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Anyone!? Thoughts on a 2021+ I/2 ton Duramax

max 02

max 02

Roll the dice…
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Thinking about getting a new to 1/2 ton diesel.

Don’t want a Ford of Dodge.
Guy I work for has a 2021 3.0 Diesel GMC At4, he loves it, I’ve driven it a few times, it’s nice. Not the power our 6.6 o12 duramax has but that’s obviously not the question.

Just curious if anyone has experience with the 3.0.?

Our 3/4 ton is starting to get miles on it and we just want to use it for towing the 1/2 ton will just be a DD trip rig.

Peace of crap or worth thinking about?
 
Been doing some reading and studying on these trucks and seems like a 150k miles is about the life time of them.
 
86454K30 said:
They also have a rear timing belt that requires the cab lifted to change.
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Yeah I knew that. Seems like a bad design for a wear item, but lifting a cab on a diesel is fairly normal on all Fords and GMs for the last decade.
Had to lift the engine on my 2012 Duramax just to change the starter.
Did head gaskets on a lb7 with out lifting the cab…. Would have been easier to lift it but didn’t have a place to do it at the time.

Sad that manufacturers build them the way they do.
 
max 02 said:
That’s not very good is it.
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No it isn’t. I’d probably delete it the moment I got it which should help. Sucks cause I’d really like one when I’m done with the tundra. I miss having a diesel but have no justification for an HD nor am I willing to pay those prices for one.
 
My bro in law has a ‘21 high country. Loves it. Though it has had some spooky driveability issues that has stumped the dealer twice.

They had come out the year before I escaped the dealer. Initial impressions were good then, but knowing the problems across the board with after treatment systems my outlook was skeptic. I’d seen dpf and def issues on the 6.6 and 4 banger colorados prior to the 3.0 coming out and there is plenty of reasons to see the issues continue on with the 3.0. Though not having the joy of being in the dealership has put me a little out of touch on the pulse of the normal problems. So I’d suggest to do some surfing to see if my fears were warranted.

They aren’t bad but I see them as a reason for as much warranty coverage as you can get on one because they are expensive mf’ers to fix on your dime.
 
I don't know why anyone would buy a 3.0 Duramax instead of the 6.2L gasser unless you plan on running pink power in that diesel.
 
I'd probably also choose a 5.3 or 6.2 powered 1/2 ton for your needs...
 
Lifter failure or timing belt replacement. Pick your poison.

I dunno. I miss the torque and the sound. I love hearing a diesel lug up a hill with a trailer. I’m weird. I cut my teeth with performance and modifying back in 01 with my first Cummins so I’ve got a soft spot for diesels.
 
Well, they already have a diesel for all those reasons. Why complicate your life with a fairly unproven baby diesel in a 1/2 ton that will never tow anything. For a "going to town rig" the gasser is a much better choice, and could be found for probably a lot less money in your choice of color.
 
Make sure you get an extended warranty! I've sure noticed quality lacking in all the big domestic producers over the last 10 years or so. GM seems particularly bad.
 
centexk5 said:
Lifter failure or timing belt replacement. Pick your poison.

I dunno. I miss the torque and the sound. I love hearing a diesel lug up a hill with a trailer. I’m weird. I cut my teeth with performance and modifying back in 01 with my first Cummins so I’ve got a soft spot for diesels.
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This isn’t 01, diesels don’t sound like diesels anymore they sound like vacuum cleaners and performance is all but gone . I work on heavy duty diesels for a living and I’ve seen how fast DPF and DEF issues can ruin your day. I’ve seen bills upwards of $12,000 just to get a trucker back on the road because a sensor didn’t like what it saw……I wouldn’t be caught dead owning an emissions era diesel for personal use. There’s a reason a lot of fleets running 3/4 and 1 ton trucks are going back to gas.
 
Oh I know. I still follow them and all my friends and family have 2014-2018 Chevy//ford//dodges. Just fun to dream a bit.

Honestly, a half ton gasser serves my needs to tow a sxs. Just despise the 9mpg and 3-5k rpm depending on the hill I’m climbing and hate how they feel while towing. Although I do have my eye on the 7.3 ford. See how that shakes out over the next few years.
 
centexk5 said:
Lifter failure or timing belt replacement. Pick your poison.

I dunno. I miss the torque and the sound. I love hearing a diesel lug up a hill with a trailer. I’m weird. I cut my teeth with performance and modifying back in 01 with my first Cummins so I’ve got a soft spot for diesels.
Click to expand...

want a 99 dually?
 
Me.... I luv diesel power plants....

But hate emissions DPF & DEF (AdBlue) issues

Don't like the rubber oil pump belt.... thought only the transmission had to be removed for service access...

Would buy the Duramax over a Power strike or Dodge eco diesel...

Looked at them all....liked the GM price best... wish it was offered in a Tahoe!

Really not sure if it's a better option than driving a gasoline Toyota 4Runner for a DD
 
I have one of the first L86 (6.2L direct injection)/8L90e trucks out there as it is a 2015 actually made in May 2015. There were a shortage of 6.2L as they were putting them in the Camaro first. Transmission has had a new reaction shell and a couple new torque converters under warranty. I'm on my 4th radiator under warranty and this one is leaking also.

I've done the VLOM and a bank of lifters (under warranty) as well as a set of injectors (me).

It has a 109,000 miles on it.


Two sets of plugs (NGK iridium). One set of plug wires. Two pairs of RS9000XL rear shocks. Two sets of Powerstop Z36 drilled/slotted rotors. Two sets of Duratracs. Two air filters. Two batteries. I just wore out my first Hellwig rear sway bar at the second set of rear shocks and my first set of headlight bulbs. It could use new front shocks and I'll probably buy Monroe Magnum loaded shocks/springs.

Other than the above, it's just oil changes and hand washes.

My previous truck literally got nothing but oil changes and shocks and tires in 113,000 miles. However, this one I was way more harder on than the last one. I can comfortably tow with this one at 85 my 30' travel trailer without a weight distributing hitch. My last truck was L76(6.0L aluminum, same as G8 GT) and 6L80e.

I look at replacing it every year, but I don't like what I see. As soon as GM announces they're getting rid of the big motor in the half tons (they already made it so you can't get the 6.2L with an extended cab with the current generation Sierra) then I will order a new one.
 
Glad I asked the question. Now I got lots to think about. Thanks:doah:

We like our diesels. Love the torque and being a farmer for many years we like the purple fuel for cost.
Hate the emissions…. Previous truck never came with any. Current truck’s emissions went missing. Our2014 diesel VW still is intact but it has been fine.

Not in love with LS gas I’ve seen lots of failures.

Wish a 70 thousand dollar truck these days was actually reliable.
 
Mostly they are up to about the 150k mile mark then they start with issues from what I’ve read. My brother in laws 2016 Cummins went 200k before his trans started acting up but he tows heavy with a lead foot. Deleted it and rebuilt the trans and so far so good at 230k. Folks 14 dmax is at a 100k with no issues to date. Buddy of mines 11 power stroke has been deleted and still running strong at a 150k. Buddy of mines dmax at a 180k started having DEF codes so he deleted it and solved that problem. These are all daily driven trucks. Delete them and they seem to do really well.
 
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