Hello i am a computer and network technician and a farmer/farm hand looking for a new truck. Ive had a couple of hand me down 1990 chevy halfton 5.7l trucks love them but leave me wanting more always. I found a 2004 Duramax crew cab for $16000 from a family freinds dealership. has 198,000kms looks like new and ther is available warranty for 4 years and if it is not used can be extended for another 2 years. it will be used in town alot currently living here till i can buy a farm so it will be a daily driver in town to the office a clients plus a couple hundred kms highway every 1-3 weeks and used around the farm to tow trailers and equipment and dirtbike usual farm use and daily use. so my question is should i go diesel i have always loved them and half ton just doesnt do it dad has a 6.0l chevy and its crap i want economy is my big thing i dont need alot of power but so i have it when i do. would the duramax be a good choice or should i just go gas and eat the fuel when i haul and tow? im thinking about the future use of the truck too for when i get my farm and have kids and road trips etc....

 

the duramax is a great engine it can make 400 hp or so and still get 18-20 MPG high way depending on how you drive it if i were you i would find out if it is a LB7 duramax or a LLY after 2004.5 they went to the LLY with external injectors the 2000-2004 trucks have the LB7 the LB7 is known for injector issues and head gasket problems if it is a LB7 if you ever have to replace your injectors which you will sooner or later. it will run you from $2,000 or so if you do it yourself or up to $5,000 if you have it done. the LLY is known for overheating on long hard heavy highway pulls of 8-10K or so. IMO i"ll take a diesel over a gasser anytime...good luck and i hope to welcome you to the diesel word soon

 

okay good to know i am a bit familar with diesels worked on them a bit but not much i also found a beautiful 1998 6.5ltd chevy with 348,000kms i am interested in for around $5000 what is your guys opinions on those trucks again my main use is around town bit of hauling and highway driving once in a while and i am obsessed with getting good economy my buddy was getting 22mpg average out of both his 1994 6.5 td chevs and they seemed to be great and he loves them. ive heard they arent great for towing but if i can tow a truck on a car trailer or something once in a while thats the most it will do and i want it to last me quite a few years. another big thing is i dont have a heated place to keep it in winter just a tent shop that i can plug it in my worry is like -40 weather i need to go will it start? i would do an oil pan heater on the tranny and motor along with the block heater will that be good enough?

 

the 6.5 is a good engine as well my dad use to hotshot truck and he has a 93 chevy 3500 with 1,300,000 miles but with 2 4l80e trans and 3 engines. we would get on average 500k on an engine..to get this im saying for a engine that from its first crank ran lucas fuel aditive every tank and really taken care of.. on the other hand we ran the stock motor with not aditives and well carierd for it dropped a rod a little over the 370k mark the engines we ran lucas in never blow just lost compression.. if your looking for towing the duramax is the way to go if your looking for a 3/4 ton truck that hardly uses fuel and you have to stand in to pull more the 6k pound the 6.5 is for you.. on a side note we can get around 21-22 highway outta this beast which is a duramax LB7 my choice will always be a duramax or a 5.9L cummins

 

if i was in your position i would shop around for the lowest miles truck you can afford

i think if you want a lot more power better towing go with a duramax and you can gain a lot more power with modifications

but if your more interested in just having a diesel truck and your not worried about all the extra power a 6.5 would be awesome too just because there price is so much cheaper then any other diesel truck and it would tow another truck around just fine

in my opinion being in your position i would save the money find a awesome 6.5 thats clean low miles and spend the extra money you would have spent on the duramax making the 6.5 how you want it or just save that money for other things

hope this helped

 

the 6.5 would probably work fine for what you want. as far as starting in 40 below i don't know. i know quiet a few men who use or have used 6.5's on ranches and have few complaints. I have an 02 duramax ccsb w/ a 6 speed manual, i love it. i've gotten a best of 24 mpg. i regularly haul 15 4x6 round bales w/ it, it'll gross 32,000 lbs. and also a 24x6 gooseneck stock trailer loaded and still get 12 mpg. either one will probably do what you want.

 

okay thanks guys that helps a lot i appreciate it