Sorry about losing hound. I had a Great Dane several years ago. I drove an old diesel volvo wagon. He consumed the entire back deck. He was huge and completely lovable. Thanks for your reply.
I got a 2004 Chevy 3500 crewcab long bed 4x4 8.1 (496ci.) 4.10 rear gears Allison transmission, 265,000 miles sill running strong. 10 mpg highway 9 mpg local driving.the truck weighs 8.800 lbs. and about another 300 lbs of tools. Towing heavy loads 6 mpg. Towing my 25ft gooseneck that weighs 5,500 lbs. 7,5 mpg., very good dependable truck. This year I did replace all needed front end parts and front end alignment and front right wheel bearing. Runs and drives great. I have a really nice 2001 Chevy 2500HD Excab 4x4 Duramax lb7 with only 95,000 miles with a K&N cold air breather and tow tuner. But it’s my 3500 dually 8.1 that I go to hauling loads with my gooseneck which is mostly hay , I move and average of 900 4x5 round bales a year . 14 bales at a time. 950 lbs a peace plus 5,5000 lbs gooseneck trailer.
Thanks for watching! I still do love my 8.1. We're back up to 8-10 mpg depending on load. They're really hard to beat for the money! I'm glad to hear yours is still going strong!
Funny about the AutoLights in your 8.1. I'm an AC and NGK fan but my 69 427 loves them. My wires came out that way. Not much room to get the spark plug end off. Used a 5/8 in. plug socket with a 3/4 in end and used socket to get them out.
Hey man. Just did plugs and wires on my 8.1. They looked just like yours! They were white with black carbon on them. Its normal for this engine. I think theres no point in using iridium as these need to be changed way before 100,000. No change in MPG but after looking at the plugs I’m happy I did.
Yep, they may not have been THE problem, but they were definitely A problem! I didn't gain any MPG but the engine light has been staying off. This is my first Allison equipped 8.1 and I think that may be the difference in MPG. Maybe it's time for a 5 speed swap?
Yes gm recommends changing every 25,000 miles and I don't use 5w20 oil in mine as I have over 100,000 miles.. when over 70,000 miles I switch all my vehicles over to Castrol 10w40 or 20w50..except my 7.3l powerstrokes. I use Rotella or Motorcraft only
As far as aftermarket performance.. Raylar is the way to go without question it's not cheap but they specialized in these motors and you will make absolutely the most power and torque reliably
If I had the budget, I'd love to put together a Raylar package. Unfortunately my poor life choices have left me with an income that does not support such fine products...Thanks for watching and the comment!
Decent tune up, plugs & wires, maybe new high performance coils, mine gets upwards of 12 mpg highway, 7 mpg towing ! It's a TRUCK, not a grocery getter!
Check GM Diesel Place look in there for GM Gassers. Big time info on the 8.1 Blog. I have a 2004 from new 3500 silverado s.r.w. NGK plugs gapped at 45.000 thou. better throttle response and a lot more from those guys.
I own a 2001 3500 dually with a 8.1 and I run the E3 spark plugs and I have no problem with power and a little bit better in fuel mileage. I also have a cold air intake with a K&N air filter.
@@halfahotrods6332 the are really good and I get more milage on those plugs than regular plugs. Of course I get the white powder on my plugs also. The motor itself has about 285,000 miles
Thank you sir! I have been lazy and not keeping track, but I'm taking a long trip with the trailer in a couple weeks and I'll give an update. Thanks for watching!
Love 8.1s I drive one everyday. Don't care that it gets 7 MPG. HAS NEVER LET ME DOWN 250,000 miles. Pulls like a mule... Also, I love hound. What breed is hound?
I can't believe the prices these are bringing now! My son just got a screaming deal on one though. Look for it in future videos! Thanks for watching and the comment!
I bought an 02 CCLB 4x4 117k miles for 12k. It only booked for 9k lol. I think it was a good deal. Just put maghytec trans pan and changed rear diff fluid. I love it except from a stop it hardly moves in the first couple inches of throttle then just takes off kind of abruptly. Not sure why and it’s annoying lol.
@@vegastyle84 Every once in a while there's something I'd consider paying over book value for. If it's a nice truck and you're ok with the price, I guess that's all that matters. That hesitation could be "fun" to figure out unless it turns on an engine light or something. If it has the Allison trans, those can feel like they're holding the truck back at low speeds too. Thanks for watching!
Okay it was just plain crazy prices for a 20-year-old truck. That's kind of like everything else as long as the public keeps paying these prices then they'll never come down and they're probably continue to climb.
No problem. I did not see that you had change the filter.. but these engines are bad about the plastic and oring style intake gaskets as well. Also there is a restriction in the intake there are videos on how to modify one so you don't have the restriction and get better mileage. And I use e3 plugs.. what a difference
Ok, I’m really late to this comment but what are the other square bodies in the background? I own an ‘87 GMC Suburban with the 5.7L and a 2001 GMC Yukon with the 8.1L. Thank you sir.
The one in the background of most of this video is an 87 GMC regular cab short bed. We're also working on an 86 longbed chevy and we have a 88 one ton single cab dually that we've LS swapped. I have videos on the channel on all of them and I'm happy to answer any questions you have and help if I can! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for your response and offer to provide additional info. I haven’t decided where I’m going to go with my two trucks in the future. I’m considering LS swapping the ‘87, but I’m also considering beefing up the 8.1 in the 2001. I don’t know that I have the energy to do both. Thx for the response.
to improve your engines mileage , replace the crappy OEM M.A.S.S and OXYGEN sensors with the japanese NTK sensors , i now enjoy a lot higher fuel economy with these parts. copper plugs are better , besides you switch out your spark plugs once a year anyway , HOT plugs for cold weather , COLD plugs for hot weather
@@halfahotrods6332 your vehicles battery should be disconnected for at least 24 hours before you swap out the sensors , doing this , will trigger the RELEARN mode in the ecm,pcm software when the battery is reconnected and the engine is started and running
My 8.1 had a miss for a few months finally changed all 8 coil packs and that fixed it and now it is back to its old self. . Do you think disconnecting the battery for 24 hrs would help it even more? @@davidrfowler6432
I'm just giving my opinion I've been a big block Chevy guy for a long time from older 396 is two in the late nineties 2454 and I've had 48.1 trucks. Angie case I think should stick with foreign stuff. In GM vehicles I absolutely 110% thank you should stick with the stock ACDelco Platinum is what came in early 2000's after that it was iridium stick with the plugs that came in the truck from the factory that's the way to go
I usually agree, but I just couldn't stomach the cost of the iridium. On the two LS swaps I've done, I used NGK at the suggestion of the hot rod shop that did the tuning and had great results. Thanks for watching and the comment.
Sorry about losing hound. I had a Great Dane several years ago. I drove an old diesel volvo wagon. He consumed the entire back deck. He was huge and completely lovable. Thanks for your reply.
Thank you. There aren’t many vehicles that a Dane doesn’t take up a whole seat! They’re hard to beat for a buddy though.
I got a 2004 Chevy 3500 crewcab long bed 4x4 8.1 (496ci.) 4.10 rear gears Allison transmission, 265,000 miles sill running strong. 10 mpg highway 9 mpg local driving.the truck weighs 8.800 lbs. and about another 300 lbs of tools. Towing heavy loads 6 mpg. Towing my 25ft gooseneck that weighs 5,500 lbs. 7,5 mpg., very good dependable truck. This year I did replace all needed front end parts and front end alignment and front right wheel bearing. Runs and drives great. I have a really nice 2001 Chevy 2500HD Excab 4x4 Duramax lb7 with only 95,000 miles with a K&N cold air breather and tow tuner. But it’s my 3500 dually 8.1 that I go to hauling loads with my gooseneck which is mostly hay , I move and average of 900 4x5 round bales a year . 14 bales at a time. 950 lbs a peace plus 5,5000 lbs gooseneck trailer.
Thanks for watching! I still do love my 8.1. We're back up to 8-10 mpg depending on load. They're really hard to beat for the money! I'm glad to hear yours is still going strong!
Funny about the AutoLights in your 8.1. I'm an AC and NGK fan but my 69 427 loves them. My wires came out that way. Not much room to get the spark plug end off. Used a 5/8 in. plug socket with a 3/4 in end and used socket to get them out.
Hey man. Just did plugs and wires on my 8.1. They looked just like yours! They were white with black carbon on them. Its normal for this engine. I think theres no point in using iridium as these need to be changed way before 100,000. No change in MPG but after looking at the plugs I’m happy I did.
Yep, they may not have been THE problem, but they were definitely A problem! I didn't gain any MPG but the engine light has been staying off. This is my first Allison equipped 8.1 and I think that may be the difference in MPG. Maybe it's time for a 5 speed swap?
@@halfahotrods6332 nice! I would love to have the Allison mines in a suburban so im stuck with the 4l85e 😩
Just did my1st plug change in my 8.1 Avalanche. I agree sooner plug change and no more Iridium.
Yes gm recommends changing every 25,000 miles and I don't use 5w20 oil in mine as I have over 100,000 miles.. when over 70,000 miles I switch all my vehicles over to Castrol 10w40 or 20w50..except my 7.3l powerstrokes. I use Rotella or Motorcraft only
I saw in a recent UTube video they no longer recommend .060 gap. Now, it's better to set at .040.
@@WilliamColvin-br6io might be better, especially with it getting older.
As far as aftermarket performance.. Raylar is the way to go without question it's not cheap but they specialized in these motors and you will make absolutely the most power and torque reliably
If I had the budget, I'd love to put together a Raylar package. Unfortunately my poor life choices have left me with an income that does not support such fine products...Thanks for watching and the comment!
Jasper performance as well
@@mikehall737 cool! Thanks for watching and the comment!
It's been rotated from the front@@halfahotrods6332
Decent tune up, plugs & wires, maybe new high performance coils, mine gets upwards of 12 mpg highway, 7 mpg towing ! It's a TRUCK, not a grocery getter!
You're right! We're back up to a very reasonable 8-10 depending on driver and load. Thanks for watching and the comment!
Check GM Diesel Place look in there for GM Gassers. Big time info on the 8.1 Blog. I have a 2004 from new 3500 silverado s.r.w. NGK plugs gapped at 45.000 thou. better throttle response and a lot more from those guys.
I do like NGK in these newer GM vehicles. Thanks for the tip and thanks for watching!
I own a 2001 3500 dually with a 8.1 and I run the E3 spark plugs and I have no problem with power and a little bit better in fuel mileage. I also have a cold air intake with a K&N air filter.
I’ve heard good things about the E3 plugs. Thanks for watching and for the comment!
@@halfahotrods6332 the are really good and I get more milage on those plugs than regular plugs. Of course I get the white powder on my plugs also. The motor itself has about 285,000 miles
Good video dude! You're hilarious. Subscribed! So did you increase the MPG? If so, by how much?
Thank you sir! I have been lazy and not keeping track, but I'm taking a long trip with the trailer in a couple weeks and I'll give an update. Thanks for watching!
Mileage has not improved. I'm thinking maybe it's just the Allison eating extra fuel?
Love 8.1s
I drive one everyday. Don't care that it gets 7 MPG. HAS NEVER LET ME DOWN
250,000 miles. Pulls like a mule... Also, I love hound. What breed is hound?
Great engines! Hound was a Great Dane and one of the best dogs I’ve ever had. Unfortunately we lost him just after Christmas last year.
That white colored electrode directly reflects why your truck pulls good.lean as a bean.
She does pull pretty well!
Did it fix the occasional check engine light? Might be the crank position sensor.
So far, I think it has fixed it. We did the updated crank sensor about two years ago. Thanks for watching!
I bought my 2001 gmc 3500hd 4x4 crew cab dually with a 8.1 with 155k for $4,000 like 4 yrs ago man now I see them Like $15,000-$20,000 now it's crazy
I can't believe the prices these are bringing now! My son just got a screaming deal on one though. Look for it in future videos! Thanks for watching and the comment!
I bought an 02 CCLB 4x4 117k miles for 12k. It only booked for 9k lol. I think it was a good deal. Just put maghytec trans pan and changed rear diff fluid. I love it except from a stop it hardly moves in the first couple inches of throttle then just takes off kind of abruptly. Not sure why and it’s annoying lol.
@@vegastyle84 Every once in a while there's something I'd consider paying over book value for. If it's a nice truck and you're ok with the price, I guess that's all that matters. That hesitation could be "fun" to figure out unless it turns on an engine light or something. If it has the Allison trans, those can feel like they're holding the truck back at low speeds too. Thanks for watching!
Okay it was just plain crazy prices for a 20-year-old truck. That's kind of like everything else as long as the public keeps paying these prices then they'll never come down and they're probably continue to climb.
@@CAROLDDISCOVER-FINDER2525 I agree! Unfortunately it seems everything is going up like crazy! Thanks for watching!
Someone was laying rubber down to the asphalt. Yup yup
Purely by accident, I'm sure...
Nah your boy has a heavy foot.hehehehe
Kenny says a little heavy on the pedal
I don't know what he's talking about...
White in the plugs means you need to change the fuel filter.. it's running too lean
I did that just prior to this. Thanks for watching and the comment!
No problem. I did not see that you had change the filter.. but these engines are bad about the plastic and oring style intake gaskets as well. Also there is a restriction in the intake there are videos on how to modify one so you don't have the restriction and get better mileage. And I use e3 plugs.. what a difference
Ok, I’m really late to this comment but what are the other square bodies in the background? I own an ‘87 GMC Suburban with the 5.7L and a 2001 GMC Yukon with the 8.1L. Thank you sir.
The one in the background of most of this video is an 87 GMC regular cab short bed. We're also working on an 86 longbed chevy and we have a 88 one ton single cab dually that we've LS swapped. I have videos on the channel on all of them and I'm happy to answer any questions you have and help if I can! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for your response and offer to provide additional info. I haven’t decided where I’m going to go with my two trucks in the future. I’m considering LS swapping the ‘87, but I’m also considering beefing up the 8.1 in the 2001. I don’t know that I have the energy to do both. Thx for the response.
Best way I found is 60-65 and don’t drive it if you don’t have too 😂😂😂😂😂drive the wifes car outside of work they are rare today
This one doesn’t usually go anywhere unless it’s pulling or hauling. The only way to avoid burning a lot of gas with an 8.1 is not to drive it!
Or keep the rpm's at 2k and under .
to improve your engines mileage , replace the crappy OEM M.A.S.S and OXYGEN sensors with the japanese NTK sensors , i now enjoy a lot higher fuel economy with these parts. copper plugs are better , besides you switch out your spark plugs once a year anyway , HOT plugs for cold weather , COLD plugs for hot weather
Interesting! I'll have to look into those suggestions! Thanks for watching and the comment!
@@halfahotrods6332 your vehicles battery should be disconnected for at least 24 hours before you swap out the sensors , doing this , will trigger the RELEARN mode in the ecm,pcm software when the battery is reconnected and the engine is started and running
My 8.1 had a miss for a few months finally changed all 8 coil packs and that fixed it and now it is back to its old self. . Do you think disconnecting the battery for 24 hrs would help it even more? @@davidrfowler6432
I'm just giving my opinion I've been a big block Chevy guy for a long time from older 396 is two in the late nineties 2454 and I've had 48.1 trucks. Angie case I think should stick with foreign stuff. In GM vehicles I absolutely 110% thank you should stick with the stock ACDelco Platinum is what came in early 2000's after that it was iridium stick with the plugs that came in the truck from the factory that's the way to go
I usually agree, but I just couldn't stomach the cost of the iridium. On the two LS swaps I've done, I used NGK at the suggestion of the hot rod shop that did the tuning and had great results. Thanks for watching and the comment.
Looks like the tire was worn due to too much torque.
Too much torque from the engine and the right foot!
@@halfahotrods6332 exactly.
Worried about gas mileage with a 496 big block 🤣
I’ve had two others so I expected bad but this was just silly!
@@halfahotrods6332 was joking myself
@@halfahotrods6332 Iv got 97 crew cab big block dually myself I know all to well about that big block gas mileage
Slipping due to load foot disease
It seems to be a hereditary condition!
Should be getting at least 20mpg in a pickup I get 19.5mpg in a kodiak 5500 34ft bus. Its all gear ratio that gives you better mileage.
You’re getting 19.5 mpg from an 8.1?! I’ve had 2 suburban and this truck and never topped 11!
Is that essentially stock suspension?