Hey all. Want to get some seasoned opinions. I have a decision coming. I want a dura max and have possible choices. A 02 Lbz lightly used with only 81k original miles. Or a 05 LLY with 140k miles. Used yes, has no injector work done new alternators cv joints on the front end. My ? Which one would you all go with. Older with a low mileage. Or newer bigger hp LLY but with the higher mileage. Is that type of mileage a concern with the Dmax? All info and insight would be helpfull. Thanks in advance
Noob with a question
- Thread starter Ma_wilson
- Start date
Alright, I'll give it a shot.
First it's Duramax, one word. I'm not being a dick, I honestly don't know if you're aware.
Second an 02 is a LB7, not a LBZ. 2001-2004 are LB7, 2004.5-2006 are LLY, 2006-2007 are LBZ, 2008-2010 are LMM, and 2011-current are LML. There's a split year in 2006 for the LLY and the LBZ.
Why is that important, it's important for you to make sure you're researching the proper issues that can occur on any particular engine code.
You have a lot to weigh beyond just miles and production year. How much are you willing to pay and are you mechanically inclined or will it go to a shop for all repairs. LB7's have injector problems, it's expensive to fix and if you have a shop do it the price is quite high. You'd need to know the service history of both trucks to determine what has or hasn't been done to them.
Ultimately if it was me I'd be fine with either truck without knowing more about them. Duramax's last quite a long time and I wouldn't let the higher mileage scare you away, nor would I simply trust some low mileage truck simply because it has low miles.
1st
I'd want to know if both trucks were original owner trucks and what the owner(s) did with them, work/tow, daily drive, weekend warrior etc
IMHO, things to look for would be trailer brake controller, a 5th wheel, helper air bags excessively beat up bed and/or excessive wear around the hitch
2nd
I'd probably want to talk to them about maintenance, it sounds like the LLY has had decent up-keep. If the LB7 is on original injectors you can be pretty certain that a new set will be needed soon...and that's a pretty big job that can be really expensive to have done. You'll want to know stuff like, have fluid flushes been done, if the coolant has been changed and when, if the brakes have been done and when, have the shocks been replaced, have the steering components been replaced (ie pitman and idler arms) and regular stuff like the spin on filter for the Allison, how often the fuel filter was changed and oil change intervals and oil type used.
3rd
I'd want to know where the trucks have spent their life and how the undercarriage looks...rust and/or peeling frame coating is never a good sign
4th and finally
I'd want to know if any aftermarket goodies have been added to either rig, like exhaust, gauges, ANY sort of tune or programmer etc. It's good to know if the owner has put any love or hate into their vehicle, "love" meaning a cool exhaust and maybe an intake or efi-live programming, "hate" meaning a chip or off the shelf box tune like a predator programmer
Ultimately, looking at a purchase between these two rigs shouldn't really come down to power output cuz it's pretty easy to safely get more go juice out of either with a good EFI-Live tune or dare I even mention it, a Banks tune (which is the only tune other than an EFI-Live tune from a reputable tuner that I would ever recommend)
If the LLY has a 6sp transmission I'd say that's a pretty huge bonus and that alone would heavily sway my vote, and for more reasons than just the transmission.
With any purchase choice my bottom line would probably be the condition of the rig and the owners care/maintenance habits, honestly tho, I'd imagine you could find better choices to pick from (not that the two your speaking of are bad, per se)...personally I'd look for a 2005.5 LLY to 2007.5 LBZ with 120k mi on the clock or less, that doesn't have any provisions for or evidence of a 5th wheel
I'd want to know if both trucks were original owner trucks and what the owner(s) did with them, work/tow, daily drive, weekend warrior etc
IMHO, things to look for would be trailer brake controller, a 5th wheel, helper air bags excessively beat up bed and/or excessive wear around the hitch
2nd
I'd probably want to talk to them about maintenance, it sounds like the LLY has had decent up-keep. If the LB7 is on original injectors you can be pretty certain that a new set will be needed soon...and that's a pretty big job that can be really expensive to have done. You'll want to know stuff like, have fluid flushes been done, if the coolant has been changed and when, if the brakes have been done and when, have the shocks been replaced, have the steering components been replaced (ie pitman and idler arms) and regular stuff like the spin on filter for the Allison, how often the fuel filter was changed and oil change intervals and oil type used.
3rd
I'd want to know where the trucks have spent their life and how the undercarriage looks...rust and/or peeling frame coating is never a good sign
4th and finally
I'd want to know if any aftermarket goodies have been added to either rig, like exhaust, gauges, ANY sort of tune or programmer etc. It's good to know if the owner has put any love or hate into their vehicle, "love" meaning a cool exhaust and maybe an intake or efi-live programming, "hate" meaning a chip or off the shelf box tune like a predator programmer
Ultimately, looking at a purchase between these two rigs shouldn't really come down to power output cuz it's pretty easy to safely get more go juice out of either with a good EFI-Live tune or dare I even mention it, a Banks tune (which is the only tune other than an EFI-Live tune from a reputable tuner that I would ever recommend)
If the LLY has a 6sp transmission I'd say that's a pretty huge bonus and that alone would heavily sway my vote, and for more reasons than just the transmission.
With any purchase choice my bottom line would probably be the condition of the rig and the owners care/maintenance habits, honestly tho, I'd imagine you could find better choices to pick from (not that the two your speaking of are bad, per se)...personally I'd look for a 2005.5 LLY to 2007.5 LBZ with 120k mi on the clock or less, that doesn't have any provisions for or evidence of a 5th wheel
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