How reliable are the duamax

[pattaugher]

Hey, im looking for a different truck in the near future, atm i have a 97 dodge ram and its only 2wd.... i love the truck, i really dont want to sell it, anywho, i need a 4x4 truck, and while im at it im going to get a diesels aswell. I've been looking at Craigslist. Everyone talks about How reliable the Pstroke and Cummins are, and how legendary the allison tranny is, but is the duramax a solid diesel or is it iffy, i know its all circumstantial, like if they maintenance it or w.e. but is it safe to buy a dura with about 150k original miles on it or should i stick to a ram or ford. Im a ram guy but i do like all American trucks.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/3052367973.html 01 Ram with 200k miles 10k$

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/3053592521.html 04 Chevy w/ 130k for 13k$

again i know that people may be asking way to much in the bay area, to me it just seems odd that the prices are so close for so many difference in miles

 

[LBZ]

Of the two you have listed, without knowing the full history of the vehicles, I would buy the Dmax over the Ram.

 

[pattaugher]

ahh, ok, are the dmax's a strong long lasting engine, or is what makes GM a great truck that tranny?

 

[TeaBagger2006]

Go drive a duramax... Just don't buy a powerstroke

 

[DieselDummy]

mines got 305K on it, and i would say its reliable, i also converted from a Dodge, and wont ever turn back!!!

 

[pattaugher]

lol i hear to many mixed things about Pstokes, i prolly wont get 1. my fav trucks are Dodge and GM

 

[05chevy]

I have owned all three. I still have my 12 valve and dmax. As soon as my dmax is paid off ill be buying another to replace the dodge. You will not regret buying the duramax

 

[1953drtelco]

Previous to my Duramax purchase I've only owned Dodge trucks. After 3 years with my Duramax I'm glad I made the switch. My buddy had over 250K miles on his Duramax before I purchased my truck (2005). He's almost at 400K with no major problems (He's on his 2nd water pump). The Duramax with the Allison is a great combination. I wouldn't have any issues with either a Duramax or Cummins with 150K miles....there just broke in. I did pull a Carfax on my truck before purchase....it had a complete maintenance schedule from the previous owners.....They took the truck every 7,500 miles for an oil change and fuel filter. I bought it with 59K miles. I just clicked to
90K...truck is running stronger than ever...

 

[pattaugher]

what is the fuel econ on it? atm in my ram (97) it gets about 10 city, (i fill up 1/4 tank) around 200 miles, 87 gas in bay is about 4.19, and diesel is about 4.39, i know i need to do the math, but i dont really know the fuel econ on it. would i be saving money or would be relatively the same?

 

[TheBac]

If I were thinking of buying a Duramax without any knowledge of them, I would not buy an 01-04.5 LB7. Injector changes are inevitable, time-consuming and expensive.

Id look for a 2006-07 if you want a relatively trouble free truck.

 

[pattaugher]

thanks thats some good info

 

[LWATSON]

All though I agree with TheBac that the 06-07 trucks are the way to go, I wouldn't be scared of anything between 04.5 and 07.

 

[TheBac]

All though I agree with TheBac that the 06-07 trucks are the way to go, I wouldn't be scared of anything between 04.5 and 07.

Only reason I didnt include the 04.5-05 LLY is the potential overheat issue. Its a matter of being aware of the issues beforehand. I wouldnt mind owning either of those generations myself, but thats because I know what to look for, same as you..

 

[bigmackmiller]

All though I agree with TheBac that the 06-07 trucks are the way to go, I wouldn't be scared of anything between 04.5 and 07.

X2

 

[Kartmnn]

Love my 06 LBZ! Finshing my 9000 miles two week drive towing a total of 5 boats tomorrow.

 

[pattaugher]

quick Question about purchessing, not much to do with duramaxes, but is it possible to get a loan if your 17.5 and ur parent cosigns?

also is http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/3053592521.html priced right, what im looking at

 

[KEVINL]

if you don't have any credit you are gonna need a cosigner anyways

I don't know about california but I think you have to be 18 in Arizona I don't remember that was a long time ago for me

 

[Kartmnn]

If your parents have good credit and some assets it shouldnt be a problem. You need good credit too. :thumb:

 

[pattaugher]

thanks, i think they have very good credit, im going to ask the bank guy and then my dad....

Do you think http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/3053592521.html would be a good purchase, 139k miles, i heard about the injector problem, is that like VERY common, or more common in thoes models, aswell, will they leave you stranded

 

[dieselson]

quick Question about purchessing, not much to do with duramaxes, but is it possible to get a loan if your 17.5 and ur parent cosigns?

also is http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/3053592521.html priced right, what im looking at

I'm the same age as you, and I had my grandma cosign on my loan for my truck. I wouldn't have been able to get it with her or another relative with good credit. As long as you have a job and you can prove that you can pay the loan you should be fine with a cosigner. By the way, I love my 2002 duramax, had it for almost a year now, and it still runs great, no problems. If you can figure out when the injectors have been replaced last, that would be a good guide on whether to buy the truck or not. If the injectors haven't been done in the last 50k miles, i'd steer clear.