Couple questions,Other than the 8th vin digit, I've read that the LBZ will have the newer "DuramaxAllison" badge on the side where as the LLY will just say "Duramax. Do you guys agree? Also, under the hood. What are some things to look for on a used one in the 85-100K mile range? I know absolutely squat about diesels, as opposed to my current 6 liter being possibly one of the easiest engines to work on. Correct me if I'm wrong. The 06 LLY is just simply a detuned LBZ, same exact engine minus the programing? Anybody know the HP differences?

Google will send you to the duramax forum. A lot of good info there.Look at the exhaust manifolds and look for where someone may have installed EGT probes. If they did I would stay away. Was more than likely tuned and abused by a Bro. I am seeing diesels start to come down in price in my area because of the repair costs that come early on in the life of the truck. Just not worth the expense and headache if you don't need one. If pulling 10K plus a week you need it. If only for the occasional tug to the campground you don't. Look up prices for injectors, pumps, and tranny rebuilds. If you can't do these repairs yourself, add in labor. Gets expensive quick.

For what it's worth I too had the 6.0 and now have the 06 LBZ. Just looked and the badge on mine is Allison Transmission/ DuraMax. I love the truck it has 160,000 and runs great. Two glow plugs and normal maintenance that's it for me. Oh yeah just returned from the UP of Michigan and 12.7 towing hand calculated. Good luck-buy it.

If I remember correctly LLY was only 2004 and part of 2005. LBZ came mid year 05.

donn0128 wrote:If I remember correctly LLY was only 2004 and part of 2005. LBZ came mid year 05.Almost...LBZ came out mid year 06.Before that they were LLY's

Look for worn tie rods and slop in the steering. Also a chemist at work has one and had been fighting a CEL problem that I believe required changing out the complete instrument pod on his nickel and we very $$$$. So don't assume a CEL can be a cheap fix on these trucks.Good luck...

2006 Duramax LLY vs. LBZ | Good Sam Community

35 Replies

Grit_dog
Navigator
Jun 17, 2016
blofgren wrote:
CampingN.C. wrote:
Thanks for all the good info. I'm still in the hunt. Two were sold before I could get to them, and one was a $30K rust bucket. There's not many clean one's left anymore.

Curious, are you not happy with the Ram?

BTW a lot of good reading in this thread!

Guessing he bought a ram since then. This thread was resurrected from last year.
blofgren
Explorer
Jun 17, 2016
CampingN.C. wrote:
Thanks for all the good info. I'm still in the hunt. Two were sold before I could get to them, and one was a $30K rust bucket. There's not many clean one's left anymore.

Curious, are you not happy with the Ram?

BTW a lot of good reading in this thread!
deltabravo
Nomad
Jun 17, 2016
I miss my LBZ, but not the payments!
6_6_Oilburner
Explorer
Aug 21, 2015
Norskeman wrote:
04-05 LLY Introduction of Garrett VGT turbo and EGR

06-07 LLY/LBZ Revised piston design lowered compression ratio to 16.8:1 from 17.5:1, a stronger block debuted, and a 32-bit ECU was introduced

LBZ
Horsepower: 360 hp @ 3,200 RPM
Torque: 650 lb-ft @ 1,600 RPM

LLY
310 hp @ 3000 rpm
605 lb-ft.@ 1600 rpm

There you go, fixed it for you.
Norskeman
Explorer
Aug 21, 2015
04-06 LLY Introduction of Garrett VGT turbo and EGR

06-07 LBZ Revised piston design lowered compression ratio to 16.8:1 from 17.5:1, a stronger block debuted, and a 32-bit ECU was introduced

LBZ
Horsepower: 360 hp @ 3,200 RPM
Torque: 650 lb-ft @ 1,600 RPM

LLY
310 hp @ 3000 rpm
605 lb-ft.@ 1600 rpm
FlatBroke
Explorer II
Aug 21, 2015
nofoolin wrote:
As a follow up, I had an '03 lby tuned at 400 hp that I ran for 12 years with no real issues except injectors, as the lby's are known for.

Most freeways and many highways post the grades as you are probably aware of. For 6 and 7% grades, I would shift out of overdrive before the hill/grade with light stress on the tranny. Kept it in direct drive (5spd) running about 2500 rpm (65mph) for the entire hill, a little slower on the downgrade. Shifted back into overdrive for the flats and smaller hills. Very few shifts during the day, always under light throttle, torque converter locked, never a tranny problem.

Have pulled on and off for 40 years. Lots and lots of miles. Treat it right and you'll find they are very stout.

Good bringing up that info of shifting out of OD BEFORE the hill. I make it a habit but my mind wondered last year and I didn't. Don't know if I confused the computer or it was the degree of the hill or what ever but the tranny started shifting back in forth the speed of lightning. Thought the tranny was going to come through the floor! Good thing it's an Allison, didn't seem to hurt anything.
6_6_Oilburner
Explorer
Aug 21, 2015
jaycocamprs wrote:

Not quite, still LLY ECM and tune. But they do have the bigger fan the large radiator and the 6-speed Allison Transmission

WRONG. 2006 trucks all had the same E35A controller and no FICM. As stated, 2006 LLY is still 310 horse, but the ECM is the same as an LBZ.
jaycocamprs
Explorer
Aug 21, 2015
6.6 Oilburner wrote:
The best thing you can do if you buy an 06 LLY is just forget that its an LLY and call it an LBZ. Everything about it is the 3rd generation of Duramax. Although I would use it as a leverage point with the selling dealer to beat them up on the price a bit.

Really solid trucks, although both 06 LLYs and LBZs may still have the original design head gasket. The early builds did, but I don't know what the build date cut off is for the newer style headgasket.

Not quite, still LLY ECM and tune. But they do have the bigger fan the large radiator and the 6-speed Allison Transmission
CampingN_C_
Explorer
Aug 21, 2015
Thanks for all the good info. I'm still in the hunt. Two were sold before I could get to them, and one was a $30K rust bucket. There's not many clean one's left anymore.
6_6_Oilburner
Explorer
Aug 20, 2015
The best thing you can do if you buy an 06 LLY is just forget that its an LLY and call it an LBZ. Everything about it is the 3rd generation of Duramax. Although I would use it as a leverage point with the selling dealer to beat them up on the price a bit.

Really solid trucks, although both 06 LLYs and LBZs may still have the original design head gasket. The early builds did, but I don't know what the build date cut off is for the newer style headgasket.

Forum Discussion

2006 Duramax LLY vs. LBZ

35 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

lly duramax boost

2006 Chevy Duramax/Allison Question?

lly duramax boost

Duramax

3.0 Duramax concerns ?