Tell me what you know about the ol' Duramax's

[ap2002]

i just bought a 07 classic LBZ and it is way better in anyway compared to the the 2500HD 6.0 that i just got rid of....... i probably only pull my travel trailer 7-8 times a year, but even at that just daily driven the duramax and just so much enjoyable, gets about 5-6mpg more than my 6.0 and has ALOT more power than it as well, getting 11-13 on the 6.0 is just not worth it IMO, and that is DD, and it dropped well into the single digits with the travel trailer...... i dont think i will ever regret getting rid of the 6.0 HD, i really think i made a good upgrade without regretting it.... i suggest to do your homework on all Diesels, i did before i bought and IMO Duramax is the best way to go.... ofcourse i bought used so thats the kind of research i did on them.... and from reading on the forums if you just leave them alone performance wise they will go for ever... i only plan on doing exhaust on it and thats it... but i do have to admit the power on these duramax's are amazing and addicting! good luck....

[txarkitekt]

lol, cummins..... i will drag a cummins ass any day apples to apples.... trailer, race... whatever....lol... let the flaming start

Whatever Mic. You don't know what fast is.

[Toadz]

Don't diesels typically outlast gas engines? That's kind of why I was considering them.

Definitely outlast gas.

Think its the 01' and unders that had injector issues but if you find one of that year model, the problems most likely have been fixed by the owners... or should have been anyway. I'm in the market for one myself and haven't resorted to selling my baby yet

'01 was the first year as previously stated. Injector issues on these trucks cannot be fixed, even with a new set of injectors. They will eventually fail. Swapping out heads from the '04+ Duramax makes it easier to swap out injectors.

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Diesel Place - Duramax Diesel Discussion Forums

I am planning on buying one. You want an 06 with an lbz motor. Strongest and best made duramax. The new ones are LMMs but they have a diesel particulate filter that restricts them somewhat.
Talk to Mic and 01slowz71/ Cody. I think midnightrider just got one also. The 06 also has the 6 speed allison trans. I drove an 06 the other day and would have it but it was red. The lbz engine has a higher red line also.

You will still have an ls engine in the TBSS so you are still good to go.

Good links there. Do as much research as possible.

A lot of you guys dont know cold. As good as the Durtymaxs are in the cold (for a diseasel) still not as a reliable as a gasser for those real cold mornings, plugged in or not. Moze I cant really see you needing one, unless you plan on massive trailers. They're a hell of a lot more expensive in every way too. I dunno the only experience I have with them is all the failures that come through work. At least 2:1 over the 6.0s. So I am kinda biased. Hell that one behind my truck in my sig pic not even touching 150000 miles yet, and it's in for a complete top end. Plus you dont seem like one of those tools that buy one just to have a diseasel, because there the hot ticket right now.

You make diesels sound like they are horrible to own. Once you go diesel, you never go back. Cold starting isn't an issue with diesels as long as you have quality fuel (you can use additives that keep it from gelling), strong batteries, and your glow plugs are in good condition. Two of my buddies have 7.3 Powerstrokes and have no problem starting them in -20 and colder weather.

i just bought a 07 classic LBZ and it is way better in anyway compared to the the 2500HD 6.0 that i just got rid of....... i probably only pull my travel trailer 7-8 times a year, but even at that just daily driven the duramax and just so much enjoyable, gets about 5-6mpg more than my 6.0 and has ALOT more power than it as well, getting 11-13 on the 6.0 is just not worth it IMO, and that is DD, and it dropped well into the single digits with the travel trailer...... i dont think i will ever regret getting rid of the 6.0 HD, i really think i made a good upgrade without regretting it.... i suggest to do your homework on all Diesels, i did before i bought and IMO Duramax is the best way to go.... ofcourse i bought used so thats the kind of research i did on them.... and from reading on the forums if you just leave them alone performance wise they will go for ever... i only plan on doing exhaust on it and thats it... but i do have to admit the power on these duramax's are amazing and addicting! good luck....

Good post. Go diesel, hands down. It's a little more cost upfront but you'll thank yourself whenever you do any kind of towing and once you start modifying them it's even more addicting than a gasser.

[Sizzle Chest]

For you guys that like the cummins, what mods are you doing to them to get them to run? We have two cummins at work that are the biggest dogs Ive ever driven in. Nobody wants to drive them. At idle they'll pull your house, but at highway cruising rpms with a decent load, I mean they are scary slow. If you want to pass you better have about 5 miles of clear straight away or forget about it. Im not a big diesel guy, its not a chevy vs dodge thing, thats just been my real world experience with them and why I dont understand why so many people swear by them.

As for the duramax, they are awesome to drive, no question about it. Just tough for me to justify the cost unless you do a lot of heavy pulling.

If you're a real cheapskate, do what I did and pick up an early 90's 6.5 turbo diesel for about $3-4 grand. I honestly love mine, not one problem yet and gets the job done without having to sign your life away to the bank.

[GasGuzzler]

Call me.

[txarkitekt]

For you guys that like the cummins, what mods are you doing to them to get them to run? We have two cummins at work that are the biggest dogs Ive ever driven in. Nobody wants to drive them. At idle they'll pull your house, but at highway cruising rpms with a decent load, I mean they are scary slow. If you want to pass you better have about 5 miles of clear straight away or forget about it. Im not a big diesel guy, its not a chevy vs dodge thing, thats just been my real world experience with them and why I dont understand why so many people swear by them.

What year Cummins you have at work?

I have an 08 3500 Mega Cab Short Bed 2WD with the 6.7L and 6 speed manual and it moves really well for a big truck. On the freeway, I leave it in 6th and just a blip of the throttle and it shoots up 15 mph. And this is with the choked-back 6.7L with DPF.

[TurboMic]

i have my reasons mic and you have yours, no need to start butting heads for nothing. so lets just leave it at that.

whats there to butt heads about? Im all about walking the walk....... All my views are well proven, I have tons of "cummins" buddies..... I walk their ass daily whether its pulling or racing.... and some have twice the money and mods I have...... and 2 of these trucks are in the shop getting new pistons right now, and one a new head...lol.... go cummins

[DamnYankee]

I'm not modding the next truck (nothing crazy anyway) and don't tow to speak of. I'll just stick with a 6.0. I know them pretty good and can fix whatever might break on it for the most part.


Thanks guys.

[sierraman]

and 2 of these trucks are in the shop getting new pistons right now, and one a new head...lol.... go cummins

first off, i will say that anything can do wonders when the right parts are added to it, especially a dmax. i love the ride comfort and interior of the 03-06 gm truck/suv's just as much as anyone. as far as your friends trucks,
i would have to chalk that up to not matching up parts properly, and possibly poor tuning on the owners part.

secondly i work at a dodge dealership i get calls all the time about people braking stuff. mainly the #4 injector line, i mean it only has 26,000 psi from the factory and when you up the turn up the pressure, it can't hold.

i viewed first hand every weekend my friends 04 dodge 3/4 ton 5.9L, 6spd, 4x4 on 35*14*r20 : it had oversized pump and injectors, 5" exhaust, drop in k&n, and superchips programmer. we loaded down the 32 ft' enclosed with car and 4wheeler, we would stomp the 1 ton duallys with 20' open trailers all the way to the track and still got 18mpg. when we unloaded and it was just the truck, we averaged 25mpg doing 70mph. i have seen this truck burried to the frame and still be able to pull itself out of the mudhole. i have seen his truck pull 2, yes 2, half-ton trucks out at the same time of a muddy pasture.

sorry for the rant, but that is all i want to say on the matter. i really don't want to start and an arguement over nothing.

[TurboMic]

i guess i missed the point of the rant......... this is my truck.... not my buddies......... like i said.... walk not talk....