Looking at getting a Duramax

[dk2429]

New to the forums, not sure if this where I should have posted this...

Anyways, I'm currently looking at finding a clean used DMAX. What I'm planning to do is sell an '03 chevy Avalanche, and take the money from that to a DMAX around the same year with decent miles on it and what not. Reason I'm wanting one is simply because I have a few toys to tow around (boat and RV.) Avalanche pulls both just fine, but I know in the long run, a diesel would do the job better.

Question, being that I've never owned a DMAX, what exactly is there to look for? I'm aware of the injector issues with the LB7 and the overheating with the LLY. I found an '06 with 153k miles that I'm looking at, and an '02 with 155k and new injectors at 140k. Any advice on what to look for/consider would be great!

Thanks folks!

 

[Burn Down]

Welcome.

The 06' would be your best bang for your buck... However I wouldn't be scared of any year.

 

[zakkb787]

I'm partial to my 02. IMO the 02 is the best year. Best body style and I love the motors. Simple. No emissions junk. Not a big fan of the cat eye body style and I don't believe the hype of the LBZ. If I got another truck it'd be an LML or another 02

I know I'm gonna get a lot of hate for saying this and hating on the LBZ but just my .02

 

[Mike L.]

Welcome
I would look at the LBZ. Too many injector problems with LB7. I loved my LML but, I would delete it this time around.

 

[dk2429]

I was also leaning toward the '06 as well (he's asking $12,800.) But then I also was thinking, the '02 is asking $8500 and it already has the new injectors put in and has around the same miles.

 

[Chevy1925]

I'm partial to my 02. IMO the 02 is the best year. Best body style and I love the motors. Simple. No emissions junk. Not a big fan of the cat eye body style and I don't believe the hype of the LBZ. If I got another truck it'd be an LML or another 02

I know I'm gonna get a lot of hate for saying this and hating on the LBZ but just my .02

if it werent for the injector issues and the fact these trucks are getting more and more ragged on by kids that dont know any better, id agree.

i say 04.5 LLY to 07 classic LBZ OR 15.5 and up trucks

Welcome
I would look at the LBZ. Too many injector problems with LB7. I loved my LML but, I would delete it this time around.

quite gasser boy :roflmao: :baby:

 

[Chevy1925]

I was also leaning toward the '06 as well (he's asking $12,800.) But then I also was thinking, the '02 is asking $8500 and it already has the new injectors put in and has around the same miles.

there are a whole lot of things to look at when looking at that LB7. have hin give you a receipt of the injectors, who did the work and make sure the injectors are bosch from a reputable company.

either one of them, id be hunting to see if its been tuned and then drive the truck fairly hard to see if the trans limps into 5th gear. check trans fluid for being burnt as well.

 

[Burn Down]

I was also leaning toward the '06 as well (he's asking $12,800.) But then I also was thinking, the '02 is asking $8500 and it already has the new injectors put in and has around the same miles.

:James treed me:
I would ask for receipts on the LB7 injectors... You need to know if they were quality Bosch Remans and not some junk ebay knock offs.

 

[ChrisPerry]

What's the asking price on said trucks? Does the 02 have receipts showing new Bosch remans? If the lb7 has cheap remans I would pass.

I'd love an lbz, but around here they are either trashed, way overpriced, or both.

Have any truck you are looking at scanned with a good scanner. Check balance rates on injectors, even if they are new. Check that rail pressure stays close to commanded. Make sure there are no p07** codes showing in recent history. Problems in any of these areas will cost you money.

When you go to look at a truck, check the upper radiator hose and make sure it isn't hard when engine is cold (possible head gasket issue)

 

[Chevy1925]

What's the asking price on said trucks? Does the 02 have receipts showing new Bosch remans? If the lb7 has cheap remans I would pass.

I'd love an lbz, but around here they are either trashed, way overpriced, or both.

Have any truck you are looking at scanned with a good scanner. Check balance rates on injectors, even if they are new. Check that rail pressure stays close to commanded. Make sure there are no p07** codes showing in recent history. Problems in any of these areas will cost you money.

When you go to look at a truck, check the upper radiator hose and make sure it isn't hard when engine is cold (possible head gasket issue)

read through the thread and you will see he posted asking prices :thumb:

 

[TLyons90]

06 has my vote! What's the configuration of the 06?? $12,800 seems like a real good price.

 

[ChrisPerry]

read through the thread and you will see he posted asking prices :thumb:

I was answering on my phone when he posted that.... I type really slow ......lol

 

[dk2429]

'02 is $8500, '06 is $12,800.

I'm trying to keep it under $15k as much as possible but I don't mind doing $12,800 if that truck is really that much better. I'd also prefer which ever one has mire pulling power, which I'm assuming is the '06.

Doesn't the '02 have the 5 speed Allison?

 

[TLyons90]

'02 is $8500, '06 is $12,800.

I'm trying to keep it under $15k as much as possible but I don't mind doing $12,800 if that truck is really that much better. I'd also prefer which ever one has mire pulling power, which I'm assuming is the '06.

Doesn't the '02 have the 5 speed Allison?

It does and obviously the 06 has the 6 speed which is a nice upgrade...

 

[Chad006]

if it werent for the injector issues and the fact these trucks are getting more and more ragged on by kids that dont know any better, id agree.

i say 04.5 LLY to 07 classic LBZ OR 15.5 and up trucks



quite gasser boy :roflmao: :baby:

No love for the lmm's?!

 

[Chevy1925]

No love for the lmm's?!

hate the interiors with a passion. dont care for the body style either.

 

[OregonDMAX]

Lb7 has injector issues yes, but Id rather do injectors on an lb7 than head gaskets in an LLY and lbz has no room to grow into in power imo they all have issues, the lmm has an ass ugly frontend and interior is cheap and the LML you'll end up spending 4g just to make it reliable and emissions free.
Love everyone says the 6 speed is so nice, why does the lb7 with a 5 speed get better mpg than any other dmax out there :thumb:

 

[zakkb787]

Lb7 has injector issues yes, but Id rather do injectors on an lb7 than head gaskets in an LLY and lbz has no room to grow into in power imo they all have issues, the lmm has an ass ugly frontend and interior is cheap and the LML you'll end up spending 4g just to make it reliable and emissions free.
Love everyone says the 6 speed is so nice, why does the lb7 with a 5 speed get better mpg than any other dmax out there :thumb:

I'd rather do injectors every 100k (if that if you have the right setup) than fix a broken piston that might randomly bomb your engine in an LBZ. 6 speed is ok. Lb7 still gets better mileage. Love the non vgt sound. Wiring seems simpler on the older body style trucks. If you get the lb7 and put 4 grand in it you'll have twice the truck the LBZ is. Still for the same price.

 

[Mike L.]

hate the interiors with a passion. dont care for the body style either.

You sure are opinionated.

 

[Chevy1925]

You sure are opinionated.

didnt you know this world revolves around me??










































right up till my wife tells me to do something :roflmao: