Truck Opinion Engine/Trans combo

Christopher S. · May 18, 2009

In our quest to find a four wheel drive heavy duty truck we came across a 1995 GMC 8500. It has the Caterpillar 3116 backed by an allison automatic transmission.

What is your thoughts and opinions on this setup?
Thanks for your advice.

Kris Golden · May 18, 2009

Not an ideal setup by me but I suppose its hard to find a 4X4 in a truck that size. I have put some miles on a trash truck/packer with that setup and for stop and go and low speed it was actually pretty good. the Cat used over a gallon of oil per week from the day it was new. I was not out on open hwy enough to see how it did at hwy speeds. My advise would be try it and see, but I would keep an eye out for a truck with 5.9 Cummins and 5 and 2 GOOD LUCK

2x4 · May 18, 2009

that is the standard combination for medium duty trucks from GMC. The oil patch is booming now & they likely have bought up all the easy-to-find trucks. Unless you are able to wait a long time, or you get real lucky, better grab it before they do, assuming good condition.

RodinNS · May 18, 2009

It's an ok setup if it works...
I'm not struck on Allison's simply because I don't like automatics, but they are pretty good no less.
The Cat is OK... but it's no 3406.
I believe those were something like 300-400K engines before they go to pieces and they're generally though of as being disposable.
The truck itself... doesn't excite me. Stinking, rotting steel cab GMC. I don't know about that vintage but later ones into the 2000's had many electrical problems.
A topkick would not be on the top of my list of things to own... but if you're looking for 4x4 in that class of truck and that vintage, you probably takes what ya gets. I can't see it being any worse that what's out there today, new.

Rod

Truck Opinion Engine/Trans combo

Christopher S.

Member

Kris Golden

Member

2x4

Well-known Member

RodinNS

Well-known Member

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