2002 8.1 L 2500 HD, Chevy Silverado…thoughts ?

[57NAPCO]

There is one for sale in town so I’m going to go check it out. It has 158,000 miles on it, also has an exhaust leak and a bad O2 sensor so says the seller. These brutes have always interested me.

What say you ?

[Greg58]

My good friend has one, he loves it but complains about fuel economy!
Not something you should expect with 500 cubes of big block power!
I follow those trucks when ever I see one, if clean they can bring D-max money.
Is the one you are looking at a 4x4?

[4793]

My '02 avatar truck is a 4x4 with the 8.1/6 spd manual combination and I like it a lot. I was able to test out a '03 with the 6.0/5 spd at the same time. The 6.0 had to be wound up to do much of anything, while the 8.1 was more like a diesel and could lug at lower RPM- and for whatever reason that appealed to me.

It will pull- and works up a powerful thirst. If the one you're looking at has an Allison, I believe it's possible it has 3.73s instead of 4.10s but not sure it would make much difference. They also have the traditional big-block thing of using a little oil- checking the level more often was the biggest adjustment to make.

[57NAPCO]

Thanks y’all,

I’m on another F,B,D trip so not much internet

[too much stuff]

I just recently picked this one up and like it. They do like gas and do consume some oil. About a quart between changes best i can tell, but i have only put about 2500 miles on it so far. 8.1/6spd Allison

[chewychevy67]

I have one. I love it. I wouldn't trade it for a new truck. Does everything I ask with no problems.

[LT7A]

I guess it will depend on what you want it for whether it suits your needs. Whatever the case there, that thing is all truck, all the time. Worth having for that reason alone.