Seriously considering a D-max...

[kcb37]

I don't know if it was GM that did it or not, pretty sure Ford did.
Anyway the turbo's don't know what year it would have started 07 or 08 I think. They are called variable vane turbos I think.
The fins on the turbo shift/tilt so at lower rpm it will spool faster, when it picks up speed they open back up.

[heavy-chevy]

the variable vane garret turbo started on when the lly came out in 04. much better turbo then the ihi the lb7s have, but both are good.

[heavy-chevy]

Originally Posted by dozerboy

That = to lazy to search, but if you did you would learn that your not quite right. All of the LB7s could have injector problems , but its more common in the 01-02s and even a few LLYs have too.

no, i was talking about the head gasket thing i know all the lb7s have injector problems, thats common knowledge.

[dozerboy]

My mistake.

[sonjaab]

Buying a 5 yo. used truck is a crapshoot !
100k plus miles and NO warranty?
Esp. a diesel with unknown history.............
Yes the early D-max had injector and other issues not
to mention many threads on Allison issues!

Buy what ya want and good luck!

[DarkCharisma]

I'm sorry guys I guess I wasn't specific enough in my inquiry. I have done some searching here and on DP.com and am just looking for anything additional that I may overlook if I go to look at a used Duramax, '03 or up.

I know the injector issue; that's the first thing I ask. I know of the "limped" code, and to look for some sort of plug in the exhaust somewhere that would show there was a programmer or chip installed for EGT's at some point. What are some other questions, other than general maintenance, that would be good to ask on a 90,000 to 130,000 Duramax? Do they have rear-end problems with bigger tires (Wouldn't think so, 14ff...) and should I be concerned if they ran bigger tires without regearing?

Originally Posted by sonjaab

Buying a 5 yo. used truck is a crapshoot !
100k plus miles and NO warranty?
Esp. a diesel with unknown history.............
Yes the early D-max had injector and other issues not
to mention many threads on Allison issues!

Buy what ya want and good luck!

When you're 18 life is a crapshoot. I bought my truck, it's 8 years old now, and she's done me well. There's the usual, but I don't trust dealers or their "warranty" work anyway, so it's not that big of a deal; and not to mention I don't have the coin (or the desire) to buy a brand-new truck for 61k.

[heavy-chevy]

the axle is an 11.5" full floater, indestructible. you wont need to regear untill your on atleast 35s honestly. my 285s measure out to about 32" and i like the taller gear it feels better on the highway. the duramax is a very reliable engine, its not realy a gamble if you ask me. my truck was a work truck all its life and im sure it was abused, hell if i had a dmax as a fleet truck, id have fun with it too, and it runs great. the only allison problems i ever hear about are with added power, 90 hp is about the safe limit on a stock allison.

[DarkCharisma]

Originally Posted by heavy-chevy

the axle is an 11.5" full floater, indestructible. you wont need to regear untill your on atleast 35s honestly. my 285s measure out to about 32" and i like the taller gear it feels better on the highway. the duramax is a very reliable engine, its not realy a gamble if you ask me. my truck was a work truck all its life and im sure it was abused, hell if i had a dmax as a fleet truck, id have fun with it too, and it runs great. the only allison problems i ever hear about are with added power, 90 hp is about the safe limit on a stock allison.

Okay I think that's just about all my questions... Thanks to everyone. Hopefully there will be a CCSB 4x4 Duramax in my driveway within the next month...

[lotsofmud400]

darkcharisma sorry if i threadjacked ya at all...im just in the same boat you are and want basically the same thing. Im gonna try to stay away from 01's and 02's...dont settle for just any kind of dmax cuz youll be pissed in the end, if your spending the money make sure its the one you want!!

[DarkCharisma]

Originally Posted by lotsofmud400

darkcharisma sorry if i threadjacked ya at all...im just in the same boat you are and want basically the same thing. Im gonna try to stay away from 01's and 02's...dont settle for just any kind of dmax cuz youll be pissed in the end, if your spending the money make sure its the one you want!!

I'm going to be picky, because this is going to be as close as my dream truck as I'll get. Besides prices will continue to come down on them anyway.

[dozerboy]

Get the VIN and have it ran see what comes up on the service history.

[heavy-chevy]

yea you post on thedieselplace.com they have a section for vin checks. its free.

[hanen42]

One other thing I have noticed no one mentioned was to check for the common failure known as pump rub. Basically check the transfer case and if it doesn't leak then good deal. What happens is the gear rubs a hole in the case cover. It may or may not happen. I'm at 106K on my 01' 2500HD, nothing yet. Merchant Automotive makes a fix for this for bout 250 bucks. Get on the diesel place and search. You will find great info. Once again, go with a Duramax. You wont be disappointed. I sold my 99 Z71 with 60K on it for my dmax. I love it.