"...Duramax me!" - (and goodbye 6.0L gasser...)

[Mark Rinker]

Traded my '03 K3500 (reg cab flatbed with 85K miles) today on an '02 K2500 (ext cab longbox with 132K miles). Paid 7K PLUS my truck. (12.4 trade + 7 cash = 19.4 purchase price)

Couldn't be happier I'll make the truck payment with the fuel savings over the fuel pig 6.0L gasser.

There are some great deals on used Dmax's out there right now. Great time to upgrade 6.5s or any gasser, in my opinion.

[Tough Guy]

You're building a fine fleet of Dmax trucks.....

Chris

[Mark Rinker]

Thanks.

JK warned me about the 6.0L gas. I simply couldn't find any Dmax's at that time in the high teens/low twenties without 200,000 miles already on them. I got 50K miles out of the 6.0L gasser for 5.5K and normal maintenance.

18 months later, there are many Dmax trucks still under drivetrain warranty for low twenties - barely broken in. What a deal - everyone should own one, even if you don't tow - just for the mileage and resale value.

My plan is to buy LB7 crate motors (6K) or low mile used motor / tranny combos (5K) for 'reserve spares' and repower both of these trucks once each - probably at over 300K miles - in 2008 or 2009.

[Tough Guy]

My plan is to buy LB7 crate motors (6K) or low mile used motor / tranny combos (5K) for 'reserve spares' and repower both of these trucks once each - probably at over 300K miles - in 2008 or 2009.

I would imagine you'll want to replace the truck before the motors need replacing...My 6.5L has 312,000 miles on the odometer and it still looks good and run like a top. These trucks will last a long time if cared for properly. The Dmax is nearly bullet-proof if left stock, hell they're tough even modified!!

Chris

[Mark Rinker]

Likely so - however these trucks get worked pretty hard. They tow 90% of the time so I expect there will be a lifespan to the engines. Hopefully at least 250K.

[tanker]

Congratulations Mark on your DuraMax, you are correct about MPG's. My D-Max is better than my ole 95 6.5TD suburban on MPG's. My D-Max is getting "Almost" twice the MPG that my son gets on his 6.0 04 GMC pickup, so even though gas cost less per gallon, I'm still ahead.