Im in the market for a new truck looking to get a crew cab chevy ofcourse between 2005 to present but with gas prices I was told a diesel is the way to go that I would get better mpg etc. But I know nothing about diesels never dealt with or drove one what should I look for how many miles are to many etc. Thanks guys!
CK5
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school me on diesel trucks
- Thread starter JUNIOR-K5
- Start date
blackbronco92
Registered Member
Diesel MAY be the way to go. There are alot of variables you should consider before making that decision.
What are your driving habits like? Do you drive often, and far? or do you take many short trips throughout the day? Maintenance on a Diesel is expensive, and will quickly eat up any fuel savings you may see. Basically, if you are not planning on towing anything at least once in a while that you would need a 3/4 or 1 ton diesel for, then buying it just for slightly better MPG's is not what I would advise.
As for mileage... I am still learning chevy's, having come from a Ford background. I know Cummins diesel's fairly well, too, but not much at all about GM Diesels, especially late models. Typically a Diesel engine will run reliably for several hundred-thousand miles when maintained properly. (It is not uncommon to see Cummins Diesel engines in Dodge trucks at 500k+ (after 14 transmissions!).) Basically you need to exercise due diligence in inspecting the vehicle the same way you would with any other to make a judgement on reliability.
On top of all that, around here, diesel is more expensive than gasoline... So like I said, if you don't NEED a Diesel for towing, etc, and you still want a 3/4 or 1 ton crew-cab, I'd lean towards gas.
What are your driving habits like? Do you drive often, and far? or do you take many short trips throughout the day? Maintenance on a Diesel is expensive, and will quickly eat up any fuel savings you may see. Basically, if you are not planning on towing anything at least once in a while that you would need a 3/4 or 1 ton diesel for, then buying it just for slightly better MPG's is not what I would advise.
As for mileage... I am still learning chevy's, having come from a Ford background. I know Cummins diesel's fairly well, too, but not much at all about GM Diesels, especially late models. Typically a Diesel engine will run reliably for several hundred-thousand miles when maintained properly. (It is not uncommon to see Cummins Diesel engines in Dodge trucks at 500k+ (after 14 transmissions!).) Basically you need to exercise due diligence in inspecting the vehicle the same way you would with any other to make a judgement on reliability.
On top of all that, around here, diesel is more expensive than gasoline... So like I said, if you don't NEED a Diesel for towing, etc, and you still want a 3/4 or 1 ton crew-cab, I'd lean towards gas.
For every day driving you will not see much more MPG's in a diesel. Now throw 10k in weight behind you the diesel will only go down a MPG or two, while the gasser will probably dip into the single digits. I love my dmax, but 10 qt oil changes, plus a 80 buck fuel filter ever other oil change gets kinda old.
Dmaxes are great, just stick to a 04.5-present to avoid injector problems
Dmaxes are great, just stick to a 04.5-present to avoid injector problems
Pros: Better fuel economy and power while towing, better mileage unloaded and while towing, diesel engines last longer than their gas equivalents.
Cons: BIG cost up front (an extra $5-8K, in a brand new truck it's more than that), for a Duramax truck, injectors are a big deal so watch for that.
Cons: BIG cost up front (an extra $5-8K, in a brand new truck it's more than that), for a Duramax truck, injectors are a big deal so watch for that.
As stated already it really depends on what your plans are for the truck. If fuel mileage while daily driving is the primary concern it's probably not worth it. It would take a long time to break even on fuel prices after you factor in the additional cost of a diesel truck up front, higher diesel than gas prices, and higher maintenance cost.
black dawg
1/2 ton status
I wouldnt look any newer than 02, it seems like all I ever hear is people with the newer diesels bitching about poor mpg.
I dont know much about the dmax, other than several people I know have had really good luck with the early ones.
as far as ford or dodge, anything from 95-02 with a standard will treat you good.
I own 2 diesel pickups that sit because of the fuel prices, it is just flat cheaper to drive a gas burner right now. Diesel here is .40 more than gas
I dont know much about the dmax, other than several people I know have had really good luck with the early ones.
as far as ford or dodge, anything from 95-02 with a standard will treat you good.
I own 2 diesel pickups that sit because of the fuel prices, it is just flat cheaper to drive a gas burner right now. Diesel here is .40 more than gas
Yeah the more emissions stuff the less mileage they get these days.
I have a 1967 TD 5.8 perkins that still gets me 30mpg, while a similar Cummins these days is more under 20mpg.
big pappa b
3/4 ton status
Love my 05 Dodge. Fuel filters are $16 ea, 12qt oil changes. I get 20mpg back and forth to work, mostly side roads. Highway I get 21-22mpg. Have towed 17k pounds from Delaware to NC and still got 17mpg. Same load dropped to 16mpg from Florida to Colorado. Just turned 100k miles with ZERO problems
LansingGMGuy
Newbie
Getting 17-18 mpg with my 2002 ext cab longbox Duramax. If you have the coin and have your heart set on a GM truck - look for something 2004.5 or newer (NOT the LB7 - very prone to injector problems, especially on the 2001 and early build 2002s). Like has been stated previously, maintenance is a lot more expensive when you are going through 11 quarts of Rotella and a filter every oil change. And if you are unlucky enough to need injectors - a set of LB7 remans just ran me $1,400 and all that gets you is the injectors. Not the cups, not putting the d*** things in - just the injectors. So my 2 cents would be to stick with a gasser unless you will be pulling a lot of heavy trailers.
Ive had the gas and the diesels, I can say that while maint. is more expensive, major repairs are few and far between. If you do the maint, yourself its not that bad, you can easily increase fuel economy over stock on a diesel. If you plan to life the truck and run larger tires, diesel will still hold the mpg, while gas will start to drop off. Diesel when maint, properly will outlast a gas motor, no question about it. If you don't mind used 97 and earlier do not have the emissions equip that most have now. After 97 smog is required on diesels in some states and the manufactures base their emissions builds on the highest state standards.
If the updated injectors have already been put in the leaking injector issue is fixed. The LB7 had some issues, the LLY had a few related to egr, and the LBZ doesn't have any major issues, they are a sound engine.
Im a chevy guy so my heart is set on a chevy looking for 2005-2010 just havent decided yet and well price between 05-10 is not much different was gonna go with gas but was considering diesel confused and undecided.
If you can get a diesel around the same as gas, dont look back! The diesels are great! Even if your not towing.
1AMatt
Registered Member
As someone already stated engine wise i wouldnt get anything below 2004.5 because the injectors are know to go, unless someone has already replaced them. I personally like the 2006 models because they come with the 6 speed Allison trans!
How many quads?
Hate to be the voice of reason, but you probably don't need a 3/4 ton.
If mileage is a primary concern, a 1/2 ton is probably the way to go. Yes, it won't to as well....but really, whats a bass boat weigh? 4k max?
Go half ton. It will be cheaper, get the job done, and get better mileage than any 3/4 ton variant.
If only i could convince myself to practice what i preach for my next truck
How many quads?
Hate to be the voice of reason, but you probably don't need a 3/4 ton.
If mileage is a primary concern, a 1/2 ton is probably the way to go. Yes, it won't to as well....but really, whats a bass boat weigh? 4k max?
Go half ton. It will be cheaper, get the job done, and get better mileage than any 3/4 ton variant.
If only i could convince myself to practice what i preach for my next truck
I was reading through this thread having similar thoughts.
Generally if you have to ask you don't need it.
The new gas engines are really pretty spectacular and for light towing it's hard to beat the cheap maintenance, lower up front cost and the hop in, fire it up and go aspect.
Then again I daily drive a 12v Cummins with a 5 speed, talk about congested traffic friendly.
To set my mind straight I did some testing last and this year to find it's the new diesel fuel causing the poor mileage. I don't understand how you other guys are still getting the same mileage out of your older diesels on today's low sulfur pump fuel as everyone else I've spoken to locally isn't. My nephew is a diesel mechanic and runs a 02' Dodge and has noticed a loss of almost 5 mpg highway since last year. My 05' Duramax in my test gave me 21 on HHO and 15.5 on pump fuel highway just before I traded it last Nov. I drove an 08' Duramax home from PA that I bought and it got 17.5 to18 on the trip home. Parked it in my yard and haven't driven in until about 3 weeks ago. Filled the tank and it's now getting 15.2 highway!. They are charging us more and giving us less in fuel performance. My 6.2 on 100 Bio gives me 22.2 in my M1009. when I tested HHO it gave me 23+ and pump fuel gives me 17 all driving highway. I tested all this personally and this is what I've experienced. I can't run HHO in the 08' or anything more than B20 to see if the 08' would get better but I suspect it would get like my 05' did on the "true diesel" not the crap they are selling us. Face it, the sulfur they claim they have to remove does many things. It lubricates the injection system better but it also burns much hotter. Hotter means more BTU's and more output out of your engine. It all equals longer lasting engines and better fuel mileage with more power. No wonder they've taken it away.
I keep my 08' CC Dually parked and only drive it when I tow my camper. I am restoring my 84' K5 with a 91' HO 6.2 NA and 700r to be my everyday driver on 100% BD and it will give me around 25. I'll stay with diesels, just the old technology is what I'll drive everyday so I don't have to succumb to their pump crap.
I keep my 08' CC Dually parked and only drive it when I tow my camper. I am restoring my 84' K5 with a 91' HO 6.2 NA and 700r to be my everyday driver on 100% BD and it will give me around 25. I'll stay with diesels, just the old technology is what I'll drive everyday so I don't have to succumb to their pump crap.
2006 and be done with it. I am a fan of the lbz
