Help: Buying a new truck, '04 GMC 2500

[ljackson2644]

Hey my name is Luke. I just registered on this forum and wanted to find out some more information. I need a new truck and just looked at one today. I said my next truck would be a diesel. Its a 2004 GMC 2500 with the 6.6L Duramax. I don't know any more then that about the engine. Hoping i can get some pro's and con's and make an educated decision on weather to buy this truck. It's got 125,000 miles, and price is $15,000. Thanks.

Luke Jackson

 

[04D_MAX]

if its an lb7 i would stay away, if its an lly "04.5" you would be better off they have a lot better reputation on injector failure than the lb7's 125k is kinda low for an 04 getting harder to find with that mileage

 

[ljackson2644]

Is there a good website to do a vin search and pull all this info?

 

[Ne-max]

8th letter of the vin. If its a 1 its a lb7. If its a 2 then lly. Yes lb7s do have the injector issues but still my favorite motor.

 

[ljackson2644]

yep it's a 1, so then its the lb7 motor. Why is it you like the lb7 motor if they are known for injector problems? Is that problem an easy fix maybe with aftermarket injectors?

 

[Ne-max]

No cure for it as they have not corrected the issue. I like the lb7 cause they dont have emission bs. Nice and simple. Plus you can get them cheap. Injectors only ost 1700 ans are easy to do your self. Llys have injector issues as well but also head gasket ones also.

 

[DBUSHLB7]

LB7s do not have the emissions equipment the others do for one. They also have great pistons. The aftermarket has a lot of options for the LB7 as well. The injector issue is what it is. Some trucks make it to 180k miles on the originals and some loose em a lot sooner. A high mileage LB7 on originals is likely due in for replacements. LLYs have issues too. Many have overheating issues when towing heavy and then again some dont.

Bosch has implemented changes within LB7 remans to help combat the initial issue. Chrome ball/seat is supposed to make them last longer. The jury is still out on wether or not it helps.

 

[ljackson2644]

I'm pretty sure I am set on getting this truck. I've never owned a diesel and don't know cr*% about them. I've always been a fan of proper maintenance. I'm trading in a 97 GMC 1500 5.7L Vortec. Having lots of troubles and it just isn't the dependable truck she used to be. Turning into a money pit. I guess I just want to make sure I'm making the right choice to switch to diesel for the dependability and longevity.

 

[Ne-max]

Where you from? You can always have a shop check the injector balance rates to give you and idea if the injectors are good.

 

[ljackson2644]

I'm in Anchorage, AK. Military just got up here 3 months ago. That might be something I'll look into. Ill have to call around and see what shops do that.

 

[DBUSHLB7]

Hopefully the AK members can point you in the right direction for a balance rate check on those injectors. Good luck on the purchase if that's what you decide to do:thumb:

 

[ljackson2644]

I appreciate the info for everyone. I'll have to try and get the truck from the dealer for long enough to have that looked at. I don't want to buy it and then have to dump 1700 right off for injectors.

 

[ljackson2644]

Well I bought the truck. Looking forward to learning more about diesels so I'm gonna spend some time here in the forum reading. I see there's a lot of how too's and stuff. I like it so far and look forward to it. Anyone got any knowledge of what the fuel mileage will be on this thing? An I here I'd you put a programmer and have it tuned it'll produce better mileage.

 

[Ne-max]

You want see that much better milage with a tuner. Only thing that helps in my opinion on a lb7 is exhaust and intake. With my old crew cab 4x4 I would get about 22-23 on the hwy going 65.

 

[ljackson2644]

Just curious what should I expect for mileage stock? I'm just hoping its better then my '97 GMC Z71. Couldn't get better then 12 mpg regardless of what I was doing.

 

[RedMax316]

Welcome :thumbup:

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