Buying a new truck

[oldblue92]

Hey guys new to the 99+ board I'm usually surfing the 88-98. I'm retiring Oldblue and looking for a new work truck. I really torn between gas or diesel, 1500hd or 2500hd, 4wd or 2wd. But I do know this, i need the best mpg possible. Just wanted to ask you guys for some advice. Are there better years of the duramax , are there better years of the vortec? Thanks any comments will be appreciated. I've been scanning your treads lately......sweet trucks over here!

[919cw313]

What are you using the truck for? I wouldn't necessarily get a 2500HD 4x4 Diesel unless I needed it.

[oldblue92]

Tile Guy! usual load are about 1000lbs. to 1600lbs. When I have to pick up full slabs and pallets of tile I use my friends 03 2500 6.0 4x4. Trucks a beast and horrible on gas maybe 11mpg....but he treats his truck like S***. 4x4 would be nice for the winters but not necessary I've done just fine with 2wd for 11 years you just have to know to wait for the plow trucks to clear a path.

[clinebarger]

A Duramax will deliver better fuel economy, But with what maitainence cost & diesel costing more...You probably wont save any money over a gas rig.

01-04 LB7's have serious injector issues (Cracked injector bodies). Average price is $3500 to $4000 to replace. I do them for around $3000 parts & labor.

04.5-05 LLY is pretty decent, Mostly wiring problems.

06 & 07 LBZ are the best as far as reliability, Its also the hardest to work on.....An hour to change the drive belt!

DO NOT buy a truck that has been "Turned-Up" with a programmer or flash tuned. If it has big exhaust, No muffler, air intake etc.etc. Pass on it.

Idenify the 8th digit of the VIN....
LB7= 1
LLY= 2
LBZ= D

01-05 have 5 speed Allison 1000's

06-07 have 6 speed Allison 1000's

All years manual trans option....ZF S6-460 6 speed.

If you want a 4x4, Read up on "Pump Rub". If dont want to deal with that buy a 2wd.

[oldblue92]

What kind of mpg can i expect with a stock diesel or gas ? Did they make a 1500hd with a 5.3. ? Thank you for the above response that was exactly what i was looking for

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by oldblue92

What kind of mpg can i expect with a stock diesel or gas ? Did they make a 1500hd with a 5.3. ? Thank you for the above response that was exactly what i was looking for

All 1500HD trucks have a 6.0L with a 4L60E or 4L65E depending on year. They average around 14mpg.

A 2500HD 6.0/4L80E will average around 12mpg. On a long road trip I averaged 9mpg with a heavy 5ver on a 04 2500HD 6.0 CCLB 2wd.

With a Duramax is going to depend on which one you have, A LB7 can return 20+ unloaded, A LBZ will do 16-18MPG unloaded. From what Ive heard Winter blend fuel can have a great impact....I wouldnt know, I live in Texas.

I have no experience on 4x4 mileage....Im guessing 1-2mpg less.