Going to look at a LB7. What should I look for?

[RidinHigh98]

Going to look at a 2004 LB7 thursday. 152k on the clock. Injectors replaced around 120k. Anything I should really look for when I look at it. Cluster needs to be replaced. Any idea how much this will cost?

[DarkCharisma]

The cluster is a couple hundred bucks for a new unit. You can sometimes have yours repaired, although I dunno the name of the guy that did it off the top of my head...

As far as LB7's go, the injectors are never permanently fixed. Most people will go through at least a couple sets. To help offset that, extra filtration, additives and quality diesel used regularly will extend their life by quite a bit. Aside from that, I'd check for all the normal things:

* Check for white or blue smoke. This means either oil or coolant getting in, alluding to a bad head gasket.

* Verify the transfer case isn't leaking. Pump rub happens on all transfer cases, NP-26x series from 99 to '11 (iirc). Merchant and several other vendors have a plate to fix it before it becomes a problem.

* Ask about the transmission care intervals. The Allison is a tough bitch, but neglect and/or abuse can cause her to slip. Check the fluid, make sure it's not burned. Verify it's not been limped.

* Be sure to drive it fairly aggressively (but not abusively, obviously) and check for proper torque converter lockup--use the Tow/Haul button to force lockup.

* Check for a programmer, or ask if it's had one. Look for a DSP5 switch to see if it may have been EFI Live tuned. Running tunes over 80-100HP on the stock Allison can cause slipping and damage, if abused.

* Check injector balance rates. A Tech II can do this, as well as Edge Insight and EFI Live!. Offer to split the cost with the owner, so he can have a printout for further interested buyers ( assuming you don't get it). The balance rates should be +/- 4 in park and +/-6 in drive.


Other non-LB7 specific things worth checking are the front/rear diff fluid for fragments or shavings, use a flashlight to check in the oil fill spout to see if stuff is all gummed up, verify the front-end is in alignment (a measuring tape and string can help you do this fast), verify the wheel hubs, tie rods and balljoints are in good repair.

I hope that gives you a leg up! Let us know what you decide.

[RidinHigh98]

Should be the owner of a lb7 2004 gmc 2500hd tomorrow. Wish me luck

[DarkCharisma]

Should be the owner of a lb7 2004 gmc 2500hd tomorrow. Wish me luck

Good luck! As long as the injector balance rates check out (most importantly) you should be good to go. Just be ready to add extra filtration and additives, since ULSD seems to be killing the LB7's faster than they normally went. Injectors are about $220 a piece--you can usually replace them one at a time or in pairs. It will probably happen at some point in the truck's life, but the LB7's are great for reliable, consistent power without overheating or emissions garbage. If you can live with the potential injector failure, you'll love it.

Duramaxforum.com has a lot of info you should check out, including instructions on swapping LB7 injectors yourself if the need arises. I am DarkCharisma89 over there.

[FordeatinZ71]

congrats on the buy! sounds like you got a nice rig. the only thing i'll add is a good person to repair the cluster is this guy www.mrwhizard.com i have used him before, years ago, to repair the digital cluster on my old '92 S10 Blazer. he's quick, pretty cheap and does great work he stands behind. he can also customize clusters (not sure what all, if anything, he could do to your cluster...but on the digital ones he can change the color of the gauges). good luck!

[DarkCharisma]

Did the sale go through?

[RidinHigh98]

Yes plans that will be coming soon are airdog 2 , 5" exhaust, EFI live, 6"rcx and 35's. Will post pics soon

[Mark13]

Yes plans that will be coming soon are airdog 2 , 5" exhaust, EFI live, 6"rcx and 35's. Will post pics soon

Should be a good running truck.

I might add you get atleast an egt gauge, most guys also run a boost gauge.

With the added weight of the tires and efi live watch the trans.

Who's doing your Efi-Live?

[FordeatinZ71]

congrats on the purchase...

:nopics:

[DarkCharisma]

Congrats! LB7's sound BADASS with 5" exhaust, with the lack of VVT. Awaiting pictures patiently. :D

[RidinHigh98]

What is the best bet on gauges? Is it worth the money to get the edge with egt probe or just go with the dsp5 and regular gauges? I am thinking of getting my tune from www.duramaxtuner.com. Who do most people use for there tunes on these trucks

[FordeatinZ71]

i used Autometer silver-faced (can't remember the name they called 'em) gauges in an A-pillar pod in my '96 F350. worked just fine for me...but i suppose you could go with the Edge setup if you wanted...

[Mark13]

What is the best bet on gauges? Is it worth the money to get the edge with egt probe or just go with the dsp5 and regular gauges? I am thinking of getting my tune from www.duramaxtuner.com. Who do most people use for there tunes on these trucks
Nick's a great guy and will you'll really like his tunes. I'm using his tuning also with a Dsp 5 switch.
His daily driver is one very mean lb7 (in the 950+hp range) so he's very familiar with what it takes to get these trucks to be the best they can when it comes to tuning the engine and transmission.


i used Autometer silver-faced (can't remember the name they called 'em) gauges in an A-pillar pod in my '96 F350. worked just fine for me...but i suppose you could go with the Edge setup if you wanted...

I'm using an edge insight in mine with an egt probe. No complaints so far after about a year with it.

[FordeatinZ71]

oh i'm sure its great Mark...Edge makes good products. i was just throwing out there what i used on my diesel. although the gauges didn't have to work too hard, since that piece of F*rd was constantly broke down :lol:

[Mark13]

oh i'm sure its great Mark...Edge makes good products. i was just throwing out there what i used on my diesel. although the gauges didn't have to work too hard, since that piece of F*rd was constantly broke down :lol:

I've got nothing against pillar gauges, I just liked the idea of the edge more.

You seemed to have pretty poor luck with that Ford you had lol.

[FordeatinZ71]

heck yea i did...in the year i owned it here's a partial list of what i had to do to it...

transmission
clutch (slipped after gentle 1,000 mile break in...fvck South Bend)
clutch hydraulics
batteries
re-weld core support (likes to break on both sides of the hood latch on that vintage lifted Ford...makes the hood appear to always be on the "secondary" latch)
power steering pump
rebuild front axle (2x)
rebuild rear axle
starter
more u-joints than i care to remember
re-weld t-case from flying u-joint
wheel bearings (x4 sets-never figured out why it ate them...i've replaced wheel bearings on things since i was a tyke...never had one not cooperate like it did)
spindles (both)
locking hubs
pinion bearing (rear)
rear axle shaft flange seal

and there are tons of other little things i can't recall...truck had 136k miles on it. it sure was pretty though...she was kinda like a hooker...came into my life, gave me a small moment of fun and excitement and left with all my money. also, the guy who bought it emailed me like a month later...transmission broke again, wheel fell off going down the freeway because the wheel bearing failed again. yep, i don't miss "her" at all.../threadjack.

[Mark13]

heck yea i did...in the year i owned it here's a partial list of what i had to do to it...

transmission
clutch (slipped after gentle 1,000 mile break in...fvck South Bend)
clutch hydraulics
batteries
re-weld core support (likes to break on both sides of the hood latch on that vintage lifted Ford...makes the hood appear to always be on the "secondary" latch)
power steering pump
rebuild front axle (2x)
rebuild rear axle
starter
more u-joints than i care to remember
re-weld t-case from flying u-joint
wheel bearings (x4 sets-never figured out why it ate them...i've replaced wheel bearings on things since i was a tyke...never had one not cooperate like it did)
spindles (both)
locking hubs
pinion bearing (rear)
rear axle shaft flange seal

and there are tons of other little things i can't recall...truck had 136k miles on it. it sure was pretty though...she was kinda like a hooker...came into my life, gave me a small moment of fun and excitement and left with all my money. also, the guy who bought it emailed me like a month later...transmission broke again, wheel fell off going down the freeway because the wheel bearing failed again. yep, i don't miss "her" at all.../threadjack.

No wonder you hate Ford. That's a pretty rough list of failure's on a truck that's normally pretty bulletproof.

[RidinHigh98]

Just placed my order for the Airdog II 165 and 5" MBRP straight pipe exhaust. Will post pics after install.

[FordeatinZ71]

yep, that's why i bought it. figured it'd be the automotive equipment of a sledgehammer...figured it could take at least some abuse. my '91 K1500 with over 200k HARD miles took way more abuse and gave me hardly any problems...i towed heavier loads, off roaded it more/harder, hauled heavier stuff...pretty much never had to work on it other than basic upkeep/upgrades...THAT was a real truck.

i honestly don't absolutely hate Fords...i just talk a bunch of crap...i've had some GREAT Fords i'd kill to have back...

'94 Ranger Splash (totaled)
'93 Ranger XL (sold)
'93 Ranger Splash (totaled-t boned by police officer...i can't keep a Ranger Splash...and i love 'em)
'88 Mustang GT (totaled)
'85 F150 XLT Lariat (rare as it had the H.O. 351/C6 in a 1/2 ton-sold)
'78 Bronco XLT (awesome truck...sold to guy i bought the '96 F350 from...he blew it up offroading in about a week...it ran perfect and used no oil. he overheated it and kept going. he was an idiot. had a 400/4-speed manual)
'85 F250 4x4 diesel (another great truck)
'78 F100 (water pump impeller separated from shaft...overheated and the 302 died)
'87 F150 XL (kinda still have it...has the 300 I6/4-speed manual...GREAT truck...was my great grandpas. i can count on one hand how many times its been broke down since '93 when he got it...and wouldn't use all my fingers)

so yea, i don't hate all Fords...just the one i had. damn i'm hijacking the dog sh!t out of this thread...sorry :lol:

[DarkCharisma]

Just placed my order for the Airdog II 165 and 5" MBRP straight pipe exhaust. Will post pics after install.

Sweet. Good call on the AD for the filtration. I'd recommend running some fuel lubes too, it keeps your injectors happy. Do you have a way of watching your balance rates? what did you get the truck for?

[Quyonmob]

Pics?

[RidinHigh98]

Ended up getting it for 13k. Will the edge show balance rates

[DarkCharisma]

Ended up getting it for 13k. Will the edge show balance rates


Wow, that's a steal.

[FordeatinZ71]

don't call it a "steal" yet...you haven't seen it Chad...:lol:

[DarkCharisma]

don't call it a "steal" yet...you haven't seen it Chad...:lol:

Good point. :crazy:

[RidinHigh98]

Only pics I have right now. Truck looks alot better cleaned up. Now just need to get it the way I want it.
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq229/jmh51193/PART_1318342339862.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq229/jmh51193/truck5.jpg

[Woody35]

dam that is a steal. good luck with it

[cycleheart]

Nice

[FordeatinZ71]

Only pics I have right now. Truck looks alot better cleaned up. Now just need to get it the way I want it.
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq229/jmh51193/PART_1318342339862.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq229/jmh51193/truck5.jpg

damn that's a nice truck! if it runs/drives like it looks you stole that sucker! nice work!

[RidinHigh98]

No complaints so far. Only thing it needs is a stepper motor in the cluster. Just got my 5" exhuast installed today.

[Chingon HD]

Sick truck!