300,000 mile duramax

[Batass]

I found a 300,000 03 duramax for cheap and need a new daily driver. I know the engine and trans are good for many more miles than that, but how about the rest of the truck?

[Mark13]

I found a 300,000 03 duramax for cheap and need a new daily driver. I know the engine and trans are good for many more miles than that, but how about the rest of the truck?
The previous owner(s) determine what kind of shape it's in at 300k so don't jump to any conclusions about the motor and trans being in perfect shape. If it was modified at some point and been run hard it's going to be in rougher shape then a truck owned by ma and pa smith who pulled their RV around and drove it to bingo and left it 100% stock. In some cases the rest of the truck might be in better shape then the motor and trans at that kinda milage.

[caminoguy]

Equally as important "cheap" at that mileage takes on a new meaning. Cheap is not a well it's 25% less than something with half the miles.... In this case cheap is: You buy the truck, blow up the motor - replace it, then blow up the trans - replace it, now compare that total cost to how much the same truck with half the miles is going for? If your not still saving some money or at least breaking even with an engine swap and trans swap is it worth the risk in the end?


Yes that kind of damming happening is unlikely however your not saving any money if you buy it, blow it up then buy something else because the first truck wasn't worth fixing.

Does that make any sense?

[lbajo1]

that's a lot of miles and very little info..and at 300k you are going to start replacing alot of wore out parts..

['04CCLB7]

I found a 300,000 03 duramax for cheap and need a new daily driver. I know the engine and trans are good for many more miles than that, but how about the rest of the truck?

you're gonna have to start worrying about suspension components at that point. i picked up a 307k mile Duramax, and the first thing i had to replace were ball joints, idler arm and pitman arm.

[sasquatch094]

more details. Is it rusted out POS? have the maintenance records??

[Koots]

I'd look to see if the injectors were replaced too, i hear they can cause total engine failure if worn out (same goes for all diesels though) but these can cost upwards of $250-$500 each, which can get pretty expensive when you replace all 8!

['04CCLB7]

I'd look to see if the injectors were replaced too, i hear they can cause total engine failure if worn out (same goes for all diesels though) but these can cost upwards of $250-$500 each, which can get pretty expensive when you replace all 8!

it's pretty much the same for a CR Cummins in price. around $2100 for a full set.

[Koots]

I'm glad that even with expensive brand new injectors it only cost me $450 to change the injectors in my 6.2L.

[BurbanAZ]

wow i did not know injectors cost near that much on a diesel, makes me glad i have the 454 for now

[Koots]

wow i did not know injectors cost near that much on a diesel, makes me glad i have the 454 for now

You can buy rebuilt ones for under $250 for the old 6.2/6.5's but most all modern diesels are gonna cost you a fortune to replace them.

[1989K1500]

My Grandpa's 06 rclb Duramax has over 300K on it. He had brakes done just over 200K and he's put tires on it a few times. Other than that just fluid changes and put fuel in it.

[Koots]

My Grandpa's 06 rclb Duramax has over 300K on it. He had brakes done just over 200K and he's put tires on it a few times. Other than that just fluid changes and put fuel in it.

Apparently the early D-max's were the ones that had injector problems, so it doesn't surprise me that your grandpa's truck is still kicking. I'd still take any d-max that i could though :D

[sasquatch094]

06 was the best year they had. 6speed, none of that DPF sh*t, etc etc.

[Koots]

06 was the best year they had. 6speed, none of that DPF sh*t, etc etc.

I heard that too, i'd love to have a LBZ/ZF6 CCSB!

[sasquatch094]

LBZ sounds to be the Cats ass lol
http://www.thedieselpage.com/duramax/2006enginenewsrelease.htm

[Veikra]

wondering the same, got choice between 6.5 mediculous owner and perfect shape, or a dmax that's more powerful that I need but has a stick shift already in. ....but the duramax has 200 000km more. worried about rear axles, engine etc

it's looking like a 6.5 to me. neirbords would hate it, 6.5 is noisy as hell

[BurbanAZ]

im getting a newer truck at the end of this year probably and i was thinking a diesel but everything i keep hearing makes up keep sound crazy expensive so now i dont know

[sasquatch094]

newer dmaxs are pretty damn expensive.. one im looking at is wrecked right now because i cant afford one thats ready to goo

['04CCLB7]

I heard that too, i'd love to have a LBZ/ZF6 CCSB!

all GM had to do was give the ZF6 a better clutch. the stock one could only handle 350bhp before slipping.

and i'll stick with my LB7. easiest to make stupid amounts of power out of ;)

[Veikra]

Hey ! I want a ZF6 CCLB DRW back off ! I'll leave you the small bed ones I find :)

[Mark13]

it's looking like a 6.5 to me. neirbords would hate it, 6.5 is noisy as hell

You havn't heard a straight piped 24v cummins yet have you? Makes a 6.5 sound quiet.
And in general diesels are louder then gas, especially before they were injected off a common rail.

[Koots]

Hey ! I want a ZF6 CCLB DRW back off ! I'll leave you the small bed ones I find :)

I don't need the bed anyway, but i can't buy a d-max suburban or Tahoe(can have them custom made-Duraburb) so a CCSB is a good tradeoff.

[Koots]

wondering the same, got choice between 6.5 mediculous owner and perfect shape, or a dmax that's more powerful that I need but has a stick shift already in. ....but the duramax has 200 000km more. worried about rear axles, engine etc

a D-max will blow any 6.5L out the water but most don't ever need more than the 6.5L or a SBC could ever tow. A nicely built, tuned 6.5 w/NV4500 would make for an awesome truck though.

As for the rest of the truck, my 2500HD (2002) has had every single part of the drivetrain replaced except the engine and front diff. Otherwise it's gone through 2 transmissions (one prior to me owning it), one t-case, one 14BFF and 2 CV shafts, torsion bar crossmember mount and all this with a 6.0L gas. let alone the stress of a d-max, which puts out much more power in every RPM range.


it's looking like a 6.5 to me. neirbords would hate it, 6.5 is noisy as hell

They are noisy as hell but boy do they sound great :D my K5 may be slow as balls but it sure sounds awesome going slow :rocking: all with stock exhaust too...

[DarkCharisma]

As for the rest of the truck, my 2500HD (2002) has had every single part of the drivetrain replaced except the engine and front diff. Otherwise it's gone through 2 transmissions (one prior to me owning it), one t-case, one 14BFF and 2 CV shafts, torsion bar crossmember mount and all this with a 6.0L gas. let alone the stress of a d-max, which puts out much more power in every RPM range.


Damn dude, what the heck did you do to it? Busted a 14BFF, a 4L80e and a cross-member mount? I can understand the CV's (maybe, those are still tough to break on the 2500HD/3500), but Jesus Christ, man... :crazy:

[Stratosman]

Damn dude, what the heck did you do to it? Busted a 14BFF, a 4L80e and a cross-member mount? I can understand the CV's (maybe, those are still tough to break on the 2500HD/3500), but Jesus Christ, man... :crazy:

He had that magic combination of using a truck while starting with a truck that the prior owner used even more :lol: That's my story :dunno:

[Koots]

Damn dude, what the heck did you do to it? Busted a 14BFF, a 4L80e and a cross-member mount? I can understand the CV's (maybe, those are still tough to break on the 2500HD/3500), but Jesus Christ, man... :crazy:

:lol: What can i say i am hard on stuff :D Which is why i'm surprised my V6 K1500 is still kicking.

Anyway, the 4L80E started slipping out of gear when you put the power down but that could be a VSS issue, but i had a spare parts truck for the t-case (electric to manual t-case swap) and figured i'd just replace the trans with the low mileage one from the donor truck anyway all at once. I will take it for a possible future build though. I'm sure with some new internals and upgrades it will be good enough to handle any future project i might have (or if i do end up turboing this diesel K5)

[Koots]

He had that magic combination of using a truck while starting with a truck that the prior owner used even more :lol: That's my story :dunno:

PO was part of the problem, but before i got it he replaced the trans. The 14BFF started it's downward spiral into oblivion once i bounced it on some rocks pulling out a 2500 Ram that was stuck. This thing was also towing equipment and crew around pretty much it's entire life too on top of my hard driving :D

[GM Guy 1]

Hey ! I want a ZF6 CCLB DRW back off ! I'll leave you the small bed ones I find :)

send the links to 2wd ones my way! those are the real hard ones to find! i have found a few, but I want one for stupid cheap. which means that a reg. cab 11 foot body capable cab and chassis would be more my budget.

there was a 760K miled d-max a while back, was really well maintained. essentially, it all comes down to maintenance. there is a guy with 1.7 million miles on a 24 valve dodge cummins. lots of LPs and IPs (common on the 24 valves) but the original engine is untouched. oh, and by the way, it is a 6 speed MANual transmission and 2 wheel drive! the truck looks brand new, and he maintains it meticulously.

[Koots]

My old boss had a 1999 2500 Ram ECLB SRW w/24V Cummins and even in stock form it is a beast of a truck. Once i went through and replaced every single front end component and u-joints it was solid as a rock. I still don't like the interior of the truck but i can't say much bad about it.

[Veikra]

send the links to 2wd ones my way! those are the real hard ones to find! i have found a few, but I want one for stupid cheap. which means that a reg. cab 11 foot body capable cab and chassis would be more my budget.

there was a 760K miled d-max a while back, was really well maintained. essentially, it all comes down to maintenance. there is a guy with 1.7 million miles on a 24 valve dodge cummins. lots of LPs and IPs (common on the 24 valves) but the original engine is untouched. oh, and by the way, it is a 6 speed MANual transmission and 2 wheel drive! the truck looks brand new, and he maintains it meticulously.


I took note of your user id. I want 4x4 so i'll never bid on yours. There's a single cab and chassis with long frame for sale here. What years are you looking at ?

[07Burb]

IMO....I'm not buying any 300k mile vehicle unless it's close to free :dunno:

[GM Guy 1]

Veikra: LB7 is what I am looking for. with the revised filter and injectors, the problem is fixed imo, and I want an engine that has never had an EGR system on it, so the LB7 is a perfect choice for me.

[DarkCharisma]

No LB7 is safe from injector issues. Running a secondary filter and lift pump will help save the injectors and CP3, however the design itself is prone to failure if contaminants are introduced into the fueling system. I went with an LLY for that reason.

[Veikra]

Gm guy 1 : There is a '03 sierra crewcab long bed dually, manual, 2wd here for 10k Flat bed instead of box. It's got ebony leather interior. It has 200 000 km ~120k miles

It's pretty far from Kansas though !

[97GMCSierra1500]

my dad has a 2004 chevy 3500 dually with 385K miles on it and its still running like new. It has only needed 2 injectors and a transfer case its whole life. The previous owner pulled 15,000lbs cattle trailers with it for 375k miles and thats all its needed and it still runs like new.

[Veikra]

my dad has a 2004 chevy 3500 dually with 385K miles on it and its still running like new. It has only needed 2 injectors and a transfer case its whole life. The previous owner pulled 15,000lbs cattle trailers with it for 375k miles and thats all its needed and it still runs like new.

that's pretty impressive. But I'm sure if I bought new it would probably go this way (proper maintenance) In my area people change cars and truck like every 3 years so you usually end up the 5th owner, and by that time it's got a few bad owners .

I'm second owner on mine and it runs and feels like a brand new teeruk.