05,06,07 classic duramax

[buffblazer]

looking at trading the half ton in this weekend for a used diesel.

cant stand the new body style so which of those three years was the best diesel as for emissions and power?

i chose those three because i like the hood and grille update. but if the 03-04 were more reliable then i may consider them.

 

[JeffsJeep04]

If I had my choice, I'd pick an early 06 with the LLY. The one that was an LBZ with the lower power tune. From everything I've read, they are the most durable and get the best mileage of any. The nut swingers can fight over their few extra HP, the LLY has PLENTY for a tow rig. 310/590 is more then enough to move anything I'd have to tow. I'd prefer an even earlier one (01-04) without any emissions whatsoever, but those $4k question marks under the hood called injectors scare me too much.

 

[85k5dsl]

I have a 04.5 w/LLY and my son has a 05 and we are pleased with both. I tow a 36 Montana 5ver and am very pleased with it.

 

[manchildau65]

I may get shot for saying this... but I had to make a similar decision not too long ago and after weighing the pros and cons... I bought an 06' Dodge 3500 with the Cummins.

The main reasons for the dodge:
1) solid front axle
2) Cummins (honestly you can't beat the them)

The downfalls with my decision:
1) I'm driving a Dodge and I'm a diehard Chevy guy
2) Ergonomics of the cab stink compared to GM
3) The thing rides like a lumber wagon
4) Not a big fan of the body lines

*Would I change my decision? Not a chance, it's an animal while towing and I have over 100K miles on it without any repairs (in other words, fluids and filters only)
**My ideal truck would be a K30 with a 12 Valve P-pumped Cummins in it! I've got the K30... now I just need to find a donor.

 

[73hillbillyk10]

i have a 06 GMC 2500HD with the LBZ and byfar the best truck ive owned. im geting 17-20 mpg with her

 

[jekquistk5]

I have been really pleased with my lb7 but recently two injectors are out of spec. It has 162k on the clock so I'm not to upset. And I'm sure EFI live has something to do with them going bad. So I'm spending about 3k to put 50HP injectors for myself for xmas.

 

[jekquistk5]

btw, 01-to early 04 have injector issues(LB7). the later 04s got the newer injectors that still have issue every now and then. And unloaded on the highway in economy tune(EFI LIVE) i get 24-28mpg depending on speed.

 

[max 02]

I have had my 02 since new, and it`s been a great truck. 240000KLMS and havent had any probs yet. That said I`d get a 07 classic with the 6 speed and towing mirrors,and then get efi live.

Thats the sh#t

 

[buffblazer]

i found a 05 with 86k on it for 29k LS interior,

seemed a bit high on the price. gonna keep looking.

 

[blowedupmotor87]

07 Classic here, 100K, and I love it!

 

[2_wacko]

Get a 06-07 there the ones with the least problems.