Buying a Duramax
 

Trying to figure the best duramax to purchase. Looking for a crew cab dually one ton. Likely will be from 01-03 w/ 150,000 or more.

Is there a best year? I have heard that the Allison transmission is a bonus. Was this only in certain years? How do you identify it?

Any general words of wisdom?

As for looks 01-02 look the same, and 03-04.5 look the same.

If it were me, I would look at the 02.

Better Injector coverage, until 200k miles.

03-04 are only covered until 100k so buying one with 150k on it you start off without warranty.

I have an 02 and have had 1 set of injectors replaced, and no other real problems. Just some little stuff, water pump, powersteering lines.

I also heard that the A/C's in the 03 or 04 mabye both were alot weaker than before.

I have had the 03 LB7 and it I had no problems out of it at all. I had an 05 with the LLY and also had no problems at all. I know have the LMM and it is nicer than the others.

As far as what I know alot of the LB7's have the 200k mile warranty on the injectors as mentioned. I had an 03 and it was covered.

I have heard that the LBZ 05.5-07classic which I have never driven are the strongest. Even though the LMM have a couple more HP, the emission items are a bit restrictive. No matter what they are all nice and will do what you want them too, but if you are going to pull you might stay away from the LLY due to overheating issues.

To answer your question directly "YES", the Allison is a bonus because it can likely handle anything you give it within reason. As I said I would stay away from the LLY 04-05 if possible because some of them had overheating issues. There is a place on the VIN to identify the engine the 8th digit, but as far as a number to identify the Tranny it is pretty much auto's have the Allison, mannies have ******.

The injector warranty has been extended to 200k on the '03-'04.5.
Recently I recieved mine in the mail.

Cool good deal. I don't follow that saga anymore.

I would go with a LB7 if I were to buy An older dmax, even thought hey had some injector problems they are a great engine. Like stated above the injectors are warranted up to 200k. Good luck with your dmax.

If you have any friends at a dealer or maybe someone on here can run the vin # of the trucks you are looking at to get a service history on it. You probably want to avoid any truck that has been in for injector several times. Listen during the test drive and if you can get the front of the truck in the air looking for bad wheel bearings IIRC replace only one it a $300 job for the DIYer. Also watch for a bunch of tranny fluid around the Tcase if ya get a 4X4 because the pump can rub through the housing and if the Tcase is shot IIRC its at least $1500.

Did you ever get you a truck?

My vote would be an LB7 too. They get the best milage out of the bunch and have the least EPA crap to restrict your power.