Chevy 7.4, 6.0...Good, bad?

[John]

Can't afford the D-Max so am looking at gassers. Found a '99 with the 6.0, 200000+ miles, rear main and coolant leaks, check engine light on (02 sensor) and a '96 with the 7.4, 123000, no leaks. Both are about the same price and I am leaning toward the '96. Anything I should consider before I make my choice? Mileage, transmission issues? I will be pulling my two place in winter and my 27' (8000+lb loaded + bike or 4 wheeler in bed) travel trailer in summer. Thanks!

 

[Braaap12]

Sounds like the 96 is the better choice, My buddy has a 2000 2500 6.0 and its starting to fall apart. Maybe you could look for a 94-97 Ford powerstroke or earlier cummins??

 

[08Alaska800]

The 7.4 will tow the heavy stuff better and I think it is a better overall drive train than the 6.0.

 

[Shawnmcgr]

I just got rid of a '98 chev 7.4 4x4 ext cab long box. Loved the truck and the motor. I think the 454 is one of the best truck gas motors ever built. The torque curve on it is near flat with lots down low...where you want it on a truck. The 6.0 does not have as much torque (I think 385 vs 410 on the 454) and it's up higher in the RPM range. I think the 454 has at much torque @ 1000rpm as the 6.0 has at peak. I seem to remember the early 6.0s having a lot of piston problems as well.

I considered a 6.0 before I bought the 7.4 and basically came to the conclusion the 6.0l was a car motor better suited for a corvette than lugging a trailer around. It felt like I was driving a 2stroke compared to a 7.4. The 7.4 absolutely spanked the 6.5l diesel.

My 454 got better gas mileage than the 6.0 I had. My 454 would get 15 empty on the highway and 10 with a 6000lb trailer.

Transmission was solid on the '98 7.4; I accidentaly through it in reverse coming down a mountain pass @ 100kph pulling a 6000lb trailer. No problems and put on another 30,000 kms before I sold it.

You will have the usually chevy truck problems as it ages: alternator, fuel pump, drive train seals, water pump. Lamost like clock work. The only fault I could think of was the cooling system was a little under sized for what the 7.4 could put out. It would overheat if I held it to the mat up mtn passes w/ trailer. It would occasionally over heat in hot weather (+25c) heading up logging roads with sleds on a deck.

Don't under estimate it, it's down on HP to a Dmax but it's quite a bit lighter as well. It's got more compression braking than the Dmax I now have.

damned good truck....why did I sell that thing!

 

[John]

Maybe you could look for a 94-97 Ford powerstroke or earlier cummins??


I'm really not too interested in a Ford. Not had good luck with them. I'd go with a Cummins if I could find one in my price range (CHEAP!) that wasn't automatic. I'd keep my 5.7 Suburban if it wasn't for the travel trailer and wanting to be able to throw a bike/sled/wheeler in the bed. 215000 miles on it and still runs strong, just taxes it pretty good on the long pulls with the trailer.

 

[theultrarider]

I would go with the slightly older 454. The ol' 454 was/is a great workhorse. If taken care of, it will give you alot of years of good pulling service.

 

[Vern]

another vote for the 454

 

[Dogmeat]

I would not buy a 1999-2002 6.0L ... they had the horrible "piston slap" problems, and that 454 is gonna be _MUCH_ better towing than that 6.0 will be.

The earlier 6.0L motors didn't even get any better miledge than the 454's did from what I remember, and they assuredly don't when towing.

Go with the 454.

 

[hilinerider]

x2 on the 454, vortec 454's pull good if you keep the injectors cleaned up, have a neighbor with a 97 with 325,000 on it, he also had map,intake flow sensor problems, the throttle body 454's pulled just as good and had less crap to go wrong, not sure on the cutoff to the vortec?

 

[John]

Made an offer on the '96 last night. We'll see if he takes it. Nice truck, short bed but I guess I'll just have to make due. Anyone make a sled deck that doesn't hang over on the short beds? I'd like to be able to pull my travel trailer with a couple of sleds. '96 was the first year of the Vortec. I've had no issues other than a couple of 02 sensors and the intake gaskets (fargin Dexcool) on my 5.7.

 

[kbm]

I had a 2000 crew cab with a 454 the only thing I ever had to do was the injectors, and they can be replaced pretty resonably. I did them myself it's not that bad of a job, after you remove the top half of the intake theres nothing to it, westers garage will do an exchange on them with a better injector, and flow calibrated for I think it was only $20 or $25each (can $$).

http://westers_garage.eidnet.org/index2.htm

These guys are very good to deal with. 1-888-wester-1

 

[RED TEAM]

I have a 96 gmc 2500 with the 454, x-cab, long bed 4x4, auto, 3.73 gears. This truck is a cruiser on the highway and a good hauler. I have hauled a 21' boat at about 13 mpg. This past winter I hauled 2 sleds on a 2 place in 4 wheel drive through the snow and got just over 12 mpg. If i'm easy, over 15 at 75 on the freeway, empty. I had a 98 cummins, but somebody offered me a good deal-sold it and bought the GMC-it had 65000 miles on it-original owner. Right off the bat I put in a new fuel pump, (experience with wife's Yukon), and a starter relay. 3 years and 6000 miles later it is still in great shape and costs less than a new sled. Drawbacks-wish back doors opened. Looking at the prices now, I would be tempted to get a 2003 or 2004 GMC 2500 with the 502 engine and the Allison tranny. My only bad experience with those was 9 mpg towing 3 sleds, but in 4 wheel drive. Side note-drove that same Cummins I sold the other day, and I am happy with my choice-GMC just feels more solid and just as powerful-both stock.

 

[John]

I did end up buying the '96. First thing I did was transmission service (fluid was a little dark) the shop said it looked good and has the 3/4 ton tranny. Apparently they put the 1/2 ton unit in some of the 3/4 tons. I'll switch it over to synthetic oil this week. It does have the K&N filter in it. Any words of wisdom on those? I have the oil for them but should I pick up some high $$ cleaner for it too?

I am happy with it so far but have only pulled my two place. I'll report how it does with the loaded travel trailer next month!

 

[Vern]

i think there was a couple different options for the trannys in the late 90's i dont know exactly when they came out but towards the very end of the 90's the 3/4 ton tranny was the 4l80E or something like that. which they used in many of the trucks and suvs up until the last year or two. dont know if thats what you got or not but most half tons were the 4l60E. for the k&n cleaning you might be able to use something else to clean the oil out of the filter but the k&n cleaning kits not spendy. like 10-15 bucks around here and it comes with cleaner and oil.

 

[gonehuntnpowder]

If its a auto tranny its a 4L80E transmission, great tranny, were still using it in the gas powered 3/4 trucks through 2007. Be careful when oiling the K&N air filter I have seen lots of 454's get oil on the mass air flow sensor that filter. Its good to have a rat in the cellar.

 

[Jaynelson]

Sounds like $2,000 trucks on a good day, at that point you're rolling the dice no matter which way you go. I would pick the one that appears to have been maintained more and beat on less. It's really a crap shoot...but all else equal I would go with the 454 with the lower mileage.

 

[MotorMike]

I had a a 02 6 liter In a 2500hd Chevy and she pulled my 7 X 16 landscape trailer pretty good and plowed snow good as well, but the 4:10 rear end pulled a lot of rpm's on the freeway, and the gas mileage was BAD maybe 11 or 12 miles to the gallon If I was lucky!!