What do y'all think?

[dk2429]

Found a 2003 2500 with 254k miles on it for a good deal. Owner said it has had injectors replaced. From the pictures it looks extremely clean. It's about 300 miles from me, and I'll be willing to go up there and take a look but just wondering what y'alls thoughts are about it. I'm assuming after 254k miles, head gaskets/injector issues shouldn't be much of a worry anymore? Thanks.

Also, what is y'alls thoughts on EFI Live? A buddy of mine that is a diesel guru explained to me that a Duramax with EFI Live is a bulletproof motor. Your thoughts?

Thanks in advance

 

[TLyons90]

I would ask for paperwork on the injectors. Anybody can say they were replaced but whether that is true or not is a big difference. Pictures also can make a truck look a lot better than in person. I would be 95% sure on it and talk with the guy a good bit before making the commitment to drive.

As far as EFI Live goes that is just tuning and not technically "bullet proofing" the motor. It as best for the motor if planning to tune it.

 

[dk2429]

I would ask for paperwork on the injectors. Anybody can say they were replaced but whether that is true or not is a big difference. Pictures also can make a truck look a lot better than in person. I would be 95% sure on it and talk with the guy a good bit before making the commitment to drive.

As far as EFI Live goes that is just tuning and not technically "bullet proofing" the motor. It as best for the motor if planning to tune it.

Thanks for the input! I'm not looking to tune it to go fast, this truck's primary use will be towing my boat/RV. I'll be sure to ask about paper work on the injectors. Would you folks consider 254k being a lot on this truck assuming it's been taken care of properly?

 

[Mike L.]

I would worry about the trans at that mileage, especially putting a tune on it.

 

[dk2429]

I would worry about the trans at that mileage, especially putting a tune on it.

The truck is bone stock and again, I'm not tuning it if it's not going to affect the reliability. Like I said, the primary purpose of this truck will be towing.

 

[dk2429]

Another question, the truck has Aftermarket Intercooler Piping..? What is this

 

[IOWA LLY]

Also, what is y'alls thoughts on EFI Live? A buddy of mine that is a diesel guru explained to me that a Duramax with EFI Live is a bulletproof motor. Your thoughts?



Thanks in advance

My advice, quit listening to your buddy. He's an idiot.

Owning one or two duramaxs and reading Facebook posts doesn't make you a duramax guru.




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[Chevy1925]

Thanks for the input! I'm not looking to tune it to go fast, this truck's primary use will be towing my boat/RV. I'll be sure to ask about paper work on the injectors. Would you folks consider 254k being a lot on this truck assuming it's been taken care of properly?

yes its getting up there in mileage. things are going to start popping up and eating at your bank account pretty quickly

The truck is bone stock and again, I'm not tuning it if it's not going to affect the reliability. Like I said, the primary purpose of this truck will be towing.

its bone stock far as you can tell. you will never know if a tuner has been on it at any point in its life. i wouldnt put any added power to it, specially if you plan to just tow with it. your trans will thank you. as mike said, thats alot of miles on a stock trans...

 

[dk2429]

This truck has the 5 speed Allison correct?

 

[dk2429]

My advice, quit listening to your buddy. He's an idiot.

Owning one or two duramaxs and reading Facebook posts doesn't make you a duramax guru.




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You're probably right. He also mentioned to me that Duramax didn't use the Allison transmission until 2005... As far as I know this truck has a 5 speed Allison...

 

[TheBac]

X2 what Iowa said. Your friend is a complete idiot who knows nothing about these trucks.

Honestly, you dont sound very experienced with these trucks yourself. If I were you, Id shy away from buying a higher-mileage older truck b/c of your complete lack of experience. Now, one of us with a few years behind us would be fine with that truck, b/c we'd know what to expect out of it. You asked.

If you do buy it, leave it completely stock. Maybe an exhaust or a very mild tune.

 

[chevor]

Psst sounds like lack of use to me.

 

[2004LB7]

One thing you have to remember is that, while the engine and transmission if properly taken care of will last a long time, the rest of the vehicle is still the same as the gas models. Suspension, wheel bearings, body rust, interior, seats, etc are all going to have over 250k mile on them too.

Also, they never look as good in person as in the photos.

Now if it was cheap, as in less then 8k it may be worth looking into

 

[zf>allison]

Just bought my brothers lly at 249,000 miles, it's the little things like a pillar plastic falling, installing a ignition lock cylinder tomorrow. Windshield sprayers don't work, power windows are slow. That's the kind of stuff you don't think about. Diesel or not your gonna have other high mileage things that will add up.

 

[joshd472]

Listen to what all these guys are telling you. I was in your same shoes about a year ago. I bought a loaded out LLY ecsb with 250k for 5k. I thought I got a screaming deal at the time. I figured I could fix some small issues (torsion keys, hydroboost, etc) and have a nice tow rig for my boat. Then I had to rebuild the front end, the wheels bearings gave out, pull the trans, then injectors took a shit, and now I'm just praying my heads dont lift. I spent every weekend for 6 damn moths working on this thing. All this could have been expense if my father in law wasn't good with a wrench and helped me do all of it. This forum also helped tremendously with the search function. I spent many a nights researching everything I could so I would be ready to do the work myself, and I did 90% of it and called my father in law when i ran into problems.

All that being said, i have always wanted a diesel and never could afford one. I have around 8500 in this truck and I absolutely love it. If it was a crew cab I would drive it until it gave out and have it rebuilt. If you don't enjoy spinning wrenchs and have someone knowledge to help you (your buddy is not knowledgeable) then walk away. If you like getting your hands dirty, and go into it knowing problems will pop up and you can prepair from them go for it!

 

[Dozerboy]

Man a lot of doom and gloom in this thread. The first question I would ask myself is do you really need a Diesel to tow what you're towing. Your a lot better off buying a gasser then a Diesel if you don't need one for towing. If you want one that's a different story. Just realize there not cheap to fix.

Calling his buddy in idiot isn't very fair. We are just hearing with this guy's interpretation of what his buddy said not his actual words.


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[036.6turbo]

Yeah, lot's of doom and gloom here.

My 03 has 340,000 on the body. The LB7 that is was born with was pulled at 332,000ish? Only because I was tired of putting injectors in it, it still pulled my 38' 5th wheel just fine. As MikeL said, the trans my be suspect, as mine required a new output shaft and rear bearing. There very well could have been larger issues lurking in it.

Truck now has a LBZ / 6 speed in it, that has 227,000 on it. No smoke, doesn't use or leak oil, tons of power. Pulls same 5th wheel with ease.

That being said, I building a 2015, right now. Mainly because the 03 has over 300,000k on the body / interior / all of the systems.

Stop listening to your "friend" if he thinks the allison didn't show up until 05, he is no expert on these trucks.

Charge pipes could have been changed because the OEM ones will wear a hole in itself, rubbing on the hard line going to the power steering pump. Or possibly someone has hot rodded it and thought the added flow of the aftermarket tubes were worth the money. No way to know for sure.

If you cannot do your own maintenance, you should most likely pass. All of us in here, are missing large chunks of skin, from working on our trucks. It keeps our cost of ownership down. John Q public will go broke keeping one of these going.

 

[dk2429]

I appreciate it guys. To answer a few questions..
- Like I said, I have an '03 Avalanche that tows just fine with 97k miles (original owner.) I'm simply just wanting to get a diesel..
- For the millionth time, what I end up with, I will not be doing any kind of tuning and that. The truck is staying bone stock.
- If y'all are pretty much saying that this truck would be more hassle than it's worth, then I'll keep looking. From everything I'm seeing about these Dmax's in my price range, I might just go find me a 7.3 Powerstroke.
- I understand that owning a diesel is more costly/more time than a gasser. I took that into consideration before I even considered finding one
I'll keep on looking, thanks folks!

 

[036.6turbo]

From everything I'm seeing about these Dmax's in my price range, I might just go find me a 7.3 Powerstroke.

Any Dmax, is better than any powerstroke.

 

[zakkb787]

Any Dmax, is better than any powerstroke.

Agreed. If you can find proof of injectors being replaced with quality Bosch remans and the transmission is in good shape as well as if you're comfortable working on something yourself then it's up to you. The motor will last if you take care of it but injectors WILL fail eventually. I love my LB7