This is my first post, I hope I am putting it in the right forum.

I am looking at a 2002 3500 Duramax with the 6 spd manual. I am looking to upgrade from my 2001 2500 Dodge 360 gasser, (or should I say gas guzzler?). I use the truck to run back and forth to work - roughly 10 mi each way. And to pull a 8500 lbs travel trailer while on holidays. The 3500 Duramax has 106,000 mi on it. It lived life previously as a service truck, and had the bed removed when new, and a service body installed (3000 lbs or so). The bed was stored, and has been re-installed after the service body was removed, and is in like-new condition. Looks to be in good shape, having a heavy duty diesel mechanic guy I know look it over for me before I make a decision to buy it or not. The dealer is a relative, and is trustworthy. The price is in CDN funds, so I won't mention it, just know that I am getting it for wholesale price.

I read some posts in the 6 spd forum, learned that almost everyone has had a flywheel fail. Also some posts about the Dmax w/manual being "detuned". What is that about? I know the regular Dmax was 310hp, 520 or 590 tq, depending on year. I will be using it to pull the trailer while on holidays, the rest of the time, it will be my daily driver.

What do you guys think? Buy? Wait for him to find me something else? He knows I want a diesel, and he knows I need it for pulling.:help:

You can find a better deal if you shop around
It depends on where you live and if you want to travel to get one.

I just traded my 01 2500HD w/upgrades and 66000miles
for a 02 3500 with 53000 miles I paid $26000
$4900 after trade
last night we installed juice with attitude and complete stereo
2channel, 4channel, door speakers, XM and subs
today we will install intake and exhaust

I was looking at a couple in Ohio
www.magnumtruck.com (http://www.magnumtruck.com/)

They have a couple.one with 67000 miles and another with 35000
good luck

I would check the hours on the truck. A service truck depending on what it does might be running continually when in use. There is one down the road from me that has 60,000 miles and going on 5000 hours. Just something else to help make a decision. A lot of hours is not necessarily a bad thing but it isn't a good thing.

It has 3250 hrs on it.

Can ANYONE HELP me by answering the questions I asked?? I was told this was the place to ask about all things diesel.

The dual mass flywheels are trouble. The latest that came out in Aug 04 "might" be the answer. That truck is over 100,000 miles so no more free replacements[might be a reason it's for sale]. You said it was in Canadian dollars so I assume you are in Canada. If so the flywheel lists for 1200.00 and the dealer will probably want 6-8 hours to put in. What this means is it could cost you the best part of $2000.00 to have it replaced. There are other options but none cheap so I won't go into details. I would do a vin search and see what has been done to the truck and see if the latest and greatest flywheel is installed. If it doesn't have the latest flywheel, well IMO I would take at least $2000.00 off of what I would have paid. As far as detuned, yeah they are, so what it works just fine and pulls my loaded trailer at over 10,000 lbs. If you want a racer it might make a difference. The big deal is the flywheel. The hours are not out of line for that truck and shouldn't be a issue.

Thanks for the replies nobull1, you really helped.

Yes I am in Canada. That $2000 for a flywheel doesn't sound too appealing. Turns out I have another problem with this truck. Her hips are too wide!!! I got out a measuring tape, and turns out the thing is too wide for my garage (won't fit with the wifes Safari van in there too). That's a deal killer. Guess I'll keep looking.....what I really want is a 2500HD with the allision auto. Here's keeping my fingers crossed....