LBZ: Rebuild or buy new.

[SBISHOP370]

Ok guys do I rebuild my truck or get a new truck.

The family and I are getting a new 5th wheel camping trailer. The trailer is about 12000 lbs with all of our crap and water.

I have a 2007 classic 2500hd LT2 4X4 with the LBZ.
It needs a motor rebuild and new injectors. The engine has low oil pressure and a blown head gasket.
needs brakes all the way around, needs new leaf springs or up grade to one tone springs.
The trans has been gone through by Mike l as of 30000 miles ago.
The turbo and CP3K Is new as of 35000 miles ago.
We need to install a 5th wheel hitch in the bed.
The front end was just rebuilt 10000 miles ago. New upper and lower control arms idler arm pitman arm and shocks all the way around
I'm looking at about 25 to 30000$ rebuild the motor new injectors brakes leaf springs.

New TRUCK I want is a 2018 3500 SRW LTZ Z71 4X4 with the LP5 seen one the other day with every thing I want. Window sticker was 73955. (WTF when did truck get so expensive)

What would you guys do?

 

[2004LB7]

What is the condition of the body? Interior?

What about finding a used engine and dropping that in? Or another used vehicle of the same make/model and ether using it as a doner or put your rebuilt transmission in it?

Rebuilding you current truck with a used engine and new brakes, etc that you mentioned should be much less then $25k~$30k. unless you want a built engine this is the rout I would take

70+ grand is hard to swallow unless you have money burning a hole in your pocket

 

[LBZ]

Trade it in on a new one.
Curious as to why that new truck is so expensive. A comparable truck up here is $82000 give or take. Canadian! Our dollar right now is worth 30% less too. Making it worth about 60k give or take.

I’d be looking at a one or two year low mile used if these prices were the norm.

I was in the same spot with my lbz a year ago and ended up with a 14 000km 2016 LTZ for 25g less than new.

 

[SBISHOP370]

Body of the truck is fine could use a new paint job. The interior is cloth and is doing well. As far as the motor would go yes I was looking at a built motor. The guys up at SoCal Diesel gave me a price for an 850RWH with new injectors.

 

[zakkb787]

You’ll have a lot more fun with that built motor than an untuneable truck

 

[beach_33]

I’d find me a 16 to buy. I got my brand new 16 in October of 16 for 53,000. After trade I got it for 48,000 off the lot. Surely you can find one in the mid 40’s. Then it can still be tuned

 

[TheBac]

Rebuild existing LBZ with matched tuning and you'd be very happy.

No DPF or DEF to screw around with, either.

 

[WVRigrat05]

Get something new with a warranty if towing with the family and keep the old truck and build as you can afford it. I have my LMM for a rig ride, the trusty explorer for when the pile of shit LMM leaves me stranded like it loves to do and I’m getting ready to buy a new F350 for days off (when I get them).

 

[KRODMAX/KS]

If you can afford the truck to be down for some time, I would rebuild and know what you will have. Insurance and taxes are something to consider. My 330k truck is my one of the things I enjoy, paint does not matter. But comfort is priceless.

 

[2007 dmax]

If your goin to tow any great amount. No question what I would do.. Go buy something close to new with low miles and you know it’ll be reliable.. just my thoughts

 

[Hambone]

Chevy1925 aka James would be a good one to ask!
I’ve been pondering this myself but until a door opens one way or another I’m just waiting
73k is ridiculous btw keep looking

 

[Blackmax123]

From my recent experience with my lml. It broke a crank all stock 114k miles. I bought a low mileage checked out motor that was fitted with a bunch of mismatched junk. Long story. But now at 118k miles it's sitting needing an engine again.I should've built the motor my self last time but didn't have the time for it to be down.

If your gonna put a motor in it have one built don't buy a used one. But if your really planning on towing a lot and want to enjoy it. If you can afford it, if buy the new one with the warranty. Especially since you already found what you want.

Seems like the ramp up stock prices to make them easier to sell. Around me stickers are about the same as you mentioned but as soon as you walk in first deal they'll take 7-8k off the truck without really having to argue. At that point I believe most people buy them, making it an easy deal for them and they getting what they wanted for the truck all along.

 

[Budneeds2beers]

Im a firm believer in keeping my play truck and work truck separate. Ive been left stranded with no life line and a two day walk through the desert. So since then I’ll trailer my tunner/play truck. Buy a good used one for less and start your build on the second.

 

[SBISHOP370]

Thanks guys you've all made some really good points. Started looking at insurance and registration on the new 3500 hd an 3500 Denali. All I got to say is you got to be kidding me. Registration in California is 800 to $1,000 a year insurance is $850 every 6 months.

So I'm thinking....... rebuild my truck and find a used 2016 3500 HD to my likings with some sort of factory warranty. I think that's going to be the hard part. If I do that I know my rebuild will be put on hold for at least 2 years. No way I could afford a used truck and a built motor.

My motor build
Socal diesel stage2 LBZ
6480 AF cam
20 over coated Pistons
LML crank
Damper and Billet flexplate
Chromoly pushrods
ARP head studs and Main bolts
45% over injectors
And all the required machine work to put this 850RWH mother together.

Oh yes one day she'll be mine

 

[zakkb787]

If I was you I’d just rebuild your truck. Your cp3k isn’t gonna hold 100 overs. Get you some 30 or 60 overs, maybe some budget rods, cut lb7 pistons, and call it a day.

 

[2004LB7]

I would find a used, but still good engine, drop it in and send your old engine out to get built. Then while you wait for the new engine to be finished you can spend your time looking for a great work/towing truck.

This buys you time and still gets you a play and work truck without being without any for any extended length of time

 

[SBISHOP370]

I would find a used, but still good engine, drop it in and send your old engine out to get built. Then while you wait for the new engine to be finished you can spend your time looking for a great work/towing truck.

This buys you time and still gets you a play and work truck without being without any for any extended length of time

That's the thing I don't need the truck for daily driver. I have a commuter car to get me back and forth to work. The guys up at SoCal Diesel told me if I drop my engine off to them. I would have it back in 10 to 12 weeks. In my opinion that's not bad. I basically use the truck for towing the family trailer and fishing boat, taking crap to the dump, weekend driving when I feel like having some fun, and hunting & fishing trips.

 

[Dozerboy]

I would rebuild my Lbz long before buying a new one unless I had the money burning a hole in my pocket. Not sure why so many people think a new truck is more reliable. My new work trucks have spent way more time in the shop then my Lbz last in the last 12 years.


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