105 that is a sweet dodge. I looked at a 03 2500 ram with the 5.7 hemi in it. Man was that nice. Got price down to about 28k but it was just a little too high for me. I am also currently lookin for a newer, bigger truck seeing as how me dakota just doesnt cut it with the baja and my brother got rid of his expedition. Great info so far. My only question is whether I can just swing it for now with a 1/2 ton truck or if I should bite the bullet and go with a 3/4 ton.

We have the 6.0 gas in your worktruck. Mostly we pull the bobcat with the trailer, which wieghts in around 8500-9000 lbs. I would be embarrased to drive a truck with this motor. Buy this gasser and watch the diesel pull by ya :eek: My boss has a 2003 2500 hd with the 6.0 in it, without the bobcat its fine, put the bobcat on it and you have a slow truck, plus the suspension is really soft for being a 2500. They just don't make real trucks anymore. When you put the bobcat behind my other boss's 1 ton ford superduty/powerstroke... He can do aburnout with the bobcat on the back :D

my .02

I've got a 2003 with the 6.0 and love it. If I was going back and forth long distances all the time, I might have been able to justify the Duramax, but for most of my towing the 6.0 has no problem. I towed my Checkmate 259 from Syracuse to Connecticut through the Catskill Mountains with the cruise set on 75-80 and the truck never lost any speed going up hills. Probably got around 11 mpg.

Ive heard good stuff about the 6.0. I drove one empty and was not impressed, but dont know how they pull. if you can get a diesel. i would buy a used diesel over a new 6.0

I would get the Diesel if you can swing it in any way. Night and day difference in that power package. The 6.0L needs to WIND up, just like a dirtbike to really provide power. Great for highway passing situations, but bad for pulling. Several people have them, but if you can swing the D/A, you will be miles ahead.

I love my 8.1 Combo, but I do not have the Allison. I have the M32 4spd Auto, (only thing available in Avalanche), same as you would have with the 6.0L, My tranny hiccups are worked out now, but it has been in the shop about 3 or 4 times for tranny issues. First it was the pump that was bad when brand new. Took them 3 trips to 2 shops to diagnose and fix. Next it was the Valve Body, which was put back in so poorly, it was overtight in spots, and loose in others, and actually warped and stuck in 2nd gear.

I have a 2001 2500 HD Ext. Cab 4x4 with the 6.0 and I used to pull my 35 Sonic no problem. The 35 was 8400 lbs + a 3000 lb trailer = 11400 lbs. It worked a little, but it pulled it fine.

Now I have a 31 Sonic, 7000 lbs + 1500 lb trailer and I hardly know it's back there on the highway.

Just my .02

This is the current setup:

This is what we used to have:

Get the 8.1 or Duramax that way if you upgrade size of your boat you don't need to upgrade trucks. Remember nobody complains of too much power just not enough power.

The Dodge Diesel wouldn't be a bad option, but why not consider a 1-3 year old diesel with decent miles? It should be less than the new 6.0L !! Then you get the best of both worlds!

My .02. If you're worried about buying used, then get a GMPP (or equivalent) extended warranty to ease your mind!

I've been watching this thread pretty closely. I am most interested in fuel economy between the 8.1 and the 6.0, especially with the 373 gear in a 4X4 2500HD.
Keep the numbers coming !!