2000 Silverado Questions
Question:
After waffling between Dodge and GM, I finally decided on the GM. I will soon be ordering a 2000 Silverado 1/2 ton, extended cab, 8′ bed, 5300 V-8, H-D Trailering package. It will mostly be a daily short distance driver, with an occasional 800 – 1000 mile trip. Maybe 5% of its life spent pulling a trailer — 6×12 enclosed Pace American single axle. I want a truck that rides well and will last. I’ve had my ‘84 GMC S-15 for 11 years and 250k miles, and plan on keeping this new truck a while. I am trying to decide on the rear end and the suspension. The choices for rear end are: i) 3.42 Axle Ratio (GM Code GU6) ii) 3.73 Axle Ratio (GM Code GT4) The choices for suspension are: i) Firm Ride = monotube 36mm shocks (GM Code Z85) ii) Ride Control = 2-position electronic control (smooth road/trailering), 46mm shocks (GM Code Z85) Also — does anyone have any experience with the beefed-up 770 CCA battery (GM Code 8B0) and 130 Amp alternator (GM Code 8A7)? Thanks for your thoughts….
Response:
wrotc: >After waffling between Dodge and GM, I finally decided on the GM. >I will soon be ordering a 2000 Silverado 1/2 ton, extended cab, 8′ bed, >5300 V-8, H-D Trailering package. >It will mostly be a daily short distance driver, with an occasional 800 >- 1000 mile trip. Maybe 5% of its life spent pulling a trailer — 6×12 >enclosed Pace American single axle. >I want a truck that rides well and will last. I’ve had my ‘84 GMC S-15 >for 11 years and 250k miles, and plan on keeping this new truck a while. >I am trying to decide on the rear end and the suspension. >The choices for rear end are: >i) 3.42 Axle Ratio (GM Code GU6) >ii) 3.73 Axle Ratio (GM Code GT4)
Get the 3.73. I’ve got the 3.42 and while it’s good for everyday driving I’d want a higher ratio for trailering. I’ve pulled several 6×12’s with it and it definately does better than my ram ever did. Also get the G80 locking differential. It’s an eaton govlock and it works very well for me. >The choices for suspension are: >i) Firm Ride = monotube 36mm shocks (GM Code Z85) >ii) Ride Control = 2-position electronic control (smooth >road/trailering), 46mm shocks (GM Code Z85)
I’ve got the z85 and there are times that it’s too firm for a comfortable ride. I’d opt for the electronic shocks which allow you to adjust the control when you need to. Now I will say that it handles like a sports car with a truck body. Where my ram would wallow on the road my silverado just eats up the same patch of road. >Also — does anyone have any experience with the beefed-up 770 CCA >battery (GM Code 8B0) and 130 Amp alternator (GM Code 8A7)?
Get both especially if you like to add lots of electronics to you vehicles.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > After waffling between Dodge and GM, I finally decided on the GM. > I will soon be ordering a 2000 Silverado 1/2 ton, extended cab, 8′ bed, > 5300 V-8, H-D Trailering package. > It will mostly be a daily short distance driver, with an occasional 800 > – 1000 mile trip. Maybe 5% of its life spent pulling a trailer — 6×12 > enclosed Pace American single axle. > I want a truck that rides well and will last. I’ve had my ‘84 GMC S-15 > for 11 years and 250k miles, and plan on keeping this new truck a while. > I am trying to decide on the rear end and the suspension. > The choices for rear end are: > i) 3.42 Axle Ratio (GM Code GU6) > ii) 3.73 Axle Ratio (GM Code GT4) > The choices for suspension are: > i) Firm Ride = monotube 36mm shocks (GM Code Z85) > ii) Ride Control = 2-position electronic control (smooth > road/trailering), 46mm shocks (GM Code Z85) > Also — does anyone have any experience with the beefed-up 770 CCA > battery (GM Code 8B0) and 130 Amp alternator (GM Code 8A7)? > Thanks for your thoughts….
Pick the 3.73 axle, the Ride control, and the HD electrical. Cost a little bit now, but well worth it in the end. — .boB 97 H-D 1200S 97 H-D FXDWG 95 Ram 1500 CC/LWB 83 GMC Jimmy (beater) 65 427SC Cobra (project)
Response:
Definitely go with the 3.73 rear end. I have a ‘89 GMC 1/2 ton 350 with a 3.42 and it is very gutless in the gear department. A 3.42 with a overdrive is very stupid. A 3.42 is only needed w/o overdrive. Ronbo – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > After waffling between Dodge and GM, I finally decided on the GM. > I will soon be ordering a 2000 Silverado 1/2 ton, extended cab, 8′ bed, > 5300 V-8, H-D Trailering package. > It will mostly be a daily short distance driver, with an occasional 800 > – 1000 mile trip. Maybe 5% of its life spent pulling a trailer — 6×12 > enclosed Pace American single axle. > I want a truck that rides well and will last. I’ve had my ‘84 GMC S-15 > for 11 years and 250k miles, and plan on keeping this new truck a while. > I am trying to decide on the rear end and the suspension. > The choices for rear end are: > i) 3.42 Axle Ratio (GM Code GU6) > ii) 3.73 Axle Ratio (GM Code GT4) > The choices for suspension are: > i) Firm Ride = monotube 36mm shocks (GM Code Z85) > ii) Ride Control = 2-position electronic control (smooth > road/trailering), 46mm shocks (GM Code Z85) > Also — does anyone have any experience with the beefed-up 770 CCA > battery (GM Code 8B0) and 130 Amp alternator (GM Code 8A7)? > Thanks for your thoughts….
