New and need Advice

[Eric24]

I just got back from Afghanistan and i have 21 years in the Army as of yesterday. The Army just moved me to Washington State. I have a 2009 Chevy CC 1500 with a 6" lift and other stuff. I want to go to a 2500HD and Diesel and have been reading when i can and talking to people about the motors. A lot of guys tell me you need to buy a certain engine (LLY,LB& etc..) so can someone give me the skinny on this motor thing???

I also keep reading aboout people saying you need a tune etc...I'm not a diesel guy so I'm really confused on what to get and what year to get.

I was thinking of a 2006 and newer. I was also told that the 2010 and newer have some new emessions tank you have to fill up every so often???

I did not know were to place this question since I was covering a wide range of truck years. Thanks for any help or advice you can provide me. I wanted to ask this before i found a truck i liked...the search continues.

Thanks,

Eric

[JSmitty53]

Welcome to the site.. I wish I could help ya, but im just as new as you are..haha

[Heartbeat Hauler]

Originally Posted by Eric24

I just got back from Afghanistan and i have 21 years in the Army as of yesterday. The Army just moved me to Washington State. I have a 2009 Chevy CC 1500 with a 6" lift and other stuff. I want to go to a 2500HD and Diesel and have been reading when i can and talking to people about the motors. A lot of guys tell me you need to buy a certain engine (LLY,LB& etc..) so can someone give me the skinny on this motor thing???

I also keep reading aboout people saying you need a tune etc...I'm not a diesel guy so I'm really confused on what to get and what year to get.

I was thinking of a 2006 and newer. I was also told that the 2010 and newer have some new emessions tank you have to fill up every so often???

I did not know were to place this question since I was covering a wide range of truck years. Thanks for any help or advice you can provide me. I wanted to ask this before i found a truck i liked...the search continues.

Thanks,

Eric

Ft. Lewis? 2nd 75th.....WhoooAhhh!!!

Anyways, what are you gonna use the truck for? Reason I ask is a diesel is a lot of work compared to a gasser. So if you aren't going to tow or haul you might rethink this option. However, once you get a diesel, the next thing will be. "Hmmmm, I need gauges" then, "Hmmmm, I need an exhaust" then, "I want a tuner" then, I want a trans upgrade" then, "Oh crap I broke it" then, "Well since I broke it, I better build it bigger, faster, and stronger!", then...... Trust me, it never stops...ever!

But if you are a glutton for punishment....21 years in the military, you are....then I would look for an '06 up until the trucks got the DPF....I think that is the LBZ and LMM (not positive). Good luck, and thanks for the service.

[Eric24]

I'm not at Ft LEwis nor 2/75th, currently at University of Washington ROTC..UGH

I dont need a diesel right now for sure, just want one. As i look at diesel prices right now I'm really re-thinking buying one right now. I know all about the mods since i have a 02 Z06 Vette, and the mod bug has bitten me on that. Plus the truck i have now i have modded it as well.

Driving in the Seattle area sucks, and parking at the UW sucks, what i should buy is a SMART car but i would get ran over by everyone, so i figure if i'm bigger they will avoid me, we will see.

The wife is from WV though, and she did 22 years in the ARMY....

[Diaric]

moved to buying new truck questions

[HDLBZ]

Originally Posted by Eric24

I just got back from Afghanistan and i have 21 years in the Army as of yesterday. The Army just moved me to Washington State. I have a 2009 Chevy CC 1500 with a 6" lift and other stuff. I want to go to a 2500HD and Diesel and have been reading when i can and talking to people about the motors. A lot of guys tell me you need to buy a certain engine (LLY,LB& etc..) so can someone give me the skinny on this motor thing???

I also keep reading aboout people saying you need a tune etc...I'm not a diesel guy so I'm really confused on what to get and what year to get.

I was thinking of a 2006 and newer. I was also told that the 2010 and newer have some new emessions tank you have to fill up every so often???

I did not know were to place this question since I was covering a wide range of truck years. Thanks for any help or advice you can provide me. I wanted to ask this before i found a truck i liked...the search continues.

Thanks,

Eric

You gotta figure out what you want to spend, 2006 or newer is not a bad idea, 2011 is the first year with a DEF tank (the fluid you were refering to. It's called Diesel Exhaust Fluid). Best advice I would give you is go look at a few trucks, then take the info and post it in the thread and more members could help you out that way. You could spend the rest of your life on this site going through information about every truck, year, motor, problems and you'll proboablly drive yourself nuts. Good Luck.

[Eric24]

I'm going to trade in my 09 CC Z71, 6' Lift etc....to a diesel. I have looked a 2006-2013 and could possibly buy any year i want from those ranges. I would love to leave it alone but i know i will be putting a lift kit on it and then go from there, so i have a few questions for the diesel crowd:

1. What is this DEF or DPF? Is it worth getting a truck with this or getting an older truck without it?

2. I see a lot of LMM, LLY etc..I think this is the code for a certain motor, is there one to stay away from or one that is the best?

3. Is there any other issues or concerns for certain years i should know about?

Mostly i like the look of jacked up trucks, and if i pull anything it wont be to big or heavy right now, but i still want a 2500HD Diesel.

Thanks for any input, advice or suggestions you can send my way.

Eric

[LTdann86]

If your not going to tow with it stick with gas. New is $7100 more than gas plus where
I live it's .60 more a gallon +/- right now.
DPF-Diesel exhaust filter (Kills mileage in re-gen)
DEF-Diesel exhaust fluid seperate tank that sprays fluid in exhaust to make even cleaner
Plenty of threads on these topics just search around.

[Eric24]

Originally Posted by LTdann86

If your not going to tow with it stick with gas. New is $7100 more than gas plus where
I live it's .60 more a gallon +/- right now.
DPF-Diesel exhaust filter (Kills mileage in re-gen)
DEF-Diesel exhaust fluid seperate tank that sprays fluid in exhaust to make even cleaner
Plenty of threads on these topics just search around.

Thanks for the help, I do tow now and plan on buying a camper/trailer down the road so i will need it one day.

I have searched and read on these topics and i guess it confuses me some since i have never really owned a diesel, i will continue to search and read up on this forum as i try to make a good choice when buying a truck.

I test drove a 2013 2500HD last night and I have looked at a 2008 lifted 2500HD as well but have not drove it yet, since they are asking around $42,000 for it and with all the rebates on the 2013 they are already down to $46,000.

[Rockhead]

I don't need a diesel either, but I wanted one. I traded my '05 Z-71 5.3 gasser for a '13 Sierra Denali D/A two months ago. I do the typical weekend warrior stuff, haul a motorcycle and a light trailer from time to time, and may start pulling a travel trailer in a year or three, but that's about it. It's my daily driver.

Check out a couple of my posts about making the switch and tunes/deletes:

First Diesel - The First 1,000 Miles

On LML's, tuning, and deletes....

I have no remorse and am pleased with it thus far - a whopping 1,600 miles on the odometer.

If you want it, and you have the means, I say do it. 21 years of service means you owe it to yourself.