Ok guys,getting ready to sign the contract on a new 4x4 tomorrow,am trading in my Yukon.I tow a bassboat thats about 2500lbs total.Don't plan on towing more than that.I would like to hear any pros and cons you may have on the 2004 model Duramax.Thanx,I enjoy reading all yer posts.Mike

It depends on which engine you get in the 2004. If it's an early model, you'll get the LB7. (Check the eighth digit in vin 1=LB7, 2=LLY) I think you'll be very pleased with either truck, but the LLY's turbo sounds great when spooled up. It's almost too quiet. when idling. Let us know how you like it.

Well you will not know the boat is behind the truck. I have owned my 04 for a few weeks now and I have no complaints, it is a awesome truck. I got rid of the factory tires and wheels and added a billet grille overlay and the truck recieves alot of attention. I am not used to the attention, it has been awhile since I drove a vehicle that stoodout. Enjoy the new truck I know I am.


Corsair

Welcome 203DC250XB,


Go for it, I went from a 88 Toyota pickup to my 2500HD 4x4 cc. I love it. I can not seem to drive it enoughhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif. You may even forget your pulling your boat.

Your boat will probably feel lighter on your new truck than my 800 lb. drift boat feels behind my chevy s-10.


I also just ordered a 04 Sierra 2500HD with D/A (LLY). However, I just received a 5 ton Komfort travel trailer waiting on the pad for it's towing buddy to arrive. If I'm not drifting Oregons coastal and cascade mountain rivers (for steelhead and salmon) I'll be pulling the trailer for the rest and relaxation of mountain camping (to promote the peaceful dreams of hooking that 18 lb. steelhead or 45 lb. chinook).

Thanx for the replies guys.Am going this am to purchase the truck.Crew cab,LS

I have a 1 month old Duramax where i tow a 3000lb bass boat. Been a great engine so far and mileage just keeps getting better.

Hey Doug I am in Corvallis! I am also ready to order a '04 GMC D/A. Where did you purchase yours? I am working with several dealers in the area and am waiting for one more quote before deciding.


I also have a drift boat and travel trailer, so I am really looking forward to getting the truck. We will have to get together sometime for a fishing trip, I am a rookie on the oars. I have a buddy that just ordered a 25' boat, so I will be towing that to the ocean this summer.

JD HANKINS, I live in monmouth and work in corvallis. I first went to Randy Jones Chevrolet, but felt like they wouldn't budge a bit on the 04 2500 HD 4x4 Silverado D/A. I felt they wanted full sticker price($44,000). So I went over to GMC and got them down to $38,000. I offered $36,000 and Bob said couldn't do it. I then wrote my phone number on a paper and told him to call if they change their mind(s). Two days later he called me at work and said $36,400 and I accepted. This is for a factory ordered Sierra SLE 2500HD 4x4 shortbed with D/A. Additional options that were a must: power-heated extension mirrors, G80 locking differential, push button 4x4, trailering package, and polished forged alum. wheels for the $36,400 (remember though that is with the 2500 factory cash back). I am hoping that when March 30th gets here the GM Cash back will go up to $3500 and that would put my cost at $35,400 ( probably in my dreams).


Then,out of the blues the chevrolet dealer calls me at work and says he can get me the exact same silverado for $35,300 with all the factory offers available. He thought I should give GMC a call and try to get out of the deal. To me, I have already committed with GMC (plus I don't like the new front end look of the Silverado versus the traditional looking Sierra). I think chevy targets the younger more agressive buyer and gmc sticks to the traditional old farts ( ya I guess I now fit in with the older crowd, something I thought would never happen). So if I had it to do over again I would try to get that truck for 35,000 or less!


One thing you might consider is putting an additional fuel filtration system on your truck. As soon as mine comes in I am installing a Racor 660 Fuel Filter Kit from greg@lubespecialist.com


I also plan to add the appropriate amount of Stanadyne performance formula fuel additive with every tank of diesel.


If you plan on pulling a trailer (mine is a new Komfort that weights 5 tons fully loaded), be ready for a special connection to tap into the factory trailer brake harness. Also will need a special fuse to replace the dummy fuse in the fuse box (this is required to let your trailer brake box work). If you have any questions that I can help with feel free to email me at douglaswinn@aol.com

"If you plan on pulling a trailer (mine is a new Komfort that weights 5 tons fully loaded), be ready for a special connection to tap into the factory trailer brake harness. Also will need a special fuse to replace the dummy fuse in the fuse box (this is required to let your trailer brake box work)."


The harness comes w/ the truck and the fuse u are talking about is only for the 12v hot wire to supply the trailer.


I'm glad someone else views the ugly Chevies like I do.


I got to go and order me a GMC this week.


BTW on buypower a 3500SRW is $200 cheaper than a 2500HD.

I have a gorgeous Black 04 crew cab with LLY engine. I traded in 02 w/Duramax. I am experiencing clattering noises in engine that remind me of spark knock or worse rod clatter. The engine itself is quiter than 02 but clatter drives me nuts. I find it usually when putting load on it at lower speeds. Dealer finds no codes, but says its second or 3rd LLY with power hesitation problem and have ordered new turbo sensing unit per GM request. Bad news is not available until at least May 1. Please advise either way if anyone having these problems or not. GM says it's normal TROMPLAW

"If you plan on pulling a trailer (mine is a new Komfort that weights 5 tons fully loaded), be ready for a special connection to tap into the factory trailer brake harness."





Not sure which brake controller you are going to use, but I selected the Prodigy. You can purchase a wiring harness made specifically for the truck's model year. It's "plug and play" and easy to install.

I traded a 2002 GMC D/A with 36,000 miles on it for a 2004 D/A. I love these trucks. It now has 800 miles on it . Getting about 18.5 if I keep it at 65 or less. After that the milage goes down the faster you drive.


The first thing you need are 4 new shocks. The ones from the factory are the worst thing on the truck. I got the adjustable Rancho 9000. They have a sale now, buy 3 get the forth one free. Total for 4 about $250. This is especially importent if you tow. Your truck will bounce up and down like a Pogo stick with a trailer on it using the stock shocks.


When I took the stock ones off they would pull in and out so easy that a 10 yr. old could do it.


Also you will need to break it in for 500 miles ,without towing, and then change the rear end oil . Replace with 4 Qts. of a good synthedic. The Dealer will charge about $27. per qt. if they do it. You should be able to buy it for about $12. per qt. Elsewhere.


You will Love it. Have fun.

Dealer finds no codes, but says its second or 3rd LLY with power hesitation problem and have ordered new turbo sensing unit per GM request. Bad news is not available until at least May 1. Please advise either way if anyone having these problems or not. GM says it's normal TROMPLAW





What do you mean by a "power hesitation problem"?

tromplaw,


First welcome to the site. Mine does sound like it has a clattering noise like what you have mentioned only under heavy loads. I had read someplace here that another member was asking the same question I looked for the post but couldn't seem to find ithttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif. If I happend to find it I post the link. The end result was most people had the same clattering noises I think.





Edit: I found the link http://dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5797&KW=voodoo+





Edited by: Voodoo

The Duramax has Piolit Ignition that makes it a lot quiter than other diesels however when the RPMs get around 2500 or so, it is turning over so fast that there is not enough time for the Piolit Ignition to work ,sooooo the engine gets loud all of a sudden, which is how it would sound all the time if it did not have that feature. Also when you are pulling hard the engine will get very loud when the fan clutch kicks in, but that will be a roaring fan sound. The combination of these two things happening at the same time makes for a very loud ride compared to the normal sound of the engine when not pulling hard.

I too have the clatter, but its only above 2500 RPM. I've got just under 4000 miles on my truck now.


I had the turbo solenoid and sensor go out at about 500 miles on my new truck (LLY). Took them 3 days to get a new one and fix it. I posted my problem over on TDP and a assembly line worker or manager chimed in saying they were initally installing the sensors wrong. So who knows how many trucks made it out of the plant messed up. But mine got fixed and its been problem free since.


I went on an empty long haul this past weekend 500 plus miles and had my truck running 85mph on cruise and got 13.7mpg. I am very happy with that since I only use to get around 8mpg running my 454 at those same speeds.

203DC250XB,


If you have never had one of these beasts...get readdy. Believe me, You can forget that you are pulling a light trailer! It does sound crazy...it can happen. Heck, with the boat on the trailer you could take the wheels off and still not know it was there....provided you couldn't see it. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gif


Enjoy your new ride and welcome to the Place.


Burner------------------------> http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

338_,


What was your TPW? I was just wonder if mine was built before or after your.

Mine is an 04 LLY built in 1/04.

Voodoo, I don't know the exact TPW. I bought the truck off the dealer lot. I did recieve a sheet stating that the dealership recieved the truck on 1/28/04. The truck was only on the dealer lot 5 days and I bought it, 2/2/04.

338_,


What was your TPW? I was just wonder if mine was built before or after your.





What is the "TPW" and where/how do you locate it?

Hey Dmax Tim,


Thanks for the information. I did get the prodigy brake system with the correct wire connection (so that it will plug directly into the 03 and 04 factory wiring harness). I am having trouble finding the 12 volt "fuse" (maybe its not actually a fuse). From the picture I have seen it goes in the fuse panel under the hood (in stud #1) to replace the "dummy plug" that is there. Does anybody know the ID number of this fuse (or connector) that goes there. I heard it is a 40 amp fuse but I'm not sure what it is called or its ID Number. Does this fuse come with the pickup when it arrives or must it be purchased seperately?

Doug,


I just picked up my truck on Wednesday. If you ordered the tow package it should have come with the fuse, a 4 to 7 pin adaptor plug, and a brake control wiring connector with loose wires on one end (you don't need that now that you have the Prodigy connector to directly attach the Prodigy to your truck).


From what I've read, the fuse that you are talking about is used to take 12v power from the connector at the rear of the truck to a trailer. The brake controller is ready to go as soon as you make the wiring connection with the Prodigy harness that you obtained.

The only thing you would need the other fuse for is if you have auxillary lighting in an enclosed trailer and would like to be able to turn the interior lights on. Other than that your brake controller will work without you adding any fuses.

Voodoo, I don't know the exact TPW. I bought the truck off the dealer lot. I did recieve a sheet stating that the dealership recieved the truck on 1/28/04. The truck was only on the dealer lot 5 days and I bought it, 2/2/04.











Must be before mine or real close. Thanks

338_,


What was your TPW? I was just wonder if mine was built before or after your.





What is the "TPW" and where/how do you locate it?





TPW is short for "Targeted Production Week" Your dealer shoud be able to give you that information, however since you have your truck it may be a bit harder to find out. Here's a link of all the events that happen before a truck is delivered. Zeeb did a great job.


http://dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5257&PN=1

Doug, the fuse you're looking for is a 40A and it is taped real good to the brake controller pigtail in the glove box.


Mike

I also believe that the fuse will allow your trailer battery to maintain a charge when towing.

Thanks guys,


I did get the trailer package so the 40 amp fuse will be in the truck. I didn't realize that it was a seperate issue from the brake box controller. I will still need to install it because I want the extra altenator amperage charging the trailer batteries when I am towing it on the road. However, I will unplug the trailer when the truck is not running because I do not want it draining the truck batteries.


Other good news today, the GMC dealer called me this morning and had the VIN for my truck (it was built yesterday). He also gave me good news: the factory rebate went from $2500 to $3500 on April 1st. So that is even less than I was expecting, plus the company I work for has an additional $500 dollar factory back program with GMC.


Thank you for the technical support for us newbie owners

My 2004 LLY rattles also at 1/2-3/4 pedal over 2500 rpm. If it's a rod knock, it's all 8 rods. Just sounds like a diesel.

McRat, This is normal for the Duramax. This engine has polit ignition that sprays a small amt. of fuel in just before the full load is injected to start the ignition and this is the reason the engine is so quite. When the engine revs to over 2500 it is turning over too fast for the polit ignition to work ,so we get the typical loud sound that most other desiels make that don't have polit ignition.


The General does most things well.Edited by: Durabill