Which would you guys buy? '06 or '08

[mrhockey]

I am looking at trading in my '03 Duramax Extended Cab for a crew cab. I am looking at 2 trucks. One is an '06 with about 50,000 miles on it and has all the trimmings. It's a 4x4 LT with sunroof and DVD player, heated seats, etc. They want $30,000 for it. The other is an '08 leftover 4x2 CC LS package with nothing special in it. It has 20 miles on it and that is also $30,000.

I am going to use the truck primarily for towing my car trailer and we don't get a lot of snow here in SE Pa. anymore. I think I used my '03 twice last winter in 4wd. The only time I can see it helping is if I park in the wet grass or pit area somewhere and have trouble pulling out.

I am leaning toward the '06 because of the LT package. I know my truck rides hard and bounces a lot when I am towing and not sure if the '08 suspension is any better. I am guessing the '06 has the same suspension as my current ride.

What would you guys do?

[NutNbutGMC]

I am looking at trading in my '03 Duramax Extended Cab for a crew cab. I am looking at 2 trucks. One is an '06 with about 50,000 miles on it and has all the trimmings. It's a 4x4 LT with sunroof and DVD player, heated seats, etc. They want $30,000 for it. The other is an '08 leftover 4x2 CC LS package with nothing special in it. It has 20 miles on it and that is also $30,000.

I am going to use the truck primarily for towing my car trailer and we don't get a lot of snow here in SE Pa. anymore. I think I used my '03 twice last winter in 4wd. The only time I can see it helping is if I park in the wet grass or pit area somewhere and have trouble pulling out.

I am leaning toward the '06 because of the LT package. I know my truck rides hard and bounces a lot when I am towing and not sure if the '08 suspension is any better. I am guessing the '06 has the same suspension as my current ride.

What would you guys do?2006. You'll be acquiring the LBZ engine.

[mrhockey]

PMs are on now. Thanks.

[Duramaster]

I would settle for the 2006. Which DMAX engine is in the 2006? LLY or LBZ. Both were offered in 06. The LBZ is more desireable simply because of the more power. Either engine is good though. The '08 will not get as good of fuel mileage in most cases. It all depends on how you use the vehicle.

[NutNbutGMC]

Thanks for pointing that out Duramaster. I was thinking it was a clean slate for the LBZ in 06 (my bad).

Here's a copy and paste from Kennedy's site:

The simplest way to verify which series you have is the VIN# of the truck. The 8th digit is the engine ID and it will either be a 1, 2, D, or 6.


01-04 LB7 is a 1
04.5-05 LLY is a 2
06 LLY is a 2 (uses same mods as LBZ)
06-07 LBZ is a D
07 LMM is a 6 (new body style GMT 900 series)

[Mark Rinker]

The early 2006 'LLY' is truly the updated 'LBZ' engine in every respect - free of the transitional design issues of the '04.5 and '05 LLY models.

My strong vote is to pick up the 2006 'LLY' (LBZ...) and drive it forever. I have had great service (over 190K miles, total) from the two 2006 K3500s I have owned, and no injector problems whatsoever.

My .03 worth... :D

[mrhockey]

So the LLY in 06 is the same as the later LBZ engine, the name wasn't changed though?

[NutNbutGMC]

So the LLY in 06 is the same as the later LBZ engine, the name wasn't changed though?One could say that but it is a different engine as such. I am not a wrencher or an engine nut (spoken in a good way). I think the LLY still housed some (OEM) components that were causing issues (as a continuing OEM component that derived from the LB7) but as much so, GM turned up the HP a bit from 310 HP (LLY) to 360 HP (LBZ) and also increased the torque output from 610 ft-lbs to 650 ft-lbs (respectively) and changed the fuel system setup (pump and injectors, etc). Somewhere in this change (of which others here know much better than myself) the LBZ became the more well-spoken engine. Not saying that the LLY is a bad engine....

[Mark Rinker]

So the LLY in 06 is the same as the later LBZ engine, the name wasn't changed though?

Lots of speculation at that time as to why GM waited to rename the early '06 LLY to LBZ. Air intake uses the newer design, round high capacity air filter and 32-bit Bosch fuel injection system ('05 had 16-bit Delphi).

Aftermarket power programmers don't distinguish between the '06 LLY and the '06 LBZ. I have owned both early and late, can't tell any difference between the two, from a performance or 'under the hood' point of view.

DO THE '06 LT !!! :D

[mrhockey]

That's the route we are looking to go at this point. I posted this on 2 boards and no one said to buy the '08.:rolleyes:

I will be pulling the Airraid filter system and TST programmer of my 03 before I sell it if anyone is interested.

[Duramaster]

A side note................... No "HOT ROD KID CRAP" required for the 2006 truck. Plenty of power under the hood as is. :p

[GhostTrigger27]

I am soo glad I found this post. I am also currently looking to purchase my first diesel truck and was looking at the same as you. And it seem the 2006 is what everyone wants. From what I have heard you can not put any aftermarket parts on the 07 and 08 becuase of the emissions, is that true? (like chips, air intake, and exhaust, anyone?)

[hapaschold]

i just ordered 2009, should be built week of 8/17...

seems the 09 s will be built well into sept/oct. guess in a way good, it doesnt have to have the extra step of urea injection for 2010 s ...just a particulate trap.

i m hoping the 09 is as good as the 06. drive with a economy bully dog mpg boost mode