I'm new to diesel place but I figured this is the best place to ask a question about a Duramax!

I currently own an '05 Ford F-150 Supercrew with 25,000 miles on it and have been looking to go to a diesel. I like the Chevy over the Ford 250 for a number of reasons but mainly the Chevy will fit in my garage :)

My question is; I have been looking at '05 Duramax crew 4x4s and I found one with 51,000 miles with all the options I want (LT, leather, onstar, etc). Truck seems to be in great condition, only mod is it has 265 tires rather than the stock 245s.

The thing is, to me 51,000 miles on an '05 seems kind of high, especially considering I would be doubling my mileage on my current vehicle. I'm just wondering what you guys think, is this an upgrade? is 51k miles nothing to a diesel? what would you do in my shoes?

If it's been well cared for and it's mostly highway miles, 51k is barely past break in. Check the hour meter and figure out the ave. speed. If it's around 45 or more, it's gonna be like new.

My 2005 is used for a daily traveler and recreation. It see's 80% highway miles and 20% city driving. It has 60624 miles and 1782.3 hours which equates to 34 miles per hour.

Hope this helps.

I've had my 05 since new on 5/05, I'm at just over 75,300 miles and 2012 hours. So I guess that about 37 mph. I drive alot of highway but I do let it idle for about 10 minutes before I drive it in the winter.

BTW I haven't had a single major issue.

Do the chevy. Those miles are fine.

How much for the Chev?

my 05 has about 53000 miles and drives like new

I wouldn't worry about the milage... ;)

bertman911, dealer wants $30,995

:eek:

I also just traded in my F150 for a duramax and love it. My ford was an 06 with 17000 miles and the duramax is an 05 with 47000, so I more than double the miles and I lost quite a bit on the Ford since I bought it new, but do it, its well worth it.

I also just traded in my F150 for a duramax and love it. My ford was an 06 with 17000 miles and the duramax is an 05 with 47000, so I more than double the miles and I lost quite a bit on the Ford since I bought it new, but do it, its well worth it.

When I traded in my 1500 on the 2500HD, I drove away and thought to myself, now this is a truck. A really nice truck. :D

You guys are making me feel better about my decision. I love my F-150 but it sounds like I won't think twice about it after I have a Duramax.

i have an 05 duramax with 34000 miles and it is awesome. i have taken it to montana and back and it rode like a champ. i will no longer be owning a gas truck unless it is necessary.

jwiebers, since you had an '06 F-150 how would you compare the ride? I have been spoiled by the F-150s smooth and quiet ride. I know the Chevy 2500 has a tougher suspension so kind of like apples to oranges, just curious what you think.

jwiebers, since you had an '06 F-150 how would you compare the ride? I have been spoiled by the F-150s smooth and quiet ride. I know the Chevy 2500 has a tougher suspension so kind of like apples to oranges, just curious what you think.


I have to agree. I'm also an ex F150 Ford owner and I do miss the cushy ride and tight turning radius it had but that's what it was made for. The HD Dmax is a whole different animal, no comparison.

65,000 on my '05 and just had the first problem, bad injector wire on #2, wish I would have found this forum last week, maybe been able to fix it myself and avoided the dealer and leaving it 200 miles from home. I'd say if the deal makes sense go for it, the Dmax is a truck, the Ford is an overgrown car.

Yeah, you can't compare ride quality, the F150 rode like a Cadillac and you can definately tell the 2500hd is a truck, but they don't ride terrible. They don't ride like "Bricks" like some 3/4 tons. Also the Chevy seats are more comfortable! LOL.

I'm new to diesel place but I figured this is the best place to ask a question about a Duramax!

I currently own an '05 Ford F-150 Supercrew with 25,000 miles on it and have been looking to go to a diesel. I like the Chevy over the Ford 250 for a number of reasons but mainly the Chevy will fit in my garage :)

My question is; I have been looking at '05 Duramax crew 4x4s and I found one with 51,000 miles with all the options I want (LT, leather, onstar, etc). Truck seems to be in great condition, only mod is it has 265 tires rather than the stock 245s.

The thing is, to me 51,000 miles on an '05 seems kind of high, especially considering I would be doubling my mileage on my current vehicle. I'm just wondering what you guys think, is this an upgrade? is 51k miles nothing to a diesel? what would you do in my shoes?

Just be aware that most LLY's (2004 1/2 & 2005's) will overheat if towing heavy. But, that can be fixed for about $1200. 265's is an ideal tire size for these trucks. I like my truck. I have 33,500 miles on it. 51K is a little on the high side for an 05. Make them an offer that is attractive for you!

ya but he said it is a 05 i haven't heard of to many 05 over heating that was a 04 thing really. but ya i have 109k on my now and the only reason i had the head gasket fixed was because i was way to hard on the motor when it was new i have had my programers stacked since about it being 2 months old with no miles on it but other than that it has been a great truck it will pull anything you hook behind it can't say that about the ford

Yeah, we will see...if I don't get this particlular one there will always be another one that comes along.

You won't be sorry!!! I have 61,500 on mine and it runs like the day I bought it!! Keep that fuel filter clean and you will go a long,long time with no worrys!!

ya but he said it is a 05 i haven't heard of to many 05 over heating that was a 04 thing really.

Unfortunately that is not the case. 05's and 04.5 LLY's are the exact same engine, with the excact same problem(s). Overheating being one of those.

Is the overheating only an issue when towing?

Is the overheating only an issue when towing?


Excessive towing. I tow about 6k often, and lately in 95+F and muggy as all he!! and have yet to peak past 210 with the a/c blasting. As far as considering losing the F-150 for the LLY, you will love it. A buddie of mine bought an 05 F-150 ccsb, loaded new. He sold it to buy my 01 LB7 with 200K miles and is glad he did. The newer F-150's are VERY nice, but like you said-apples to oranges. $31k seems average. I'm sure you could find a better deal if you are patient enough. I was and saved $4k from the others I was looking at, and got it with 47k miles vs trucks in the 80k's.

Yeah, the only thing I'll really be towing is my boat so I'm not really worried about it.

Patience is key when hunting for diesels...they are tough to find.

80,000k on mine. I tow 8000lbs only major problem was the fuel rail sensor under warrenty. No over heat issues.

Yeah, the only thing I'll really be towing is my boat so I'm not really worried about it.


You will not regret the purchase, and I dont suspect you will have any issues with Overheating towing the boat.

goth2o, if that is 210 on the factory gauge, dont believe it. Search for ECT on factory gauge and see how often that has been discussed.

If either of you hear the fan without gauge movement, dont worry about it, that is normal. If the fan never quits and the gauge crosses into >220 range, there is a solution for you.

Regardless of what you do with the 04 or 05 truck, putting isolation from the engine compartment to the air box will net benefits. TxC sells a very simple add on for the stock box. Your mechanic may not even notice it.

Sounds like the only thing that is going to suck is going from new car financing to used car financing :)

I have 50,000 on my '05 also. It's run perfectly every day I've had it. Keep up on the routine maintenance and it will be a great truck for you for a long time.

Okay, here is a link to the VIN check. Is there anything I should be alarmed about in the claim history? Not sure what some of it means.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173797

I tow a lot with 7k trailer and my bed full of tools, tires, fluids. For the towing I do not in the mountains, I've had no OH issues or even with the fan running. That's my truck. Another 05, who knows.

I tow a 13,000 toy hauler in the PA mountains a lot and havent see gauge over 210 yet, a little fan now and then but not bad.