I'm a GMC dealer in CT and I'd like some input. We sell quite a few Monroe Crew Cab TopKicks a year but always Duramax powered.
We know we only have about one or two more years of the current truck before Navistar takes over with a new truck and there's a good chance that they may not continue with the 8.1 gas engine.
My question is if you guys think there is currently a market for these trucks with gas power?
Horsepower and torque are no issue for sure, the Gas engine is about 8 grand less, you still get an Allison transmission, and we know about the price per gallon. I'm considering stocking a couple but I'd like some input. Thanks.

Gas-engined mediums seem to be most popular with the small business crowd that's doing local delivery, etc. For a guy who is towing a quarter-million ++ toy, I can't see the tiny cost difference being even the slightest consideration.

I would never even think of owning a gas medium duty. I would love to see a yellow motor in the top kick. Like they used to.

I have a diesel. Would prefer 8.1. as you said, cheaper to buy, and in the current fuel market, fuel is higher than gas... and the engine cost more to buy... so what's the point to buy diesel????

On the other side (I'm a GMC dealer too), there is one thing we can't get people to change so quickly: habits.

Every body are used to buy diesel for heavy towing, even if you prove them gas would do the job, they still think diesel are better...

I didn't know you could get a gas motor in those. I would take that over a duramax. At least you wont be going through injector pumps. I would stock 1 white crew and advertise it, see if it moves before stocking more than one.

When gas motors were so popular in the Topkick/Kodiak, they were extremely underpowered, noisey and always having overheating problems. I think too that the issue is education and lack of experience with the new engine. Get some out there and you will see a transition back to gas for some people.

Longevity of the motor wouldn't be an issue for people driving it only a few thousand miles a year.

Diesel fuel economy more than offsets the price differential. Plus, the way things are headed, by summer there will be no price differential.

You're just not going to equal a diesel's torque capabilities in a gas engine of comparable size.

In fact, diesel economy doesn't outweigh the cost of the motor unless you drive the truck more than 25k miles per year or more at todays prices. There are other factors to consider such as resale value, cost of operation, etc.
The fact is not everyone has quarter million dollar boats or drives these types of trucks more than 10 or 15k miles per year. It's not an option for everyone but it is an option.
If anyones interested in a cost comparison go to GM's medium duty engine website .

Diesel!!!