2005 Escalade EXT (aka GMT 800 argument thread)

[Mikenike]

I drove/ watched my aunt and uncle struggle with several of the later ‘fixed’ 6.0s back when they were still under warranty and the dealers couldn’t keep them out of the service bay running properly. Steaming hot piles of garbage.

Not that they didn't suck but alot of the issues with them had to do with poor usage. My brothers was the one with 500k. It was an early truck too. 04 i think if memory serves because it still had the 7.3 style grill which changed in 05. No head studs and no head gaskets. One egr valve, two water pumps, and a pair of injectors. But he always let it warm up before beating on it, ran it hard enough to burn the carbon out of the turbos, and mantained it. Similar story for the other 3 "survivors". Ones that didnt get run hard enough to keep things clean inside or were run hard as soon as they kicked over gave them thier rep.

 

[WTF?]

Not that they didn't suck but alot of the issues with them had to do with poor usage. My brothers was the one with 500k. It was an early truck too. 04 i think if memory serves because it still had the 7.3 style grill which changed in 05. No head studs and no head gaskets. One egr valve, two water pumps, and a pair of injectors. But he always let it warm up before beating on it, ran it hard enough to burn the carbon out of the turbos, and mantained it. Similar story for the other 3 "survivors". Ones that didnt get run hard enough to keep things clean inside or were run hard as soon as they kicked over gave them thier rep.

That’s about like a 350k 4l60e. It exists but not in any great numbers.

 

[Beat95yj]

Just got a history report from another IRATE and it had a goodwrench transmission installed 40k miles ago! Dealer notes said trans was slipping. No other info

Do what you can to keep it cool. Seems to help increase time to destruction.

 

[WTF?]

Do what you can to keep it cool. Seems to help increase time to destruction.

Fir sure. The awd 6.0’s seemed to burn them up in expedited fashion.

 

[TRINDU]

I might start looking for an 8.1 Burb or Avalanche. Just not super excited about the GM transmission behind them.

Buying a 20 y/o vehicle then having to rebuild the transmission, seems like a good idea regardless the make. especially if your budget bound and looking at 150k+ mile rigs. A built 4L80/85 will then outlast the expected life of the truck.

 

[Beat95yj]

I might start looking for an 8.1 Burb or Avalanche. Just not super excited about the GM transmission behind them.

Those are 4L80’s. They are a lot longer lived.

 

[Pyleit]

Do what you can to keep it cool. Seems to help increase time to destruction.

Ill pass that info to my buddy that bought it!. 😆

 

[Mikenike]

Here i found you a replacement. Clearly the perfect vehicle. Lets just say im not surprised to see something that looks like meth was involved in its creation in a gm variety

 

[IowaOffRoad]

90% of the population would say 6.5td all day everyday and twice on Sunday over 6.0psd. (‘In a heartbeat of America ‘. You might say. ) They weren’t very good, but they weren’t tragically terrible. ( 6.2 was undispute ly a national embarrassment.)

6.2>6.5


Don’t take my word, take Gale Banks’

 

[WTF?]

looks like a NY tag on that iron horse connestoga wagon- checks out.

But last i checked roadsalt doesn't have a brand preference

(but credit where due- that aluminum trailer body wont be rusting any time soon. )

 

[Mikenike]

looks like a NY tag on that iron horse connestoga wagon- checks out.

But last is checked roadsalt doesn't have a brand preference

(but credit where due- that aluminum trailer body wont be rusting any time soon. )

Meh looks fine to me. I've owned worse

 

[IowaOffRoad]

Figured this was the right thread to drop this in

 

[WTF?]

Figured this was the right thread to drop this in

Drivetrain is worth more than asking price- probably closer to 2x that running properly.

Swap options for old coe/mdt resto-mod towrigs for days.

If it shined up nicely and got sorted with a clean bill of health mechanically, it'd be approaching $20k or more.

somebody with more money than sense posted on a fb group the other day that he paid $15.5k for a very clean 2wd 6.0 2500 burb, and then found out it has 3.73's and not 4.10's so was seeking to get it sold for what he had in it because regearing was going to cost him 2k. I suspect what happened is this rocket surgeon didn't understand the market and paid 8.1 money for a 6.0 and they're about to be out a whole lot more than 2k. But these people walk among us...

 

[WTF?]

Tl/dr- snooze alert for most people- just keep scrolling if you’re not easily amused.

[Almost on topic with OP:] From the rare but not excessively valuable files:

This is a 1 year unicorn- 02 was the only pre-facelift interior gmt800 Escalade, the esca-lanche is super uncommon and the only way you could get a 6.0 in any gmt800 avalanche chassis (all 2500 avvy’s were 8.1.) I’ve seen one other example 02 ext ever. ( the 02 avalanche was a single year offering with pre facelift interior which I prefer.).

[00’s detail nerd trivia that interests approximately nobody else:] Steering wheel audio control was only available in Escalade/denali, and not offered in top trim Chevy & non-Denali gmc’s until 03. Yes, I still run factory headunits with a lighter powered bluetooth FM transmitter dongle; speakers replaced with whatever's on sale and fits as needed.

If it were as minty as pylet's from OP and in the same color combo{black is second to last preference over gold/old man tan for me}, I would maybe consider putting my hat in the ring on this auction. missing center caps and torn drivers seat located in the nortghears; "That's gonna be a no for me dawg."

 

[Joez]

Wanna bet?

Weren't very good is a bit of an understatement. I wouldn't exactly say an engine famous for frying its pmd at random on top of cracking blocks and lest we forget its shared problem with the 6.0.... failed head gaskets is an improvement over something you can throw some studs and a few other low buck bits at and ride. Most people haven't even heard of the 6.5 and if they had they forgot it existed like i did because it was abominably awful.

I'll take a turbod 6.2 or a 6.5td any day of the week over a ford 6.0. I've owned several of the GM diesels over the years, the PMD's have a simple solve, they don't break blocks if you maintain them,(ie replace the balancer before it starts to separate), and headgaskets are only am issue if you blatantly overheat or overboost them. They weren't smart enough computers to put them in limp mode or pull power, so it's up to the driver.

For what the 6.2's and 6.5's were designed for, a fuel efficient alternative to a SBC and BBC, they are fantastic.

And to top it off, they are dirt cheap to maintain. No, you'll never get big power out of them, but they are reliable when treated well.

 

[DMG]

I'll take a turbod 6.2 or a 6.5td any day of the week over a ford 6.0. I've owned several of the GM diesels over the years, the PMD's have a simple solve, they don't break blocks if you maintain them,(ie replace the balancer before it starts to separate), and headgaskets are only am issue if you blatantly overheat or overboost them. They weren't smart enough computers to put them in limp mode or pull power, so it's up to the driver.

For what the 6.2's and 6.5's were designed for, a fuel efficient alternative to a SBC and BBC, they are fantastic.

And to top it off, they are dirt cheap to maintain. No, you'll never get big power out of them, but they are reliable when treated well.

Best thing about the 6.2 and 6.5 is how easy it is to drop something nasty in if you live in California

 

[arse_sidewards]

Only good thing about the 6.2 and 6.5 is how easy it is to drop something nasty in if you live in California

Fixed

And to top it off, they are dirt cheap to maintain. No, you'll never get big power out of them, but they are reliable when treated well.

But there are a lot of way cheaper gas engine options that will make that power all day every day with as cheap or cheaper service parts and zero risk of the bottom end leaving the chat.

6.2s and 6.5s only made sense as economy engines decades ago when gas was more expensive than diesel.

 

[KacksterK5]

Had a few 6.5's for towing duty, compared to the 95 12 valve that made like 160 hp and the 95 Power Stroke that made like 200hp in stock form, they were on point. 2WD Dually that hauled our 35 ft goose race trailer, it did it, like cooler temps running home at night than 95 degree days. The other was a 93 work truck, 2wd, that fucker had 4.10s and a G80 in a full floating 14 bolt. It was a great truck, when the air filter got dirty it would run fat and roll coal like a champ, you could floor it and smoke out all the at bus stops.

We weren't trying to pull the giant loads we are now with small trucks at the time. If we were pulling the big trailer, we took a medium duty and sent it.

 

[KacksterK5]

Still messing with rear heat. Got some more actuators from the pick n pull, Tech 2 scanner I got from Amazon, kinda sucks. Can make it do things but not really change anything.

Sounds like the original rear AC control is requesting an overtravel of the heat blend door and tripping something in the little computer. No way to change it without a newer module. Was trying to figure a way to clock sensor in actuator so it doesn't sense overtravel, will see, This thing is kinda fun to tinker with. Wipers started a weird stutter in delay mode. Grabbed a motor control from the pick N pull.

So far I've snagged
2 Bose rear pillar speakers,
1 bose front tweeter
Rear heat control module
Rear piece of trim I broke getting to control module
2 blend actuators
New Homelink because mine wouldn't sync with garage door opener (didn't fix problem) likely the old opener
Stainless brake lines from Master to metering block
Heater Seat controls for moth sides,
Seat control panel
gauge needles, the 2500's are faded
the little rubber snubbers from the gas door for both trucks
Green gas door to match the 2500 that's getting a little rust spot
Wiper control module from the wiper motor

Total pic n pull cost. $36

 

[IowaOffRoad]

Log into Facebook

Factory Sub turbo diesel!!!!!!!!!

 

[WTF?]

Barn door gmc with all the options- this is probably a good buy;

 

[WTF?]

I don’t like 6.0 in a hd truck, but this is getting down into drivetrain swap pricing for 60 4l80e

 

[FleshEater]

I found this…high price for a W/T but clean.

Autotrader - page unavailable

www.autotrader.com

 

[WTF?]

I found this…high price for a W/T but clean.

Autotrader - page unavailable

www.autotrader.com

I can’t but a finger in exactly why, but cateye chevys really don’t do anything for me.. I'm a big fan of eclb though.

 

[FleshEater]

I can’t but a finger in exactly why, but cateye chevys really don’t do anything for me..

Me either, but I’m in a position of beggars can’t be choosers.

 

[FleshEater]

So I decided to call on that work truck. Got more pics and she’s mint.

BUT…they sent me the car fax and two things jumped out at me. Are these common issues?

They’re willing to deliver this truck to me for around $700 (which I’ll have a decent amount driving down and staying in a hotel). He said he’d work with me to insure those issues are not a problem, but there is nothing someone 9 hours away can do to insure that, especially a salesman.

 

[WTF?]

So I decided to call on that work truck. Got more pics and she’s mint.

BUT…they sent me the car fax and two things jumped out at me. Are these common issues?



They’re willing to deliver this truck to me for around $700 (which I’ll have a decent amount driving down and staying in a hotel). He said he’d work with me to insure those issues are not a problem, but there is nothing someone 9 hours away can do to insure that, especially a salesman.

ECM/PCM checked? that wouldn't be concerning on its own, probably most likely means codes read/ checked/CEL reset. ( or ABS light which is a common failure.) but 40k miles later than fuse block replacement it does raise an eyebrow. if no receipt available in glovebox, A call to that kwikie lube asking why they would typically input that into a carfax record is worth doing.

the underhood fuse block change isn't unheard of, the drivers side dash fuseblock maybe due to water leak windshield. definitely want to research that. calling that dealer with the vin for a record inquiry on a service 10 yrs ago is a long shot but worth the time and effort.

Until you answer those questions, its yellow light- something i'd think twice before talking myself into it.
( I speak from experience that evangelizing an 03-06 gmt800 with only ~110k miles can make you want to rip your hair out and drive you to drinking. And/but mine was cheap; if i'd have paid top dollar for it that would have been pure agony. )

Its pretty much top dollar for a work truck eclb so its ok to demand near perfection from it. A 1 owner truck that doesn't come with all the records and stories from that 1 owner, is missing most of the value of 1-owner-ism.

I'm not sure a personal inspection gets you much, because electrical gremlins likely/probably aren't gonna appear on a test drive.

 

[FleshEater]

ECM/PCM checked? that wouldn't be concerning on its own, probably most likely means codes read/ checked/CEL reset. ( or ABS light which is a common failure.) but 40k miles later than fuse block replacement it does raise an eyebrow. if no receipt available in glovebox, A call to that kwikie lube asking why they would typically input that into a carfax record is worth doing.

the underhood fuse block change isn't unheard of, the drivers side dash fuseblock maybe due to water leak windshield. definitely want to research that. calling that dealer with the vin for a record inquiry on a service 10 yrs ago is a long shot but worth the time and effort.

Until you answer those questions, its yellow light.

Its pretty much top dollar for a work truck eclb so its ok to demand near perfection from it. A 1 owner truck that doesn't come with all the records and stories from that 1 owner, is missing most of the value of 1-owner-ism.

I'm not sure a personal inspection gets you much, because electrical gremlins likely/probably aren't gonna appear on a test drive.

It was in reverse order. Fuse block and then ECM checked. Just kind of weird. I also doubt anyone would know specs on a job from that many years ago.

I told this salesman that exact thing, that intermittent issues could be going on that you don’t find out until they happen. I also tried to explain to this guy that an 05’ truck isn’t like a 2020 truck, meaning it’s not going to toss a code over every little issue. These older systems require a lot more time chasing intermittent stuff and especially electrical stuff.

But, dude is just trying to make a sale and pump up confidence that might work on someone who doesn’t understand mechanics or intermittent issues. Plain and simple, it was taken to the shop for some reason. Not having the original owner sell me this, I have no idea what issue that might be.

 

[WTF?]

It was in reverse order. Fuse block and then ECM checked. Just kind of weird. I also doubt anyone would know specs on a job from that many years ago.

correct, the ecm was checked 40k later than the fuse replacement. as a result that ecm/pcm check went from meh, to worth looking into

I told this salesman that exact thing, that intermittent issues could be going on that you don’t find out until they happen. I also tried to explain to this guy that an 05’ truck isn’t like a 2020 truck, meaning it’s not going to toss a code over every little issue. These older systems require a lot more time chasing intermittent stuff and especially electrical stuff.

But, dude is just trying to make a sale and pump up confidence that might work on someone who doesn’t understand mechanics or intermittent issues. Plain and simple, it was taken to the shop for some reason. Not having the original owner sell me this, I have no idea what issue that might be.

what was your goal in trying to explain that intermittent nature to a used car salesman? so the used car lot tossed all the records and doesnt have original owners contact?

if someone let this truck roll through auction as a dealer trade, I'd tap out. ( a dealer would most likely put this on the lot and have juan or carlos scoop it up in hours or at least run it by their wholesale contacts directly. That's a lot of coincidental happenstance/planet alignment that has to fall in place for it to not be someone's newly single cougar ex wife with lingering red flags below the surface. )
If the owner's dead, that's probably the only reason i'll accept that its ok to not know the story at that price.

 

[Beat95yj]

Barn door gmc with all the options- this is probably a good buy;

That price is off the charts. I was looking at GMT 800 SUVs last night and I’m pretty sure you could pick that up for about six grand. I was searching Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area. I did see a few 8.1 2500’s and they were nowhere near that price. Leather blah blah blah, etc..