8.1 gas 5500 chevy-good idea?

0 Kudo

Forum Jump

Author	Comment
Vt Tech	8.1 gas 5500 chevy-good idea?		Lead	[-]
Posts: 76 11/21/2008 20:37	Tags : None I'm thinking about a new 5500 W/ the 8.1 gas engine. Has anyone worked this engine before? I only work a 20 mile radius and have to cold start a lot due to location and weather. The upfront savings is huge- is it worth it? How's the power when loaded? Last Edited By: Vt Tech 11/26/2008 22:04. Edited 1 time.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
lantz70	very good idea	#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 234 12/02/2008 13:16 North Carolina	i have an 8.1 in a 2001 gmc 3500 rollback i use for around town work.primarily the spare truck now.182,000 miles the only engine work done was a water pump and fan clutch.turns up quick.cheaper to maintain.. cheaper fuel..more power.milage 11 per gallon. i also have an 2008 gmc5500 wrecker with the 8.1.12,000 miles no problems other than allison trans pan wants to leak.incredible power with the allison behind it.as long as your not running two cars longdistance all the time you can not go wrong.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
Vt Tech		#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 78 12/02/2008 19:49	Thanks for the positive reply. This engine is close to $10k cheaper than a duramax and with all the emission issues it just makes sense to me, thanks for confirming. Which body is on the 5500 wrecker and vehicles you would typically haul? I'm torn between a 4x4 flatbed w/ a sidepuller and a 12 ton 4x4 wrecker. Thanks,Brad
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
LSChicago		#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 872 12/03/2008 08:59 September 2009 Illinois	Welcome to the diesel turned gas club. I'm trading in my diesel in 2 weeks for a V10. Much cheaper to operate now.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
Vt Tech		#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 80 12/03/2008 10:24	We had a V10 gas carrier last winter- never a worry about cold starts and had adequate power. Our older 1 ton wrecker is gas also/mechanical 480 Holmes- the only truck that works when temps are -20 to -30.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
Muskegontowguy		#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1669 12/03/2008 17:24 Plus Member Company Michigan	If you don't need Massive Torque for pulling Hills or Running Double loaded on a carrier all the time then Gas is the way to Go. Fuel economy is really close and the cost of maintenace is much less expensive. they seem to last as long (For the Chevy's) if not Longer (For the Power Jokes) than their Diesel counterparts. and if you do own one that "Expires" they are about 1/2 as much to replace. (Yes Loyd I am Giving the Gassers their Due) Greg Kowalski Reed & Hoppes Inc. Portland MI Cell: 231-747-3166 D/C:1835088165 If we don't take care of our customers, Someone else will.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
Chevywreckers		#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 609 12/05/2008 17:08 North Carolina	We Have sold alot of gas units. They are great units and you'll save a bundle.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
Nussbaum Sales	2009 Chevrolet C5500 Jerr-dan 20' aluminum rollback w/ independent wheel lift	#7	[url]	[-]
Posts: 161 12/17/2008 23:04	In Stock & Ready to go. Alan Kozak Nussbaum Equipment Serving the towing and recovery industry for over 50 years... Cell # 267-549-3865 " Pa #1 Jerr-Dan Dealership" www.nussbaumequipment.com
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
Super Craig Towing		#8	[url]	[-]
Posts: 7 12/18/2008 09:11	well i got 5500 rollback 4x4 with a duramax it only gets around 8.5 to 9 miles to the gallon i also have two 3500's one with a duramax an one with a 8.1 gas they all have allison trans i will have to honsetly say there is nothing wrong with either one no problems period with any of mine the big differance is the 3500's duramax gets around 11.5 12 mpg and the gas on average will get around9-10 mpg thats in a 3500 so if i had to geussi would say a gas in the 5500 would get around 7-8 mpg the up front cost when you buy the new truck and get a diesel over the gas is round 18% more than the gas the operating exspence is a lot more on the diesel than the gas if you service your truck every 5000miles on the diesel and 3000 miles on the gas is what i do then this is what to exspect Diesel Gas fuel filter 35.00 1.00 per service if you change it every 30000 miles where a diesel in my opiom needs it every oilchange oil 28.90 16.74 oilfilter 18.95 6.95 total 82.85 24.69 know the figure on the gas would come out to $41.15 compared to the diesel if you figure it on mileage and service them the way i do. Now fuel mileage to figure diesel 9mpg fuel 2.25 a gallon in five thousand miles it cost you$1250.00 know the gas gets around 7 mpg gas 1.99 a gallon $1421.42 now add the service and the fuel together and you get $1462.57 for the gas and $1332.85 for the diesel so in 200,000 miles you would be looking at $58502.80 for the gas and $53314.00 for the diesel and the diesel would save you $5188.00 but will you save any thing when the diesel cost more by almost $10,000.00 more when purchased new i dont think so if i had it all to do over i would have bought all gas trucks and as far as power the gas is right there with the diesel its just that i bought the diesels because i assumed that would be the best because thats what everybody else had but i was wrong later craig
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
Vt Tech		#9	[url]	[-]
Posts: 82 12/20/2008 19:24	Thanks for breaking it all down and the positive input. This all confirms that the 8.1 would be a wise choice in my application.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
IowaTower		#10	[url]	[-]
Posts: 621 03/27/2009 07:26	We've got an '03 4500 wrecker w/ the 8.1 & Allison tranny - 238k miles, oil change every 3k, haven't had a single problem with it. 3 starters & 2 alternators, maybe.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
Vt Tech		#11	[url]	[-]
Posts: 130 03/30/2009 00:02	Which body is on your gas wrecker and how does it handle weight(power ?)
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
LivinOnTheEdge		#12	[url]	[-]
Posts: 154 04/04/2009 22:20 WreckMaster #07115 Wisconsin	I agree on the gas. Quick cold starting is the reason for me. We are having an 8.1 gas/automatic built in the next few weeks. Its getting a Chevron renegade auto-load. 9k winches and a little heavier duty wheel lift. 84 inch Stainless body and tunnel tool box. The only thing left to decide is if the 4x4 option is worth the extra money. I drove one already built a couple of weeks ago. It pulled a one ton pickup with no problem. The only problem is that the automatic takes a little time to warm up in the cold weather. A stick would be a quicker start and go option in cold weather. "The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything." "There's more than one way to look at a problem, and they may all be right." Chad at Expert, Oshkosh Wisconsin
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
buggage		#13	[url]	[-]
Posts: 513 04/24/2009 01:50 TRAA Level 1 CT#10566 Virginia	We have an 03 and an 04 with Dynamic 701's and the 8.1. Both trucks have over 300K with NO major problems. I'm sold on the 8.1's. Regards, Jase http://www.b26marauder.com http://www.valleytowsva.com
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
jake edmunds		#14	[url]	[-]
Posts: 8 05/14/2009 20:19	we have a gmc c5500 w the 8.1with a jerr dann flatbed 21 ft 102 in. handles good haven't had much trouble with it one oil cooler line other then that no problem have about 42,000 miles on it get about 8 miles to the gal. no problem with power i haul 1ton trucks with it and a trailer behind that to a times. and does good on recovery work also.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
descalera		#15	[url]	[-]
Posts: 280 05/16/2009 17:31 Texas	everyone is talking bout cold starts...what about if you live where there is no cold starts needed, but your truck will be running up and down (hopefully) in 100+ degree heat ? which do you think would hold up better ?
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote

<< Previous Topic Next Topic >>

Add Reply

Yuku free message boards

8.1 gas 5500 chevy-good idea?

8.1 gas 5500 chevy-good idea?

Quick Reply