octagon wrote:Madman I got the GMC in late 2011 with the 5.3 crew cab. I get about 18-19 mpg, and with almost 60,000 miles it has not had the slightest mechanical issue of any kind. The 5.3 is about 327 cubes and about 315 HP. It will pull the bass boat or a big trailer with 3-4 cords with little effort. I would highly recommend this truck with no reservation. I did not get 4wd as I have two other trucks with 4wd for use at the ranch. I did get the Texas model with all the fancy stuff.
That 5.3 is a real barn burner!
Check this out-------In August of 1986 I bought a Brand New 1986 GMC Sierra Classic 4WD (5.7-- 350 with Fuel Injection)It was the first year Fuel Injection was available with the 350cid. It was the regular single cab/8ft box, two tone black/silver,sharp wheels,sweet ride.
When I went to look at them(GMC TRUCK DEALERSHIP ONLY, they didn't sell cars)I knew the owner of dealership.(Hunted with him)
He told me----you gotta try these.(350 v8 FI)
I show up----you have to remember now-----before this those big trucks had a lot of torque but tire spinning HP (lacking)
He says----pick a couple(to try)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
look over and first one I choose---(This black stepside shortbox 2WD,350FI/Auto Trans)
Pull out of dealership(he is standing in lot watching)pull up to traffic light. It's red------Have it in regular (D)light turns green,foot all the way down-------it just sat there burning rubber
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
I mean it smoked the smoke!
Pulled back into lot-------he says you a## ##le(smiling)
Said---give me that Purdy two tone 4x4 ------am thinking now??? Let's see if this will even squeal the tires being a big heavy 4WD with an auto tranny. Pull up to light-----turns green-----hit it-------in regular drive(no braking it/loading it up/cheating)just foot off brake,on gas pedal to metal--------------It burned a 50ft patch of rubber.
Pulled into dealership------I will take it sir!
He said------I have to go to Rochester Monday let me take it(and I will sell it to you as a Demo)------went back Thursday to get it-------all shined up and ready------I bought that new truck(well Demo ?? 302miles)--------------for $12,200
Had it until 2009 (cash for clunkers)they gave me $5500(500 extra had new rubber on it)for a $19,000 new Nissan Sentra(that I talked down to/and with rebates/--$15,600 minus $5500-------------$10,100 (new Sentra)gave daughter to start College.
I about cried getting rid of that truck---had it almost 23 years(It never failed me with one exception but once when the battery went bad (my fault it was about 6 years old)and it did that in my driveway)I actually was hoping the day she left(she wouldn't start
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
----course it did! Boy was I a sad camper!
But it was getting rusted,I mean to the point I was afraid the gas tank might fall off if I hit a huge bump
But mechanically wise------100%
That thing had a 3.08 ratio rear end------got 20mpg on the highway----yet would burn rubber in regular drive with an auto. One absolutely fine ride. I know they have even bettered my old one---------------by leaps and bounds-----the power that 5.3L puts out/ vs fuel consumption is (unreal)
Its too darn bad Jeep is of late----------screwing it up------cause it won't take long(people wise up)and then------????????
Still have my tailgate of my old truck(the gate is good)but it rusted off the hinges in 2007(keeping it as a remembrance though)
so,octagon------sometime in the year around 2035 you might need a new truck------wait you don't have the rust issue----guess not!
God's honest truth------In 1989 took my GMC into dealership to have 30,000 mile service done(one of the things they did was Lube front hubs(mine was the deal where they were 4WD on demand(and to get it out you put it in reverse and backed up like 20ft(could hear them click out etc.)anyhow-------dropped it off, chatted with Company Owner while the work was being done and then took off.(dad and myself)
Got it on cruise(set at 70mph)going down Rt17(I86 now)---20 miles later get almost home to stop light(at exit)look at oil pressure gauge ???
Usually runs 30-32 psi (even warm/idle)-----read 15psi ??? pulled out from light and it went to about 17psi(foot on gas)no audio noise/pinging etc.???
Drive about 1.0 mile down the road and pull into Kmart-------dad says----lets check the oil ???
Normally would wait(for oil to settle) but ???? lift hood,pull out dipstick (dry)--WTF Put in back it, pull out dry(dad says them fools)
Went in Kmart------grab two quarts of Castrol GTX----come back out-----put a quart in, check----dry
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
second quart in----dry
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
(now dad is on his knees under truck(yep the drain plug is in)----Go back in Kmart----2 more quarts of GTX
Come back out--------pour quart number 3 in (now it is on dipstick)reading a quart low-------pour number 4 in full. The old man says-----they didn't even change you filter(that why its full and the old filter he could tell was not just put on.Started truck up-----oil gauge read 32psi!
He was pi##ed(I think more than I)----go in Kmart, use phone (Talk to Robbie)Owner. Tell him someone drained my oil(didn't refill)
He said-----stay right there(don't start/move truck)am heading down in 10mins with the flatbed and another truck for you to use.
Comes down with flatbed, drives off that black 2WD shotbox I tried out------and this big 300lb guy also gets out. My dad says better keep that guy away from my boy right now or your going have a big grease spot on this parking lot????
Turns out they drained the oil (a new guy they hired couple months ago)he forgot to refill oil/change filter??????????
Robbie said------you got three choices----different truck/same truck new motor/keep motor and engine is guaranteed for LIFE.
I went with keeping engine/life guarantee. Never had to use the guarantee though!
Engine was 100% always. Only thing I can fiqure(beside a ungodly strong built motor)was that at 12,100 miles I did the Slick 50 deal??? And that stuff-------exceeded all expectations---drove that truck same engine for another 20 years!