I'll go ahead and raise my hand as the newbie in the room here, so if I sound dumb feel free to poke fun... :sorrysign

To give a little background, I am a master certified Subaru Tech, college degree in automotive technology, etc, etc. Just so y'all don't thing that I'm a complete Idiot.

However I am new to Diesels, Built a 480hp turbo motor in a WRX that I had, so I understand the theory of boost quite well!!!

In the process of buying a 2002 GMC 2500HD with the Duramax and Allison. 66,000 miles on it bone stock. I used to work at the dealer that I am buying it from, and getting a steal on it! Carfax came back one owner, scored a 91 which is near perfect for a 8 year old truck!
It was owned by a old man in NM who passed away and his son traded it in for a new car for his wife. Clearly has never been beaten on, and runs very strong!

What i'm lookin for from you fellas is some pointers. Things to check etc.

From the research that has been done I would like to pull the service history and see if it has had injector work done, I see that as a pretty popular problem (not telling you anything ya dont already know) and what the status of that 200,000 mile warranty is.

Other than the obvious stuff (fluid leaks, cel, rattles etc) what else should I be on the look out for?

Seccondly, I'm a gear head. And if something is already great, it can be made better! What is the first upgrade to be looking at? From my existing knowledge I would venture a guess at a programmer... Then exhaust and intake.. If so, I'd love some recommendations on brands etc.

Lots of questions packed into one post, but i'm lookin forward to hearing what y'all think!

Thanks in advance! :beerchug:

The 200,000 mile 7 year warranty on the injectors would no longer be good on an 02 as your seven years from time of purchase would be past already.
Other then that it's just the same as any other car, for the most part.
The brakes should be cleaned and greased atleast once a year, they will give you stellar performance if you do so.
Making sure you get good clean fuel will help keep your truck and filters lasting longer. The addition of an Air Dog, FASS, or Nicktane system can help with the addition of a lift pump, and a second fuel water seperator and filter.
For the trans Mobil 1 Delvac or Transyd seem to work the best. You can also go to 150,000 mile or 4 year change interval. This is Allison's fluid, made by Mobil 1 and Castrol.
Look around, their is alot of good info here.

welcome!!!! great find, if it was babied by a old man and your getting a good deal i dont see why you wont buy it. other than a injectors,pump rub its a good truck. as far as upgrades prepare and save up cash for injectors and a trans build, other than that you can start on your bolt on products.

by the way any pics?

Again with a rookie question. I hear people talking about a Transmission upgrades. I was under the impression that the Allison trans is overbuilt and bomb proof. Understandibly when you get into the 4 digit torque numbers things can break. But at what point is it nesscisary to upgrade an already stout trans?

If you leave it stock or close to it pretty much is a bulletproof trans. When you start adding power you will start having problems.
My opinion, if you are going to have a tuner you should beef the trans at least some.

A tuner and exhaust are in the future without a doubt! What are the apprpriate mods to the transmission that would be needed to support that power level?