Downsizing truck

[Shiggins37]

My friend had the 1500 with the diesel and it ended up getting lemon lawed. It was a 2023.

If you go 1/2 ton you are better off with a gas engine. They all get decent mileage on the highway whether a twin turbo V6 or the V8s.

If you are not towing much there is no need to deal with more expensive diesel fuel. Plus the gas engine 1/2 tons have plenty of power to tow.

On a side note, I do know that 2023 was the first model year that had the redesigned 3.0 labeled the LZ0 and did have some issues that have since been resolved. But if enough people keep saying they know a guy that had issues with the latest Gen 3.0 then I may avoid, just struggling getting away from diesel trucks. It is pretty insane the numbers that are coming out of gas motors these days. I do think that the only gas motors I would avoid right now is the Turbomax in the GM trucks and the 6.2 also income of the GM trail bosses.

 

[Shiggins37]

So I drove both of the trucks today…..
2026 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation 3.0 Duramax
2026 F150 XLT with 2.7L ecoboost.

Not a sizable difference in either one as far as acceleration goes.
Sierra
Plus: Dash seems much nicer and high end looking. Drivers seat very comfortable with plenty of room around me. The fuel economy will be far superior to the F150. Very stable and smooth on road handling. I like the looks far more than the F150
Negatives: No blind spot monitoring at this trim level. I have to stick with the Elevation for the front bench. No adaptive cruise control either, just lane keep assist and front end collision “notification” . No front bumper parking sensors. No 360 camera. Seats in back are not quite as comfortable as the F150

F150-
Plus: The 302A package I ordered on the one I placed at Sunrise Ford has all of the tech the Sierra was lacking. The Avalanche color. Higher ground clearance. Flat floorboard in the backseat. Dual power seats (vs Sierra only driver seat).
Cons- Lower fuel economy by a decent amount, chrome bumpers only for the XLT package with front bench. Cannot order the black appearance package with front bench. Rougher on road. More basic feeling dash and controls. $2800 more OTD than the Sierra. I have to wait 2-3 months for my special order truck to come in and the Sierra can be picked up this weekend.

I know there have been some concerns with the 3.0 Duramax and a few on here have voiced that they know someone who has had them. The powertrain warranty is 5yr/100k not that I want to have to use it though. I just want to make the best decision as I may be cut off after this one for a long time on buying trucks . I don’t put a crazy amount of miles on my truck but I will defiantly put more than I have on my Ram since the new one will get better fuel economy and not force me to drive one of our smaller cars.

 

[Crusty]

So where are the pics of yore new 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation 3.0 Duramax...

 

[Shiggins37]

So I pray I didn’t make a poor choice, but I ended up going with the GMC Sierra 3.0…. It was a great end of the month deal. Hoping I can control myself this time and not get rid of it too soon. I’m sure I’ll drive it more than the Ram which only got 12k miles on it in almost 2 years of ownership.
I got 27.1 mpg hand calculated on the drive home with a decent headwind for a lot of it and a very strong headwind coming through Palm Springs..

 

[Crusty]

Congrats man....nice truck.

 

[ESCO]

So I pray I didn’t make a poor choice, but I ended up going with the GMC Sierra 3.0…. It was a great end of the month deal. Hoping I can control myself this time and not get rid of it too soon. I’m sure I’ll drive it more than the Ram which only got 12k miles on it in almost 2 years of ownership.
I got 27.1 mpg hand calculated on the drive home with a decent headwind for a lot of it and a very strong headwind coming through Palm Springs..View attachment 189984

Looks nice, Grats.

 

[Sand Shark]

This has all been kind of what the masses have said..... Most are happy with their 3.0's but a lot of people know someone who has had issues. Im struggling getting away from diesel all together, but for no other reason than I love them.... Ive never had issues with emissions systems but I've also never kept one much outside the factory warranty. I have a truck addiction that won't go away! My Ram has all of 12k miles on it and im getting rid of it. I do need to stop at some point says the wife. Im still torn between F150 with 2.7 and Sierra with 3.0. Both are right around the same price point right now similarly equipped. I should probably just be patient and wait for the F150 I ordered to come in as my buddy that's buying the truck is in no rush and has a truck to drive in the meantime. Thanks again and keep the real world knowledge coming!
I haven't heard a single negative about the Ford 2.7 ecoboost from anybody other than if you're wanting to tow heavy which Im not... Im just a diesel nerd!

I have owned several Ecoboost F150s over the years. Solid motors other than my last one the cam phaser issue appeared at 90,000 miles and the turbos started making noises that sounded like it was going to get real expensive. That happened at 105,000 miles. I traded in my last F150 and made the switch to the Ram 1500.

It had the Hemi with the etorque. It was a solid truck for the 58,000 miles I used it. I leased as I was not sure if I would like the Ram. Plus the lease deal was too good to pass up. I just traded it in as my lease was up for another Ram 1500, but with the Hurricane motor. The Ram 1500 Lararmie is packed for with features and they are dealing. The Hurricane motor is a peppy turbo 6 cylinder. Fuel mileage is good. My 5.7 Hemi Ram gearing was not great for towing, but I only tow a flatbed trailer with my SXS on it so no big deal. New Ram should tow better as the Hurricane motor has more torque and hp.

 

[HP.Habits]

great truck, Ive been a fan since they came out with the min duramax in the colorados. Its funny too, I was talking about this with my Brother (lives in OC, Im in Utah) and he said he doesnt see the colorados or GMC canyon duramax's hardly ever... I swear I see them daily up here. I know plenty of people that have had issues or know someone that have had issues - I dont care lol I still want one.
Stoked for you, That looks great too! sweet trucks! One day Ill get one. its not uncommon to put 2k miles on my trucks in a single week depending on my schedule. I bought a little '04 toyota tacoma with the Inline 4 to keep the miles off my '10 3500 duramax... toyota gets 25mpg on oversized tires and its everything i can do to NOT put a turbo on the thing lol... I would love a "minimax", Thats a sweet truck!!

 

[Shiggins37]

Thanks….. she’s a good lookin truck, there are a few things I was shocked it didn’t come with for a half ton truck with a sticker of 62…. No front or back parking sensors (only available on the safety plus package) that isn’t available with the front bench, adaptive cruise control comes in that same package as well. No Blind spot monitoring, or auto dim rearview mirror…. These were a few compromises I made to go with the GMC vs the Ford which can be ordered with all the tech of a Lariat except for cloth seats to get the front bench option. It drives amazing and the MPG’s are probably the biggest factor in me choosing the truck. It will be a great road trip vehicle. Thanks for all the input, and hopefully I won’t need the 5yr/100k mile warranty for the drivetrain and it just keeps running!