what is the best year for duramax?

sledobsessed

Active VIP Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2008
Messages
453
Reaction score
9
Location
Lloydminster
im looking to buy a duramx truck and was wondering what is the best year for them? and also if anyone knows where i can find one.
thanks
 

KawisakiRider

Active VIP Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2009
Messages
390
Reaction score
492
Location
Beaumont
Depends, are you not a fan o the emissions? If so 2007 or older, if emissions and price don't bother you, hands down 2012. Or you could wait until 2013-2014 for the remodel (excluding engine and drive terrain). That's my plan.
I have a 2008 and it's a nice truck, no complaints. :beer:
 

sledobsessed

Active VIP Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2008
Messages
453
Reaction score
9
Location
Lloydminster
thanks, im not lookinf for a new truck...the emmisions stuff doesnt bother me. im not looking to spend huge dollars. as long as it has under 200k or around that mark im happy.
 

recguy

Active VIP Member
Joined
May 17, 2008
Messages
488
Reaction score
190
Location
Cold Lake, Ab
My uncle is selling his 2005 chevy silverado 2500HD for 18k.
It has 170k on it and is very good condition.
His number is 780-826-0163. Tell him Trevor sent you.
You will be happy with the truck.
 

shawnmcgr

Active VIP Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2006
Messages
925
Reaction score
147
Location
Calgary
06-07 Classic have highest hp and torque and no dpf. Still have EGR. Only issue I've had with mine is the stereo crapped out and the tranny cooler lines are junk. I'd go after market to replace the tranny lines.

06 and up got the 6 speed ally as well.
 

Attachments

  • Duramax info.txt
    3.4 KB · Views: 97

FTBeaver

Active VIP Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2010
Messages
283
Reaction score
346
Location
Wainwright AB
I've got an 06 and I love it. Totally agree about the trany cooler lines, replaced mine twice already on warranty and need to do it again. Of course its off warranty now.
 

sledobsessed

Active VIP Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2008
Messages
453
Reaction score
9
Location
Lloydminster
thank you, so the 06 & 07 are the same motor? except for new style they are differant motor? right?
 

polaris800rmk

Active member
Joined
Jan 10, 2009
Messages
25
Reaction score
0
Location
fort saskatchewan,ab
I have the new generation 2007 2500HD with the six speed awsome truck tons of power. Nothing out there compares to a chevy stock. I have 65500km and no issues. I have a 4 inch Rancho lift I tow a 31 foot travel trailer 2 slides and I can do 150kmh no problems.Chevy For Life.
 

OVERKILL 19

Active VIP Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
3,420
Reaction score
1,933
Location
Red Deer
I had a 05, great truck but I got it cheap. I looked long and hard for a 06 LBZ, but I wanted a full load long box! I never found one that was not mileed out. If I remember a 07 is the same just alittle more emmisions crap! But I would pull all that off now anyway being no warrenty! IMO
 

takethebounce

Active VIP Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2008
Messages
5,193
Reaction score
8,750
Location
calgary
You should have a look at

this...

As mentioned most people refer to them as their engine codes. LB7, LLY, LBZ, (classic) LMM (new body style), LML and so on.

The first gens are generally best to stay away from 01-04 LB7

04.5-06 LLY is a decent motor. Hard to find lower mileage trucks though.

The Classc 06-07 body style with the LBZ is still one of the better combinations with the allison. But if you want a new body style you have to go with the LMM.

The 07-2010 New body style trucks with the LMM is okay but sucks on fuel economy due to the dpf and tighter emmissons when compared to the previous model. If you delete the dpf and tune the LMM though its a great motor.

The 2011 is a great truck (LML).

2010 kinda sucked for all the big 3, Ford, Diesel and Dodge as they were trying to work out the bugs with the tighter emissions.

The allison has some weaknesses as well. It doesn't take power as easily as a Ford. But it can be easily fixed with a shift kit and new torque convertor. There is also a fix for the C3 clutch that a hole is drilled in the case to give it lubrication all the time.

Allison 1000 Transmission Specs

So don't just look at the motor as the tranny is just as important when looking at these new diesels. Overall the trucks are great in stock forum as well. Its when you start tuning, chipping and so on that you start to run into issues if you don't account for the extra hp/torque.

I still wish GM would get rid of the IFS and go back to a solid axle. GM/Chevy tie rods and other components are junk if you really use your truck, or if you start lifting them like a lot of guys. There are some pretty cool solid axle conversions available though.
 

shawnmcgr

Active VIP Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2006
Messages
925
Reaction score
147
Location
Calgary
thank you, so the 06 & 07 are the same motor? except for new style they are differant motor? right?

06 & 07 LBZ dmaxs are the same engine/tranny. There are overlapping years which makes it confusing to by parts. Chev also made an '07 that was a the new body style with the LML engine and all the emissions crap.

in 06 chev also put LLY's in some pickups but it's the same motor as the LBZ just programmed for less hp/tq.

I'm outa warranty now but here's what I've had replaced under warranty:
pitman arm
idler arm
tie rod end
tranny cooler lines (once under warranty, second time with after market)

I've got 96,000k on my 06 lbz.
 

Stg2Suby

Active VIP Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
1,983
Reaction score
4,681
Location
Stony Plain AB
What year(s) was the 6 speed manual available with the Dmax and who made the tranny?

Edit: seems like 05 was last year for the manual trans (ZF gearbox), maybe 06 LLY had it too. Sorry my comment was off topic a bit
 

fhe

Active VIP Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2009
Messages
248
Reaction score
83
Location
Rosalind, Alberta
Classic trucks are a better unit, older than 2007.5 where they changed to the new body style. I have a new style '07 and had an '05 and the '05 is a better unit hands down. New trucks have a door sqweek problem and seats are more comfy and just found it to be a more solid unit, in my opinion. Never had any mechanical problems with either one. Can do more with the older ones as far as aftermarket upgrades and not as much pollution goodies on the older one. JMO
 

bigz64

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2009
Messages
690
Reaction score
295
Location
Gibbons
You should have a look at

this...

As mentioned most people refer to them as their engine codes. LB7, LLY, LBZ, (classic) LMM (new body style), LML and so on.

The first gens are generally best to stay away from 01-04 LB7

04.5-06 LLY is a decent motor. Hard to find lower mileage trucks though.

The Classc 06-07 body style with the LBZ is still one of the better combinations with the allison. But if you want a new body style you have to go with the LMM.

The 07-2010 New body style trucks with the LMM is okay but sucks on fuel economy due to the dpf and tighter emmissons when compared to the previous model. If you delete the dpf and tune the LMM though its a great motor.

The 2011 is a great truck (LML).

2010 kinda sucked for all the big 3, Ford, Diesel and Dodge as they were trying to work out the bugs with the tighter emissions.

The allison has some weaknesses as well. It doesn't take power as easily as a Ford. But it can be easily fixed with a shift kit and new torque convertor. There is also a fix for the C3 clutch that a hole is drilled in the case to give it lubrication all the time.

Allison 1000 Transmission Specs

So don't just look at the motor as the tranny is just as important when looking at these new diesels. Overall the trucks are great in stock forum as well. Its when you start tuning, chipping and so on that you start to run into issues if you don't account for the extra hp/torque.

I still wish GM would get rid of the IFS and go back to a solid axle. GM/Chevy tie rods and other components are junk if you really use your truck, or if you start lifting them like a lot of guys. There are some pretty cool solid axle conversions available though.


i have been told that the lubrication problem is only with the 5 speed allisons and you should only need a torque converter if your are approaching 500hp

the only thing wrong with the ifs on the chevys is the tie rods, upgrade them and your good to go, unless you start racing your truck...
 

bigz64

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2009
Messages
690
Reaction score
295
Location
Gibbons
i also have a 2006 lbz and recommend it, only problem i had was turbo vane position sensor replaced under warranty. im approaching 160000 km now
 

whitegold

Active VIP Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2010
Messages
1,508
Reaction score
1,043
Location
Smithers, B.C.
What year(s) was the 6 speed manual available with the Dmax and who made the tranny?

Edit: seems like 05 was last year for the manual trans (ZF gearbox), maybe 06 LLY had it too. Sorry my comment was off topic a bit

I have an '06 with a stick.... I like it, but it sure had its problems!! If I remember right it came with a split fly wheel and that caused problems with the sensors, which then caused the truck to surge. They eventually put in a solid fly wheel and that fixed most of the problems... I have 65,000 kms on it now and have had no other problems.
 

KawisakiRider

Active VIP Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2009
Messages
390
Reaction score
492
Location
Beaumont
As posted before I have an 08, with 138000 kms, only issue was tranny lines,(replaced under warranty) at 30000 kms.
It has also been modified since 50000 kms, intake exhaust, chip, shift kit, etc. no issues after mods, plus better mileage.:beer:
 

pistonbroke800

Active VIP Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2009
Messages
933
Reaction score
835
Location
Airdrie
You should have a look at

this...

As mentioned most people refer to them as their engine codes. LB7, LLY, LBZ, (classic) LMM (new body style), LML and so on.

The first gens are generally best to stay away from 01-04 LB7

04.5-06 LLY is a decent motor. Hard to find lower mileage trucks though.

The Classc 06-07 body style with the LBZ is still one of the better combinations with the allison. But if you want a new body style you have to go with the LMM.

The 07-2010 New body style trucks with the LMM is okay but sucks on fuel economy due to the dpf and tighter emmissons when compared to the previous model. If you delete the dpf and tune the LMM though its a great motor.

The 2011 is a great truck (LML).

2010 kinda sucked for all the big 3, Ford, Diesel and Dodge as they were trying to work out the bugs with the tighter emissions.

The allison has some weaknesses as well. It doesn't take power as easily as a Ford. But it can be easily fixed with a shift kit and new torque convertor. There is also a fix for the C3 clutch that a hole is drilled in the case to give it lubrication all the time.

Allison 1000 Transmission Specs

So don't just look at the motor as the tranny is just as important when looking at these new diesels. Overall the trucks are great in stock forum as well. Its when you start tuning, chipping and so on that you start to run into issues if you don't account for the extra hp/torque.

I still wish GM would get rid of the IFS and go back to a solid axle. GM/Chevy tie rods and other components are junk if you really use your truck, or if you start lifting them like a lot of guys. There are some pretty cool solid axle conversions available though.

I must have got lucky with my truck i guess. I have 320K on the clock, truck is used for work in the patch. I pull my trailer about every second weekend in the summer. Haul sled about every second or third weekend in the winter. Never have i ever had any trans or motor issues (running a chip cold air and exhaust) and my front end repair schedule is right on par with guys from work that drive Ford and Dodge. Those IFS and allison set ups sure suck:rolleyes:
 
Top Bottom