New used Truck....Duramax???
 

I'm about to roll 300,000 miles on my truck and need to replace it.

I have been looking at '01-04 6.0L 2500HD Chevy/GMC's with 150,000+ miles anywhere from $6000-$10,000. I have $10,000 to spend and I have come across some nice looking older Duramax's with 180,000-210,000 miles on them for $9000-$11,500. Would it be prudent for me to consider looking at the Duramax? It seems that all that I see have had the injectors replaced within 10,000 miles.

I have never owned a diesel and am really nervous buying one. Any and all input would be appreciated.

You really don't want dura maxs till you can get a 2005 or newer the 06/07 are the best. You should look for a 8.1 gas with the Allison tranny that is a great package. Thats my take on it, I have had all of these combos and a 6.0. Buy a duramax when you can afford the better years.

I sold an 03 GMC 2500 Duramax 2WD Crew last year. I bought new, put 173K miles on it with very minor issues (water pump at 106K, front brakes/wheel bearing at 132K, injectors at 145K under warranty). When I sold it my thought was A. Truck is a time bomb or B. Best truck I ever owned. Turns out B.....I talked to the new owner last week, he is a mechanic at the Ford dealer where I traded it. He put 25K miles on it and only bought a used dash cluster (needles would go haywire on occasion) and a set of tires.

One shocking thing.........173K miles, at a $3 per gallon avg over the lifetime of the vehicle I spent $39,000 on diesel fuel.....more than the truck cost me new!

'04.5 LLY vs the first gen LB7 is where the prices jump. I had a friend with the 8.1 Allison package and I agree that it is an awesome combo but the 6-8mpg is ridiculous. Can that be helped with a computer tune? It cost an extra $150 in gas to take his truck to the UP for snowmobile trips.

fixx
 

mine was a gas hog when i had the stock tires on it..1992 suburban 2500 c6p pkg and a 454 tbi.i got 9 mpg around town and 11 on the highway with 265/75/16's.. i switched to 285/75/16's and when i go from my house to the house in hurley wi snowmobiling its 425 miles and i use 30 gallons of fuel..i just turned 465,000oe engine never opened up and it still s h i t s and get's..im also chiped and installed a msd 6al box and their 9.9 wires..

I work at a Chevrolet dealer. You really want a 04 1/2 or later Duramax. LLY engine and later are the trouble free ones. I have an 05 I bought new and never had a problem with it. Jeff Wurl

i work for a gm dealer too. i bought my 04 lb7 duramax with 66k on it on 06. traded it in this year with 250k on the ticker. 1 wheel bearing. put injectors in it just cus we were slow that week around 150k and a water pump. had a programmer and exhaust within the first week i bought the truck. best truck i have ever owned. AND i got 24 mpg driving and 19 towing my pantera at 80mph. not gonna get that with a 8.1. dont be afraid of a lb7 especially if the injectors were done. they run forever. biggest thing with a duramax is fuel filter changes every 15k. and use a GM ac delco fuel filter. aftermarket filters i have seen cause problems

I traded in my 03 with 180k miles a couple yrs ago. Great truck. Replaced injectors at 140k under warranty when I noticed mileage dropped below 19mpg. No other problems running a programmer since new.

I own an 01,03,05,and will pick up my new 12 crew cab ltz tomorrow. The 05 i bought new has 230,000 on it. I have only replaced an idler pulley so far. the 01 has 235,000 and has 2 sets of injectors done. the 03 has 100,00 and has had a couple idler pullies done. they all get 18-22 mpg. I bought a new 01 6.0 and only once have I ever got 12 mpg. They are worth the money for the power, the mileage, and best of all will out last the truck.

06-07 lbz 100%