About to order a GMC Sierra 1500 SLT w/ a 6.2L gas engine
w/ a 3.42 rear end. Anybody got one of these? Just curious about your experience.

Thanks

The 6.2 should pull your boat very nicely unless you have a monster of a boat.

I heard that you had to run premium fuel in that motor. Any truth to this?

You will regert the 3.42 gears if your primary concern is towing ability. 3.73 or 4.10

The 2010 6.2 requires premium fuel.

You can run a lower grade but the computer will adjust the timing which will give you less power and fuel mileage. Thats from a guy I know who has one in a 2010 SUV.

this is from the owners manual on gm website

If the vehicle has the 6.2L V8 engine (VIN Code 2), use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 91 or higher. You can also use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but the vehicle's acceleration could be slightly reduced, and a slight audible knocking noise, commonly referred to as spark knock, might be heard. If the octane is less than 87, you might notice a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible. Otherwise, you could damage the engine. If heavy knocking is heard when using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, the engine needs service.

I think you will regret buying a vehicle that requires premium gas, I sure know I would.

However I dont feel you will regret the 3.42 gears. I pulled lots of stuff with an old 1/2 ton with 350 and 3.42 gears with no issues or complaints. If you are pulling a boat I think you will have no complaints. If it is going to be a heavy towing vehicle(pushing its tow rating) then maybe look for a higher rear end.

matt

You will wish you had just bought the diesel. I know a few folks with it and it drinks the 5K difference in fuel really fast.

Really??? I think 3.42 gears will be just fine with a 403 hp 417 ft-lb torque motor and 6 speed transmission. Besides, you cant even get 4.10's in a half ton.

There is no diesel motor for the chevy 1500 silverado.

Jumping to a 3/4 ton would be way more than a $5k increase to get one with a diesel. More like $10k. There is no way these "folks" you are talking about have burned $5k in fuel in this motor, it hasnt been availiable long enough for anyone to burn that much fuel,lol.

Just for kicks what are you going to be pulling with it?

MtnHm203..........let me guess. A pre 2001 Champion 203.

LOL, great stuff guys - yes apparently it will require premium fuel - BUT - I have a company car that I drive most (daily driver), and this truck is primarily for towing the 2008 203 Champion (I crashed the Mtn Hm model, just didn't change my handle) My current truck is a 2002 GMC 1500 Sierra SLT with the 5.3L and 3.73 gears. While it tows the boat pretty well on flat ground, it starts to give up on the longer hills. My thought is what someone mentioned - 403 HP vs 295 HP, and about another 100 ft/lbs. of torque, that + the 6 speed tranny should give me what I'm hoping for - lottsa power, and with the 3.42's, should help the mileage a little w/o killing the power.
I test drove the new 5.3L w/3.73's & 6 speed tranny - my older truck would outrun it for sure (new ones "feel" heavier) - BUT - I tried a new Yukon with the 6.2L & 3.42 gears - and - whoa daddy - that baby will set you back in the seat.
While I can appreciate the Duramax's pulling power, it won't hold a candle to the 6.2 gas engine in acceleration, fuel is more expensive, and just haven't been a fan of a loud, rattlin', stinky diesels, and as someone said, can't get one in a 1500 series.
Which brings me to this - - anyone wanna buy a really good 2002 GMC Sierra SLT, excellent shape, runs perfectly, new Michelin's, brakes & shocks, 114,000 road miles?

Appreciate the input guys, some good points, gonna be interesting.

Sorry thinking of wrong truck...That is the way I would go if I got a half ton and had the extra cash for that motor. I have a 5.3 and it is only OK. 18 mpg average and 12/13 towing.

I would still get a diesel as gas trucks are not worth [censored] on trad e in.

Unless you just feel that you have to have a new truck, I would keep the one you got.
You will still get bogged down on the bigger hills with the 6.2 if you have enough load. With the truck you mentioned you will get exactly what you described. A half ton truck with a high HP motor and highway gears. Just get a 'Vette so you can go fast when you want, and keep the truck to do what trucks are meant to do.