- Feb 24, 2012
- 133
Just creating a thread to share a few pics of my Yuk. It's an '05 2500. I added the window vents, bug shield and 2500HD badges.

DJones said:What kind of fuel economy do you get?
TollKeeper said:Are those 8 ply tires, or just standard?
I have heard that the 8 ply's get slightly better fuel mileage.
deekster_caddy said:Thanks everyone.
Started looking at Yukons and Burbs again. Once I figured out that they all get 13-14 mpg and this monstrosity can still get 12, I figured why not?! It really is the king of the road!!! With all the torque on tap to do whatever you feel like, anytime! And a 36 gallon tank lets you pass many gas stations before you need to drop another wallet full of gas.
deekster_caddy said:Those are nice taillights! I've been hoping one gets broken so I have a justification to go LED. If/when I do, I'll keep those in mind!
If I run it down until the fuel light comes on I put in 33 gallons. I also make good use of our local grocery chain's gas discount program, 10c off per gallon on every $100 spent in the grocery store, and they regularly run coupons like spend $50 get an extra $0.50 off / gallon. We usually get two of those coupons then go shopping and split the cart into two $50 purchases. The best discount I got so far was $1.80 off per gallon. Their gas discount program goes up to 35 gallons, and I'm usually a couple weeks between fillups if I drain the tank, so in all reality although a complete fillup is pricey, my fuel bills aren't off the wall.
Blade said:I second your sentiments on bargain hunting fuel. Up here I collect something called "air miles". With my truck that translates to two flights to Vegas a year and one to Palm Springs.
Your tune and gearing must play a key roll in your mileage? 496 cubic inches is just plain massive. I thought the 454 was big in my day but man what a beast!
Did I miss the part when you talked about your transmission and gearing? What makes it roll without coming apart with all that power? Did you set your TC to early lock-up? What a cool truck!
I know this is an old thread... but I loved the part about putting a caddie 500 in the burb... my 1st car was a 53' Chevy truck that I talked my Dad into putting a 64' 429 caddie in... took me most of high school to get it running.... but it was s hot rod when done and would pull anything!! Man I wish I still had it.deekster_caddy said:Gearing is just OE 3.73s, not the optional 4.10s. Trans is the 4L85E, basically the latest version of the bulletproof TH400 with OD. 70 mph is about 2200 Rpm, too high IMO. I fine tuned all the fueling tables, then maxed out timing for KR free 87 octane. if I am towing I need to run 89. I do have it shift a little earlier than stock and have TC lockup happen a little sooner too, but I can feel it straining a bit - the big Chevy is just clearly missing some of the bottom end torque I am used to in my old Buick 455s.
When I had my '86 3/4 ton 'burb I had 3.23s in it and had put a Buick 455 in it, and it had way more low end torque and taller tires, and without OD turned about the same RPM. Got about the same mileage though. When I changed the 455 to a cammed Cadillac 500" it really woke up! But also got notably thirstier. I would love to swap the electronics from this 8.1 onto my cad 500 still sitting in my garage, that would make some REAL torque!
In the HD pickups with the 8.1 you could opt for the Allison 5 or 6 speed tranny they put behind the duramax.