Falcon

He guys, I'm looking at a 2007 GMC Crew Cab short bed with a DuraMax and I need some advice.

What things do I want on it that I'd kick my azz later for not getting?

Towing anywhere from a 24' (#9,000) to possibly a 30' ( ???). Can a 3:73 ratio handle that okay or does it have to be a 4:10? Can the short bed handle that okay? (I know the longer wheelbase is always nice)

Any other suggestions?

Kanmer

Get the allison tranny behind it. That is about all I can help you with. I still say you should just get a Toter-home and be done with it

Bob

wallyman424

nice upgrade. gm diesel trucks are where its at. its all about that allison tranny.

Falcon

From a little research, it appears as though the DuraMax is only available with the 3:73 ratio, so that removes that consideration.

autoxn

You'll love it. My 06 LBZ w/ an Edge Box Tows like a dream. Plus it get's 22+ miles to the gallon on the highway....The 3:73's will be just fine.

Mike "Junior" Johnson

wallyman424

BTW, GM announced that in 2009 they will offer a diesel in the suburban.

hopefully theyll put a decent transmission behind it.

Falcon

Got a link?

I've been hearing that every year.

wallyman424

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=116609

http://money.cnn.com/2006/08/25/auto...esel/index.htm

BuckeyeZ06

I have a 2007 GMC Sierra Crew Cab Dualie with the LBZ/Allison combo and love it!

It tows like a dream, and the brakes are pretty awesome as well. I used them quite a bit coming from and going to Lime Rock last week.

I tow a 40' Pace gooseneck with a (ahem) 3700 Lb race car and a golf cart, and it hardly feels as though the trailer is back there.

From what I have heard, the diesel in the Suburban will be a smaller engine and will not have the Allison transmission.It will be set to tow less (obviously) than the big motor, but will also get great fuel mileage. For those "hobbiest" with a 24' TAG, this will be a great combination.

wallyman424

yup, 4.5L 310hp and 520 lb/ft of torque



the big draw of a pickup truck is the gooseneck capability.

96LT1

I've got an '07 2500HD with the Duramax Allison, crew cab and short box 6'6" I believe. I love it. Fuel mileage around town in between 17 and 18, on the highway towing the best I've got so far (6600 miles) is 17mpg. Running with the A/C on will cost you about 1mpg in city or highway. Get into the turbo hard and the mileage goes out the window maybe 13-14mpg regardless.

The allison tranny has a 'manual' mode that allows you to manually upshift/downshift the tranny. It will accellerate up from 0 to 100 pulling the trailer / car like it isn't even there.

It doesn't know what a hill is going up. In trailer mode it downshifts to use compression braking going downhill or anytime when applying the brakes.

Waiting for the glowplugs to warm up is almost non-existent even in 0-10 degree temps. It uses the new ultra low sulphur fuel which is hard to find still. The engine runs much quieter and cleaner then the older diesels even using the normal low sulphur fuel.

Running the ultra low sulphur the engine is extemely quiet for a diesel, no smell and better fuel mileage.

GAS

Hey Falcon...sorry to get off topic but did you get the car put back together?? Enjoyed meeting you at MID "O" in July.

GAS

sleeper02Z06

Jody,

Do it. That is what I have, except it's an '06. Short bed, no dually, still livable to drive everyday if you must, as in my case. It'll physically drag as much, yes the Dually is "more stable" but if your hitch and wieghts are correct the short beds do just as good. I've seen them pull just as much but with a huge trailer like Dave P's if you don't have a dually you just be aware around trucks and in winds. I swear by my "little" truck!

Joe

Falcon

Thanks for asking! It was nice meeting you, too.

Yep, it's all back together, painted and ready for Road Atlanta this coming weekend.

That M/O trip was sure a crummy weekend for me, but I'm over it now.

Falcon

Thanks, Wallyman. I've been hearing this for a couple of years but never saw anything until you posted these links.

SouthernSon

I just bought one last week. It has the off road suspension which is a little rough without towing but the engine is sweet and the tranny is smooth as silk. I had the 5.3l sierra before but it just wasn't up to the task of pulling these Tennessee hills. The interior of the 2007 is upgraded to the likes of the Yukon. The chassis is hydroformed and is solid as a rock. On a side note, GM is selling their Allison division at this time but I guess that is way of the corporate world these days.

Falcon

Yea, it's the hauling ability I'm hunting for.

The one I'm looking at is the '07 Classic model. It was produced during the 1st part of the year and has an interior identical to my '04 Yukon XL.

It's fully loaded with about everything and I can get it for less than $39K, sticker is around $49k.

AUTO_X_AL

It may be wise to purchase the Classic with the LBZ over the new 900 with the LMM. The LMM motors have alot more emissions equipment and can only run on Ultra low sulfer diesel. The LBZ can run on low sulfer( Low is 500 ppm sulfer vs.Ultra low is 15 ppm sulfer). At any rate I think you will be quite happy with the Bow tie pulling power.

WNDOPDLR

What things do I want on it that I'd kick my azz later for not getting?

Any other suggestions?[/QUOTE]

A Dodge with a Cummins?

Falcon

A Dodge with a Cummins?[/QUOTE]