Hi everybody i am new to this forum just thought i would say whats up !!!!I picked up a 2wd duramax diesel over the past weekend and i gotta say i love it so far. I couldn't pass up the employee discount. I have been reading some stuff on this forum about random stuff breaking...like brake booster and electrical problems. I just hope mine holds up. Any advice on breaking my truck in, as of right now i have 200 miles on it. I plan on doing some minor upgrades like the juice with attitude. What other small upgrades are out there??? Any other comments would be greatly appreciated.

pics of the diesel
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http://www.scottsdesigns.net/misc/DSC01564.JPG

Nice truck, looks just like mine only major difference is mines 4x4. You'll enjoy the truck, I've had mine for 2 weeks now and i can't get enough of it. I would give you break in advice, but I'm a newbee to Deisels as well and I've just been following what I've read in different post and combined some stuff and the such. Read up and enjoy.

BTW Welcome to the DP.

Durability has not been an issue for me, and I am hard on my truck. This truck is right at the top of quality IMO. I wouldn't worry about problems if I were you, the odds are well on your side that you won't have any. Enjoy it!

You will hear a few horror stories but that is the type of item that appears in forums no matter what the subject. There are one hell of a lot of good stories out there that do not get any play. I believe that if you don't hot rod or drive your truck like a squirrel it will give you great service over the years with few difficulties. There are a great number of theories about breaking a new unit in. Read them all on the forum and decide which suits you best. I change engine oil every 5K. Don't ask me why. Others do it more frequently and others at longer intervals. Don't let your fuel filter stay in longer than the intervals suggested in your owners manual. Enjoy you new truck.

welcome aboard, keep in mind that the horror stories you hear/read account for only
.01% of the total trucks on the roads. Every automobile has issues.

I was parked next to an older fellow this weekend for a while at IRP (Diesel Nationals) in Indy, with a new Ford 6.0 diesel. He was on his second motor and he was exstatic .... loving his truck. Cuoldn't say enough good things about it.

It's all relative.

Read the injector threads and paranoia will set in.

It's true.... all brands have their share of horror stories.

A few mods, thats what we all say. Once you get started you cant stop. The more buy, the better your truck looks and rides.

One thing to check first is your rear diff fluid level. The level should be right below the fill plug. You'll have to use your finger or something to measure this. GM has been known to not fill them all the way. I'd change the oil and filter (don't use fram oil filters) no later than 1K and also the allison spin on. That's just my suggestion. Everyone has an opinion on break in as well. I've heard most people say vary the speed while driving for the first 1K or so miles. Good luck, and welcome to the site that will drain your wallet dry.:eek:

Welcome to the club. This is my second Duramax and have had only 1 problem. My 2004 did need 2 new injectors but dealer handled problem with integrity. I've loved them both. I treat mine with respect, kinda like a almost paid $50000 dollars for it....Hee Hee. I follow the maintenance schedule to a tee. They take a long time to really break in as these motors are tight. My mpg started improving after 12000 miles on both. I am a bit cautious so I waited until 22000 miles to upgrade to the Juice/Attitude. I certainly wouldn't be in any hurry as stock out of the box they're pretty powerful. Take your time and enjoy. It'll will be around for awhile. ;)

Thanks for all the replys guys. This forum has a lot of info !!!!:) I will also follow the maintance schedule to a T. i have been reading through the forums about the Oil and filter change. From what i read the mobil one filter is good and 15w-40 is what i should run...it also says that in the owners manual... I think im going to enjoy being on this forum.

I don't know about you guys, but every piece of equipment I've owned so far in life has had problems to some extent.

My '04.5 has already had one new injector. Does this mean I'm calling it a lemon? Of course not! For the most part, these trucks are great. All of them have weaknesses.

I'd do what Lakingslayer said....check that differential fluid right off the bat.

At 500-1000 miles change the oil and tranny filter.

Use a diesel-rated oil (Delvac, Rotella, etc....) and depending on how you drive, change every 5000 or so (I did 6000)

Change the fuel filter every 10000 miles

Change spin on tranny filter every 15000.

Your mileage may suck for the first 10000-15000 miles. Seems these LLY's just don't break in until then.... Don't worry, all is good!!

Lastly, go out and have fun in your truck. Be proud of it. Mod it how you want. Don't let the little stuff worry you.

Have fun, and welcome to the Place.

Tom

The beauty of the internet, you hear all the bad stories and a few of the good. Don't worry just drive.

Person I met a my wife's HS reunion is a independent mechanic. He stated that the 50,000 mile mark is too long to wait to change out fluid in auto tranny. He recommends every 25,000 miles for all vehicles so equipped. For what it's worth.

One thing to check first is your rear diff fluid level. The level should be right below the fill plug. You'll have to use your finger or something to measure this. GM has been known to not fill them all the way. I'd change the oil and filter (don't use fram oil filters) no later than 1K and also the allison spin on. That's just my suggestion. Everyone has an opinion on break in as well. I've heard most people say vary the speed while driving for the first 1K or so miles. Good luck, and welcome to the site that will drain your wallet dry.:eek:

And thank you kind sir, for that little tip! So I went right out and popped the rear diff plug out and HOLY COW :eek: The diff fluid is a good inch and a half below the opening!!

So like the other newb's here, I am just learning so much and want to thank you all for this great knowledge base. I hope I can occasionally contribute something of value. I now have to take back my two Wix filters and get a couple of Mobil 1 filters before 1k 1st oil change...:rolleyes:

Hey, shouldn't the rear fluid be a warrantee item? (mine has all of 850 miles on it...)? I gotta' go into the dealer to pick up an Allison filter anyway, maybe I should just see...

Welcome to the forum and as you we have a duramax. Yes check the rear end fluild. I rained and filled ours and poured the old oil in the quart containers and could only fill 3 bottles so one qt. low after the dealer checked to answer my question of is it full or low. I thought the truck was a dog after our 8.1 because it had no pep but after 1600 miles it started to change my thinking. chevman