Ok , I was decided on getting a new srw deisel crew to replace the drw. Ive been going over all the options, and making sure that a deisel really make sense. I read all the negative posts here and at the Deisel page.com and I just get this sick feeling in my stomach about getting any deisel. All these problems it seems like every body is having. Maybe that 04 6.0 liter doesnt sound too bad after all. I could get that at invoice- less holdback- less incentives, versus an 04 not quite how I would like at invoice less incentives, or an 05 just how I would like it at invoiice less whatever incentives ????? when it comes in. I want something that will last!!!


How much confidence should put in the Duramax Allison LLY?


http://dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif


Edited by: Mav3

Beats buying one than reading.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif Some say if you read all the brand forums you would be riding an a$$

True Hoot. Mostly people come on here to bitch or ask questions or solve problems with their trucks. You won't hear from the 75% that run it bone stock, and love the hell out of it.

MAV3, just got my first diesel DMAX/ALLI. I have 4000 miles on now and couldn't be happier. I got rid of 03 6.0. Get the 05 the way you want it and you'll be happy and won't go back to gas.


GOODY

Welcome aboard, now go buy a Fordhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clown.gif


If you are reading that everyone is have so many problems, you need your stikin eyes examinedhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


Now ask hoot about all the problems he had from his 2001 GMC Duramax! Oh yea that`s right, he didn't have them, he just thought that maybe someday he would.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Evil Smile.gif

This wont be my first. The dually in my avatar was my first. I had a few electronic gremlins with it but was happy with the 15 k miles I put on it. I sold it because the duals were not necessary, and, well, if you don't need a fat a$$ why would you want to put up with it every day.


I might want to bump up the power in the new one a little, but I won't be extreme. I just want to know if it's really just a small percentage of owners that are having these problems. And of those is it only the ones making big power and can only blame themselves.


Also, is the LLY actually better??????

Can't answer about the LLy until my 05's arrive (first one due Sept 1), but as to diesels, at least GM diesels which you can see in my signature, I've had a few since 82 when they first put the 6.2 in trucks. I have had issues, lemon lawed a 94, sold off a 95 because it was worse, but all the rest have been very good to great vehicles and engines. Two went over 500,000 without a teardown or any failure other than pumps. I (or my kids) put 50,000 to 100,000 on most of them without problems or expense. My 02 D/A CC 4X4 has over 70,000 on it, and has performed flawlessly except for the dreaded injectors (2 cracked at about 65,000). It is in excellent condition today and I would keep it, except I want a larger unit. LLY's locally (and there are a lot) have been no problem. You pays your money and you takes your choice. One interesting thing this and other forums have taught me is that aftermarket air filters and possibly even aftermarket fuel filters may be only seller hype. I went back to paper air filters and still change my fuel filter every 6,000 miles. My injector problem (cracked) did not appear to be the fault of dirty fuel, but poor design. There are a lot of stock D/A's run everyday that you do not hear about on the forums, driven by just plain folks, that never have a problem.

Buy it and drive the wheels off it, your gonna love it. Forums attract troubles but dont give credit for the other 80% of owners

Mav3,


I sold my 99 EC LB 4x4 6.0 gasser and bought the current truck. A 2003 CC LB 4x4 Duramax. I must say I was a little disappointed in the power when I first drove it home. After the first chip the power was awesome as compared to the gasser.


I have never owned a diesel before and I've gone off the deep end with power mods on this one. But IMHO you will be very happy with the Duramax/Allison combo and a little tow tune. Both in reliability and power.

OH, now come on guys. We ALL have problems with our Duramaxes and Allisons now, don't we. That's why they continue to sell like hot cakes.


Seriously though, you could get a lemon with ANY vehicle you buy. There isn't one major manufacturer of vehicles out there that doesn't make a lemon every once in a while. The question you've got to ask yourself is how many lemons and what are the chances that I'll reach into the barrel of peaches and pull out a lemon. Not very good, dmaxallitech and corona mention 80% and 75%, I'd be willing to bet the number is a lot higher than that. There are a lot of these trucks out on the road, and very few of them have major problems. All of those problems you will hear about right here, because that is what we are here to talk about. That and bombing the snot out of 'em. Buy a Duramax, have a blast with it.


Dennis

I run a completely stock truck except for Nicktane pre-OEM fuel filtering, and couldn't be happier at 35K miles. Had a minor issue initially with the electronic 4WD mechanism, and that was resolved on warranty. It had nothing to do with the fact that the truck is a diesel.

Use quality lubricants and filters with oil changes every 6K or so, get some auxiliary fuel filtering, show some care where you buy your fuel, and you will have a big smile on your face.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

Just got my first diesel DMAX/ALLI/LLY. We have 3,800 miles on it and loving it. Wouldn't trade it. So far I am getting 16 - 19 mpg mostly city driving and 13 - 14 pulling a 3 horse gooseneck. I read up on the posts, hope that I don't have any problems, but if I do, I at least can get help and questions answered.

I have 909 miles on mine, and LOVE it.


Wish I'd bought one years ago!

My first too ~5K on it now... love it





JJ

My 03 will be a year old on the 29th and has never been back to the dealer. Traded my 01 6.0l for this one. Wish I would have gotten it in the first truck but was worried about the NEW gm diesel.


THIS TRUCK ROCKS!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Hi,


Have not posted but troll everyday seeking info.


Got my 04 LLY in May. Have 6500, little over, no problems at all. Love the truckhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Heart.gif! Got juice and intake/exhaust. Runs like a champ. 12-15 MPG City depending on foot. Highway speeds 80+ around the same mpg.

my o4 lly is the truck i should have bought years ago. love the diesel. just put on the mbrp exhaust from the turbo back now have to get a programmer. this is going to be an expensive toy.

True Hoot. Mostly people come on here to bitch or ask questions or solve problems with their trucks. You won't hear from the 75% that run it bone stock, and love the hell out of it.


Very true... I took delivery of my CC/LB SRW on April 30, 2004, and now have 8700 trouble free miles... haven't even had the glow plug controller problem... Although my seat will heat up to where it's suppores to, then after a while get cooler http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif.

my seat heats up when I have chili or enchilladas, then it cools off too.

Bought mine in Feb '04 and at 8000 miles 0 problems.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gifI'll never go back to a gasser (had an '00 1500 Xcab with 5.3L slapper).

Proof that Lemons come from ALL mfgs. I just bought a brand spankin new Jeep Wrangler, with 5 miles on it- drove it home and it died on the freeway. Since then it has died 10 yes I said TEN times and it had 286 miles on it.

Funny how the dealer van never duplicate my problem, buy 5 miles from the dealer AFTER being fixed it dies again, and again.

Ahhhh love the Ca. Lemon law four dealer trips this week for the same problem. Just got off the phone with Chrysler, and they actually asked me what i would like Chryler to do. Simple answer, get this POS out of my driveway.

I have had an 01 5.3, 02 5.3, 03 8.1, 03 6.0 and now have a dmax I am not going back to a gas engine

Stock LLY purchased in Feb with over 14,000 trouble free miles. Towed about 6,000 miles in last 3 weeks and this truck is a towing machine.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gif Fuel mileage (11-13 towing and 18-20 solo) is amazing compared to my old Expedition. I didn't expect to have so much fun driving solo (can't keep my foot out of it).

Have 3755 trouble free miles on mine now. Have never towed with it, why you ask did I buy a diesel. Simply wanted one, I too will never go back to a gas rig. Love this truck, I think it also rides better then the 98 Suburban that I traded. Can't say enough about this truck, did I mention that I love it.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Hug.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Heart.gif

Just got back from a 3300 mile trip towing our 12,500 lb camper.Very happy with the truck.JB.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

got about 1900 miles on my o4 lly.no problems at all.I work at a GMC store and have not worked on any llys yet,just a couple of lb7s with injector replacementshttp://dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big%20Smile.gif

48,000 Just towed 5300 with max load on my 02 stock no problems yet. Love it. http://dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gif Have Buddy's with Fords and Dodges they all have problems, they haven't made the perfect truck yet that I know of but the max is close.Edited by: rt446

I went from an 02 8.1 w/allison to the 04 lly d/A in May. Lot to learn since this is my first diesel (other than the tractor). Just changed the engine oil and rear axle fluid yesterday. Got some of that grape juice on my rachet when removing the plug and it works so much smoother nowhttp://dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big%20Smile.gif.


Only had some smoke and wierd noises at around 800 miles but that stopped after one treatment of diesel fuel additive. When I talked with the dealer they told me I would experience a lot of strange noises between now and 30,000 miles when it would be properly broken in.


Pulling the trailer for 3000 miles over the next 2 weeks. we'll see how it does. The main reason for the switch from the gasser to the diesel was pulling power.


Elmer's Boy

I have a friend that has a 6.0 liter gas. He borrowed my 34 foot flatbed to haul a load from Laramie, WY. to KC, MO. Said he had it in 4 low at 40 MPH on some hills and got 5 mpg. My Dmax will run the speed limit with the same load and get twice the fuel mileage. I have had some trouble with my 2004, BUT rest assured I will order another new one next week.

This is my fourth crewcab and first diesel. There is no comparison in performance. Almost 15,000 trouble free miles. Just did a 2200 mile sojourn to Utah and Lake Powell. Lots of power ran the air the whole time towing the boat and hauling the 4000 lb camper. I love this truck the best of all of them.......Gruberhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

Oh! PS.......Buy a dually!

Oh, PS.......buy a dually!

Now you see how happy we all are when someone calls us out on our trucks! Yeah we do bitch quite a lot about our tr"toys"ucks but how many of us would go back to gassers? The power in these things is addicting, and I'm still stock. Yeah my dually has a big ass but its tight and rice burners can't get out of my way fast enough.


Hopefully the LLY redesign addressed many of the LB7 issues. If there are any I'll be posting on this site. Later! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gif

Love mine. On number 4 duramax now because when I get them set up and running someone wants them. I run a dually but pull a lot so need it but whatever you like. Dually is a bitch to park sometimes.

I'm on #8 or 9 (lost count) D/A and haven't had any problems out of any of them.


I only get about 10K on them before the next one.

Diesel or gas? Is that the question?


Advantages to owning a diesel.


1. More power.


2. Better gas milage.


3. Free membership to diesel club. Includes right to make fun of gassers and spark plugs in general.


4. You will find the same percent of faults on the forums for gas engines as you will diesels. The difference is the percent of people that use the gas engines to pull and abuse is a lot lower than the diesel. Take a look around a campground. The big trailers have diesels parked next to them. Watch the freeways for people pulling big loads. Hay, car haulers, flatbeds with junk, RV's, tow trucks, etc. are diesels. They are made for work.


5. The new diesels are really quiet. I would say under load they are as quiet as a gasser.


6. Resale value.


7. How many guys have you heard of trading their diesel in on a gasser?


8. There is a little to learn on the maintenance at first, but it is all easy for a do it yourself guy.


9. My personal experience: 2000 F350 Banks etc. 37000 miles with no issues at all. 2004 Chevy 3500 SRW 5000 trouble free miles. I am having an issue with getting it hot, but it has not stranded me or even slowed me down. 90% of my miles are towing or hauling something. I do not drive the trucks daily, I have a company vehicle for that.


10. My definition of turbo lag: time to find something to hang on to.

10. My definition of turbo lag: time to find something to hang on to.





HEHEHEHE, Exford...I like your top 10 list but #10 is be BEST http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

I bought my first diesel '04 LLY EC 4x4 at the end of March this year and by the end of July had 10,000 miles on it--no problems other than the bubbles in the door trim (still need to take it in). I love my truck so much I stopped driving the snot out of it everyday and got a beater and put 5,000 miles on it already! I bought the diesel because I put on alot of miles, but now can't bring myself to run the crap out of her (chips/scratches/and what not). It runs much better than when new, I can get a little over 20mpg with cruise set at 65 (no load)! I put the nictane on a 8k and have a juice coming shortly. I will still be putting about 12k a year on this truck, just not 30k a year! Heaviest thing I tow is a 19 ft boat (about 4,000lbs) and it is a joke for the Dmax, my '98 5.7 gasser did not like it much.

I like my LLY 3500 SRW. I beat the crap outta her, but she seems to like it rough.

Thanks for all the replies. The real question was, do I spend the extra bones on an 05 big D without rebates, or get an 04 6.0L for way under invoice? ( 04 D/A's are impossible to find around here)


I just ordered a 05 GMC 2500HD SRW crew long DURAMAX . I should have it in a month or two. Fingers crossed for big rebates....... come on every body,cross your fingers...... http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

I love my Dmax... Bought on 6/18/04... just clicked over to 7,000 miles today. I drive it rough too! Can't complain about anything, hope it stays that way!


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

Congrats on your truck! Post pictures when you get it. JJhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Rock On.gif

Now have 5k miles on our LLY trouble free. My only complaint is the fan clutch issue. I carry a 5,000 lb camper and pull a 4,000 lb boat even in 90+ temps up hills it never goes over 209F. But when the fan clutch locks up it sounds like I am headed for the moon. I just figure it is the price I pay for it not getting hot (the fan is doing it job)





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