Hey guys, thinking about buying a diesel. Leening towards an 03' DMax. I posted on the DMAx board but wanted some input from the other 2 "Big 3" diesels. Would you guys consider the LB7 or would you buy a Powerstroke or a Cummins? Any years or motors to stay away from. What would you guys do and why. This will be my 1st diesel so keep it in laymans terms please. Thanks in advance for the help! Greg

 

Hey welcome aboard, Get ready for your head to spin.

I had an 03 LB& and loved it, only traded it in to get the Crew Cab that had an LLY (also loved) only to trade that in for the LMM. I never had a bit of problem out of my 03 other then the intermediate steering shaft "clunk" and the upper control arms squeaking. You will be happy no matter what you are looking to do with it.

 

Greg. Thanks for coming over. Get ready to be bombarded with a massive amount of information. All the big 3 make great trucks and every year has some sort of issue or another. Some years are better than others and one year will be better for one make of truck over the others. Mainly it comes down to personal choice but you cant go wrong buying one of the big 3 diesel's.

 

Thanks. Cant wait to hear everyones input! I'll get the pen and pad ready!

 

I have owned an 03 LB7 and still wished I hadn't sold it. Both of the other trucks had their problems as well, the Dodge had trans. and lift pump troubles an the 6.0L Ford had blown head gaskets and bad EGR valves. You will never find one that is truely perfect, so you have to go on what you feel comfortable in and like to drive.

 

Its really going to help if you surf the forums and read some threads. That way you will start getting a feel for what issues are out there, what years they happen, and what the solution is.

 

I am reading post on all forums. The info out there is incredible!

 

Welcome.

Drove an 01 dmax for about a year and a half whiile my buddy could not due to infractions with the law. it was an excelent truck it did however have the injector problem 3 times but it was covered all 3 times.

Drove a 98 cummins for about 6 mo to a year while i was landscaping also never had a lick of problems.

Driven multiple 7.3 power strokes as both landscaping work truck and multiple tow trucks was very fortunate will all them too.

now i finally OWN my first cummins but i have only had it a few weeks and nock on wood no problems.

loved them all.

reall wish i could put a cummins into a superduty body with a gmc interior.

 

my dmaxes have been way better than PSDs

 

I agree with ya on that -- wouldn't that be the sweetest truck ever!

I love my 7.3 PSD and love the truck that surrounds it. IT just takes more coaxing to get the blazing speed out of a 7.3, but the engine is dang near bulletproof..

most of the troubles you read will be because trucks were chipped or had performance enhancements on them... yes there were some that just had the problems and certain years - but overall any of the Diesel's will be much better than your average gasser and you'll never want to go back!