I am looking into buying my first diesel, a 2006 GMC Crew Cab 2500HD 4x4 w/39K miles on it. I currently have a 98 Dodge Ram with the 360 and while it's been good to me, it has reached it's time to go.
Primarily I use the truck for towing a range of boats, the occasional tractor or bobcat and a little bit of snow pushing.
Biggest reason I am thinking diesel is the longevity and fuel economy especially when towing, as this truck pretty much sits in the garage and is only used for about 15K miles/year.

So, with that said, and not knowing much about a diesel, I am hoping you can give me a quick education.
1) The truck will go to the UP of Michigan a few times each winter and sit for 3-4days while we snowmobile, how will this effect the fuel (do I need to plug it in)?
2) What are the goods and bads of this truck as you see them?
Any other advice, feel free to fire away.

Thanks in advance.

I hate to say it but my advice right now would be to watch what the diesel prices do over the next couple months.. It might be more economical to stay with gas.

That being said if your stuck on a diesel, the 06-07 classics are my favorite b/c of the power vs emissions. I get about 17 mpg mixed and 22-23 mpg with just highway.

I can't really comment on the cold weather other then to make sure you run an anti gelling additive and keep a spare fuel filter and the tools to change it on hand. And if its only a couple times that you'll be taking the trips I personally wouldn't worry about pluggin it in. these trucks do start rather easily in the cold.

I saw your post on the other forum, this is the best forum for GM diesel trucks.

WOW, you are the first person to actually say that with the price of diesel it might be worth sticking with the gas, I certainly appreciate the honesty. I am not stuck on getting the diesel, as I also g=have looked at the same truck only with the 6.0L, but from what I have been told, it sucks down the fuel to the tune of 11-12mpg on a good day. So it seems like the additional cost of the diesel fuel will play out in the additional fuel economy from what I hear.
Again, I am here to be educated and am not stuck either way, just lookin for the best way to go.
Thanks.

I saw your post on the other forum, this is the best forum for GM diesel trucks.

Just following good advice from everyone, you being one of them.
I like to have all of the facts and make an informed decision, as I tend to hold onto these things quite a while.
Thanks again for all of your input, I truly appreciate it.

Just following good advice from everyone, you being one of them.
I like to have all of the facts and make an informed decision, as I tend to hold onto these things quite a while.
Thanks again for all of your input, I truly appreciate it.

I, like you don't drive my truck much, so to me reguardless of the price of diesel I wouldn't trade this for a gasser. I bought mine to haul my stuff as effortlessly as possible. With this camper, kayaks on the top and bicycles on the back, my old truck with the 350 had a real hard time. This truck doesn't even breath hard when hauling that stuff up the mountains. Good luck in your search. :D

The deciding factor in economy in terms of todays fuel prices will be the amount you tow. If your going to be towing 30 to 50% of the time then I believe the diesel will pay off. Any gasser won't get even 10MPG towing. Diesel may get 14. Furthermore if that towing is mostly in the summer then that is yet more gravy because diesel should drop 20 to 30 cents in the summer. Remember that is with today's fuel prices but honestly I think todays prices are here to stay.

I still keep thinking that given the fact that such a large portion of the US economy is driven by the products that diesel driven trucks delivers, it has got to come down. Maybe this is just wishful thinking, but I struggle to look around my house and point to one thing that was not transported on a truck using diesel, and those items will now cost much more to help cover the additional fuel charges. I think eventually the government, for good and bad, will have to step in and do something, just like they did in the financial markets.

Part of that was assuming that you wouldn't need the 2500 if you went with a gasser. The 5.3L in the 1500's is breaking 20 mpg.

If you need the 2500 then you would still save with the diesel even with the current prices.

I've just recently parked my truck b/c I can. I plan to use it when I need a truck or just want to have fun runnin it hard :D

I believe you're money ahead with the diesel for 2 reasons.
1) You keep your truck a long time and the diesel trucks are long lived.
2) Fuel mileage is still going to pencil out as advantage diesel even if the price difference stays the same.

Using additive for your trips to the UP (eh) for anti gel is all you'll need. I've never plugged in even at -15* or lower and it starts right up.

I had a 2000 6.0. 14mpg babying it
I had a 2003 8.1. 12mpg babying it
2005 LLY 16-17mpg winter 17.5-18.5 summer
2006 LBZ 16-17mpg winter 17.5-18.5 summer
I push the diesels a tad harder. All stock and they tow like a dream.

I know exactly where you're coming from. This is my first diesel as well (2006) and I had the same reservations and reasons for looking at diesels as you have. Let me start by saying this is by far the motherlode of sites for getting the best information and help for a gm diesel you will ever find. When I bought this truck it was going to be my everyday work transportation and tow vehicle. The recent fuel prices has forced me to buy a beater for everyday work transportation. With that said,it frosts my ass to have to walk past it to go to work in the beater but I don't regret it one bit. My old truck (an 96 dodge 360 gasser,thats a whole new rant) felt like it was chained to ground when I towed my 24ft camper. This truck doesn't even know it's back there. No regrets here. I.ve been on this forum since I bought my 06 and from what I've learned and experienced so far,If I were to buy one now,I'd be looking for a used 06 or 07 classic with the LBZ rather than an 07 LMM or 08.

OK...I just gave the 2006 DMax a good once-over before I start dealing and saw it was leaking tranny fluid (pink/red..assuming that on this truck the tranny fluid is still that color). So, any advice or thoughts on if this is normal problem with these trucks and roughly what the cost would be to fix it (assuming it is a simple gasket fix or something along those lines.)
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

The only "normal" trans fluid leak I'm aware of is the trans cooler hoses and since I've not had that problem I can't really give you any details but in the Allison forum there are several threads about it and probably some good pictures to look at. If it's something else that's a common leak problem, I haven't noticed a bunch of discussion unless it's a pumb rub at the back (top) of the transfer case. Tons of discussion about that!

Thanks. I just finished reading the Allison forum and it looks like the lines are a VERY COMMON problem. In reading through the thread, it looks like a lot of people have given up on GMC coming up with a solution to this and have made-up their own lines, however, can anyone tell me IF GMC has developed a long term solution to this (something other than just replacing the lines every so many miles)?

IMO, the 2006 LBZ is the truck to get. I had a 2004.5 LLY. It never OHed on me, but ran warm. I went through a full set of injectors, and some other junk in the first 30k. Warranty covered it, but it was a PITA. I traded in on my 2500HD CC LBZ. Here is SE Michigan, I have never plugged it in, even in the coldest days we have had. In the UP you may want to, but it would have to be below 0 for me to even think about it.

I had a 2002 1500HD before my first Duramax. I am not going back to gas. It is a little more expensive for me to drive the diesel, and most of that is the difference in purchase price of the truck. The fuel economy works out in the favor of the diesel. The 1500HD, babying it, got about 14 on the highway. I got less than 10 hauling my little bumper pull horse trailer. My LBZ gets 18-20 highway, and I don't baby it. I get 13-14 hauling my gooseneck horse trailer, which is considerable larger than my BP was. I get 35-40% better fuel economy in my diesel. SO if gas is $3, the break even point is about $4.20 on diesel. You have to average diesel costs over the entire year, too. In the winter it is always higher than gas. The price should drop a lot as winter subsides.

2006 LBZ - two thumbs up!

If I haven't said it before, I truly appreciate all of the advice and input all of you have provided.
Thanks, and I hope to one day be able to repay the favor.

Time to start dealing on it...if it works out I'll post photo's!!!

If I haven't said it before, I truly appreciate all of the advice and input all of you have provided.
Thanks, and I hope to one day be able to repay the favor.

Time to start dealing on it...if it works out I'll post photo's!!!

Good luck! You will be happy with a diesel.....later

I would watch the price of diesel. I hate to say it but I hardley drive my Damx. I have a gasser with 132,000 on an it runs like a champ. I love diesel but it kills the bank account.

I was also going through this but going back to a truck from a car after 5 years of not having a truck. I do not regret for a second having a diesel. In this caliber of a truck the diesel is the way to go. Yea it cost a little bit more at the pump but not a whole lot when compared to driving a gas 1/2 ton. I have a lot more truck, power and lets face it the cool factor is way higher with a duramax! I have a couple of neighbors who have 1/2 ton crew cab gas trucks and all wish they had my truck, that should tell you something. It gets cold up here in N. Illinois, in fact my first day with the truck was -6 for the high. I plugged it in, no big deal and started right up. GM does say it can cold start at -20 with out being plugged in however its going to take a long time to get heat. Thats the biggest reason I plug it in when below 20.

I am signing the paperwork at the dealership right now and will be driving my first diesel home shortly. Thanks again to everyone for their input....let the fun begin.

I am signing the paperwork at the dealership right now and will be driving my first diesel home shortly. Thanks again to everyone for their input....let the fun begin.

What did you end up getting?

I am looking into buying my first diesel, a 2006 GMC Crew Cab 2500HD 4x4 w/39K miles on it. I currently have a 98 Dodge Ram with the 360 and while it's been good to me, it has reached it's time to go.
Primarily I use the truck for towing a range of boats, the occasional tractor or bobcat and a little bit of snow pushing.
Biggest reason I am thinking diesel is the longevity and fuel economy especially when towing, as this truck pretty much sits in the garage and is only used for about 15K miles/year.

So, with that said, and not knowing much about a diesel, I am hoping you can give me a quick education.
1) The truck will go to the UP of Michigan a few times each winter and sit for 3-4days while we snowmobile, how will this effect the fuel (do I need to plug it in)
2) What are the goods and bads of this truck as you see them?
Any other advice, feel free to fire away.

Thanks in advance.
I switched from a 01 dodge ram quad cab 4x4 360 to my 07 LBZ Dmax. I would not stay with the 360 because if yours is like mine was it got 11 mpg empty mixed driving and the best highway was 17 mpg. It would get as low as 7-8 mpg towing 8-9k. Diesel fuel is high right now . Once you pull over 8k with it or heavier you will grinning like a jacka$$ eating bryars! It does cost more to service a diesel but not much more than the gas. If you tow a lot the diesel is king if it's a few times a year get the gas 3/4 ton and roll on. In cold weather it is a good idea to plug the truck up and run a fuel treatment for cold weather.

I bought a 2006 2500HD Dmax w/Allison Crew Cab Short Bed 4x4 that is black. The truck has 39,000 miles on it and the tranny lines are leaking, but thanks to you guys, I knew that going in and the dealer is responsible for replacing them, etc..

I'll take some photo's and try to figure out how to post them.

Thanks again for all of the great advice......I've only driven it about 30 miles, but this thing is awesome!!!!

Congrats on getting your '06 Dmax! :cool2:

I traded a '99 5.3 Silverado for my '06. I'm averaging almost 25% better mileage- towing, city, highway! So as long as fuel stays within 25% the cost of gas I'm ahead. And towing with the D/A is a dream...doesn't even compare to the gasser!

I bought a 2006 2500HD Dmax w/Allison Crew Cab Short Bed 4x4 that is black. The truck has 39,000 miles on it and the tranny lines are leaking, but thanks to you guys, I knew that going in and the dealer is responsible for replacing them, etc..

I'll take some photo's and try to figure out how to post them.

Thanks again for all of the great advice......I've only driven it about 30 miles, but this thing is awesome!!!!
Congrats! and welcome to our world... Real happy for you here! Glad we could help out... oh, BTW, hang on to your wallet:D

Congrats! and welcome to our world... Real happy for you here! Glad we could help out... oh, BTW, hang on to your wallet:D

Ditto,the cash seems to fly out of your wallet before you even get to the pump.Welcome to the club,you won't find a better resource of info.

Its funny about the spending money on your truck. I have read people say that and all of you told me the same thing this last Feb and you know what?.....Your all RIGHT! I have dropped over 3k into my truck in just a couple of months and I haven't done any engine mods! I have owned a lot of trucks in my past but never spent so much on one till this one, its very addictive! I have to say this duramax has taken first place in my all time favorite vehicles.

David

So, beside fuel, what am I going to be spending my money on....I was hoping to avoid any further spending for a while!!!

So, beside fuel, what am I going to be spending my money on....I was hoping to avoid any further spending for a while!!!


LOL well I bought mud flaps, hood guard, nurf bars, Leer topper (gets installed on Tuesday!!), bed rug and still want to change the wheels, add a brush guard and some PIAA lights, still want to change the head lights and driving light bulbs and I am sure more stuff, thinking an exhaust would be cool!!!

Congrats on the truck purchase! I absolutely love my LBZ, and for a truck, I don't think I could do any better (ok, the interior on GMs is crap, but the truck itself is awesome). That said though, if you do a lot of driving, the price of diesel is going to hurt. It was $4.24 in town this morning, so I am not driving my truck hardly at all anymore (I think even my tractor gets better MPG than the LBZ, heh). Here's to hoping diesel drops this summer. :)

So, beside fuel, what am I going to be spending my money on....I was hoping to avoid any further spending for a while!!!
Keep hangin' around here and you'll think of somethin'...;)

I bought a 2006 2500HD Dmax w/Allison Crew Cab Short Bed 4x4 that is black. The truck has 39,000 miles on it and the tranny lines are leaking, but thanks to you guys, I knew that going in and the dealer is responsible for replacing them, etc..

I'll take some photo's and try to figure out how to post them.

Thanks again for all of the great advice......I've only driven it about 30 miles, but this thing is awesome!!!!

Congratulations on your new truck. They are .:D

sorry to interupt i also have a question on fuel mileage on my 2006 silverado dmax, I tow a small enclosed trailer (12') and when i bought the truck in july i got 16 + mpg and know i only get 13, i just upgraded from 245's to 265's and just replaced the fuel filter, and suggestions to help get better mpg