So I have never owned a diesel truck before and I have been doing a lot of research between Dodge, Ford, and Duramax. I have pretty much ruled out Ford and have aimed my sites at 03 and newer Dodge Rams and 05 and newer Duramaxs. This is where my dilemma comes in most of the Cummins I look at have 150k or more on the clock, but from what I have researched that is like nothing and the motor is just getting broken in. The Duramaxs on the other hand all seem to be 2005 or 2006s with 200k-250k at least the ones in my 18k price range. Is there anything major to be concerned with when looking at a Dmax with that many miles? I have read up on the motors LLY and LBZ and haven't really found many problems with either (Injectors wires, slight overheating when being worked midwest/west coast thing, and that's about it), but most of the post are owners with 100k-150k on their truck. If it helps any the truck would be used for daily driving and the occasional toy hauling maybe once a month nothing more then 5k-7k, with monthly 1k road trips through the mountains of WV sometimes with the toy hauler. Thanks again

 

cummins: I would check the tranny

duramax: I would check the frontend.

according to most of the cummins owners that make up this site it's impossible for a duramax to run that long but If they run like they should with no white haze I wouldn't worry about it dying anytime soon, there's plenty out there with 400k+ trouble free miles.

what I would recommend is pick the one you like best, feel features etc. and go with it. any truck will have it's issues eventually you just have to pick which ones you want to deal with.

i've owned all 3 and I can honestly say the 06 duramax I have currently is BY FAR my favorite.

 

it's funny that you say that, every thread that i have read that someone says they have owned all 3, everyone seems to come to saying that the Duramaxx was the best. I like the features of the D-max trucks the most when compared to the Dodges. When you say front end your talking ball joints, u-joints, and I know there is more I am missing.

 

"it's funny that you say that, every thread that i have read that someone says they have owned all 3, everyone seems to come to saying that the Duramaxx was the best."

Well I'll add my 0.02 here. I have also owned all three brands. My current trucks for many years now have been Chevy. Just pretty much everything about the WHOLE truck that I like better than the others. All of the brands are good but the GM fits me and my needs better than the others. When I trade I look at all of the big three. I look at similar trucks and drive them and see what they are. I keep buying Chevy until one of the others makes one that fits my needs better.
One other point, I trade trucks fairly often so a good dealer is important to me. Probably almost as important as the truck itself.
I wouldn't get hung up on the miles unless the truck itself did show a lot of use. The drivetrains in todays trucks will run a long time with good maintenance.
As I said, my 0.02 here. That's why they sell all different kinds. Not everybody will see this my way.
Stay safe out there.
Ken

 

05 and up wont give you and problems. if you do take it off road lie on a ranch, spend 100 dollars and invest on some tie rod sleeves and the front end will be fine.