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Thread: Whats the "best" year duramax????

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Iowa (central)
    Posts
    148

    Default Whats the "best" year duramax????

    Hello all, I'm looking into buying a newer D-max. I will be going to an Allison 6 sp., crew cab, 4x4, 2500HD. I currently have an 01'. While I have not had major issues with the truck I fear they are coming. I want to know what you all think I should move into? I'm leaning toward the 04-06' model years. For now I want to stay away from the DPF stuff until I know more about them. Questions being what are the problems seen with the different model years, I would like to stay away from problems like my injectors on the 01'.

    I use this truck as a part time daily driver (less and less with fuel prices) and to tow my 30' 5'er for camping. Absolutley no racing/sled pulling.

    Mods will be mild: exhaust, all synthetic fluids, tranny pan, diff. cover, kennedy tune, gauges.

    Thanks for all of your opinions!
    01' LB7 2500 HD ext.cab, auto, 4" magnaflow, airaid intake, Mag-Hytec tranny pan, all Amsoil, Bilsteins.

    In pusuit of the perfect camper pulling rig....

    05'-30' Pilgrim 5th wheel

    Always on the road headin for a campsite!

  2. #2

    Default

    Get a clean, low-mile 2003 or early 2004 LB7, and drive it until the wheels come off!!!

    Having owned a '05 and '06 LLYs, the mileage drop is significant, and across the board whether unloaded, or towing. Government EPA regulations have taken their toll. I am completely uninterested in the latest edition with particulate traps and regen sequences...

    Nothing like the simplicity (No catalytic converter, no EGR systems, boost mechanically controlled) and better mileage of the LB7s, in my opinion - not to mention the 200K injector warranty on many models.
    Last edited by Mark Rinker; 03-21-2008 at 14:10.
    2011 Chevrolet Tahoe 5.3L daily driver
    • Previous owner of two 1994 6.5L K3500s, '01, '02, and '05 6.6L K2500s, '04 C4500, '06 K3500 dually, '06 K3500 SRW, '09 K3500HD SRW, '05 Denali
    • Total GM diesel miles to date : ~950K

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Iowa (central)
    Posts
    148

    Default

    Mark, I agree with you, I have an 01' that I very much enjoy. The problem I have is the injector issues! And she is not as "nice" or up to date as the rest of the family would like. No fancy XM radio, DVD, sunroof or heated leather. I primarily will use this truck to tow my camper (5W) and use my trusty gas miser for my day to day going to work (60 mile round trip). How do you feel about your 06'? I have found one that is absolutley perfect up by you (MN.). It appears bone stock and has ALL the bells and whistles to make the wife and kids happy for extended trips. How does the 06' pull? Any major issues other than the possible super chips ECM problem? Just curious about your opinions of your 06'. Thanks for your reply! Shed
    01' LB7 2500 HD ext.cab, auto, 4" magnaflow, airaid intake, Mag-Hytec tranny pan, all Amsoil, Bilsteins.

    In pusuit of the perfect camper pulling rig....

    05'-30' Pilgrim 5th wheel

    Always on the road headin for a campsite!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Pacific Northwest
    Posts
    740

    Default

    I agree with Mark Rinker as well EXCEPT, if you want more power AND the SIX speed Allison then I would go all the way up to a 2007 Sierra Classic with the LBZ! 360 H/P and 650 Lb. Ft. of TORQUE! And that's all factory upgrades!! I do have to say though that the 2001 - 2004 LB7's are the easiest to work on. The new fan shroud on the 2006-2007 classics are a pain to work around. The 2006-2007 classics are quieter and yes even those do get a little less mileage than the old LB7.
    1998 Chevy k-2500 454 147,000 miles and climbing!

    1993 Pontiac G/A Big Block 3.3 Liter 140,000 miles and still going too!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Sandwich,IL
    Posts
    37

    Default

    I'm also getting into that same position with my '02. It surprised me to realize that the 200K injector warrantee is 7 years. Mine will be 7 in December this year. I have only 76K on it. It was in for a glow plug relay and I ask how much for injectors after Dec, $4000, ouch! I love my LB7 but remember the 7 year part of the warrantee. At what point did the LB7 injector problem get resolved?

    Jeff
    2002 D/A Crewcab shortbox 4x4,Victory Red, LT265 Cooper ST, Extreme alloys, Truxedo, 4" Flo-Pro turbo back, S&B intake, Predator

  6. #6

    Default

    Not sure that there is any 'resolution' for a largely fuel quality related issue. Does seems like the occurance of injector failures is getting lower in later years, maybe a function of better filtration combined with numerous injector design upgrades. Trade-offs, for sure.

    As for the six speed - great feature for daily drivers. Not as important for towing.
    2011 Chevrolet Tahoe 5.3L daily driver
    • Previous owner of two 1994 6.5L K3500s, '01, '02, and '05 6.6L K2500s, '04 C4500, '06 K3500 dually, '06 K3500 SRW, '09 K3500HD SRW, '05 Denali
    • Total GM diesel miles to date : ~950K

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Posts
    56

    Default

    My ’02 3500 CC was great, with no problems to just under 100k except an oil leak near the firewall but my ’05 3500 CC IS a significantly stronger puller. A couple miles less per gallon while pulling hurts a bit but, if I keep my foot out of it, set the cruise at 2100rpm’s, I’m only 2/10’s less in mileage than the ’02 when empty. Strange thing though, I found that if I put about 2k lbs in the back, my mileage INCREASES about 2mpg. Staying in the ’05 for a while, don’t want any part of the DPF.
    2005 Chev Duramax/Allison 3500LS DRW Crew Cab, Ride-Rites, Sulastics
    B&W 30K-Turnover GN, Putnam 15K-Class-5, A/T Revos, LMM mouthpiece

    2006 Chev 6.0L/4L80e 3500WT DRW Ex-Cab 8'Flat-GN, Ride-Rites, Sulastics
    A/T Revos

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