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[GearheadSS]

Pre-2007 5.3s are definitely the most reliable. Anything with AFM/DFM is prone to lifter failure. If I were buying a new GM 1500 that I planned to keep a long time, I'd get a 3.0L Duramax diesel or a 2.7L 4 cyl turbo.

[dustinm]

Originally Posted by GearheadSS

Pre-2007 5.3s are definitely the most reliable. Anything with AFM/DFM is prone to lifter failure. If I were buying a new GM 1500 that I planned to keep a long time, I'd get a 3.0L Duramax diesel or a 2.7L 4 cyl turbo.

You might want to investigate where the timing belt is on a 3.0l diesel as it's a 100k maintenance item, if your truly considering keeping one long term

[67since67]

Originally Posted by dustinm

You might want to investigate where the timing belt is on a 3.0l diesel as it's a 100k maintenance item, if your truly considering keeping one long term

Actually Dustin, the interval on early 3.0's is 150K, extended to 200K on 2023 and newer. By then it's all a crap-shoot anyway. Belt part number is the same for all years..

I've been down the rabbit hole researching this on forums (it's like talking politics!) and decided I'd prefer a scheduled maintenance over a "can fail at any time" (AFM/DFM lifters). I love my Baby Max, traded an Audi S6 for it and never looked back.
I rarely keep anything past 100K anyway. - Bill W

[GearheadSS]

Originally Posted by dustinm

You might want to investigate where the timing belt is on a 3.0l diesel as it's a 100k maintenance item, if your truly considering keeping one long term

I'll take the 200k timing belt service over the almost guaranteed lifter failures that come with the 5.3L and 6.2L.

[dustinm]

Originally Posted by GearheadSS

I'll take the 200k timing belt service over the almost guaranteed lifter failures that come with the 5.3L and 6.2L.

So now the belt replacement is now at 200k?

When are the lifters guaranteed to fail? I have 4 and need to know when to plan for this.

[1967 4K]

On my 2015 GMC Sierra 5.3 the lifter- camshaft failure happened at 110K miles. A 3K dollar repair bill. 👎👎👎! I’m not waiting for the transmission failure, going to sell soon.

[Too Many Projects]

Originally Posted by 1967 4K

On my 2015 GMC Sierra 5.3 the lifter- camshaft failure happened at 110K miles. A 3K dollar repair bill. 👎👎👎! I’m not waiting for the transmission failure, going to sell soon.

How many times have you changed the fluid in the trans ? I bought my 2011 with 51k and immediately dropped the pan and installed a drain plug. I then dropped and swapped 4 quarts at a time, every 100 miles, until I had run 12 quarts out. Fluid looks like new. I now drop 4 quarts every 3rd oil change (about 20k) and have never had an issue, and I've pulled my car and camper trailers over 20k of the 84k I've driven it. Mine is a 6 speed, is the 2015 the 8 speed ?

[WILMASBOYL78]

Originally Posted by Too Many Projects

How many times have you changed the fluid in the trans ? I bought my 2011 with 51k and immediately dropped the pan and installed a drain plug. I then dropped and swapped 4 quarts at a time, every 100 miles, until I had run 12 quarts out. Fluid looks like new. I now drop 4 quarts every 3rd oil change (about 20k) and have never had an issue, and I've pulled my car and camper trailers over 20k of the 84k I've driven it. Mine is a 6 speed, is the 2015 the 8 speed ?

I rebuilt the trans in our 2004 Suburban at around 165k miles..with some advice from folks here I upgraded a few of the internals. Also installed a trans temp gauge and we are using a hi-perf synthetic fluid.

Your idea of 'freshening' the tranny fluid is a winner...just need the drain plug.

[RPOLS3]

Originally Posted by GearheadSS

I'd get a 3.0L Duramax diesel or a 2.7L 4 cyl turbo.

We bought a 2.7T for one of our fleet work trucks in 2022 because we couldn't find a 5.3 anywhere at the time. Before we pulled the trigger I told the Sup't who it was for to go and drive it and left the decision up to him (wait for a 5.3 or go with the 2.7T) because I didn't want to hear about it for the next 7-8 years if he didn't like it. So far so good. He says it actually feels more powerful on the low end than the 5.3.

[GearheadSS]

Originally Posted by RPOLS3

We bought a 2.7T for one of our fleet work trucks in 2022 because we couldn't find a 5.3 anywhere at the time. Before we pulled the trigger I told the Sup't who it was for to go and drive it and left the decision up to him (wait for a 5.3 or go with the 2.7T) because I didn't want to hear about it for the next 7-8 years if he didn't like it. So far so good. He says it actually feels more powerful on the low end than the 5.3.

I have a 2023 Colorado Trail Boss with the 2.7L and I have no complaints other than the fuel economy. It's no better than the 5.3L in that regard. Plenty of power though.