I'm looking into buying a tow vehicle. Would you buy a duramax with 350,000 miles on it? Price is about what NADA says it should be, so assuming I can talk them down a few bucks, is it worth looking into? Truck is pretty clean otherwise.
CK5
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03 gmc duramax with 350k (BBT) transmission fun
- Thread starter ashman
- Start date
repair records?
Mine is an '03/8.1-Allison with 80k on it......I can't speak to the miles on the engine, but everything that has gone bad on mine has also gone bad on my dads (same truck) and my friends Duramax (same year). I would imagine by now @350k it should have all the problems worked out and it should be fine. As long as there's good records and not a lot of hot rod mods have been done the truck is probably alright.
Xtremegmc80
1/2 ton status
make sure the injectors has been replaced, That year would be a LB7 Duramax.
Holy crap....350k on it! I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I don't just look at the motor when looking to purchase a vehicle. Sure a duramax that has been very well taken care of can go that long, and MAYBE the Allison behind it, but you have to start thinking about all the other stuff that can really nickel and dime you to death with a rig with that many miles on it (rear-end, front-end, ball joints, electrical, etc....). And I just looked up the NADA on a truck like that....no way in hell would I purchase it for as much as they say with that many miles on it, but that's just me. Plus, even if the injectors have been done on it, they are probably in need of it again and if that's the case, I hope you have a wade of cash laying around for those.
I went through looking and test driving all sorts of trucks like this when I was looking to change up my tow rig and decided everyone (and I mean everyone) was so overpriced for the 2000+ years in 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. That's why I decided to build my own how I like it. I will be into my rig after its done for the same if not cheaper than what all these guys want for their 300k+ miles rigs, but mine will be built how I want it and I'll know every nook and cranny of it (cause I built it).
I guess if you have the time/space to do build a tow rig, I would say go for it, but if you don't, then hold out as long as you can for the right deal. They can be had, and I think you could find a truck with a lot lower miles on it if you keep looking. Just my $0.02
Oh, and just a side note on these 3rd part companies like NADA or KBB....I kinda look at them just like I look at car salesman....none of these people know a damn thing about cars yet they are the ones putting a value on them....seem a little jacked up to anyone else??
I went through looking and test driving all sorts of trucks like this when I was looking to change up my tow rig and decided everyone (and I mean everyone) was so overpriced for the 2000+ years in 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. That's why I decided to build my own how I like it. I will be into my rig after its done for the same if not cheaper than what all these guys want for their 300k+ miles rigs, but mine will be built how I want it and I'll know every nook and cranny of it (cause I built it).
I guess if you have the time/space to do build a tow rig, I would say go for it, but if you don't, then hold out as long as you can for the right deal. They can be had, and I think you could find a truck with a lot lower miles on it if you keep looking. Just my $0.02
Oh, and just a side note on these 3rd part companies like NADA or KBB....I kinda look at them just like I look at car salesman....none of these people know a damn thing about cars yet they are the ones putting a value on them....seem a little jacked up to anyone else??
At the moment I don't have the time and/or 'want to' to build a tow rig. I enjoy working on my blazer, but I don't want to build something else right now. Also, part of the equation for me in getting a newer truck is that it has all of the comfort items I'd want. This is the truck that will get me where I want to go to enjoy the old truck. I want it comfy and easy.
That said, there probably are better deals available out there, I'm just trying to get some opinions. I've never owned a diesel before so I'll need advice for sure.
One thing on this particular truck, the ad does say that the front end has been gone through already, and the truck itself looks emaculate, which to me tells me it has been taken care of. we'll see...
That said, there probably are better deals available out there, I'm just trying to get some opinions. I've never owned a diesel before so I'll need advice for sure.
One thing on this particular truck, the ad does say that the front end has been gone through already, and the truck itself looks emaculate, which to me tells me it has been taken care of. we'll see...
I understand, not everyone wants to build a toy and a tow rig.
Take everything with a grain of salt when purchasing anything used...when I purchased my blazer to turn into my crawler, the ad said, "Brand new rebuilt 383 that is strong." Ended up swapping it out for a TBI350 and tore the motor down only to find one of the pistons and cylinder walls were scarred up something terrible. Anyone can put lipstick on a pig and make it look appealing.
Spent quite a bit of time researching all the makes/models/motor generations that you are looking for as each one have +/-. For instance, I wouldn't touch a 6.0 Ford diesel (I'm sure some 6.0 Ford diesel owner will chime in and say theirs has 600k on it and never even changed the oil
). The 7.3 Ford is the one to go for but most have quite a few miles on them now too and usually the truck is falling apart around it. The duramax like the one you are looking at is a pretty good motor, but injectors are key and usually need to be done quite often. I personally think the ~06 duramax is the best for durability and have good power numbers. Dodge's with the Cummins are great, but dodge guys think the coal rolling out the tailpipe should be bottled up and sold to the highest bidder...usually making those trucks more expensive then all the rest (though they are good trucks).
I don't know how much you plan on towing, but I wouldn't underestimate purchasing a LS 6.0 3/4 ton HD truck/suburban. If you plan to tow mainly just your blazer on a trailer and that's about as heavy as you will plan on, the LS 6.0 is a great motor that you can usually pick up in a truck that is in a lot better condition with less miles for cheaper. Plus, you will pay about half on maintenance as you would with a diesel with as high of miles as the one in your OP. Sure you might slow down a little on some of the steeper climbs, but I guess you have to ask yourself how much that is really worth to you and how often you will do it.
Sorry to clog up your question thread, just trying to throw out some different ideas (as I have no clue what you really want out of your truck
)
Sorry to clog up your question thread, just trying to throw out some different ideas (as I have no clue what you really want out of your truck
)
no, it's all good. 
a 3/4 ton with a 6.0 is actually on the list as well. Just trying to decide just how much I want to tow, and how much I'm willing to spend to get there.
Another bonus to getting a 6.0 is that it's the same engine as whats in the blazer, so, you know, parts.
a 3/4 ton with a 6.0 is actually on the list as well. Just trying to decide just how much I want to tow, and how much I'm willing to spend to get there.
Another bonus to getting a 6.0 is that it's the same engine as whats in the blazer, so, you know, parts.
no, it's all good.
a 3/4 ton with a 6.0 is actually on the list as well. Just trying to decide just how much I want to tow, and how much I'm willing to spend to get there.
Another bonus to getting a 6.0 is that it's the same engine as whats in the blazer, so, you know, parts.
I like your thinking
My brother has a 2000 burban with a 6.0. Stock it had a semi-float rear with 3.73 gear, however he rebuilt the motor with some goodies and a tune, and swapped in an AAM from a later year 3/4 ton (with matching front diff) and got 4.11's. Now his tows really good for a gas 6.0. That's why if you could find an HD truck version with the 6.0, it's most likely the second gen 6.0 that has a little boost in power and a full float 14 bolt with 4.10's (most likely). That would be a pretty sweet dependable tow rig (in fact, my other older brother is looking for a truck just like that right now)
I'd look at a 2000+ 8.1
I towed a lot with my 03 2500HD 6.0/4L80E and it was under powered towing 8-10K IMO.
I towed a lot with my 03 2500HD 6.0/4L80E and it was under powered towing 8-10K IMO.
Can't say I disagree with this...as an 8.1 is what I'm swapping into my tow rig build
If you plan to daily drive it more, then possibly look at a 6.0. But if no DD, then 8.1 FTW
my 6.0 averaged 10 mpg so I'm not sold on the gas savings unless some of the newer 6.0's improved in that area?
Agreed!
I know this is a GM place, so I'm ready for people to jump down my neck on this, But I personally never liked the Duramaxes. Having driven several diesel pickup trucks, of all makes, I personally would say go for a 3rd gen 5.9 Cummins powered Dodge. I've drove Duramax powered trucks (Two 2002's a 2005 and a NBS 2007) , and honestly they don't impress me, or at least not to the extent that I expect. I've drove 6.0 Ford's, and while they do have a penchant for suicide, they can hustle. I like the Super Duty Fords, and wouldn't mind owning one, however It would have to be either 7.3, 6.7, or 6.2 gas powered.
Also, around here the Duramaxes are hugely overpriced, due to the fact that everybody and his neighbor wants to put 7 LED lightbars, a single stack in the middle of the bed, and 22 inch Fuel wheels on them
If you really want a 2000-2007 Chevy truck, I'd recommend the 6.0 LS, or the 8.1 BBC all day, everyday. Driven both, love both. I would absolutely love to get a hold of a 2000-2002 3/4 4wd 8.1 with a longbed.
Also, around here the Duramaxes are hugely overpriced, due to the fact that everybody and his neighbor wants to put 7 LED lightbars, a single stack in the middle of the bed, and 22 inch Fuel wheels on them
If you really want a 2000-2007 Chevy truck, I'd recommend the 6.0 LS, or the 8.1 BBC all day, everyday. Driven both, love both. I would absolutely love to get a hold of a 2000-2002 3/4 4wd 8.1 with a longbed.
I've had my 3/4-8.1 loaded with 15k lbs of toys and trailer on most of my trips. It will cruise at 65mph all day on the flats and slows to about 50mph on most grades. It's a horrible DD as it only gets about 10mpg, but it'll pull anything a diesel will and I've got bragging rights when I'm pulling them out of the sand when they get their Daddymaxes stuck on the beach.
If the injectors and cp3 have been done recently, had its normal fluid changes and what not I don't know how afraid of it I would be, my worries would be in the rest of the truck falling apart.
I'd rather tow with a 350k lb7 than a 80-150k 6.0
I don't understand the love of the 6.0/8.1 for towing. Shitty gas mileage and 55 mph don't do it for me.
I'll take my tuned and deleted lmm over any other diesel/gas any day of the week.
I'd rather tow with a 350k lb7 than a 80-150k 6.0
I don't understand the love of the 6.0/8.1 for towing. Shitty gas mileage and 55 mph don't do it for me.
I'll take my tuned and deleted lmm over any other diesel/gas any day of the week.
As a lb7 dmax motor owner, I can tell you to check the balance rates to see if the injectors are good or bad. As close to zero is the best number. Anything over/under +-4 is bad. Check when the truck is warmed up. 1900ish for a set if bad. It isn't a bad job, just time conduming . Everything on the Allison is expensive. So if it hasn't been gone through recently I'd start saving to a rebuild.
That being said I love my truck and would pick it to tow anything over my dads 01 2500hd with the 8.1/ally.
The off idle torque is the only thing the 8.1 has on my truck.
That being said I love my truck and would pick it to tow anything over my dads 01 2500hd with the 8.1/ally.
The off idle torque is the only thing the 8.1 has on my truck.
Lets see....I have a 2000 with a 6.5, and 2005 with a 6.0, and my work truck has a 8.1, plus my trail rig has a 5.7....Which equals 26.3 for the win.
