the last US model 350 was in 2000 in the 3/4 ton (possibly 1 ton trucks) in the 88-98 body style. in 1999 you had the GMT400 style trucks with a 350 or the GMT800 style trucks with the 5.3 (half ton only). the only way to get a factory 350 in a half ton from that point on was if the truck was made and sold in Mexico. 2003 was not a transition year merely a year where the updated the front end and interior. the 350 ended in the 3/4 ton trucks in 2000 when the 2001 model year HD came out.

 

Well I can't refute your statements, I don't know how, but it had a 350. nuff said haha. I had a 2002 Chevy with a 5.3 in it too though and I know that my Grandpa has a 2000 GMC with a 5.7 also.

Oh, back to the original content haha. I would suggest that if you care about what your truck looks like, avoid metallic paint on the 99-06's if at all possible, I have had horrible experiences and won't buy another truck that is not red or black. In the midwest the acid rain pits the white

 

The 2500 is heavier, therefor just by weight itwill get less mileage. As well as the bigger motor. The only other thing to consider is the ride quality while commuting. The 1500 will be more manuverable and be more comfertable while driving to work. You can always add a leaf or bag the backend to get the perfect ride while towing. I reccomend the bags, they will be more worth the money.

 

Chevyalltheway:

'99 was the transition year for trucks, not 2003. Early '99 was the last year they used the 5.7l for trucks...they used them in vans til 2003.

And how can you hate a 6.0l but love a 5.3l? A 6.0l is a bored 5.3l...which simply means more hp.

And there certainly isn't a shortage of parts for any of the Gen III engines...


mudracer:

That 5.3l won't have 4.10's unless someone put them in there. Look in the glove box at the RPO sheet. If it has a GU6 it has 3.42's, if it has GT4 it has 3.73's, if it has GT5 it has 4.10's.

 

DamnYankee: i agree, i went from an 06 5.3 to an 06 Vortec Max 6.0 and havent looked back, yea the mpg is alittle worse but the truck runs. the only bad thing is having to run 93 all the time.

as for not getting 4.10's from the factory with a 5.3, you could it was like $100 option when i was first looking at my 06. i cant confirm on reg or crew cabs, but i know you could get them in the ext cabs. but unless you specifically ordered a truck with them, they were rare. i think i saw one ext cab with the 4.10s and a 5.3 out of 3 months looking around and 4 different dealers. most had the 3.42 for MPG increase (yeah F*ing right)

 

I think running 93 is a good thing. It keeps things cleaner, you get better mpg, more power, etc. It's worth the extra cost IMO.

 

maybe, but the extra 50hp and 30 lb ft stock is worth it

just trying to save up for the tune. you think the stock 4l70 will hold up with 85% TM gone with line pressure increased some?

 

mud,

I have a 2000 model obs 2500 series with the 350 engine and 3.73 gears. I pull a TT that weights about 6500 # and on a long hill the 350 is just a bit light. As it only has 255 hp and 330# of torque.

If towing I would go with the heavier truck,as you know the golden rule of towing:

Its not what you can pull that counts, its what you can stop in a reasonable distance when some fool pulls out in front of you.

You want theskid marks on the pavement not in your pants.

my sons 06 2500 with 6.0 and 4.10 gets about 11-12 mpg around town.

 

I have decided to go with the 1500 (pick it up tomorrow). It does have the 4.10 gears. I have attached the options for the truck. I will post later after I drive it for a few days. Thanks for everyones help.






AG1 - SIX-WAY POWER DRIVER SEAT

AJ1 - DEEP TINTED GLASS


AL0 - SENSOR INDICATOR INFLATABLE RESTRAINT FRT PASS

AM7 - FOLDING REAR SEAT


AU0 - KEYLESS REMOTE DOOR LOCK

AU3 - POWER DOOR LOCK SYSTEM


A31 - POWER WINDOWS

A95 - 6-WAY POWER DRIVER BUCKET SEAT


BVE - CHROME TUBULAR ASSIST STEPS *** DEALER INSTALLED ***

B30 - CARPETING, COLOR-KEYED


B32 - FRONT COLOR-KEYED FLOOR MATS

B33 - REAR COLOR KEYED FLOOR MATS


B71 - WHEEL FLARES

B85 - BRIGHT BODY SIDE MOLDINGS


CJ3 - AIR COND., DUAL ZONE MANUAL

C49 - ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER


C7H - GVW RATING - 6,400 LB

DF5 - ISRV MIRROR W/COMPASS & TEMP


DK7 - INTERIOR CUSTOM ROOF CONSOLE W/ MAP LIGHTS

DL8 - DUAL PWR HEATED OSRV MIRRORS


DNR - DEALER INSTALLED EQUIPMENT

DT4 - ASHTRAY MUFFIN


D07 - CUSTOM FRONT FLOOR CONSOLE

EVA - EVAP EMISSION REQUIREMENT


E63 - FLEETSIDE BODY

FK2 - TORSION BAR SPRING ADJUSTMENT


FK3 - TORSION BAR SPRING ADJUSTMENT

FWI - FORT WAYNE PLANT


GT5 - REAR AXLE - 4.10 RATIO

G80 - LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL


JF7 - BRAKES, 17" DISC/DRUM

KG3 - 145 AMP ALTERNATOR


KNP - HD AUX TRANS. COOLING SYS

KUP - THROTTLE CONTROL ELECTRONIC


K34 - CRUISE CONTROL

K47 - HIGH CAPACITY AIR CLEANER


L33 - VORTEC 5.3L 310HP ALUM BLK V8

M30 - 4-SPD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION


NC7 - FEDERAL OVERRIDE

NE1 - 50-STATE EMISSIONS


NP5 - LEATHER WRAPPED STEERING WHEEL

NP8 - AUTOTRAC ACTIVE TRANSFER CASE


NU4 - CAL EMISSION SYSTEM, LEV2 PLUS

NZZ - OFF ROAD - SKID PLATES


PDU - LIGHT DUTY POWER PACKAGE: *VORTEC 5.3L 310HP ALUM BLK V8 *LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL-REAR AXLE *HD TRAILERING EQUIPMENT

P25 - 17" ALUMINUM WHEELS


QJM - P265/70R17 OOR WOL TIRES

R5C - TIRE BRAND ALL BRIDGESTONE


R6M - NEW JERSEY COST SURCHARGE

R6Q - PACKAGE DISCOUNT NOT DESIRED


R9U - GM ACCESS - AUTOBOOK IDENTIFIER

R9Z - POMS EXPEDITE-SOLD ORDERS


SLM - STOCK ORDERS

TR3 - CHROME GRILLE


T96 - FRONT FOG LAMPS

UB1 - BASE AM/FM STEREO W/CD, CASSETTE WITH BOSE SPEAKER SYSTEM ADDED (REPLACES STD/OPT RADIO)


UQ7 - BOSE SPEAKER SYSTEM

UY2 - CAMPER/5TH WHEEL TRAILER WIRING PROVISIONS


VB3 - CHROME REAR BUMPER

VG3 - CHROME FRONT BUMPER


VR4 - WEIGHT DISTRIB. PLATFORM HITCH

VXS - COMPLETE VEHICLE LABEL


V73 - STATEMENT OF VEHICLE CERT.-U.S. /CANADA

XJM - TIRE FRONT P265/70R17-113S WOL R/PE ST TL OOR


X88 - CHEVROLET CONVERSION

YD3 - BASE EQUIP FOR SCH GVW PL-FT AX


YD6 - BASE REAR SPRING

YE9 - SILVERADO


YJM - P265/70R17-113S WOL R/PE ST TL OOR

ZJP - SPARE TIRE P265/70R17


ZY2 - TWO-TONE PAINT

Z71 - OFF-ROAD SUSPENSION


Z82 - HD TRAILERING EQUIPMENT

1SL - Z71 OFF ROAD PACKAGE INCLUDES: * DUAL PWR HEATED OSRV MIRRORS * REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER * WHEEL FLARES * POWER LOCKS & WINDOWS * REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY WITH CONTENT THEFT ALARM * ISRV MIRROR W/COMPASS &TEMP * LEATHER WRAPPED STEERING WHL * BODY SIDE MOLDINGS


1SZ - LIGHT DUTY POWER PKG DISCOUNT

25U - DARK BLUE MET/SILVER BIRCH


59L - SILVER BIRCH METALLIC

6YH - COMPONENT FRT LH COMPUTER SEL


69D - DARK CHARCOAL

69I - DK PEWTER INTERIOR TRIM


7YH - COMPONENT FRT RH COMPUTER SEL