I have a 2002 2500 Avalanche with 8.1L and the 4L85E 4spd Automatic Transmission and 4.10 rear end gears. It is NOT the Allison 5spd Auto. This is the only power combo available in the 2500 Avalanche. I love mine. I have done a number of things to mine and with 34,500 miles on it, it tows my 12k lbs 37 Active Thunder on trailer, full of fuel adequately. I have done a number of mods to mine. See these threads for a full list of my mods and a bunch of info:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...avalanche+mods

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...avalanche+mods

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=78812

I also just posted a bunch of trailer hitch info here:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...d.php?t=112397

Very important reading.

(Check the build sticker of the 2003 you are looking at. Look for GT4 or GT5. GT4 is a 3.73 rear end gear. GT5 is a 4.10 rear end gear. I think you will prefer 4.10 no matter what you tow. Its also wicked fun NOT towing.)

As for removing the panels and such for cargo... I cannot tell you how much stuff I have had in mine and my brother-in-law's Avalanches. He is on his second one, traded in his 2002 2500 and bought a 2003 1500. We have finished basements hauling all the materials including 12' long ceiling drywall; rocks, furniture, Harleys, bikes, tools etc. Its a very versatile truck and its also a lot of fun to open it all up on a nice cool day, take off the tailgate, drop the midgate and glass, and drive it around with an open Jeep-like feel.

Honestly, I will get a diesel dually one day, but only because I have my heart set on a big blacked out dually with 22.5 wheels.

diesel all the way i had a hd with a 6.0 i know people with hd.s with 8.1 i now have a hd with the dmax and i will never go back if i had know they were this good in 2001 whin i bought the 6.0 i would have got the dmax then

hope you are saving a bunch buying used....ford and chevy
are giving away trucks now and it has killed the used
market.....


cant beat a diesel for towing

I'm on my second 2500 Avalanche. I leased a 2002 and then turned it in early (pull ahead program) to buy a 2003. Numerous incentives at the time gave me about 15K off the 43K sticker, so I had to buy. The first had the 3.73 rear and when I bought the current boat I needed to pull 12K, so I now have the 4.10. The con is that the mileage sux, I've gotten close to 14 on strictly hwy, 11.5-12 in my daily driving. Last fill-up set me back 101.26.

I love the versatility of the truck though. I've hauled doors, full sheets of drywall and plywood, and even 12' 2x6's in it with the covers on and the tailgate closed. It's got full size rear doors and it fits in the garage (16" shorter than a crew cab standard box.) The midgate folds down easy when there's not too much crap in the back seat, and the bed cover panels are nothing to take off. I use it as a platform when I'm washing the boat and need access to the bow - just park it close, climb up on the bed covers (I believe they hold 250#) and step over on the bow. The leather heated seats rock after a day of running in rough water and are probably the same as your 2500HD, DVD system for the kids. And the cladding may look ugly to some, but I don't worry about it in parking lots. Basically I needed a daily driver that could pull 12K#, and the Av is perfect for that.

1st I had a 02' 2500HD Ext. Cab with 8/.1/Ally/3.73 = 9-11mpg. When pulling 5-7mpg. +'s AWSOME POWER, -'s HORRIBLE MILEAGE especially when pulling........
2nd Now have a 05' 2500HD Crew Cab with D-Max/Ally/3.73 = 17-19mpg
+'s Better mpg, More Torque but when pulling the boat and you pull out to pass (50-60) the 8.1 had a little more balls. All other things the D-MAX ROCKS and would never go back!!!!! Mileage when pulling 13-15mpg

I did the same research before I bought my truck. Basically, I liked the Avalanche, but the resale on them was unacceptable. In this area you can literally lose half the value in 1 year. Went with the 2500HD Duramax.

You won't ever go back to gas for towing once you try one. Plus you get to soot out the ricers.!

Once off warranty, you have the option to chip the diesel ! And you won't believe the power they make then! And no noticable fuel milage decrease when towing either! At lease my Father didn't notice any decrease in milage. He spent the same amount on diesel towing his Colbalt to FL last year, and he did towing it back. No chip heading down, chiped comming back, and the torqe was incredible !

Something you may want to concider.

This is his truck, hooked to my Sun. Tows it like it isn't even there, seriously!! Picture was taken early spring.

the avalanche in a few years probably will develope leaks in the back w/ all that weatherstripping! anybody experience anything like that?? i own a 2500hd w/ the dmax/4x4, and you cannot beat the mileage!! also, it is fun beating up on the hemis!!!! i have the programmer,exhaust and k&n, and i am sure it surprises alot of the gas trucks when you pass em huffin black!!!! and ps, getting diesel is not a problem at all, not to mention it is cheaper then gas

I probably would not drop a 6.0 2500HD for a 2500 Avalanche, but do not worry about the 2500 AV not being stout. Mine romps all over Hemis as well. And while diesel is easy to get in the DC area, it is as expensive as premium gasoline here which detracts from your increased mileage advantage substantially. Also, my truck has not developed any leaks whatsoever into the cab. The weatherstripping/engineering is designed very well. The whole rear cab seal is one fused piece, and also replaces very easily.

BN, if I were in your shoes, I would hold out for a Duramax one day if you want grunt. If you want the additional seating room and such now, snatch up the Avalanche.

Rippem,

My father in law owes are car dealership. As far as Avalanches not having any resale I beg to differ, we have had great luck selling them. You are semi correct, they are a hot and cold vehical, but whent they are hot we can't keep them on the lot. Like I said I have been the diesel route, 99 250 7.3 psd, not for me. Bottom line is that I have driven every Ford, Chevy and Dodge truck worth talking about and the bottom line is the Avalanche is a great truck.