First Impressions: 2004 GMC 2500 4x4 D/A [Archive] - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck Forums

: First Impressions: 2004 GMC 2500 4x4 D/A


Marbee40
10-14-2004, 11:32 PM
Daughter and I Flew to Idaho to pick up my '04 GMC CC SB D/A last Friday. Found it on AutoTrader.com and took a chance. 3800 miles. Owner didn't "need" it. Nothing wrong that I can see. Checked everything and did a 40 mile test drive before paying the PREVIOUS owner. Drove from Twin Falls, ID to San Diego, Ca by way of Lake Tahoe, Yosemite Nat't Park, and Sequioa Nat'l Forest. UNBELIEVABLE scenery. Email for pix!


The first "toy" that I've ever owned that is MORE than I really need! Can't think of a better way to say it.


Too much power (is there such a thing?), too nice looking of a rig, GOBS of interior space!


Okay, the bed could be two foot longer, but the added wheelbase would NOT be welcome! (Damn thing sticks out in my CA driveway as it is!)


This truck is NICE. I thought Old-Mans LB7 looked "beefy" and pulled like a damn frieght train. This things pulls like a frieghttrain...going downhill, on NOS and STERIODS! WOW! Even the ever-negative bride was IMPRESSED as heck! We took her car in for service today. They gave us a MINIVAN for a loaner. I'm riding a Harley to work tomorrow and guess what she gets to take to work???? YOU GOT IT!


I'm still afraid to dither with the Juice/Attitude, so its really a non-player. I've had it up to the 3 setting, but refuse to play with it more until I can see how others fare. I do like that the Attitude monitor has adjustable settings and WARNING beeps for EGT, Turbo boost, engine temp, and speed. Previous owner left all settings at default. I only changed one today and thats the top speed warning. Was 85, now at 90mph. CA is the LAST place to have an 85mph beeper on your rig! I have heard the EGT beep and looked up to see it right at 1350. Thats only come on during FULL throttle and I immediately backed out of it. Also, another thing I like about the Edge is that I can remove the WHOLE thing in about 5 minutes from under the hood. Literally unplug from factory harness, plug factory harness to itself and pull Edge box off via velcro. This WILL happen EVERY time I take it in for service.


Speaking of service: Do you take yours in for everything or what? I prefer to do my own oil changes, but am leary about voiding ANY part of my warranty.


Altitude sickness: I'd read rumors of altitude sickness on all of the diesel engines in the big three. Daughter and I took that truck over 10,000 feet on four different occasions. Most of the day on Sunday spent between 4-8k feet. NEVER did I experience any lag or lugging. Fricken truck made MINCEMEAT out of every grade, UP OR DOWN, and some of the grades were at 15-20% (NO BS!) Some of the roads we travelled on had signs that said "Vehicles over 22' PROHIBITED!" due to serious curves and grades. This truck handled the downhill curves, in second gear, like it was on RAILS! All uphill travel was seemingly EFFORTLESS!


Fuel consumption: I was warned that the LLY is a thirsty ol' girl. This is the tradeoff for a couple of things: 1. Newer truck, longer warranty. 2. MORE POWER! 3. I've never REALLY been concerned about mileage, but 15-16 aint bad for a truck that pulls this hard. Some folks have mentioned things like a tanneau cover and engine mods to increase mileage, but I doubt it will get me more than 1-3 mpg. We'll see. The bigger tires definitely DON'T help, but DAMN they sure do look good!


Interior comfort/ergonomics: I didn't get the leather, Blond-Star, or super deluxe 18-way adjustable seats. I can live without it! My seats (drivers) could use a bit more lower-back padding and I may have it stuffed some day, but its liveable. As for electric adjustment, set the damn seat and leave it. Blond Star? I've got GPS, a smart wife, and a cell phone. The stereo and trip computer are AWESOME as is the 3 month subscription to XM radio. I highly recommend the XM. Worked like a champ with loss of signal in the SEQUIOA NATIONAL PARK! (Hello!, big friggen trees!) Having about 25 choi

Max Power
10-15-2004, 12:56 AM
That's what I like to hear. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley32.gif I am glad to see there are other proud duramax owners out there beside myself. Every time I drive my truck it puts a smile on my face. I couldn't be happier. You are going to love every minute in your new truck.

Marbee40
10-15-2004, 11:35 PM
Just got a reciever style motorcycle rack. Atv and jr's 50 in the bed, 650 on the rack. Its a homebuilt, so I'm testing it tomorrow. Looks kinda goofy. LOVE THE TRUCK!

supermex
10-16-2004, 01:42 AM
Marbee40, congrats on the truck .no such thing as too much power.no need to back out of it @1350 if edge is set up write it shuld back out by its self good luck . how many miels on the clock?Edited by: supermex

JJs DuMax
10-16-2004, 07:59 AM
Congrats on the truck guy. One day I hope to take that same drive with Mama JJ. You are wise to learn about the edge/juice before "hitting the juice", too much power can slip the Allison, the juice will back off, but damage is done. Also, there is a correlation between speed and mpg's, best I've gotten was 19mpg at 70mph. Around town its not too good, mostly because I can't keep my foot out of it!


I did a poll several weeks back of LLY owners, 90% rated their trucks above average to outstanding (30%+ outstanding). Your wife sounds like mine, she drives the truck 80% of the timehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley19.gif, I get em both on weekends! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/hihi.gif Enjoy, later! JJ http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif

Mt. Hunter
10-17-2004, 12:41 AM
Most of my driving is done at 7,000 ft elevation and there are hills in every direction. The DMax will take grades in 5th at 85-90 that would have my 350 gas truck screaming it's guts out. There's just no comparison. The DMax stays in 5th and isn't even breathing hard.

Unit453
10-19-2004, 12:24 AM
I too love my baby and couldnt be happier. The wife hates the ride quality and she can "feel every bump". Oh well, thats why she bought a blazer ZR2 and I drive a real truck.

Marbee40
05-18-2005, 12:01 PM
All,
Finally got around to reading all the replies! Dang, didn't think anyone had read my drivel. ANYhow, I've added the Kennedy 4/5" exhaust and have put 10000 miles on my truck! It still kicks butt and I couldn't be happier. Now if I could figure out how to get a picture of it on the net!

Thanks all!
Marbee40