Ok, currently I'm pulling a TT that loaded is about 8,000 lbs. My Current truck is a 2002 Chevy 1500HD LT with the 6.0 gasser with 207,000 miles. I bought the truck new, and it pulls the camper decently, but at times it would be nice to have a few more ponies, and or another couple of gears.There is a 2003 Chevy 2500HD LS Dura/Ally for sale down the street from my office. It has 167,000 miles. Condition wise they are pretty similar, and are actually the same color. I've replaced the A/c compressor and fuel pump in the last year, and it runs fine.I could probably get it for about $7,000 more than I can sell my truck for. Would it be worth the $7k to have 40,000 less miles, and gain the Dura/Ally combo?I'd planned on keeping the current truck, and passing it to my son that turns 16 in 18 months, then spending about $30k on a 3-5 year old truck for me, probably another gasser. If I did the deal I'd find my son something, and drive the 03 Dura/Ally for 4-5 years. Should I pursue making the trade??

I believe that when you are buying a higher mileage Diesel -you need to be prepared to drop $5G at any time for a repair. If you are good with that I'd say go for it. I may be out of line here but a set of injectors are not cheap for instance..

No reason to replace all 8 when a couple exhibit a poor spray pattern or the pintles are leaking. Seldom do you replace all 8. One thing about earlier Duramax's is they are touchy with fuel filtration.....and Allison's require regular maintenance.

I would spend the $7,000 (or less) on the DS's vehicle and just keep rolling.

Txsurfer wrote:I believe that when you are buying a higher mileage Diesel -you need to be prepared to drop $5G at any time for a repair. If you are good with that I'd say go for it. I may be out of line here but a set of injectors are not cheap for instance..x2, and the 1st gen duramax engines are known to have issues in that area. So much so, that GM acknowledged the issue and extended the warranty on the injectors since so many were failing. Just google "LB7 injectors" and do some reading to make you own opinions.

SidecarFlip wrote:No reason to replace all 8 when a couple exhibit a poor spray pattern or the pintles are leaking. Seldom do you replace all 8. One thing about earlier Duramax's is they are touchy with fuel filtration.....and Allison's require regular maintenance.I need to know the regular maintenance . I change the spin on trannie filter every summer. Have changed the Allison fluid. what else are you thinking is needed??chevman

Would it be worth it to trade?? | Good Sam Community

Grit_dog
Navigator
Aug 18, 2017
wnjj wrote:
SidecarFlip wrote:
No reason to replace all 8 when a couple exhibit a poor spray pattern or the pintles are leaking. Seldom do you replace all 8. One thing about earlier Duramax's is they are touchy with fuel filtration.....and Allison's require regular maintenance.

A good reason to replace all 8 might be someone who isn't a DYI where the majority of the cost is labor. The relatively incremental cost for the parts isn't worth it. If some are worn, the rest likely aren't far behind.

Bingo!
I believe what txsurfer said as well and Lantley, to a point.
If the trans and other maint has been kept up and the injectors have been replaced with newer good ones and not just an early warranty deal then it may be a good buy.
The LB7/Alli is otherwise as bulletproof of a diesel combo as you can get (save for injectors ) and a nice little 60hp or so tune makes it a beast for towing. Bigger tune makes it even better as long as you know how to drive it and not roast the transmission!
After towing with your current truck, towing with the Dmax will give you a chub so big you won't be able to turn the steering wheel!
Yes it will pull about 1000x better than a tired 6.0 gasser with a 4 speed, other than that you're not moving up unless you know what you're looking at and the truck has had a lot of its likely repairs done already.
Comparing old used trucks is really never apples to apples to anyone on the other end of a computer screen because we don't know all the details.
jerem0621
Explorer II
Aug 18, 2017
wowens79 wrote:
Thanks for all the feed back. I'm going to hold off till my son gets this one. I bought it when my wife was pregnant with him so I would have a back seat. Luckily it's been paid for since 2005, but I've been making payments to myself.

I'll probably go back with a gasser, at my tow weight I can't justify the cost of a diesel.

Thanks again!!

Those newer 6.0 GM trucks are fantastic. Really, any of the big 3 gas motor are fantastic right now.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
wowens79
Explorer III
Aug 18, 2017
Thanks for all the feed back. I'm going to hold off till my son gets this one. I bought it when my wife was pregnant with him so I would have a back seat. Luckily it's been paid for since 2005, but I've been making payments to myself.

I'll probably go back with a gasser, at my tow weight I can't justify the cost of a diesel.

Thanks again!!
KD4UPL
Explorer
Aug 18, 2017
I wouldn't buy an LB7 Duramax simply because of the injector issue. You WILL have to put injectors in that truck soon if it hasn't been done yet. That will be around $4,000 to $5,000 depending on the shop. Otherwise, they are solid trucks and engines. In my opinion it just makes sense to spend an extra couple thousand and get a newer LLY or LBZ truck and not have to worry about the injectors.
jerem0621
Explorer II
Aug 18, 2017
I'd freshen up the 1500HD and save for an 06-07 DMax. That 6.0 is not likely to leave you stranded with proper maintenance.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
Lantley
Nomad
Aug 17, 2017
Why make a sideways move. A 2002 is an old truck. I understand it is in decent shape but it is still 15 years old. I am a big fan of diesels for towing but a gasser can handle a 8K load.
Stick with your initial plan and upgrade to a newer more modern truck when you decide to make a move.
Going from a 2002 to a 2003 is futile. Age is your enemy, you can't fight father time. Many components are just old and will wear out due to age.
Trucks are constantly improving. Buy something newer to take advantage of some of those improvements.
wnjj
Explorer II
Aug 17, 2017
SidecarFlip wrote:
No reason to replace all 8 when a couple exhibit a poor spray pattern or the pintles are leaking. Seldom do you replace all 8. One thing about earlier Duramax's is they are touchy with fuel filtration.....and Allison's require regular maintenance.

A good reason to replace all 8 might be someone who isn't a DYI where the majority of the cost is labor. The relatively incremental cost for the parts isn't worth it. If some are worn, the rest likely aren't far behind.
kw_00
Explorer
Aug 17, 2017
I would hold out, that truck is going to have other issues due to wear and tear on other items. I would give the truck to my family and buy a 07.5 and up gasser. I got the 09 with 6 speed and 6.0 and love it over my old 1500HD like you have. If your truck pulls fine with the load now, u will really like the increase in HP with the newer 6.0, and the 6 speed is icing on the cake. But that's my take cause that is what I did. A diesel is great to pull with but when it breaks man does it hurt. U can find a newer style gas truck a lot cheaper now with low miles. Just my opinion. Good luck on your search!
C_Schomer
Explorer
Aug 17, 2017
I went from a CTD 5 spd 3.54 to a CTD 6 spd 4.1. Both have similar hp mods and the 4.1 truck tows circles around the 3.54 truck and does it easier. I would only go to the diesel if you tow a lot. I got tired of filling up so often when I had gas. Craig
larry_barnhart
Explorer
Aug 17, 2017
SidecarFlip wrote:
No reason to replace all 8 when a couple exhibit a poor spray pattern or the pintles are leaking. Seldom do you replace all 8. One thing about earlier Duramax's is they are touchy with fuel filtration.....and Allison's require regular maintenance.

I need to know the regular maintenance . I change the spin on trannie filter every summer. Have changed the Allison fluid. what else are you thinking is needed??

chevman

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