need truck help!

[atvnut22]

heres the deal. right now i have a lowered silverado, my truck will go no where in the snow, and it cant be used as a truck. i cant haul my fourwheeler or anything. well, papaw has offered to buy me another truck due to some reasons, and i will be selling mine to buy my mom another vehicles. heres the thing, i have a buddy with a 2010 sierra, crew cab 4x4 with power everything. it has 32000 miles and he is asking $23k. the only downfall is it has a 4.8 vortec. ive been known to not leave things stock. my question is, will the 4.8 handle a lift and 35s down the road, or should i keep looking for a 5.3 truck?

[TCracin440ex]

keep looking for a 5.3...the 4.8 is ok, but it sure aint no 5.3

far as the 4.8 handling the lift. well it can handle the lift and tires, but you will notice a loss in power due to larger tires. the 5.3 with stock gears will pull a 35 just fine. if you aim to do any kind of major hauling with 35s id recomend regearing to a 4.56 or 4.88 neways. IMO wait for a 5.3 ull be much happier

[fastredrider44]

If you're going to lift it, I'd say the 4.8 would be a deal breaker.

[atvnut22]

That's what I was afraid Of. It would definitley be a big difference going from my short bed single cab 5.3...

But with the price I didn't figure it would hurt to get some opinions.

[CJM]

Dont even bother, too small an engine. 5.3L aint that great either, Id look for a 6.0.

[HondaPohl]

Find a Diesel.

[atvnut22]

I have no need for anything bigger than a 1500. Theirfore, the 6.0 or diesel isn't an option. Sure, they would be nice, but I don't need it.

[CJM]

Funny thing is, the 5.3L just dont have enough power imho. I drove one, wasnt impressed, a 5.4L mod engined work van I drove had more balls than it.

Also the 6.0 can be found in the so called 1500 HD models and some others, not just the 3/4 ton and above trucks.

[HondaPohl]

The thing is that your better off lifting a 2500 than a 1500 Bigger axles better gearing more umhf. IMO. Unless your really just building it for looks and not offroad performace.

[atvnut22]

the truck will mainly be for looks. i mean im not going to take it mudding, but it will be used as i live on a farm and what not.

and for the 5.3 not having power, i beg to differ. my good friend has a 06 on 35s that has a diablo tuner, and intake. and it screams for a lifted truck.

[HondaPohl]

With the right gears you should be ok. With 35's you should actually run 4.56 gears and not 4.10 like most people think. I've ran 4.88 and 5.13 gears and actually did not run out gears. Worked great on a dodge.

[CJM]

If you say so.

Apples to oranges the 2500 will have better axles and suspension, be about the same price, able to haul/carry more if you ever need it and has the larger engine and gets the same mpg. Whats not to like? If your dead set on a 5.3L go for it, but if it were me Id want a 3/4 ton truck.

[brian76708]

Originally posted by CJM
Funny thing is, the 5.3L just dont have enough power imho. I drove one, wasnt impressed, a 5.4L mod engined work van I drove had more balls than it.

Also the 6.0 can be found in the so called 1500 HD models and some others, not just the 3/4 ton and above trucks.

There are so many factors that can make a vehicle "Feel faster" but truth of the matter is the chevy 5.3 and the ford 5.4 are very similar in Hp and trq.



Originally posted by CJM
If you say so.

Apples to oranges the 2500 will have better axles and suspension, be about the same price, able to haul/carry more if you ever need it and has the larger engine and gets the same mpg. Whats not to like? If your dead set on a 5.3L go for it, but if it were me Id want a 3/4 ton truck.

with the different gear ratios the 2500 will get worse mileage especially with the 6.0. Also the 6.0 drinks the fuel compared to the 5.3. As far as the 4.8 i personally would wait for a 5.3. There appears to be no need for a 2500 so why get one. IMO just get a 1500 5.3.

[HondaPohl]

Originally posted by CJM
If you say so.

Apples to oranges the 2500 will have better axles and suspension, be about the same price, able to haul/carry more if you ever need it and has the larger engine and gets the same mpg. Whats not to like? If your dead set on a 5.3L go for it, but if it were me Id want a 3/4 ton truck.

The 5.13's were a little steep. 4.88 did work great with an auto tranny with lockout.

[300ex_#387]

I had a 6.0L 2500HD on 35's and got 12 at best.

[HondaPohl]

I've built 4 lifted trucks. One dodge, one ford, one jeep and one chevy. Gas milege was never on mind when building them. The Bronco gets 6. The cummins got 14 with 38's and 4.88's. Not bad i guess considering.