Looking at HD trucks, any advice?

I realize a Toyota forum may not be the best place to ask this but there are some very knowledgable people here that also use HD trucks so I figured I may as well ask.

I've been shopping for a new truck for a while now and finally decided to rule out the 3rd gen Tundra (not enough payload) and step up to an HD.
I'm looking at new trucks with gas engines, 4x4, crew cab. So far my order of preference is;
1. GM 3500
2. Ford F350
6. Ram 3500
Does anyone have any experience with the 6.6 gasser in the GM (either GMC or Chevrolet) trucks? I've seen a few reports of them using oil but don't know if it's a common problem. 2024 is the first year GM is putting a 10 speed behind the 6.6, any issues with it?

Can anyone give me good reasons to change my order of preference?

(I would also appreciate links to any good GM HD truck forums)

 

I’m a huge fan of the 7.3L Godzilla. My mother in law had a detuned version in her 14000 lb class C E450 motorhome with the old 6 speed transmission and it was an absolute locomotive. I can’t imagine how it is with more power, torque and the 10 speed in a superduty

The GM 6.6 was kinda weak in comparison with the 6 speed they had behind it but it now has the 10 speed so probably does a bit better. I have heard it is pretty efficient towing. GM is the only one that is direct fuel injected.

The 6.4L Hemi seems to be a straggler even though the 8 speed is a decent transmission. It just doesn’t seem to have the same grunt from what I have seen in reviews. The hemi also has cylinder shut off, whereas the Ford and GM do not.

 

I've been wanting the 7.3 since it came out, just didn't need it. Now I want AND need it! The reason it isn't my #1 choice is because Ford is going too far with cost cutting yet still raising prices. Ford's latest bone headed move was to put just one selectable hub on the 4x4s. I'm not making this up, starting in 2024 the driver side hub still has a selectable hub (can manually lock/unlock) and the passenger side is always locked! In my opinion that is insane. It's relatively easy to put a selectable hub on the passenger side but it sure would be annoying to have to do that after paying so much for the truck...

 

The new 5 cylinder diesel is supposed to be nice at over 500HP + or -,,, I do not remember particulars
Then I heard about the new 8.3 liter diesel, it is supposed to be a beast,, do not know if it is out yet?

 

I haven't heard of either of those engines, but I also have not been considering diesel. I don't tow heavy enough to need diesel and I would be concerned about winter use. There are many times during the winter when I overnight in remote areas with no electricity.

 

The crew cab GMCs with the gas V8 seems to be a good purchase. Must be half way decent because a company in the NE will SuperCharge the motor along with some other add ons and adjustments and make it up to 7?? some odd Hp and have a full warranty on the motor for what ever GMC offers. It’ll cost dang near what the truck sells new for though. You buy the truck they ship it to the NE they do their STUFF and ship it back where the dealer has to add a big brake kit to it and it’s yours.

 

Comes with a bunch of engine configurations

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r153ACU5Lpo

 

IMO, the GM HD gassers have always been the most hassle-free. With the 6 speed, they can feel…less than inspired. Some of the guys here say that they feel like they took a step down in power from a 5.7 Tundra to a 6.6 GM HD. If you just need it for the payload, it’s not a terrible option. They seem to be pretty long lived. I bet the 10 speed in the new gassers helps keep that 6.6 in its power band better when you need it.

And yes, they absolutely drink oil. We’ve had two GM fullsize vehicles (a Suburban and a Yukon XL). They both drank oil, probably more than the 6.6 HD because they had AFM that disables half the cylinders. You get 0.1 mpg in exchange for needing to put a quart and a half of oil in between changes.

My preference is the same order. Ford’s Tremor package looks the best on paper, but I just don’t trust them. I know way too many people with Fords (two F350s, an F250, and several F150s), and nearly every one of them returns to the dealer for annoying things way too often for me. I want to buy a vehicle and rely on it and be left alone. This is why it’s hard for me to make the jump.

There isn’t one. I think gm-trucks.com is the biggest. But man, it is a turd of a forum.

 

My order of preference would be the same as yours but I haven't been paying as much attention to those trucks the last couple of years.

 

I used to be on GM trucks a lot and my biggest complaint was all the ads. Not sure what it's like these days.

 

@ColoradoTJ

I can't recall who on here has stepped up to a HD.

@BuckWallace

 

I’m in a 6.6 Chevy gas truck. 2021 though so I have the 6 speed and no oil consumption issues after 35,000 miles. Aside from my past tundra and Tacoma (being a Toyota fanboy), this Chevy has been my favorite truck. Fantastic payload for a 3/4 ton at 3,600lbs and was the highest out of the big 3 for gas and 3/4 ton.

GMC AT4 is the best looking truck on the road in my opinion.

 

Went from my 2nd Tundra to an F350 Tremor with the 7.3 Godzilla gasser. Loved almost everything about that truck but it had some suspension/vibration issues that Ford acknowledged but could not repair. Traded it back in for a 2022 GMC Sierra AT4 2500 Duramax. There are some minor and mostly aesthetic things I prefer about the Ford, but from a performance and ride quality perspective the GMC is the winner hands down. I'm about to roll over 16k after nearly 2 years of ownership (maybe less, time flies) and have zero complaints. Pretty sure I'll have this truck for a very, very long time. Pulls like a champ even through very mountainous Utah terrain.

If you find a good GM HD truck forum let me know. Nothing compares to the Tundras.com community, which is why I'm still here.

 

Great to hear something positive from an owner! I'm currently using a Chevy van (Express, 3500, Extended) with the 6.0 and other than some cheap interior parts it's been pretty good, although the "Service Stabilitrac" light comes on intermittently and I haven't tracked down the cause yet. I wish Toyota would get into the HD market, the Tundra just doesn't have enough payload capacity for my needs...

 

Ford is about 30 years over due for a front axle redesign. One of the reasons I'm leaning GM is the IFS, I think it handles and tracks better.
I completely agree about this forum.
Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

Just came from a ‘21 Ram 2500 with Cummins. Pulled and stopped my 14k lb excavator with ease! Loved the engine and transmission but hated the rest of the truck! Pain in the ass to get into the bed, handled like crap (not towing), mirrors were impossible to use, just did not enjoy the truck. Long story short, I drove every truck with every engine out there looking for it’s replacement. I settled on the GM, Chevy “I hated grill on gmc “because it handled unloaded like a half ton, has the steps to get into the bed and just everything about it was better than the other two (in my opinion). Had a hard time deciding on which engine to get! The gas engine would do everything I needed it to do and the guys I know with them and the 10 speed love them! I ended going with the duramax just because I was use to the power of diesel and knew I would regret not getting it on the first hill I hit towing my excavator. Bottom line, I love this truck ( along with being best looking)! Every complaint I had was remedied with this Silverado! All I can suggest is to go drive them all and see what you like best. Everyone has different opinions and expectations. Good luck!

 

Not my exact truck but, close

 

It wasn't the front suspension or inherent to the design directly. Ie, it was not the standard difference in experience. My F350 Tremor had a very bad vibration around 30-40MPH and then again around 65-75MPH. So basically at the two most common cruising speeds.

Verified by two separate dealerships. No other trucks available without a special order to swap into. The truck itself was an order and about 11 months of waiting. I had driven in other simular Fords and they did not have this problem. Surveyed the Tremor forums and couldn't find anyone with this issue either. Checked and went through everything. Second dealerships best guess that it was some harmonic vibration due to some variance in the frame or similar. I have video of it - the entire interior of the truck would violently shake amd everything would rattle. I had Fox 2.5s and aftermarket wheels and tires on it - returned completely to stock so the dealership would continue to dig into it and the problem was still there. The truck was a dud.

Finally took the payout on the Ford when I found this new Sierra ready to buy.

 

I could add that I would have purchased another F350 Tremor or Platinum but none were available. Loved the aesthetic and simple interior of the truck. The interior of the GMC is a bit busy - lots of buttons to accomplish minimal tasks. I couldn't wait a year for the GM interior refresh that happened in 2023.

 

I have a 2021 Sierra 3500 with the 6.6 gasser. I’m approaching 82k miles with a couple of issues. Right off the bat I had a hard shifting transmission. Took it back and GM changed the transmission valve body and it has been much better.

Also had a few loose parts that’s rattled the biggest being the heat shield. Got that fixed and not a single noise sense. I should mention this was a Covid built truck so quality work and inspection probably wasn’t the highest on the list.

but other than that the truck has done everything I’ve asked of it. I’ve towed a lot with it and tow well over what I was supposed to. For a while I wasn’t the easiest on the truck. It’s no diesel but got the job done. I haven’t noticed significant oil consumption, but I do know I’m not always taking back all 8qts when I head to advanced auto parts for recycling.

Payload is just shy of 4300lbs. I put airbags on it, fox shocks and PCV catch can to help avoid carbon build up with the direct injector system.

It has been a solid truck and I hear the new 10spd makes it even better.

I don’t think you can go wrong with the GM or the Godzilla. Also zero good HD truck forums. That’s why we are all here

 

I have the 2024 Sierra 3500 AT4 gasser and love it so far. I'm just under 7000 miles and have done oil changes at 1k and 5k and haven't had any oil consumption yet. No powertrain/drivetrain issues—the 10-speed shifts very smoothly and doesn't hunt or jump around.

I was in the same boat as you, but was mainly stuck between the GM and Ford. It came down to the GM riding way better (in my opinion) with the IFS compared to the solid front axle in the Ford. The steering/handling in the Ford just felt like a tank. The order wait time on the Ford was also about a year, whereas I had my GMC in three months. That said, I don't think you can go wrong with a Super Duty. That 7.3 Godzilla is pretty sweet. I'll also say the seats in the Lariat are much more comfortable than the seats in my AT4. The AT4X and Denali Ultimate have upgraded seats, but I still hear they aren't much better than the AT4 or regular Denali. Exterior styling is subjective, but I think the AT4/AT4X are the best-looking HDs today (although I'm a little biased).

As others have mentioned, any gasser HD will feel like a pig coming from a 5.7 Tundra. That's not to say the gas HDs are underpowered—they're just so much more beefy. I had driven my new Sierra for a couple weeks while waiting to sell my Tundra, and when I drove my Tundra again to meet the buyer it felt like a nimble sports car compared to the Sierra.

One of my buddies bought a loaded gasser Silverado LT (looks exactly the same as the truck Pinski posted in #19 above) and I'm a little jealous. I think the LT gasser with the Z71 Sport package has probably the best options/price ratio in the HD trucks (as far as crazy prices go these days).

I'd say gm-trucks.com is the best GM forum (especially if you don't have a Duramax), but compared to this forum it's pretty dead . There are a few active guys on there, but most people get on to ask a question/complain about something and are never seen again.

 

I owned several different HDs back in the '80s & '90s (I'm not young) and now shopping for one 25 years later I'm surprised by how much has changed and how little has changed. Engine power is WAY up, no more 3 speed autos or 5 speed manuals, but the characteristics of each brand have carried on.

I've only owned one Dodge (pre Ram) truck and it was horrible, spent more time in the shop than on the road, still the only vehicle that has left me stranded. I recently saw a TSB for a bad snap ring in Ram trans and I had to laugh cause that's what left me stranded 32 years ago! I admit I probably won't even try driving a Ram since they have the weakest engine (gas), use cylinder deactivation, and I'm not a Fiat fan.

I owned several Ford trucks and they were all pretty good other than some designed in quirks. We always joked that you don't drive a Ford, you herd it down the road. I screwed up and bought an F250 with the Twin Traction Beam front axle. Horrible. Glad to see they don't build them anymore. Shocked to see they still use the antique, tire wearing, poor handling twin I-beam on the 2wd. Mildly surprised to see they still use the solid front axle on 4wd. I know a lot of people love it, but in my opinion it's not great for an on road vehicle.

Never owned a HD GM truck. Had a 1/2 ton in '05 and now have a 1 ton van. As a broad generalization (there are definitely exceptions), I feel that GM stuff is easier to work on, especially common maintenance items like oil changes and brakes. Every GM product I've owned (truck, van, and 4 cars) has had cheap feeling interiors, crappy seats, and electrical glitches but they've all had solid powertrains, were easy to maintain, and never left me stranded.

Sounds like I need to decide Ford or GM. I like the engine in the Ford (not a fan of direct injection on GM), I like that Ford offers axle ratio options (although I'd prob get 3.73), I prefer the Eaton locking rear diff in the GM, prefer the GM front axle, HATE that Ford changed to ONE selectable hub, don't like Fords current quality struggles and endless recalls.

So far you've got me sticking with GM as top choice. I really appreciate the feedback and hope more people will share their experiences. Who would've guessed a Toyota forum would be the best place for HD truck talk

 

From what I've read, you're far from the only person who's experienced the death wobble in their Super Duty.

 

If you do go GM let us know and I’ll send you a link to the catch can I use to help mitigate that build up from the direct injection system. $150 and 10minute install. I empty it about every 3k miles

 

I've read about catch cans but never knew anyone that used one. Also have very little experience with direct injection, I've just read that it can lead to carbon build up. My wife has a Honda CRV with direct injection and it's been flawless, but only has 60k miles. My brother has a Silverado 1500 with the 5.3 which has direct injection and no problems yet, but only 50k miles. He's more worried about the DFM and is currently looking hard at a Tundra.

Please do share the link, I'd love to read about it and learn as much as I can ahead of time.
Did you wait until you were out of warranty to install it?
Any problems with the catch can in the winter? Don't they also catch moisture and couldn't that freeze?

 

No issues in winter that’s why I change every 3k miles. Even in the winter (I am in upstate NY) it doesn’t freeze. I think I put it on 2weeks after I got the truck. I kind of went on a spending spree after talking with @ColoradoTJ and @knoxville36

There is several install videos on YT and reviews. Is the can necessary? Maybe not, but I don’t think it hurts.

https://www.jlosc.com/search-result/?Year=2021&Make=gmc&Model=sierra 3500 hd &Liter=6.6l

 

Thank you, I do appreciate you sharing your experience.