Bye Bye DuraMax

billtex wrote:

Lantley wrote:

billtex wrote:

Bob B wrote:
Didn't read the whole thread ..... but be aware you are loosing the Allison transmission as well. It's a VERY tough tranny.
The reason I bought my Duramax was as much about the tranny as the engine.

Agreed, i am not getting new truck because I WANT to. The corrosion has taken a toll on chassis.
The DuraMa/Alli has been the best Powertrain I have ever owned. The Allison is just amazing in tow/haul mode, practically drives itself.
Having said that the 6 speed that comes with the 6.0 gasser is well proven also so I am not concerned about that.
It is just difficult -for me-to justify the $10k upcharge for a diesel at this time in my life. Will i miss the power and the Alli transmission? Yes.
Will the gasser get the job done with lower cost of ownership? Yes.

Diesel have gotten more expensive and complex. You can’t deny that. Unless you NEED diesel, it is very hard to justify. For hauling a TC you don’t need a diesel. Even with my boat or cargo trailer behind us I am not that heavy.

Note; when i purchased this truck, it was ~ $1800 upcharge vs the 8.1l w/Alli and the LBZ does not require def, etc. It was an easy decision in 2006!

I'm not suggesting you need a diesel. A gas may suit you just fine. But making the decision solely on the upcharge is misleading.
At the end of the day including,resale value those numbers are not as far apart as they seem.
How much would your 2006 LBZ be worth if it were a 6.0 gasser?
What would your hauling experience had been like with the 6.0 vs. the LBZ? You need to keep the comparison real.

13 years with the same truck hauling 2 different truck campers- running x-country twice , and pulling our AirStream on numerous trips around the northeast is pretty real experience.

Yes, the diesel kicks arse (and I will miss that!), but I could do the same with a gasser (for a lot less $$$).
After 13 years, I can tell you neither truck has much value in New England...

For the record I just traded my 300K mile 07 LBZ truck in for a 2019 Duramax. I could saved money by getting a 6.0 gasser but I could not have have the same experience with a 6.0 gasser.
At the end of the day a Duramax Allison equipped truck will always be worth considerably more than the gasser version of the same truck.