jQuery not supported.

Which truck to get for best MPG's

Decided to sell the 04 denali 6.0

Which truck to get for best MPG's

Postby crimson850 [OP] » Feb 23 2012, 2:42am

Im going to buy a used silverado or sierra and want to know the best one to get for fuel milage. I am going to get the 5.3 because I tow trailers and go up mountains often. Does the gear ratio make a difference or what? we have an 09 silverado crew cab that wil get 19 highway and has the AFM...I am going to make sure my new truck as AFM but what else should I Make sure it has? it has to be a 4wd and prefer z71..whats the difference in the z71 and standard? Thanks guys!
:?:
Original Poster
crimson850
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 7
Topics: 2
Blogs: 0
Joined: Feb 23 2012, 2:17am
Location: Virginia
Year: 2004
Make/Model: GMC Sierra
Variant: Denali
Group Membership:
Registered users
Related Topics  How the truck computes average MPG. Which is correct?   MPG's   06 mpg   MPG above 20 is possible   MPG's at 7000 ft.   MPG about to drop   Getting 17-22 highway mpg   E85 MPG   AVG. MPG   New motor mpg   Horrible MPG   My Highway MPG Testimonial   looking for a good 4x4 with best mpg   5.3 average mpg inside. 
Vortec 5300 5.3L V8 Sponsor
Advertise Here

Re: Which truck to get for best MPG's

Postby quickdrraw » Feb 23 2012, 2:49am

Z71 has the beefed up suspension, extra skid plates, rear gov lock limited slip differential, more aggressive shocks (stiffer). Not 100% but I think it has better tires as well. As for MPG I wouldn't go higher then 5.3 unless you need the torque and HP.
Image
"Before I close my eyes I fantasize I'm living well, but when I wake I realize I'm just a prisoner in Hell" -Tupac Shakur
User avatar
quickdrraw
Combustion on 6 pistons [L2]
Combustion on 6 pistons [L2]
Posts: 600
Topics: 24
Images: 41
Blogs: 7
Joined: Dec 08 2011, 8:42am
Location: north carolina
Year: 2008
Make/Model: GMC Sierra
Extra Info: 1500 Z71 5.3 EXT CAB
Group Membership:
Registered users
Servicemen

Re: Which truck to get for best MPG's

Postby EKinMN » Feb 23 2012, 2:52am

Also, from a gear ratio standpoint:
3.42 are really good for towing, but 3.08 will give better MPG. If you are doing mountain towing, though, you will not like the 3.08 at all. Go with 3.42.
Image
2010 GMC Sierra, Summit White All-Terrain. Mods include molded mudflaps, soft
toneau cover, bed mat, side steps, and 5000k HID's
User avatar
EKinMN
Staff Member
Staff Member
Shifting into Sixth Gear! [L3]
Shifting into Sixth Gear! [L3]
Posts: 4159
Topics: 100
Images: 28
Blogs: 6
Joined: Oct 08 2010, 4:16am
Years of membership: 1 year of membership
Location: Twin Cities metro area, MN
Year: 2010
Make/Model: GMC Sierra
Extra Info: All Terrain Z71
Group Membership:
How-to Authors
Global moderators
Registered users

Re: Which truck to get for best MPG's

Postby crimson850 [OP] » Feb 23 2012, 2:53am

EKinMN wrote:Also, from a gear ratio standpoint:
3.42 are really good for towing, but 3.08 will give better MPG. If you are doing mountain towing, though, you will not like the 3.08 at all. Go with 3.42.



What do you think the difference in MPG will be?
Original Poster
crimson850
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 7
Topics: 2
Blogs: 0
Joined: Feb 23 2012, 2:17am
Location: Virginia
Year: 2004
Make/Model: GMC Sierra
Variant: Denali
Group Membership:
Registered users

Re: Which truck to get for best MPG's

Postby EKinMN » Feb 23 2012, 2:59am

It depends on how heavy your foot is. I have the 3.42, and get in the upper teens (18-ish). You might add a point, or 1.5 to that, but no more. No one is averaging over 20 that I am aware of.
The key is being light on the pedal, and keeping the RPM's below 2000 when not towing.
Image
2010 GMC Sierra, Summit White All-Terrain. Mods include molded mudflaps, soft
toneau cover, bed mat, side steps, and 5000k HID's
User avatar
EKinMN
Staff Member
Staff Member
Shifting into Sixth Gear! [L3]
Shifting into Sixth Gear! [L3]
Posts: 4159
Topics: 100
Images: 28
Blogs: 6
Joined: Oct 08 2010, 4:16am
Years of membership: 1 year of membership
Location: Twin Cities metro area, MN
Year: 2010
Make/Model: GMC Sierra
Extra Info: All Terrain Z71
Group Membership:
How-to Authors
Global moderators
Registered users

Re: Which truck to get for best MPG's

Postby crimson850 [OP] » Feb 23 2012, 3:02am

gotcha. Now I know some of the sierras say "all terrain" such as yours on the side...whats the difference? I do go off road so id like the z71 and all terrain if possible but when you get the z71 do you automatically get the all terrain badge?
Last edited by EKinMN on Feb 23 2012, 3:08am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Please do not quote the post above yours. It's redundant. Please just use the quick reply button.
Original Poster
crimson850
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 7
Topics: 2
Blogs: 0
Joined: Feb 23 2012, 2:17am
Location: Virginia
Year: 2004
Make/Model: GMC Sierra
Variant: Denali
Group Membership:
Registered users

Re: Which truck to get for best MPG's

Postby EKinMN » Feb 23 2012, 3:07am

Nope. All Terrain is a separate package. it has some interior differences (like the brushed aluminum dash panels), and it has skid plates (that may be standard on the Z71....I do not remember). Mine also has the Z71 suspension.
But you can get the Z71 without the All Terrain, if you want to.
Image
2010 GMC Sierra, Summit White All-Terrain. Mods include molded mudflaps, soft
toneau cover, bed mat, side steps, and 5000k HID's
User avatar
EKinMN
Staff Member
Staff Member
Shifting into Sixth Gear! [L3]
Shifting into Sixth Gear! [L3]
Posts: 4159
Topics: 100
Images: 28
Blogs: 6
Joined: Oct 08 2010, 4:16am
Years of membership: 1 year of membership
Location: Twin Cities metro area, MN
Year: 2010
Make/Model: GMC Sierra
Extra Info: All Terrain Z71
Group Membership:
How-to Authors
Global moderators
Registered users

Re: Which truck to get for best MPG's

Postby crimson850 [OP] » Feb 23 2012, 3:10am

having brushed aluminum dash panels really helps it off road I'm told!! just kidding..but thats so dumb to have that as part of an "all terrain" package.. is active fuel management standard? and does it really help much?
Original Poster
crimson850
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 7
Topics: 2
Blogs: 0
Joined: Feb 23 2012, 2:17am
Location: Virginia
Year: 2004
Make/Model: GMC Sierra
Variant: Denali
Group Membership:
Registered users

Re: Which truck to get for best MPG's

Postby EKinMN » Feb 23 2012, 3:18am

I don't know what the AFM does overall. It's standard on all 5.3L engines now, so it's really not an option.
I have only been off road once, and I got to tell ya, I would never have made it off the trail without my aluminum dash! :lol: It helps in deep snow, too.
There are other things that are part of the all terrain...I just cannot name them off the top.
Image
2010 GMC Sierra, Summit White All-Terrain. Mods include molded mudflaps, soft
toneau cover, bed mat, side steps, and 5000k HID's
User avatar
EKinMN
Staff Member
Staff Member
Shifting into Sixth Gear! [L3]
Shifting into Sixth Gear! [L3]
Posts: 4159
Topics: 100
Images: 28
Blogs: 6
Joined: Oct 08 2010, 4:16am
Years of membership: 1 year of membership
Location: Twin Cities metro area, MN
Year: 2010
Make/Model: GMC Sierra
Extra Info: All Terrain Z71
Group Membership:
How-to Authors
Global moderators
Registered users

Re: Which truck to get for best MPG's

Postby tsduke » Feb 23 2012, 3:57am

EKinMN wrote:Also, from a gear ratio standpoint:
3.42 are really good for towing, but 3.08 will give better MPG. If you are doing mountain towing, though, you will not like the 3.08 at all. Go with 3.42.


I thinks it's debatable whether the 3.08 will show better mpg. In many cases could possibly be worse such as in terrains that will cause frequent downshifting.
User avatar
tsduke
Combustion on 2 pistons [L2]
Combustion on 2 pistons [L2]
Posts: 264
Topics: 25
Images: 3
Blogs: 0
Joined: Oct 05 2010, 1:26pm
Years of membership: 1 year of membership
Location: Iowa
Year: 2012
Make/Model: Chevrolet Silverado
Extra Info: Z71 Ext Cab 5.3l
Group Membership:
Registered users

Return to Vortec 5300 5.3L V8

 

  • Similar topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post
  • MPG's
    1, 2 by fox4wd1981 » Oct 21 2011, 6:29am
    16 Replies
    619 Views
    User avatar
    Last post by BuxCamper View the latest post
    Oct 22 2011, 1:52am
  • 8 Replies
    76 Views
    Last post by SilveradoSierra.com View the latest post
    May 25 2012, 12:20am
  • 06 mpg
    1, 2 by bradman0087 » Nov 10 2011, 2:48pm
    13 Replies
    407 Views
    Last post by toadman View the latest post
    Nov 26 2011, 2:04am
  • MPG above 20 is possible
    Averaging over 20 MPG with a 5.3L Sierra
    1, 2, 3, 4Attachment(s) by EKinMN » Mar 17 2012, 2:18pm
    39 Replies
    2516 Views
    Last post by Choda View the latest post
    Apr 07 2012, 12:03pm
  • What mpg can I expect?
    1, 2, 3, 4 by Ga-Silverado » Apr 22 2011, 5:54pm
    34 Replies
    4297 Views
    Last post by mtnchev View the latest post
    Dec 17 2011, 9:35am
  • increase mpg's
    1, 2 by bradman0087 » May 01 2011, 1:14pm
    10 Replies
    3953 Views
    User avatar
    Last post by WingNut View the latest post
    May 03 2011, 4:15am

Common search terms

doing part think fuel truck side things give guys might light help thanks make tires mine rear used

It is currently May 25 2012, 12:20am

Login  •  Register
SHOP TALK (Live Chat)
Vortec 5300 5.3L V8 Forum
Vortec 5300 5.3L V8 specific.
To create a new topic in Vortec 5300 5.3L V8, click this button:
Previous topic Next topic
Sitewide News Sitemaps & Feeds

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests