2003-2006 4x4 Duramax Info.

B Gillespie · Nov 26, 2008

Anything to look for on these trucks if I pick one up at auction? Expensive to replace or other high wear items to look out for? Depending on what State Farm does with the TT tow rig, I might drive down to the Dallas auto auction and look for one of these or a Dodge of the same years.

Marty · Nov 27, 2008

Out of those years, I would look hard for an 06. Either with the LLY or LBZ motor. That way you can avouid injector or over heating problems. But all of them are good engines, aside from the few problems I listed.

B Gillespie · Nov 27, 2008

Marty said:
Either with the LLY or LBZ motor. That way you can avouid injector or over heating problems.

Is this code on the door jamb or somewhere else easy to find? What injector problems or over heating, blown head gaskets and such? Any way to tell if the injectors are about to go? Whats different in the 2006, engine?

wizzo · Nov 27, 2008

the 8th digit in the VIN number indicates the engine. 1 LB7, 2 LLY, 3 LBZ, 4 LMM. I wouldn't worry about the injectors in the early ones b/c they are being replaced by the dealerships under warranty. I can ask my buddy at the GM dealership what the symptoms are if you end up getting one. He does them all the time and can do a set in only a few hours. If you've ever seen a duramax engine it's crazy to seem him knock the injector swap out so quickly. the dirty max engines are stout, i wouldnt be too afraid of any year. obviously the newer the truck you can afford the better. most of my buddies that i know that have duramax's just complain about the front end wear parts.

dmartin · Nov 27, 2008

even with the vin code 1 engine gm gave a extended warranty on the injector failure I belive 150k

wizzo · Nov 27, 2008

dmartin said:
even with the vin code 1 engine gm gave a extended warranty on the injector failure I belive 150k

yup

B Gillespie · Nov 28, 2008

Pardon my Chevrolet diesel ignorance, we only had one chevy on the ranch; the C/K chevies sat too low and spewed front end parts, switched to Dodges.

Marty said:
Out of those years, I would look hard for an 06. Either with the LLY or LBZ motor.

wizzo said:
the 8th digit in the VIN number indicates the engine. 1 LB7, 2 LLY, 3 LBZ, 4 LMM.

So, #2 and #4 are better, #1 and #3 are worse? What is subject to fail on #'s 1& 3? Did an '06 come with different engines?

wizzo said:
most of my buddies that i know that have duramax's just complain about the front end wear parts.

What are the most commonly replaced parts, and how expnsive are they? Idler arms, unit bearings, TRE's? How much mileage are we talking for a complete rebuild?

I wont be looking for an almost new, super clean, lower miles truck like Wyatt's. Our trucks get worked, might as well save some $$ and let someone else take the hit on a few scratches and stains on the inside. However, I dont want a clapped out piecer with a blown front end on its 14th head gasket. I will certainly be looking for Dodges, but I want to keep my options open as well. Dodge ext cabs suck, we have three. Most everything in my price range for Ford is a 6.0L, not taking that risk.

wizzo · Nov 28, 2008

'01-'04 = LB7
'04.5 - '05 = LLY
'06 - '07 = LBZ
'07.5 - '08 = LMM

i wouldn't be afraid of any of the 4 if your stuck on a duramax, they are solid. LB7s had the injector problems but they are being replaced under warranty up to 150K. My buddy had a LB7, ran great no injector problems. He replaced ball joints, wheel bearing assy., brake master cyl, power steering pump, it liked to eat belts, but i think the ps pump fixed those issues. my problem with the duramax's are that they are a 3/4 or one ton truck with 1/2 ton front end parts. the front end is not really beefed up for the extra weight. needles to say he sold the duramax and got a 06 5.9 dodge. i would also pass on a 6.0L

chevy/gmc and ford make a bad ass truck, as far as truck body and interior, they are top notch. to me, if your buying a truck to really work, you've got to buy the engine first. from what i've seen the cummins is stouter and can take more abuse than any of the others. also they are about 100 times easier to work on, if you need to for any reason.

like everything everyone has their own opinion about this subject.

i just don't think your chevy diesel experience would be any different from the c/k you have had

InDaShop · Nov 29, 2008

benfowler87 · Nov 29, 2008

we replace a lot of injectors at the dealership

Marty · Nov 30, 2008

Wizzo is correct on the years and motor codes except, they also producd the LLY in early 06.

J.A.B · Dec 1, 2008

The 06 is a great year for those trucks. It has the hot rod motor without the emissions and 6 speed Allison

Marty · Dec 1, 2008

J.A.B said:
The 06 is a great year for those trucks. It has the hot rod motor without the emissions and 6 speed Allison

And the 07 classic as well.

InDaShop · Dec 1, 2008

jabnasty · Dec 3, 2008

Bought my 06 with 10k on it now it has 99k and not one single problem. Its also a welding truck that weights around 13 to 14k which is even harder on the front end and still not one single problem. Bought a brand new 03 dodge before the chevy and it was a piece of ****. Interior was crap and lower end developed a knock at 100k.