Question: Looking for the perfect Duramax... To Mod.

[Big-Sexy907]

Hello Everyone,

I'm new to the forum and reside in Alaska. I'm presently looking for a nice Duramax to purchase as my next vehicle. From my experiences I'd prefer one without all the extra smog/emissions equipment and don't care if I have to purchase a older truck to avoid such hassles. I do intend on modifying the truck with some simple performance upgrades as a tuner, 4" axle dump exhaust from MBRP, and maybe an air intake. The area I live in doesn't require any sort of emissions testing, so that's not any concern for me.

Now, can someone tell point me in the direction of which year(s) Duramax I should be looking for. I'll be using the truck for light towing (Cars, snowmachines, campers) and as a grocery getter. I'm really interested in finding a nice quad cab and four wheel drive is a must! I'm not looking to snap necks, I have a fully built Impreza STi for that.

 

[blk smoke lb7]

They are all very good in their own rite,i like the lb7 01 to 04 i like the simplicity of the motor and the lager injectors some will say stay away they have injector issues,if the injectors have been upgraded to the new style you shouldnt have any issuses or so john Kennedy of Kennedy diesel says llys are great also but they still have the 5 speed auto 04.5 to early 06 now the late 06 lbz to 07 gets the 6 speed and is a nasty motor keep in mind if you go over 150 h.p. roughly you will start limping the trans and you will need a trans before to long after that.Keep in mind this is my take on things and others may have a different view which is a good thing

 

[MadMaxx61]

:welcome6::welcome9:

If I was you I would be looking at an 06-07 LBZ 6-speed.

Then do a few things to start with. PCV reroute, Block/Delete EGR, Remove the DOC (CAT) since you do not have emissions testing.

Then look at a tuner. No need to change the intake (06-Present) till about 500RWHP unless you want the cleanable filter.

 

[Chevy1925]

:welcome6::welcome9:

If I was you I would be looking at an 06-07 LBZ 6-speed.

Then do a few things to start with. PCV reroute, Block/Delete EGR, Remove the DOC (CAT) since you do not have emissions testing.

Then look at a tuner. No need to change the intake (06-Present) till about 500RWHP unless you want the cleanable filter.

x2. Although im partial to my LB7, external injectors would be VERY nice

 

[D-MAX Mafia]

06-07 lbz!

 

[DieselD]

Buy Mine! 2006 LBZ 4x4 ecsb Built trans, Straight piped. Only has 69,000 miles. $26,000 obo takes it

 

[RandoTx]

I also had an STi before I purchased my Dmax. which is a 06 lbz gmz ccsb 4x4.

do the ppe airbox mod and save alot of money

 

[Darius6t9]

Welcome to the site fellow Alaskan. Though I have an 03' If I were able to do so, I would shoot for the 06-07 lbz. If for no other reasons but for the injectors being external and the 6 speed tranny.

Where at in Ak are you?

 

[Big-Sexy907]

Thanks for the replies fellas!

As of right now I'm interested in a 06 GMC Sierra 2500. There's one that I found at Lenz Truck Center down in Wisconsin that I'm inquiring about now. Here's the link.

http://www.lenzauto.com/FindTruck.aspx?DisplayPage=http://backwebs.homenetinc.com/LenzSalesandLeasingTruck/browse2.asp&UrlParameters=param_new-used%3dused%26param_make%3dGMC%26param_model%3dSierra%202500%26param_year_begin%3d2006%26param_year_end%3d2007

It's the last one on the page with the caption, "2006 GMC Sierra 2500 CREW-SHORT-SLT-6.6L DIESEL-4WD-LIFT-MOONROOF".

I'm not in dire need of a vehicle, but I'm curious as to what the dealer will say about making a out of state sale. I'd prefer to buy a semi-stock vehicle, this one is pretty close to what I'd be doing with it anyway so I may as well see what they say.

As for transmission upgrades, I wonder if there are any shops that I can trust in the state of AK?

Darius, I used to live in Anchorage but moved out to the Valley. Anchorage just wasn't working out for me...

 

[MadMaxx61]

Looks ok but they do not put the info I would like to see like who makes the lift and such. Also all the CAPS on that site suck.

If you are looking out of state anyways why not look for one near Mike L. that way you can buy it and get the trans done in one trip.

 

[Big-Sexy907]

How long would a trans upgrade take from Mike?

 

[jlawles2]

After talking to Mike, the trans rebuild usually takes one day.

I am planning on taking mine out there and spending a couple of days in his area just to have the trans rebuilt.

 

[Big-Sexy907]

I wonder if there would be any problem buying the truck, taking it to him on the way back and having the trans built, then carrying on with my journey home.

My concern is having a trans issue between there and home and being SOL cause I'm in the middle of nowhere.

 

[Chevy1925]

I wonder if there would be any problem buying the truck, taking it to him on the way back and having the trans built, then carrying on with my journey home.

My concern is having a trans issue between there and home and being SOL cause I'm in the middle of nowhere.

Its not a problem, many people do it. jsut make sure you have a day set with mike. its very rare (and i mean like extremely rare) but sometimes he needs the truck one extra day if something didnt go back together right or a part isnt right he doesnt have. If casper is there, take pics cause that damn ghost is a rareity to see . Specially when mike hides him from you

PS, knowing how many pot holes you guys have up there in Alaska and how rough the roads can be, id stay away from a lifted truck. if you really want a lifted truck, i would find one with a NO dual shock hoops (it will wear you upper ball joint out much faster), and get one with a spindle lift NOT a upper control arm drop bracket. the UCA drop bracket ones can cause the alignment to go out eaiser.

 

[Subman]

I lived in Alaska for many many years, and I totally agree I wouldn't have a lifted truck up there. I'd also stay away from buying a truck in the midwest or anywhere they use a lot of chemical on the roads in the winter. Lots of good trucks around to buy. As far as doing a light mod on your tranny, it is not rocket science, you could easily do it yourself if you have the tools and an Allison manual. Mike L does good work and if you get one close to SoCal having him do it would be great, but you don't need a full blown built tranny or at least not from what I have read in this thread. I'd also get a programmed ECM from one of the good EFI tuners, tell them what you want as far as tunes. Alaskan winters are hard on diesels, I wouldn't get too wild on the mods for that reason alone. I also agree that a LBZ with the 6 speed is the best truck for what you are looking for. Taking all the smog crap off of it is no big deal.

 

[Smokum]

I lived in Alaska for many many years, and I totally agree I wouldn't have a lifted truck up there. I'd also stay away from buying a truck in the midwest or anywhere they use a lot of chemical on the roads in the winter. Lots of good trucks around to buy. As far as doing a light mod on your tranny, it is not rocket science, you could easily do it yourself if you have the tools and an Allison manual. Mike L does good work and if you get one close to SoCal having him do it would be great, but you don't need a full blown built tranny or at least not from what I have read in this thread. I'd also get a programmed ECM from one of the good EFI tuners, tell them what you want as far as tunes. Alaskan winters are hard on diesels, I wouldn't get too wild on the mods for that reason alone. I also agree that a LBZ with the 6 speed is the best truck for what you are looking for. Taking all the smog crap off of it is no big deal.

I live in Wisconsin and know multiple people who have bought trucks from Lenz. Most of their trucks come from the south, but not all. They are usually very good about having vehicles in very good condition. That being said, they are usually pretty expensive from what I see. Either way, good luck with the purchase. I don't think you can go wrong with any Duramax.

 

[BlkMax]

As for transmission upgrades, I wonder if there are any shops that I can trust in the state of AK?

Darius, I used to live in Anchorage but moved out to the Valley. Anchorage just wasn't working out for me...

There is no one up here that I would trust to do the work. I trusted someone, and then did the second rebuild myself.

Depending on your travel direction coming back, Trent also does transmission work and you would only have to go as far south as Utah.

What part of the valley? ....I'm on the Wasilla side.

FWIW, I can not run my hottest tunes in the winter. Besides not having control in 4WD, the race tune really rattles because of the cold. It is more of a traction issue (even with 4 studded tires)....than an HP issue.

 

[Darius6t9]

I agree with BlkMax. I don't trust anyone up here to do the tranny. I work with a guy At the Nissan Dealer that is certified in all of GM's stuff. He used to work for the one of the Chevy Dealer's here. But I wouldn't trust him to touch anything I got.

 

[Big-Sexy907]

Thanks for the replies guys... Lenz emailed me back and let me know that the truck sold a couple days before I inquired about it.

I'm now continuing the search within the state to keep costs down, hopefully something semi nice shows up but I'm in no hurry.

I completely understand having to tune back for winter. My STi presently has a GT35r running 23 psi, and the EGT's get a little hot, and traction is an issue.

BlkMax, I live on Palmer side with all the old people.

 

[MadMaxx61]

One more thing when you find a truck you look post up the VIN for a VIN Check.