[cat320]

has any one have a 3500HD and are they good for plowing?Or should i wait untill they come out with the new duramax trucks which will have a stock 4x4 in it if ordered.Does any one know about these new chevy trucks or have any info on them>

 

[plowking35]

The existing HD3500 is a 15000 gvw truck. the 4L80E is a very good auto tranny. The 350 and 454 gas engines speak for themselves. the 6.5 diesel is reliable but under powered compared to the dodge and ford offerings.
Now the new HD line up coming out will not offer a 15000 gvw 4x4. the highest will be 12000 with 4x4. There is talk that by 2002/03 they will have a line up to compete with the Ford 450/550.
The new duramax sounds great, but I dont think you will be able to find until spring. They are ramping up production now, but alot of back orders are waiting. the allison tranny speaks for itself. The new 8.1 gas engine will be a monster, and it will be available with the allison.
I forget the exact prices, but the 8.1 is like a $1200.00 option and the allison is another $2500.00. But if you get the highest trim level, they will throw the allison in.
the duramax adds another $4700.00 to the price. You will need to drive alot of miles before you get that back from the diesel option. I dont know if I would do it, and I definately would not buy a first model year truck.
http://www.6.2-6.5dieselpage.com will add more info
Dino

 

[John DiMartino]

There is a golfer at our course who plows with one,I asked him how it did,being 2wd and all.He Had a 9ft Fisher minute mount plow.He said after he ditched the rear tires for a more aggressive set,it didnt do bad,but he had a 2yd sander with custom built extenders on it,he said he had about 3yd in it most of the time,and when it got low or ran out,traction especialy in reverse was a problem at times.He had the 6.5 diesel,and is on his second motor(1st went out at 9K miles) ,with a new pump this year.truck is a 98.He said the braking is excellent,even fully loaded,no problems stopping,unlike his previous 1 ton.

 

[plowking35]

I saw a aftermarket but through the factory 4x4 conversion for the HD 3500. The truck GM should have built 5 years ago.
Its a monster and looks great. Cab chassis was selling for 34,500.00 long wheel base. Dont know what engine/tranny combo it had.
Dino