High Milage Engine Question

[RogerThat99]

I am looking for am inexpensive 3/4 ton truck with a gas engine. I will probably buy something with about 200,000 miles.

Which engine is a better high miles engine? Which one tows better?

Dodge 5.7L Hemi
Chevy / GMC 6.0L or 8.1L
Ford 5.4L

The truck will just be an extra car for dump runs, camping, and towing the boat.

Thanks.

RT99

 

[RodnJen]

There have been several threads on here about 2500HD's with the 6.0 gasser with really high mileage. I sold mine with 127k on it and I had zero engine or trans issues. I needed more passenger space or I would have never parted with it.

 

[Ibeplumbing]

I'd say hands down the Chevy. It will probably last the longest, have the most power and probably the cheapest to repair/replace. The hemi would be second for me. The ford is a turd

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I'd say hands down the Chevy. It will probably last the longest, have the most power and probably the cheapest to repair/replace. The hemi would be second for me. The ford is a turd

I completely agree with this. Add to that, the Chevy trans would be either the 4L80 or the 6 speed equivalent and both are FANTASTIC transmissions that are proven to hold up extremely well behind that engine.

 

[Bigbore500r]

The answer is Chevy 6.0. And if you ever need to swap the motor or the 4l80 Trans out its easy and cheap

 

[JordanDangerfield]

I tour in a band and our old van was still running strong when we sold it with 480,000 mi on it. Chevy Express 15 Passenger with the 6.0 in it.

 

[Tahoe540]

My GMC has 200k on its 6.0 and pretty much only tow a large travel trailer, boat and drag car. I recently got a tuned computer around 190,000 and wow it really perked it up and tows better then it ever has.

 

[spectra3279]

I just bought a mercedes with 200k on it . Runs great. Just a few issues with stuff like headliner falling. Paid 400 for it. If it lasts me 6 months, I've got my money out of it

 

[Constant840]

My 2008 Ram 1500 5.7 hemi has 198k on the odometer. With the exception of chronic exhaust leaks, a leaky pinion seal and THREE transmissions its been great. Have had zero engine trouble.
In all fairness the second transmission failed within minutes of leaving the dealership... pretty sure it wasn't assembled correctly.

 

[Dkahnjob]

I'm a Ford guy, but that said, don't buy a high milage Ford with the 5.4 unless it has a new engine. You are likley to have timing chain or timing chain tensioner issues with the Ford.

 

[Rsqfxr]

2005 yukon denali 6.0 260k miles original engine and trans, no major issues, pulls my 25 advantage citation from eastvale to havasu

 

[bobbytheboozer]

I have a 06 2500hd gas chevy. 6L gas with 4L80 trans. I love it. 110k on the clock and it's running like a champ. Threw a Edge Cts 2 evo tuner on it from my friends shop (Ace Motorsports in upland, shameless plug lol) and I'm 110% loving the hell out of my truck.

 

[SBMech]

6.0L Chevy all the way.

 

[77charger]

Im a loyal chevy guy and the 6.0 is a great engine may not be the most powerful but will run for a long time.I had an 05 3500 12ft flatbed for a work truck oil changed every 7-8k with store brand oil from pep boys and filters.

I drove it hard at times but it went 335k before it finally gave out was losing oil pressure may have been the oil pump since it would start low oil pressure when cold and increase as it warmed up was like this for the last 15k miles i had it.My personal truck is an 04 ex cab short bed 4x4 it has 172k on it and i strictly use it for river or glamis so it is basically loaded and towing these days i just had the trans rebuilt it had no issues but i didnt want any on the road either.truck rides and drives good i only put about 10k a year on it.

My current work truck is a 2013 same engine but it has the 6 speed trans and is a better combo feels like more power but i bet it has to do with 6 speeds vs 4 too.it has 118k on it now.I wouldnt hesitate to buy a 6.0 chevy with 200k if you only plan to use it for occasional use.

 

[PlumLoco]

I have owned four Dodge Ram 4x4's (a 1977, 1986, 1997, and currently a 2007). All had the biggest gas motor offered. The first 3 all went over 250K with zero tranny issues and one needed a water pump, one other needed an alternator. The current one is at 160K with zero issues. It had a leaking pinion seal and two axle seals at 80K and were replaced for free under the lifetime powertrain warranty. I can't remember any other manufacturer even willing to offer one. I just have to have major maintenance work done at the dealer to keep it in play. Basically that has just meant lube changes in axles, transaxle, and transmission. Mother Mopar has always treated me very well.

 

[Bigbore500r]

Im a loyal chevy guy and the 6.0 is a great engine may not be the most powerful but will run for a long time.I had an 05 3500 12ft flatbed for a work truck oil changed every 7-8k with store brand oil from pep boys and filters.

I drove it hard at times but it went 335k before it finally gave out was losing oil pressure may have been the oil pump since it would start low oil pressure when cold and increase as it warmed up was like this for the last 15k miles i had it.My personal truck is an 04 ex cab short bed 4x4 it has 172k on it and i strictly use it for river or glamis so it is basically loaded and towing these days i just had the trans rebuilt it had no issues but i didnt want any on the road either.truck rides and drives good i only put about 10k a year on it.

My current work truck is a 2013 same engine but it has the 6 speed trans and is a better combo feels like more power but i bet it has to do with 6 speeds vs 4 too.it has 118k on it now.I wouldnt hesitate to buy a 6.0 chevy with 200k if you only plan to use it for occasional use.

Low oil pressure when cold that increases when it gets warm is due to the oil pickup O-ring failure. It is too hard to suck the cold oil with air leaking past the O-ring, so it sucks air instead and the oil pressure drops. As oil heats up it is able to draw it in easier and it eventually is thin enough to fully prime and the pressure climbs close to normal

You have to drop the pan to fix it. Super easy on a 2wd. The 4wd is a bit more work

 

[77charger]

Low oil pressure when cold that increases when it gets warm is due to the oil pickup O-ring failure. It is too hard to suck the cold oil with air leaking past the O-ring, so it sucks air instead and the oil pressure drops. As oil heats up it is able to draw it in easier and it eventually is thin enough to fully prime and the pressure climbs close to normal

You have to drop the pan to fix it. Super easy on a 2wd. The 4wd is a bit more work

Yeh thats what a mechanic suspected but by that time for my boss it came down to cost vs value of truck.So ended up with a new smaller truck i had wanted for a while.Its hard to sel a used truck thats been used for 8 years of hot mopping.

 

[Inland Air Balance]

We have a 05 dodge with hemi that's got 311k on original engine and trans. Still runs strong. Normal failures, radiator, hoses and misc stuff no major issues. No real complaints though.
Your results may vary...

 

[RogerThat99]

Thanks for all the replies. Ford is out. I am leaning get to GM. Although I drove a really nice Dodge yesterday.

I think I will end up with a Chevy or GMC.

 

[FreeBird236]

Another advantage to some of those GM trucks is they almost never need brakes. My buddy has 273,000 on an 05 and has never done the brakes.

 

[port austin pirate]

Thanks for all the replies. Ford is out. I am leaning get to GM. Although I drove a really nice Dodge yesterday.

I think I will end up with a Chevy or GMC.

Scott, dont rule out a chevy 4 fwd with a 5.3 I pulled my 29 home from Escalon with a 2002 extra cab 2whl with tow pkg pulled it fine two wheel on ramps doesnt get, but the 5.3 had plenty of power and they increased hp in later models, also 5.3 was a much better eng for fuel economy than the early 6.0s good luck in your search, hope this helps Bill

 

[Bigbore500r]

Another advantage to some of those GM trucks is they almost never need brakes. My buddy has 273,000 on an 05 and has never done the brakes.

Yep! I have had 3 with over 150k on the original pads. Makes you wonder where other MFG's go wrong. Or they want to sell brake pads and GM is dumb! Lol

 

[SBMech]

The factory Akebono shit was incredibly long lasting for a few years, like 02 to 07-8 I believe. Great trucks! :thumbsup

 

[RogerThat99]

What about an 8.1L with 185,000 on it? I have heard some bad things about the 8.1L.

 

[mjc]

What about an 8.1L with 185,000 on it? I have heard some bad things about the 8.1L.

Nothing wrong with the 8.1. Mine is an 03 with 89k has a little piston slap when cold for a few minutes put just keeps on working. Only gets 9 towing the boat to Havasu
(29 footer lats thing I towed that far) but can get around 12 otherwise.

 

[RogerThat99]

Scott, dont rule out a chevy 4 fwd with a 5.3 I pulled my 29 home from Escalon with a 2002 extra cab 2whl with tow pkg pulled it fine two wheel on ramps doesnt get, but the 5.3 had plenty of power and they increased hp in later models, also 5.3 was a much better eng for fuel economy than the early 6.0s good luck in your search, hope this helps Bill

I almost bought a 2wd chevy 6.0L a few weeks ago. It sold before I made a decision. The next day, I had to use 4wd to get the boat out at Discovery Park. I tried several times, low gear, easy on the gas, and nothing worked, so I had to put it in 4WD. So I need a 4WD. I am not opposed to a 1/2 ton 5.3L, but I would prefer to get a 3/4 ton.

 

[Dettom]

I have an 02 Chevy 4 door with the 8.1 engine and 190,000 on the clock. I wish I was in a position to buy another truck and I could sell that one. Been a great truck but I have to hold onto to it for another year.

 

[Dettom]

What about an 8.1L with 185,000 on it? I have heard some bad things about the 8.1L.

I've never had any issues with mine. Replaced hoses pump and belts and had to replace the transfer case a couple years ago but that's it. 8.1 is a great motor but they only made it for two years. Shame too, because if you want a Chevy, your only choice is a 6.0 or the much more expensive diesel.

 

[glamis0812]

I've never had any issues with mine. Replaced hoses pump and belts and had to replace the transfer case a couple years ago but that's it. 8.1 is a great motor but they only made it for two years. Shame too, because if you want a Chevy, your only choice is a 6.0 or the much more expensive diesel.

The 8.1 was offered more then 2 yrs.

 

[mesquito_creek]

I have a 2005 chevy 6.0L gasser.... 156,000 miles.... All it has ever needed was the front end suspension/steering maintenance and u joints/intermediate carrier bearing on the drive shaft (its a long bed)... I drive it every day and twice a year I tow a 10K+ lbs boat about 40 miles for winter service. I was at the dealership sunday and almost traded it in on a new diesel truck, but I couldn't do it, best truck I have ever owned! Its only 135 buck to register it a year! Hahaha!

Like others mentioned... I replaced the brakes at 150K miles just becuase I thought it was time. They had tons of pad left and the rotors looked like new. I put 700 worth of OEM AC delco pads/rotors back on it. I will never need another brake job again....

 

[Bigbore500r]

I have a 2005 chevy 6.0L gasser.... 156,000 miles.... All it has ever needed was the front end suspension/steering maintenance and u joints/intermediate carrier bearing on the drive shaft (its a long bed)... I drive it every day and twice a year I tow a 10K+ lbs boat about 40 miles for winter service. I was at the dealership sunday and almost traded it in on a new diesel truck, but I couldn't do it, best truck I have ever owned! Its only 135 buck to register it a year! Hahaha!

Like others mentioned... I replaced the brakes at 150K miles just becuase I thought it was time. They had tons of pad left and the rotors looked like new. I put 700 worth of OEM AC delco pads/rotors back on it. I will never need another brake job again....

That's the way to do it! The factory stuff is made of magical stuff [emoji3].....stuff ford can't find and dodge doesn't want to look for

 

[Flying_Lavey]

That's the way to do it! The factory stuff is made of magical stuff [emoji3].....stuff ford can't find and dodge doesn't want to look for

Absolutely! Same magic dust Teague uses on their outdrives. Lol!!

 

[Dettom]

The 8.1 was offered more then 2 yrs.

I could be wrong. I read it somewhere on the internet so I figured it must be true...

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I could be wrong. I read it somewhere on the internet so I figured it must be true...

I'm fairly certain it was offered from either 99 or 2000 all the way through the '07 classic.

 

[glamis0812]

I believe it's 2000-2006

 

[RogerThat99]

What tuner are you guys using on the GM 6.0?

 

[Bigbore500r]

What tuner are you guys using on the GM 6.0?

I would stay away from the handheld "pre-canned" tuners (diablo, hypertech...etc). No gains and they do some questionable stuff to the timing tables when we looked some ECM's that had their tunes loaded.

There are some decent mail-order tuners, like Blackbear and wait4me.com . I would go that route before getting a handheld tuner. If you are just looking to change the tire size / speedo calibration, or remove the speed limiter, firm up the shifts - etc the handhelds are ok for that.

My current 2500HD i bought came with a superchips handheld. I tried the "mileage max" tune and lost 1mpg thumbsdown. I run the truck on the stock tune with 89 or 91 fuel, it automatically runs off of the high octane timing table once it realizes it can run more timing without detonation. I just use the superchips for the speedo cal and shift firmness