Used truck
My 0.03 cents worth: First, how's the rest of the truck? Rust? Lights working on all of the instruments (at night)? Tie rods/ball joints/etc OK? Any leaks on the rear pinion seal? Does it have the original rear transfer case cover (see other posts for pin holes in this cover- they develop from the inside out from internal damage)? Does there appear to be any slippage in shifting (assuming the Allison T1000 tranny)? If the lift kit was designed for this vehicle, it's probably OK. But if it was a home-made job, I'd be questioning the longevity of the suspension/steering components. Are you on the original water pump? (If the first set of injectors went out @ 180K, the water pump may be next (a post on this site suggested I replace the water pump at the same time as my injectors- I didn't and about 1k miles later, it was in the shop for a $1K bill for a new pump!) If this stuff is all satisfactory, what does it list for on Kelly's Blue Book?
Next, consider that the new injectors he put in @ 180K are about par- mine lasted ~187K. Thereafter, you do not get "new" injectors. Only the assembly plants get "new" Bosch injectors. Your friend most likely got rebuild injectors if he went "stock". And Yes, they don't last long. Did he reuse the injector pipes or install new (corrosion/rust can shorten injector life fast). My second set went ~95K miles. My current set is telling me "it's time" and they only have ~67K on them (there's smoke from the tail pipe, but the balance rates haven't reached the +4/-4 limits yet). If you don't put on a bunch of miles, you'll have time on your side.
Check John Kennedy's web site. He'll recommend a bunch of stuff. I run a secondary filter on my LB7 as well and still, the injectors won't live to the same ripe old age as my factory OEM ones did.
Bottom line, if all of the above seems OK and you don't have a problem with $8K, then buy it. The newer Dmax engines may have better injectors and are easier to replace, but fuel mileage is not as good as the LB7s (from people are telling me). Good luck.
"Chessy56"
So. Milwaukee, WI
'01 2500HD, LB7, ~440K miles
"Stock" engine. Dual fuel filtration system with Kennedy lift pump, BF Goodrich Commercial T/A Traction tires (sold to a dude from Texas- it's living a warmer life just fine down there now!).
'17 2500HD, L5P (Happy Birthday/Merry Christmas to me!!!) Currently bone stock, 120K miles.
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