[GSO LAWNEN4CER]

Guys what’s your opinion on this topic? It’s a full blown war going on in my mind. Which is more critical to business. My 2012 Silverado 5.3 crew cab is starting to get a little long in the tooth. She’s knocking on the door of 200k. Not to mention I upgraded all equipment and trailer last season. So now I’m pulling about 5,000lbs more and the 5.3 is really down on power. I’m trying to justify another major purchase. And it’s driving me crazy. I know they are both critical. Any thoughts?

 

[Rick1111]

Mowers. Your truck is merely an Uber for your “workers” I.e your mowers. Now that being said you need your “Uber” to be reliable and to be able to haul whatever you need. Driving job to job makes zero income. Your workhorses are your mowers. Your money makers.

 

[Rick1111]

I’m still using my 2008 f350 SD dually for the mow crew at 170k miles. Going to keep her rolling as long as I can. I’ve had it since 30k miles.

 

[SlowMowTurf]

Equipment and what you pull it with are both critical. If you upgraded all equipment and trailer last season, then nothing to worry about there. Sounds like the Silverado is still capable/working BUT within 3 years you WILL need to replace it.

 

[Crazy 4 grass]

200,000 on that engine is nothing. I have the same year same motor at 240,000. Engine operates like new.. I fully expect to roll over 300,000.

 

[Crazy 4 grass]

Equipment and what you pull it with are both critical. If you upgraded all equipment and trailer last season, then nothing to worry about there. Sounds like the Silverado is still capable/working BUT within 3 years you WILL need to replace it.

How can you possibly say how long it will last, without knowledge of how many miles he puts on a year?

 

[SlowMowTurf]

How can you possibly say it will only last three years, without knowledge of how many miles he puts on a year?

You are correct, I have no idea what shape his truck is in. He sounds a bit worried about both, trying to calm fears on equipment since he says all has been replaced. OP sounds a bit worried about truck but it seems like it's still working OK. No need to replace anything right now, but as always we need to watch out for what may be next (which can always change).

 

[Mark Stark]

How can you possibly say how long it will last, without knowledge of how many miles he puts on a year?

 

[GSO LAWNEN4CER]

Here’s my rig. As you can tell I take great care of my equipment and truck. Oil is changed on a regular etc. the 200k on the clock just bothers me. GM products tend to have a shelf life.🫠

 

[Crazy 4 grass]

Aside from the mental hurdle of 200000 has anything else happened to give you reason to believe it won't continue running well? How many miles do you put on a year?

Great looking truck by the way

 

[GSO LAWNEN4CER]

Aside from the mental hurdle of 200000 has anything else happened to give you reason to believe it won't continue running well? How many miles do you put on a year?

Great looking truck by the way

Nope! Battery and brakes and a shift linkage grommet that was $12.00. And the driver side door pull cable that was $45.00 and that’s pretty much it. I did change the driver side valve cover because of GM’s stupid design flaw during production. That was I think $95.00. I changed that like 7-8 years ago!

 

[SlowMowTurf]

I would say you are doing EXCELLENT on that vehicle. Like everything, eventually it will need to be replaced, but it sounds like it's no where near replacement currently.

 

[GSO LAWNEN4CER]

I would say you are doing EXCELLENT on that vehicle. Like everything, eventually it will need to be replaced, but it sounds like it's no where near replacement currently.

But like I mentioned. This trailer setup with equipment is about 5,000lbs more than the old setup. Which on the freeway the transmission goes bananas down shifting and up shifting. And when running the A/C she just doesn’t have enough steam on the freeway. I’ll be adding even more weight this off season with shelves and racks in the trailer.

 

[Crazy 4 grass]

Are you using the overdrive over ride? This helps with the hunting. Could turn the ac off.... Could take it easier on the gas pedal...

To me it sounds like you want a new truck and are looking for reasons to justify it. Nothing necessarily wrong with that either....who doesn't like new stuff!

 

[Ridin' Green]

But like I mentioned. This trailer setup with equipment is about 5,000lbs more than the old setup. Which on the freeway the transmission goes bananas down shifting and up shifting. And when running the A/C she just doesn’t have enough steam on the freeway. I’ll be adding even more weight this off season with shelves and racks in the trailer.

A simple ring and pinion swap front and rear is a LOT less money than a new truck. What rear end do you have? If it;s the 3:08 or 3:23, change it to the 3:42 or if that is what you have, change it to a 3:73 or 4:10.

 

[GSO LAWNEN4CER]

A simple ring and pinion swap front and rear is a LOT less money than a new truck. What rear end do you have? If it;s the 3:08 or 3:23, change it to the 3:42 or if that is what you have, change it to a 3:73 or 4:10.

I have thought about slapping a set of heads and a cam in her,for more towing power. That’s also cheaper than a new truck.

 

[Ridin' Green]

I have thought about slapping a set of heads and a cam in her,for more towing power. That’s also cheaper than a new truck.

Yes, but that can end up costing a lot more money than a ring and pinion swap. Now, if your engine is tired bad, or using or leaking oil, then engine work might be the ticket, but if it is running fine as it sits, R&P. Bet the gear oil could use a change anyway.

 

[Jashley73]

If you want more towing "power," @Ridin' Green is correct - nothing will be as inexpensive, or as effective as swapping the ring & pinion gears.

More power from the engine won't do much at takeoff, with a load behind it, when you're hamstrung by highway gears.

Get some estimates on a ring & pinion swap.

 

[GSO LAWNEN4CER]

Yes, but that can end up costing a lot more money than a ring and pinion swap. Now, if your engine is tired bad, or using or leaking oil, then engine work might be the ticket, but if it is running fine as it sits, R&P. Bet the gear oil could use a change anyway.

As stated she’s right at 200k and the heads & cam package would essentially give me a new top end.Ending my worries about higher mileage failures. Also giving me a very noticeable power increase. The gearing swap could still be done in conjunction with the heads & cam…

 

[walkinonwater27]

Truck looks pretty clean if you take care of it and everything else is functional/ in great shape. Minimal rust throughs I’d skip the package and start saving for an engine swap at some point depending on how expensive the engine upgrade vs engine swap is. Or saving for a nice down payment if you want a newer one. My truck is a 08 150k but I’ve replaced so much since I’ve gotten it, the engine is the only thing that rolled off the lot with it. I’d replace the engine rather than spend a ton.if she feels weak you could also change out your plugs and coils , maybe help