Anybody got a 8.1L GM?

G.Fields

Member
A man made me a offer I couldnt refuse this morning on my Dodge dually and now Im looking for its replacement. I have had Duramax and a Cummins but now that I have a road tractor I believe I can make it with a gas pick up truck. No more than I will be driving it im not that worried about the mileage, but I am worried about their longevity. We have a bunch of the 6.0L gas trucks at work and they seem to be indestructible are the 8.1's just as good? Let me know if im on to something or do i need to just pony up and get a pre-emissions diesel.
 
A friend had one baddest sob running ........ when it ran. I think he had a problem child with the computer. It ran when and where IT wanted. Gas mileage was a flat 8 pulling 20,000 or empty.
 
I know over 10 people with them and have never heard a bad word from any of them. they all understand if you want a pulling PU that fuel mileage won't be super. most say the mileage is the same loaded or MT.
 

I have a Ford with a 6.2 gas, 411 hp. Plenty of power for pulling trailers and get about 15-16 mpg without trailer. It is a super crew cab, 4wd with 6 speed auto. Much rather have it than any new diesel with all the unproven, unreliable, technology. I am an OTR trucker and when I am forced to go to one of the newer diesels, I will sell my truck and retire.
 

2001 K3500 dually. 8.1, 6 speed manual. Bought it new. Crank sensor went out, and one tie rod went bad. Both fixed under warranty. No other problems ever.
 
My dad just sold his 04 he bought new. Was a very reliable truck. Said it got 12mpg empty and 11mpg pulling his 28ft enclosed car hauler. He had a bad sensor in the transmission when new, the radiator/tranny cooler mixed fluids at one point, and it used 1 qt if oil per oil change since it was new. Never got worse or better. He had 120k +/- on it when he sold it. Other than the radiator, which was expensive, it was pretty trouble free.
 
Have 3 single wheel 3500's 8.1/allisons at work. All up in the high 180-190,000 miles. No engine problems,they all use a quart of oil every 3-4000 miles. Have had to replace the front hub bearings on all 3,water pump on 2 of them, other than that routine maintenance.Mileage is around 11-13.All have had multiple drivers. I figure the bodies will rust off the frame before they quit running.Rear bumpers are severely rusted,cab corners are rusted out and over the rear wheels are full of holes.
 
Mine has 163k on the clock, plenty of power, better pulling that the F350 with the V10 I had. But just like the V10, passes everything but a gas station. I get 8 mpg loaded or not. I had my transfer case grenade about 5,000 miles ago and I have trouble with a safety switch in the transmission if it sits for a while, reverse won't engage. If I turn the truck on and off a couple times it fixes itself, hasn't stranded me yet.

Nate
 
(quoted from post at 13:16:13 01/24/15)
I have a Ford with a 6.2 gas, 411 hp. Plenty of power for pulling trailers and get about 15-16 mpg without trailer. It is a super crew cab, 4wd with 6 speed auto. Much rather have it than any new diesel with all the unproven, unreliable, technology. I am an OTR trucker and when I am forced to go to one of the newer diesels, I will sell my truck and retire.

Preacher Man, For ever I had said I would not be interested in driving an automatic. I drive triaxle dump occasionally for friends. They have a 2005 Mack with 8LL and a 2013 with auto. I gotta tell you that now I would rather drive the 2013 anytime. not only is it much easier, it is much faster through lights and intersections, it is much quieter and just all around more comfortable. The only downside is mileage. It gets 5 while the truck that I used to have got 6.5.
 
I have one in a 2500 crew cab with the Allison transmission. It has been a very good running motor. Gas mileage is not great when heavy pulling, but about 12 when empty, got 15 once on a long distance interstate trip.
 
I have 3 in 4x4 long wheelbase duallies with 12' dump beds. Awesome engine/trans setup. I'd buy 3 more if I could find them. I'll put 6,000# in the bed and it about drives like its empty.
 
Have had 3 different 8.1 trucks first two over over 250,000 miles only 100,000 on my 01 now. Great power, uses 1 qrt of oil every 3,000 miles, 8-14 mpg.
 

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