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Old 03-29-2008, 04:17 PM   #21
rames14
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Well, brought the new 3500 home today. It is a really nice unit and I think we will be very happy with it. The engine is much quieter right out of the box than the 2004. Next weekend I'm hoping to get the Monty out of storage, so I'll get to try the brake controller. The new mirrors are great. The new dash layout is really an upgrade for GM. I really like the way the rear seats fold up. Dealer said they aren't putting trailer plugs in the box because the resistance from the second harness has been causing faults on the new controller. Time will tell on the mileage. It's been increasing consistently as I drove, so it's at 14 now. The new DIC (Driver Information System) includes digital readout of trans temp and also fuel filter life in percentage based on flow in addition to the oil filter life. And, this is the first time I've had XM and I think it will be great going across Nebraska, Eastern Colorado and Wyoming. I'll post more after I have some miles on it.
 
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Old 03-30-2008, 04:35 AM   #22
MIMF
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Ron,

My 3500 SRW is 3 years right now. I drive it daily to and from work which is a round trip of just under 80 miles. Most of my driving is on 2 lane highway US 20 and State RD 5 in Lagrange County. So, the speed I'm driving is anywhere from 55 to 70. 16 miles of that round trip is on the US 20 by-pass.

What I am getting to is this. This truck now has 61000 miles on it and due to fuel prices, I'm finding that generally when I check mileage the good old fashion way, it gets better. It is right now getting between 19.5 to 21 mpg. It just depends on how much I have to put it in 4X4 to get to work because of all the stinking snow this winter! I think, you're going to discover that as time goes on, it will get better because of breaking in. Most of the time, I'm thinking mine is still breaking in.

You are going to be amazed at how much that SRW will do.
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Old 03-30-2008, 07:52 AM   #23
TLightning
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I have found the DIC on this 07 Classic to be very much more accurate than on my old 05 Silverado. On the old truck the DIC was usually higher (better MPG) than when figured the old fashioned way. On my last trip with the 07, the DIC was within one tenth of a gallon as being the same as long hand.
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Old 03-30-2008, 12:06 PM   #24
rames14
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My DIC was pretty accurate in the old 2004. One item I didn't mention earlier was that they did away with the automatic downshifting with the Allison. I'm going to miss that. When I had it in tow haul and tapped the brake, it automatically started downshifting depending on the grade of the hill. Now I have a great big honkin' gear shifter with the +/- on it to manually downshift. Now I'll have to stay awake when I'm going downhill in the mountains.
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Old 03-30-2008, 12:07 PM   #25
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Dale -
I forgot to ask - whatever happened to the new job offer with SOB?
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Old 03-30-2008, 02:05 PM   #26
TLightning
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by rames14

My DIC was pretty accurate in the old 2004. One item I didn't mention earlier was that they did away with the automatic downshifting with the Allison. I'm going to miss that. When I had it in tow haul and tapped the brake, it automatically started downshifting depending on the grade of the hill. Now I have a great big honkin' gear shifter with the +/- on it to manually downshift. Now I'll have to stay awake when I'm going downhill in the mountains.
Maybe I'm misreading your post, but my truck does automatically downshift. Also, you can't use the +/- paddles unless the Allison is in "M" not "Drive."
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Old 03-31-2008, 12:24 PM   #27
Delaine and Lindy
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My 2008 Chevy 3500 DRW has the Same transmission as my 2007 Chevy Classic 3500 with the exception I can down shift of upshift if the gear slector is in the (M) position otherwise in (D) with the Tow Haul the Allision 1000 series is the same as the 2007 Chevy Classic, it has the same grade braking ability as before. GBY....
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Old 03-31-2008, 01:25 PM   #28
rames14
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Thanks for the info. I only have 200 miles on it and won't have the Monty hooked up until next weekend. The grade braking is one of the really nice features of the Allison. The dealer said they eliminated it because when it downshifted, on slick roads people pulling cattle haulers would lose control of their trailers. I haven't had time to go through the manual yet. But, so far, I really like the truck. I am surprised how much quieter it is than the '04.
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