Have a 02 with 70,000. Like it, but use and tax benefits indicate should buy new one. Questions are for owners who have upgraded from 01 & 02, but others are asked to chime in their experiences as well: (1) LLY fuel mileage thoughts - GM seems to be getting complaints on LLY vs LB7. Experiences? (2) Are all LLY catalitic converters and EGR? Any problems so far? (3) No underhood light and no overhead console - any other major things missing in new trucks? (4) Are you happy you made the change? (5) Anything else to look out for in the new trucks. I will probably order a 05 in a few days. I had planned to buy a 06 with the new tranny, but situation dictates I need a newer scouting truck for my 04/05 Mexico and Central American tours. 70,000 miles is pushing it for my use. Thanks for your thoughts. This will be my 21st personal GM diesel truck since 1982 so I'm not new to GM diesel, just know nothing about LLY.

The nice thing about the 05 is it can be ordered with sunroof and that includes homelink. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

Gardner, I was in the same boat with my 02 @ 48,000mi and now have a LLY w/3,700 mi . I wasnt happy at first but am now. Its getting better all the time. The mileage is slow coming but yesterday got 19 driving NICE at 65-70 2 lane according to the DIC computer. I now have the quad 125 box and LOVE it even more. I would recommend putting some kind of power enhancer on it if you get it . Much more better!!! The LLY seems to have more turbo lag than the LB7 but pulls harder on top ! I do like the DIC, strg wheel controls, and the climate control alot ! For some reason the shocks seem kind of weak but im sure they are prolly the same that my 02 had..? Hope this helps.


P.S. I have the only 2004.5 with hoodlight and glovebox light ! hehehe, Took them off my 02 before i traded it in. Nanny nanny boo boo .. jk lol

Like the 2004.5 LLY, I imagine the 2005s will not be certified for all drivetrains in all states! You can no longer buy a manual transmission Duramax in California in pickups. I am still tracking down the issues with PTO drive gears, but expect you cannot get those in CA either.


Dealers are unaware, stupid, or liars when it comes to these little details.

I planned on ordering the sunroof, even though some Howler monkey may crap through it while driving in the Guatemalan jungle - I have had them crap on the roof of my 2002, with big gobs of berry stuff in it - very messy.


FASTTOY - I planned to pull off the hood light, but didn't think about the glove box light. Damn - GM is sure getting cheap. Does the 04 have cat convert? I would be very happy with 17 to 18 Hwy at 2,000 to 2,200 rpm. I still need the order code for dual alts if anybody has it - dealer can't find. I am assuming the front bumper and rear bumper frame mount areas are the same as I wish to use my 1/2 steel bumpers on the new rig. On returning from Mexico a few days ago, I hit a burro at about 70 with a glancing blow on the right front of the bumper as he ran out of the brush. Knocked him back into the brush and didn't even scratch the powdercoating on the bumper. With factory stock bumper it would have been goodnight and please pay $5,000. I don't know what a burro weighs, but the impact sure got my attention.


Anyway, thanks for the info. I'm going to order monday.

I don't know what the requirements are but here it is. - 8X5


http://gm-trucks.com/rpolists/2004/GMC/04_GMC_Sierra_2500HD.txt


http://gm-trucks.com/rpolists/2004/GMC/04_GMC_Sierra_3500.txt

Yes it does have a catylitic converter (or uhhh , did that is) I put on a LB7 Full 4" exh from the turbo clamp back and have not any issues! Yeah GM is geting cheaper about putting stuff on the trucks but the price is going up . Go figure.. No hood light , no glovebox light, no lumbar in either seat and no Power seat on passenger side (all this w/60/40/60 bench ) !! and it cost $2000 more. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Angry.gif

I agree the Cummins is a fabulous engine and will last a long time. The Dodge truck is improving, but still has a long way to go to catch Ford which still hasn't caught GM for a overall great enjoyable package for fun and family. I have been very happy with my DMAX which, until now, had gone 67,000 miles through hell in the jungles of Southern Mexico and Guatemala without EVER having a mechanical bleep or any problem - never gone to dealer for a failure repair. UNTIL NOW. I left Guadalajara Mexico, 1800 miles below the border, and 3300 miles from home in Oregon, on Monday and after a few hours discovered I was blowing fuel, getting 10 mpg or less, and my oil was full of diesel. Drained it and took a full 5 gals out of the oil drain hole. Engine temp had not gone over 185 and outside temp was 95 degrees. No Duramax service in Mexico - big money to flatbed to US. So, I changed the oil - and drove the sob home 3500 miles, changing the oil every 150 to 200 miles (start laughing here - it ain't over) when oil pressure dropped to 30 at 2000 rpm. 50 GALLONS of oil later, I made it home. Temp never increased and oil pressure NEVER dropped below 20 at idle. Initial examination indicates engine was not hurt, even though I ran 3500 miles with a average 50/50 mix of Delo 400 and diesel fuel. Truck weight was at 12,000 or better. The DMAX got me home when any gas engine and even the 6.5 would have failed. Isusu builds a great engine!


Buy a DMAX - it pays!!

After that unloading it makes sense.