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Will a Ford F-150 owner be happy with his new 2025 Silverado Z71 Trail Boss LT, or will he regret his decision?
Despite the warnings he had heard, a Ford F-150 pickup owner made the leap to a 2025 Chevy Silverado Z71 Trail Boss LT 6.2L for his business—because he had gotten a great deal. Now he’s just hoping he didn’t make a $60,000 mistake.
Jorge Portillo on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500/2500 Owners Facebook page says,
“About a week ago, I traded my Ford F-150 for a 2025 Chevy Silverado Z71 Trail Boss LT 6.2L. I’ve heard a lot of negative things about new Chevys, but I got a great deal on this truck, and it was hard to pass up. I hope I’m not sorry and that it serves me well for my small drywall business.”
Did Jorge make the right decision?
Jorge made a big move, and it’s understandable to feel that mix of excitement over a great deal and apprehension from the “negative stuff” he’s heard. As someone who has spent 14 years reporting on the auto industry, changing brands is not an easy decision.
His new rig, the 2025 Chevrolet Silverado Z71 Trail Boss LT with the 6.2L EcoTec3 V8, is a monster of a truck. He moved from a Ford F-150 to GM’s top naturally aspirated gasoline engine—that’s a major step up in raw power.
The Trail Boss trim adds a 2-inch factory lift, Rancho shocks, and the Z71 Off-Road Package, making it supremely capable. For his small drywall business, this truck is more than capable; it’s over-capable in all the best ways, which translates directly to a greater margin for safety, load management, and driver comfort.
The 6.2L V8’s Power Play:
Let’s address the heart of the matter first: the powertrain. The 6.2L V8 produces a potent 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It’s a great combination for hauling sheets of drywall, buckets of mud, or towing a trailer full of scaffolding and tools.
However, There Are Trade-Offs
- Recommendation: Given the performance-oriented nature of the 6.2L, it is recommended that you use premium fuel (91+ octane). Using lower-grade gas will degrade performance and long-term reliability due to the engine’s higher compression ratio and tuning. This is a non-negotiable cost of the 6.2L power upgrade.
- The Powertrain: The 10-speed transmission, co-developed with Ford, is a marvel for keeping the engine within its power band; however, its early versions (before the 2025 model) did face harsh-shifting complaints. By 2025, GM has refined the tuning significantly, but you still need to be religious about transmission fluid maintenance—especially when towing or hauling heavy loads, as Jorge’s business requires.
Reliability Concerns:
This is where the “negative stuff” is likely rooted. Earlier versions of GM’s V8s, including the 6.2L, have faced well-documented issues with collapsed lifters and, in some cases, catastrophic engine bearing failures. These issues are often linked to the Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) system and specific manufacturing batches in the 2021-2024 model years.
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GM is aware of this. For the new L87 engines, steps have been taken to mitigate the problem. This includes issuing a recall for specific earlier models, which often involves an oil change to a thicker 0W-40 Dexos R viscosity to lubricate the critical components better.
- Comprehensive Solution: For a business owner like Jorge, who must have their truck reliable every single day, I have two critical recommendations:
- Strict Oil Discipline: Use only 0W-40 Dexos R certified oil—the same fluid that GM has adopted for the high-performance Corvette and is now rolling out more widely. Change the oil and filter every 5,000 miles, not every 7,500 miles, especially in dusty, hard-working environments typical of a drywall contractor’s pickup truck.
- DFM Disabler: Consider installing a non-invasive DFM disabler module. This device plugs into the OBD-II port and keeps the engine running in V8 mode at all times, preventing the cycling of the hydraulic lifters that leads to failure. While this will slightly reduce your fuel economy, it is arguably the best 2025 Chevrolet Silverado Z71 Trail Boss 6.2L reliability mod for peace of mind. Check with your dealer on how this may affect your powertrain warranty.
Work Vs. Off-Road
Jorge bought the Trail Boss, an off-road model. While its raised stance and aggressive tires look great, they are primarily designed for mud and trails, not necessarily maximum payload and on-road fuel economy.
Ford F-150 Comparison: Where You Gained and Lost
Jorge traded an F-150, so here’s the comparison. He gained a fantastic interior with the 2025 model year upgrade—the large 13.4-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital driver display blow the previous GM interiors out of the water and rival the Ford F-150 for usability.
He did, however, sacrifice some maximum tow capacity. The Chevy Silverado LT Trail Boss 6.2L max trailering capacity is typically rated up to 13,300 lbs., which is a hair less than the F-150’s max, but well beyond what any half-ton should be pulling daily. The Trail Boss will also likely be less fuel-efficient than the Ford F-150 with EcoBoost on the highway, due to the non-turbo V8 and off-road tires.
Conclusion and Final Takeaways
Jorge didn’t make a mistake. He purchased a powerful, capable, and comfortable truck that will serve his small drywall business well. The 2025 Silverado 6.2L V8 owner concerns are real, but they can be managed with proactive and diligent care.
His key to success is maintenance. Be religious with oil changes (5,000 miles/0W-40 Dexos R), consider the DFM disabler, and enjoy the sheer power and capability of the 6.2L V8. Drive it hard, but service it smart.
The Question for Our Readers:
Given the history of V8 lifter issues, if you were a small business owner like Jorge, would you prioritize power and factory off-road capability (Trail Boss 6.2L) or lean toward the 3.0L Duramax diesel for its proven long-term reliability and fuel economy?
Check out my 2025 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss story: I Bought a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado LT Trail Boss in March, and This Thing Is a Piece of Work. I’ve Never Had This Many Problems With a Truck in Such a Short Time
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news, covering owner stories, and providing expert analysis, ensuring that you are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, and Instagram
Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Jorge Portillo
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Source: torquenews.com
