# Need advice on a late model truck.. **URL:** \ **Category:** Shift518 Automotive\ **Created:** [May 24, 2010, 12:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-advice-on-a-late-model-truck/252245 "2010-05-24T12:09:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SDP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@SDP](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SDP)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 5:23pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-advice-on-a-late-model-truck/252245/21 "2010-05-24T17:23:08Z")
I just picked up an 03 chevy 1500 with the 5.3. What a great truck, I have driven and worked on so many types over the years and these are an all around solid truck. Only thing I don’t like about mine is that i’m used to 2500/3500 leaf springs and mine sags too much with the heavier trailers. ---
**Author:** ![88slowmarro](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/88slowmarro/32/6339_2.png) [@88slowmarro](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/88slowmarro)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 5:25pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-advice-on-a-late-model-truck/252245/22 "2010-05-24T17:25:31Z")
its sad that chevys smallest motor the 4.8 still has more than the others biggest ---
**Author:** ![plaf713](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@plaf713](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/plaf713)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 5:33pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-advice-on-a-late-model-truck/252245/23 "2010-05-24T17:33:04Z")
def look 5.3, my 6.0 gets around 12 mpgs at most city and between 15-18 highway. Unless you do a lot of hauling i see no need for the 6.0. Mine is all time awd though ---
**Author:** ![Bryan90GL-X](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Bryan90GL-X](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Bryan90GL-X)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 6:27pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-advice-on-a-late-model-truck/252245/24 "2010-05-24T18:27:42Z")
All this good stuff about Chevy 5.3’s is good to hear, Im picking up a 99 1500 Z71 tomorrow to replace my suicidal daily driver. Looks like its gonna be pretty sweet, got it for a decent price too. ---
**Author:** ![PJB](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/pjb/32/6389_2.png) [@PJB](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/PJB)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 6:39pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-advice-on-a-late-model-truck/252245/25 "2010-05-24T18:39:13Z")
> [@MT SUV?](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mt-suv/32158/8): > > the susp is great on em . its basically people that hear hearsay and dont know first hand what to look for . remember i see most of the shit that breaks on a wide variety of cars and trucks . fords new 3 valve motor sucks if ya go anymore than 25-30k with the sparkplugs your fucked as they bust off in the head and are underpowered like a mofo . dodge welll its self explinitory front ends tranny,s and so on Supposedly the replacement plugs dont break like the factory ones did. Off the line my truck is a bit of a dog but on the highway it has plenty of power. Ive towed my car across town on a trailer once and it handled the load just fine. My truck has the towing package, tranny cooler and heavier duty rear differential. ---
**Author:** ![6SPD\_S4](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/6spd_s4/32/6326_2.png) [@6SPD\_S4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/6SPD_S4)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 7:59pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-advice-on-a-late-model-truck/252245/26 "2010-05-24T19:59:11Z")
This makes me want a pickup ---
**Author:** ![Boxersix](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/boxersix/32/6327_2.png) [@Boxersix](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Boxersix)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 10:14pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-advice-on-a-late-model-truck/252245/27 "2010-05-24T22:14:45Z")
> [@MT SUV?](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mt-suv/32158/12): > > I just picked up an 03 chevy 1500 with the 5.3. What a great truck, I have driven and worked on so many types over the years and these are an all around solid truck. Only thing I don’t like about mine is that i’m used to 2500/3500 leaf springs and mine sags too much with the heavier trailers. We put bags in the back of the dually here because of this too. Helps tremendously when hauling the 50 footer. Nothing crazy, no tanks or pumps. Just bags plumbed to an air valve(schrader type) mounted under the rear bumper. I usually drive it around with them filled because the truck looks all jacked and hucks through the corners better than my dumparoo :tongue ---
**Author:** ![94Gt5.0](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/94gt5.0/32/6377_2.png) [@94Gt5.0](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/94Gt5.0)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 10:18pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-advice-on-a-late-model-truck/252245/28 "2010-05-24T22:18:24Z")
Ive had great luck and no issues with the 2005 5.4 F150, decent mileage, good power, and has been mechanically sound. ---
**Author:** ![PJB](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/pjb/32/6389_2.png) [@PJB](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/PJB)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2010, 4:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-advice-on-a-late-model-truck/252245/29 "2010-05-25T04:49:21Z")
Yeah, my '06 has been good so far too but he’s looking at '00-'03 trucks. ---
**Author:** ![Allstar\_Graphics](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/allstar_graphics/32/6287_2.png) [@Allstar\_Graphics](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Allstar_Graphics)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2010, 5:15am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-advice-on-a-late-model-truck/252245/30 "2010-05-25T05:15:08Z")
do not get a f-250/350 with a 5.4 unless you want horrible fuel mileage, a weak motor, and exhaust manifolds that are impossible to change that crack all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Wayne64SS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/wayne64ss/32/6365_2.png) [@Wayne64SS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Wayne64SS)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2010, 6:02am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-advice-on-a-late-model-truck/252245/31 "2010-05-25T06:02:53Z")
> [@Reason #3252541241 Why Banks Suck Ass](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/reason-3252541241-why-banks-suck-ass/32157/41): > > do not get a f-250/350 with a 5.4 unless you want horrible fuel mileage, a weak motor, and exhaust manifolds that are impossible to change that crack all the time. i hate to say it, but he’s 100% on the money here. 5.4s aint shit. ---
**Author:** ![SDP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@SDP](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SDP)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2010, 6:53pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-advice-on-a-late-model-truck/252245/32 "2010-05-25T18:53:09Z")
> [@The N word was buried..](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/the-n-word-was-buried/32146/40): > > We put bags in the back of the dually here because of this too. I looked at an 06 3500 same as ours and noticed different leaf springs than our 03, ours has 9 leafs and the 06 has 8. the lower springs are also thicker. It rides good and sits right, pretty good considering the trailer itself is weighing in at 20-21k loaded! ---
**Author:** ![offroadzj](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/offroadzj/32/6428_2.png) [@offroadzj](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/offroadzj)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2010, 7:00pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-advice-on-a-late-model-truck/252245/33 "2010-05-25T19:00:21Z")
[http://shift518.gom-host.com/showthread.php?t=17917](http://shift518.gom-host.com/showthread.php?t=17917) Proof of towing ability is in the thread. ---
**Author:** ![mcflurry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mcflurry/32/6468_2.png) [@mcflurry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mcflurry)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2010, 7:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-advice-on-a-late-model-truck/252245/34 "2010-05-25T19:06:53Z")
i have an '01 1500 ram and tow 3500-4000 with it daily and has never given me a problem besides normal wear and tear ---
**Author:** ![PJB](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/pjb/32/6389_2.png) [@PJB](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/PJB)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-advice-on-a-late-model-truck/252245/35 "2010-05-25T19:20:09Z")
> [@Reason #3252541241 Why Banks Suck Ass](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/reason-3252541241-why-banks-suck-ass/32157/41): > > do not get a f-250/350 with a 5.4 unless you want horrible fuel mileage, a weak motor, and exhaust manifolds that are impossible to change that crack all the time. He’s looking at 1/2 tons anyway. Yeah, the 5.4 is gutless in a 3/4 ton or 1 ton though. Ive driven a few that my boss has had and they feel powerless. Even the V10 in his current F350 seems slow as fuck. ---
**Author:** ![kramerbuccs24](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/kramerbuccs24/32/6397_2.png) [@kramerbuccs24](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/kramerbuccs24)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2010, 10:25pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-advice-on-a-late-model-truck/252245/36 "2010-05-25T22:25:32Z")
get a GS300 faggot then have VOT VOT teach you how to mod 'er up ---
**Author:** ![Mk4\_30R\_Ban](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mk4_30r_ban/32/6347_2.png) [@Mk4\_30R\_Ban](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Mk4_30R_Ban)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2010, 2:44am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-advice-on-a-late-model-truck/252245/37 "2010-05-26T02:44:58Z")
chevy with a 5.3 or the 6.0 LQ engine. look no further. ---
**Author:** ![Jammer](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jammer/32/6349_2.png) [@Jammer](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jammer)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2010, 4:12am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-advice-on-a-late-model-truck/252245/38 "2010-05-26T04:12:56Z")
The early V-8 tundras had some funny tranny issues when towing due to software calibrations… GM engines 5.3 /5.7 / 6.0 are hard to beat realiability wise. 100k on my 5.3 and I would tow 4500 lbs up hills and hold it at 5500 rpm for 3-4 minutes at a time… it loved it. But I sold it just in case it didnt. LOL [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-advice-on-a-late-model-truck/252245.md?page=1)