/K&N that helped but it had no power towing anything up a grade.
I went diesel this year and started pulling 13k trailers around. I think an 8.1 /Allison would be fine if you only use it for trips. The gas mileage is something to consider if you do any commuting. And if you tow over 8k lbs., you are really limiting yourself with any gas powered vehicle. Diesels are for farms and TORQUE. If you tow under 8k, gas is fine but leave the heavy loads for diesels. It's no science that those who used diesel F650's and top kicks to tow skid steers ten years ago are now towing the same loads with 3/4 or 1 ton diesel pickups.
As for the Izuzu, hey, ford owns Land Rover as well. I was wary of the Izuzu as well until I found out it's been powering the thousands of medium duty delivery trucks in all the cities for some time.
It's like anything else, figure out exactly what you want from a truck and buy accordingly to your likes and your pocketbook. Anyone who has'nt driven an LBZ / 6speed allison is out of the loop on the status of Dmax engines. There is a difference over the LLY's.