I've got the squeaky belt, and have had the leaky trans lines replaced ( at about 24,000).
Belt quiets down after it warms up, but it's kind of embarrassing when it sounds like an old washing machine.
My 8.1 has the Ally and 3.73 gears, about 12mpg, with light loads.
It's more fun to drive than the LBZ, which weighs 10,000lbs with my bed, and gets about 18mpg.
Diesel here is running at least $.50 higher than gas, so by my math, it's cheaper to drive the gasser, although if I had my work bed...