Hello from Ks

Gregg628

New member
Mar 13, 2017
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South Central Ks
Hi all!!, I'm considering moving from my 01 5.9 Cummins Ram truck to a Duramax 3/4 or1 ton SRW. Looking at 06/07's, they seem to be in my price range. I don't know that much about the Duramax's other than most people seem to be happy with them. Hoping to find any inherent problems, all makes have something.. ;-). So I figured this would be a great lace to start. Currently I pull a 24' bumper pull cargo trailer with a couple Polaris RZR's. At some point I'm most likely going to a 35' goose neck. Looking at a couple of Duramax Silverado's with around 150K miles.Anything I should be looking at with that amount of miles?
Thanks!!
Greg
 

zakkb787

<that’s not me...
Sep 29, 2014
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Granite Falls NC
Welcome! 06/early 07 are great years for a duramax. No dpf and a 6 speed auto. I personally can't speak for the issues as I have an 02. Which has its own set of issues.
 

Gregg628

New member
Mar 13, 2017
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South Central Ks
What years are the Duramax? That will help.
I was looking for and at some 06/07's

Welcome! 06/early 07 are great years for a duramax. No dpf and a 6 speed auto. I personally can't speak for the issues as I have an 02. Which has its own set of issues.

I did know they went to the 6 speed, man that'll would be a huge step up compared to my 4 speed auto for sure. Even a 5 speed would be better I'm guessing. I hadn't thought about the dpf, thank you!!
 

zakkb787

<that’s not me...
Sep 29, 2014
2,340
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Granite Falls NC
The lbz and Lmm are virtually identical engines from what I've read. But the Lmm has the dpf junk on it. Personally I would go with a lmm just because I love the look of the GMC those years. But depending on your state laws you may not be able to delete the dpf. Depends on where ya wanna go with it and your budget I guess
 

Gregg628

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Mar 13, 2017
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South Central Ks
The lbz and Lmm are virtually identical engines from what I've read. But the Lmm has the dpf junk on it. Personally I would go with a lmm just because I love the look of the GMC those years. But depending on your state laws you may not be able to delete the dpf. Depends on where ya wanna go with it and your budget I guess

Yeah, I'm in Ks, may relocate to Tn sometime this year. I don't think the deletes are a problem. Thanks for the info on the lbz and Lmm differences. That's the kind of info I was looking for to help me make a informed decision when I do buy a new to me Duramax truck. :thumb:
 

zakkb787

<that’s not me...
Sep 29, 2014
2,340
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Granite Falls NC
Yeah, I'm in Ks, may relocate to Tn sometime this year. I don't think the deletes are a problem. Thanks for the info on the lbz and Lmm differences. That's the kind of info I was looking for to help me make a informed decision when I do buy a new to me Duramax truck. :thumb:

No problem. I sure wish my truck had the 6 speed for highway speeds. But honestly the best way to decide is to drive them and see what you like best. To be quite honest if I got another truck I'd probably get a 6.7 power stroke. Or maybe my dads truck he's selling. (2008 tuned deleted Cummins). But then again I love my duramax even with its own set of issues.

As far as duramax here's a quick view.
2001-04.5 Are lb7 trucks. Notorious for injector failure but generally viewed as the best truck to build a race truck out of. God I love mine :thumb: just takes some preventative maintenance. Also the only duramax with 0 emission junk except California emissions models.
04.5 to 05 is an LLY. Better injector design. VGT turbo. But had some overheating problems tho they can be prevented with a simple mouthpiece upgrade. First duramax with egr as well and I believe a converter too?
06-07.5 is an lbz. Six speed Allison is introduced. Emissions equipment is key the same as lly. Comes stock with a hotter tune than previous 2. Generally viewed as the most desired duramax made
07-10 is an lmm. From what ive heard basically a lbz with a different body on it and the introduction of a dpf system.
11-16 is the lml and with the exception of knowing it's a completely different animal I honestly have no clue anything about it.

Guys if I have any info wrong please feel free to correct me:thumb:
 

Gregg628

New member
Mar 13, 2017
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South Central Ks
No problem. I sure wish my truck had the 6 speed for highway speeds. But honestly the best way to decide is to drive them and see what you like best. To be quite honest if I got another truck I'd probably get a 6.7 power stroke. Or maybe my dads truck he's selling. (2008 tuned deleted Cummins). But then again I love my duramax even with its own set of issues.

As far as duramax here's a quick view.
2001-04.5 Are lb7 trucks. Notorious for injector failure but generally viewed as the best truck to build a race truck out of. God I love mine :thumb: just takes some preventative maintenance. Also the only duramax with 0 emission junk except California emissions models.
04.5 to 05 is an LLY. Better injector design. VGT turbo. But had some overheating problems tho they can be prevented with a simple mouthpiece upgrade. First duramax with egr as well and I believe a converter too?
06-07.5 is an lbz. Six speed Allison is introduced. Emissions equipment is key the same as lly. Comes stock with a hotter tune than previous 2. Generally viewed as the most desired duramax made
07-10 is an lmm. From what ive heard basically a lbz with a different body on it and the introduction of a dpf system.
11-16 is the lml and with the exception of knowing it's a completely different animal I honestly have no clue anything about it.

Guys if I have any info wrong please feel free to correct me:thumb:

More great info, thank you.
I used to have 7.3 ford power stroke (97, if I remember right). And have thought about the newer one's. But I had a friend that had some issues with his 2013 (I think is the year) The engine blew up (threw a rod or something, can't remember) and left him stranded in CO, It sounds like some people have issues and others don't. It sounds like the the dpf crap is alot of what causes problems in all makes.
I think the Allison trans is a big part of the draw for me to the Chevys and the apparent reliability the Dmax has (I have a buddy that has 270K miles on his an is very happy with it.).
I've drove 5.9 Cummins dodges for a few years now. My love for them first came in 06 when I had a company truck hooked up to a 20' cargo trailer full of tools all the time. It pulled it like a champ running around the state. I like that when you open the hood, you can see the engine..Lol Pretty durable and easy to work on. I had an 06 megacab before the 01 I have now. Loved it but it had a 6" lift 355/60/20 tires, cool truck but the tires where expensive to replace and they were hard on front end parts. I decided to sell it a couple years ago.
I always kind of liked the 2nd gen dodges and found the one I have now. It's got some goodies on it, built trans and runs great. But, it's an extended cab. I didn't realize how much I'd miss having 4 full doors. The back seat is just too small. I rode in my sons 09 5.3 gas 1500, comfy truck, nice interior. That got me thinking about the Duramax trucks, I've had a couple run ins with some D max friends, they pulled away from my healthy 5.9. So I know they run good.
I (briefly) thought about going back to a gaser just because I could get a much newer truck for the $$. It had been a few months since I'd pulled a bigger trailer and I went and picked up a 24' enclosed for my son. Easely pulling it down the hwy reminded me why I love diesel trucks. I have a 24' enclosed also that we haul our 2 RZR's in. We take them down to OK to the dunes or TN, Ark & CO for trial riding. Pulling around 8K lbs , I'm convinced I want a diesel, not to mention the much better mpg. Looks like I need to detail my truck and get it ready to sell. I inquired about trade in value on my 01.... Bahahaha, about what I thought. The answer hurt a little.
Looking at your sig, sounds like your 02 is niiiiice :hail2:
Thanks again for the help!! :thumb:
 

TLyons90

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Apr 22, 2013
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Greenville, SC
Welcome! 06/07 LBZ trucks are for sure 1 of the best to buy if your going to get into 1 and have a price range. Just check the 06 your looking at if 1 and make sure its not an lly.
 

zakkb787

<that’s not me...
Sep 29, 2014
2,340
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48
Granite Falls NC
I've heard the same about the newer powerstrokes too. Some are great others are bombs. But with any of them as long as you get rid of emissions you'll be in a better boat. I hate to say it but I don't anything pills like a Cummins and never will. Just can't beat an inline 6 for torque. But for comfort and power I love my duramax. Alison's are very good but muhbpower over stock and you're gonna blow it. 6 speeds can handle a bit more but not by much. That's what draws me to the fords (minus appearance) is that I've heard tons of stories of 500+ hp on a stock tranny. But that's heresay. Dunno if it's 100% factual or not. But they are stout and man they are a quiet engine. You really can't go wrong with an 06 or 07 duramax tho. But like TLyons90 said be sure it's not an 06 LLY. They did some kinda funky crossover there in 06
 

Gregg628

New member
Mar 13, 2017
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South Central Ks
I've heard the same about the newer powerstrokes too. Some are great others are bombs. But with any of them as long as you get rid of emissions you'll be in a better boat. I hate to say it but I don't anything pills like a Cummins and never will. Just can't beat an inline 6 for torque. But for comfort and power I love my duramax. Alison's are very good but muhbpower over stock and you're gonna blow it. 6 speeds can handle a bit more but not by much. That's what draws me to the fords (minus appearance) is that I've heard tons of stories of 500+ hp on a stock tranny. But that's heresay. Dunno if it's 100% factual or not. But they are stout and man they are a quiet engine. You really can't go wrong with an 06 or 07 duramax tho. But like TLyons90 said be sure it's not an 06 LLY. They did some kinda funky crossover there in 06

Yeah, I'm ready for more comfort. I don't think I'll mess with what ever I get to much...other than getting rid of what ever emission crap it has. (we always say that right?... Lol )
My 01 5.9 CTD is on the opposite end of quiet.. Can't do drive up windows without shutting it off. I've had someone ask me how I'd know if it were going to blow up...Lol. I just say "I just keep it serviced and drive it" I do love the simplicity of the 5.9, I just wish it had a better truck and trans around it. Like I said my trans was built by the previous owner. (Not sure what was done other than it has a billet tq converter and big pan and does shift solid) Works great other than it's a 4 speed.
Oh bother way, where do I find the lbz, lly etc.. code?
 

CarolinaHD

Member
Feb 8, 2011
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7
18
NC
On a 2006 the 8th digit of the vin number is 2 for lly and D for lbz. They are the same motor except the lly is detuned. Later production 2006 after December 2005 have upgraded headgaskets. The corner of the headgasket will be riveted as opposed to crimped on the earlier styles.

The 08-10 interiors feel cheap to me and utilize alot of plastic parts. The dash pads usually end up cracking but you're a dodge guy so you're use to that :D
 
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Gregg628

New member
Mar 13, 2017
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South Central Ks
On a 2006 the 8th digit of the vin number is 2 for lly and D for lbz. They are the same motor except the lly is detuned. Later production 2006 after December 2005 have upgraded headgaskets. The corner of the headgasket will be riveted as opposed to crimped on the earlier styles.

The 08-10 interiors feel cheap to me and utilize alpt of plastic parts. The dash pads usually end up cracking but you're a dodge guy so you're use to that :D

Thank you!! Yeah, you know that on the dodge dashes...Lol Somebody had already put a nice plactic cover on mine before I bought it..Lol We used to have a gas 01 ram, that dash was falling apart.. I glued it and put a cover on it before we sold it :D

This is a lot of great info, thanks again for the help!!