Hi guys,


I have a 03 1/2 ton sissy truck right now and have the chance to trade up to an 01 CC LT D/A for little or no difference. The only problem is the truck has 117,300 miles on it. I will drive the truck until it has at least 200k on it. Do you think I'll have any major engine or tranny troubles? I will probably put a 90hp juice on it with an intake and straight pipe. Should I trade or just drive my wussy 5.3 for another 100k? I can't afford a lower milage d/a will leather and all the options my truck has, which I like.


Thanks,


Mike

If it's been maintained well and they have the records to prove it, it might well be worth the trade; plus with the increased milage of the diesel vs. the gas, it could be a good trade off over time.

Unless you are absolutley sure about the DMAX. To me that is a tough call. I would have a hard time going backwards 2 years for that many miles. If I had a 1/2 ton that was doing what I needed it to do then I personally would not change. I did get rid of my 1/2 ton but it was a 95' model and would not pull the travel trailer I have know very easily, plus I needed the 2 extra doors for the kids. The diesel was just a plus in my case.

Mike,


My story is alot like WOJO 1. Are you going to be pulling a trailer of any kind? There is alot to think about but as for myself I bought my truck after countless discusions with my wife. We pull a 30 ft. travel trailer all over Minnesota on weekends and our first pull with the new truck was to Sturgis for bike week. My truck has 145k on it now we bought it with 138k, we new the previous owner and he bought the truck new in 01. There was some injector work done at 98k and a new transfer case at 110k. After the first test drive I new I would not be happy with anything less than the D/A!! I would not be to worried about the mileage either. Keep using the DIESEL PLACE, it's the best place to go for straight information with alot of different viewpoints.


Good Luck


Korey

Dieselman, Ask one of the techs on this site to run the Vin#. I'm pretty sure it tells you everything that has been done to the truck by a Chevy dealer. Used cars are a crap shoot at best. As mentioned it has a lot to do with how they were serviced and driven. If you can afford to fix it if it breaks why not? I hope I get a lot more miles than that out of my 04. I plan on this being my last truck purchase. They are fun to drive. 117k of freeway miles isn't that much. 117k of towing or hard work is another story. I'd do some detective work and find out as much as I could.

I don't know much about the truck, it is at a dealer and I am pretty sure they bought it at auction. He says its mint but I have no idea of the service history. This is the most reasonably priced D/A LT I have seen around... ever. Maybe I'll wait and see what comes along. I had a couple of 7.3's with over 150k and never ever doubted the engine, just the rest of the truck...hehe I was thinking the d/a would go 250k even with a marginal service routine but maybe I am mistaken. Thanks for the help and keep the opinions coming.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


Mike

What do you do with your current truck? What can you see doing in the near future? (towing, carrying heavy loads)

I have a 20' landscaping trailer that I haul just about anything on. Its a 6 ton trailer but I have not been able to use it to its capacity since I got rid of my stroke. I have pulled about 9000lbs total trailer weight with this truck and its too much for it (rated at 8500 I think). 6000lbs makes this truck struggle pretty good. Besides I love diesel trucks, I was just wondering if I should save up for a lower milage truck or if you fellas think it will be good for another 150k. Should I wait and find an 03? Thanks,


Mike

Sounds like the 3/4 ton is they way to go. If you want to wait and save. If you want the truck right now....

My truck I expect will have about 500,000 miles (800,000 klms) when I get rid of it. Providing it lasts that long. Look after if, and I hope it will.Edited by: Max Owner

How long is the service life supposed to be on the d/a. I figure 250k for a psd and at least 350k on a cummins. Where does a dmax come in? I travel 35-40k miles a year, and will keep the truck 3-4 years. That will put me around 250k when I get done with the truck, unless it still runs great and I decide to go without a truck payment for a few years... yea righthttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif Think I'll be okay or should I grab a lower milage one?


Mike

Gut feeling.... don't do it. You will be stuck with major repair bills if something goes. Engine and trans are out of warranty.

Remember, the majority of the posters here are driving trucks still under warranty, well under 100,000 miles and love their trucks.

If you want a DMax get a much lower mileage one or take advantage of the incentives... find out the best deal you can get on a new one before doing this. Maybe you can do pretty good selling yours yourself??

Warranty .... don't own one without it.

Doesn't that defeat the purpose of owning a diesel then. I want something that will run a long time out of warranty. My truck is out of warranty now, and if something breaks it will be cheap to fix. I want something built to run 250k without a huge repair bill.


Mike

Okay guys, here is the scoop. Just ran the service history.


Tranny control module done, fuel block done (whatever that means), 58k miles injection pump done, 113k all eight injectors replaced. So all the fuel system work has been done, does that change your opinion at all? Truck has 117k on it now. Thanks


Mike

The main issue will be how it was looked after before. Strange that a dealer would buy the truck at auction. Its within the age, but high on the milage. Usually dealers offload vehicles at auctions with high milage. Unless the truck is in exceptional shape.
Maybe you could drive the truck for few days. Get a feel for it.

This guy specializes in used diesels. He is a used only dealer. Seen PSD trucks there with 180k on them. He says its mint, I have to get my butt in gear and drive the hour and a half to get there. I could probably drive it a couple hours, I dunno. Will the alli hold up to real high miles? Anyone on here got one with real high miles on it?

People claim the Allison is the best trans on the market. Look for Broker (member of this forum) He has a listing of trucks (used commercially) and their milages on them. You can Personal Message (PM) him, and ask some questions.
Also, where did the service info come from? Dmaxalli Tech can run the VIN number, and see the history of it (you will get the truth out of Eric)


Good luck.

I have had 2 with over 150,000 miles. DON"T BE AFRAID!! If the truck is "jam-up" there won't be a problem unless it's a freak thing.

Dieselman84,


May want to just consider the following FWIW, dont take it as getting into your business.


1) Have someone, a bank or a Chevy dealer run that VIN# for you for the history, you need that on any vehicle, pay for the report if you have to. Lots of "mint" trucks out there are rescued flood victims, or worse, from all over the U.S. Know the truck's history. Call the previous owner(s).


2) Ask what kind of warranty that used truck dealer will give you and get it in writing, he/she should offer something. 90 days would be great. Negotiate it,,,,


3) Get a 48 hour test drive like GM offers on their new vehicles and on some of their pre-owned ones. He should allow that if you have good insurance, decent credit, etc.


4 As you are obviously self employed in the landscaping business?? Check with your accountant to see what the writeoff is for new and for used. The new tax laws are a real bonus for the small business owner/self-employed. e.g., my 1st year write off on a new one in 2001 was >25k$. It's higher now. Then the depreciations start and those have been accelerated.


A "used Diesel" can quickly become a monsterous investment. It can also be a great one, too, just gotta know the truck and be comfortable with it before you plunk down and drive away for the last time. Just my .02$


Mudbug