2009

[65truckowner]

I am kicking around the idea of buying a 07-09 chevy 4x4 extended cab. What should I look for and avoid. I will be doing some towing mainly my 24 foot camper a few times a year. I want a gas burner

[95 S_Trucker]

The 1500 trucks have AFM issues from 07-08. They got better in 09.

2500/3500 trucks got beefier brakes and suspension in 2011.

VVT came out in 2010, and its a good system that's trouble free.

[65truckowner]

Talk to me like I have driven a 79 ford for the past 17 years. What is vvt and afm

[95 S_Trucker]

VVT is variable valve timing

AFM is active fuel management. It’s cylinder deactivation. It uses special lifters to keep half of the valves closed in 4 cyl mode.

[65truckowner]

Ok. I would really like the 2500 extended cab 4x4

[95 S_Trucker]

That’s good. All of the 2500/3500 trucks don’t have afm.

[Bob B.]

I have seen VVT on L96 6.0L's as early as 2008. A 2007-2009 gas 2500 is 'safe'. It will have the 6.0L with the 6L90 6 speed automatic, both very reliable. As others have posted, no AFM.

[95 S_Trucker]

The L96 didn’t exist before the 2010 model year. It must have been swapped. The 07-09 6.0 was LY6. They are basically the same engine other than the VVT.

[Bob B.]

You are right, it was an LY6 that I was thinking of, not an L96. But, LY6's do have VVT. Just did a water pump on a '08 Express with an LY6, and it had the CMP sensor and actuator magnet. Van has been owned by my company since new and I have been the only one who ever worked on it. LY6 is a Gen.IV like the later L96. The earlier LQ4 6.0L is a Gen. III and did not have VVT.

https://gsi.ext.gm.com/gsi/showDoc.d...Syskey=5298860

[95 S_Trucker]

The link wont work for me.

But I did some more research. The Ly6 and L96 are basically the same engine with different fuel injectors.

I learned something new.

[Bob B.]

Originally Posted by 95 S_Trucker

The link wont work for me.

But I did some more research. The Ly6 and L96 are basically the same engine with different fuel injectors.

I learned something new.

You cleared up my next question, what is the difference between LY6 and L96! E85 capability?

The link was GM's Fleet website, but I think you might have to be a fleet customer to access. It showed the timing cover assembly of a 2008 LY6.

[95 S_Trucker]

Yes. Heads and block and gaskets are all the same casting/part numbers. Different injectors.

[mikebte]

I have an 08 with 150K on the 5.3. I have done a lot of towing my 33ft RV around the country. At 115K I turned off AFM because I did not like how it turned on an off with towing but never had an issue with it.
I would opt for 3.73 gears as my 3.42 gears keep the RPM just low enough to bug me towing. I also have the 4 speed and here that the later 6 speed was a good improvement in towing. No experience, only word of mouth. My 4 speed has worked great with a transmission cooler. Also, if you can purchase a truck with the trailer brakes installed on the kick panel it may be better. I always wish mine had that for a cleaner look, but I have heard some people dont like it.
I have never ran E85 due to never seeing it at a filling station but over all the truck has been good. The tire pressure sensors usually go out before 10 years but its possible someone could still be running them , they get spendy to replace.
I had both the rear window motor cables go out at 8-9 years of age (easy fix).

Replaced all the brakes and lines at 8 years of age and new fluid, same with transmission fluid. Mine is an LTZ. I have heard of A/C mixing doors becoming an issue but mine still work and I live in Tucson and use the A/C a lot and never mix in any hot air.

I have the cast Iron block and aluminum heads. Not sure if Iron is better or not, I have one broken manifold bolt that I have not repaired, no leaks and I still pass emissions every year.

Overall I am happy with the truck and repairs have been at a minimum.