Duramax as a daily driver?

SLIPPY · Oct 13, 2010

Jaydog said:
Sorry, I just assumed everyone modified their diesels :redneck:

The duramax is able to get mileage in the 23-26 range while the powerstroke and cummins will be in the upper teens, my 6.7 was averaging around 18 on the highway and 12 in town when it was finally broken in.

really? On my trip to moses sled pulls last year i got 21.5 on the way there, and 22.5 on the way back. 17-18 pulling a trailer. 96 12valve 4x4 LB EC

my buddy complains about only getting 15 with his dmax

Lucky Jeff · Oct 13, 2010

SLIPPY said:
really? On my trip to moses sled pulls last year i got 21.5 on the way there, and 22.5 on the way back. 17-18 pulling a trailer. 96 12valve 4x4 LB EC

my buddy complains about only getting 15 with his dmax

mods, programming, tires, driving style, rpm, all have to do with mileage. You should know that by now....

SLIPPY · Oct 13, 2010

Lucky Jeff said:
mods, programming, tires, driving style, rpm, all have to do with mileage. You should know that by now....

good point. At the time I had 140hp injectors, no fuel plate, larger turbo and 35inch tires. And you know how I drive :awesomework:

trailyota · Oct 14, 2010

.

Lucky Jeff said:
2wd? is that what the overhead monitor reads or hand calculated?

It's a 4x4, with no lift and rolling on just 285/75/16 MT's. The mileage was hand calculated, and we were surprised it gets better fuel economy than our Trailblazer. We drive mostly on the freeways, so that may play into the mileage.

whatthe? · Oct 14, 2010

I would get a commuter car. Why put a bunch of miles and wear/tear going to work? Save the truck for the fun stuff.

RusM · Oct 14, 2010

whatthe? said:
I would get a commuter car. Why put a bunch of miles and wear/tear going to work? Save the truck for the fun stuff.

You can pick up a pretty nice Corolla or Camry for $3500. Then you'd never have buy another big truck in your life.

Avanteone · Oct 14, 2010

whatthe? said:
I would get a commuter car. Why put a bunch of miles and wear/tear going to work? Save the truck for the fun stuff.

I have never understood this logic. I bought my truck (and make a large monthly payment) to be able to drive it and enjoy it. Why would I spend another grand or two on a beater to commute in, that's no fun, along with paying extra licensing, insurance, etc. I enjoy driving my truck, and I'm paying for it regardless, so might as well enjoy it.

crash2 · Oct 14, 2010

Avanteone said:
I have never understood this logic. I bought my truck (and make a large monthly payment) to be able to drive it and enjoy it. Why would I spend another grand or two on a beater to commute in, that's no fun, along with paying extra licensing, insurance, etc. I enjoy driving my truck, and I'm paying for it regardless, so might as well enjoy it.

Same here. Plus after driving my truck I could never go back to a small car..

SLIPPY · Oct 14, 2010

whatthe? said:
I would get a commuter car. Why put a bunch of miles and wear/tear going to work? Save the truck for the fun stuff.

its a man thing, you wouldnt understand

whatthe? · Oct 14, 2010

SLIPPY said:
its a man thing, you wouldnt understand

You must mean a little man thing.:kiss:

SLIPPY · Oct 14, 2010

whatthe? said:
You must mean a little man thing.:kiss:

guess what? jaydog...your little secret is now exposed :flipoff:

Lucky Jeff · Oct 14, 2010

I enjoy driving too much to run around in a little POS econobox..

japerry · Oct 14, 2010

I love my duramax, although I'm usually averaging 18mpg because I go simply too fast. When we caravaned down to swap meet last march, I was loaded (but didn't have a trailer) and got 23mpg!

Towing I average 14-15. Its pretty good, especially if I'm running it on WVO =D

If you buy a Duramax don't buy anything older than 2005'. Get a late LLY or better yet an LBZ (2006-2007 classic). the LMM (2007.5-2009?) is the LBZ with the eco-**** on it.

mad chemist · Oct 14, 2010

Does the eco-**** bring the fuel economy down? I'm seeing ~2005 Duramax's with ~100k miles still going for ~15k.

Lucky Jeff · Oct 14, 2010

japerry said:
I love my duramax, although I'm usually averaging 18mpg because I go simply too fast. When we caravaned down to swap meet last march, I was loaded (but didn't have a trailer) and got 23mpg!

Towing I average 14-15. Its pretty good, especially if I'm running it on WVO =D

If you buy a Duramax don't buy anything older than 2005'. Get a late LLY or better yet an LBZ (2006-2007 classic). the LMM (2007.5-2009?) is the LBZ with the eco-**** on it.

01-04 are still good motors, just have to fix minor issues.. And you can always ditch the emissions gear with EFI live tuning.. Which is a must for any Dmax..

RusM · Oct 16, 2010

Lucky Jeff said:
It's not unheard of to get into the 30's with the duramax. .....and get mid 30 mpg using nitrous to assist in climbing small hills.. His normal, even with very large injectors is in the low to mid 20's on just diesel. Of course, this is all dependent on your right foot

How much truth and how much bullshit are there in these statements? Is it really possible to get an honest 30+ mpg with a Duramax? Real world driving, not idling down a flat county road.

Clark · Oct 22, 2010

Get one and drive it until the wheels fall off, great trucks.:awesomework:

Lucky Jeff · Oct 22, 2010

RusM said:
How much truth and how much bullshit are there in these statements? Is it really possible to get an honest 30+ mpg with a Duramax? Real world driving, not idling down a flat county road.

almost perfect conditions.. Driving with very little boost. Driving reasonable in a 2wd dmax down the freeway with good tuning would get you there. Most people wouldn't see that on a regular basis. Mid 20's is more accurate for the average person with regular driving.. That mid 30's I was talking about was in a 4x4 truck with a little nitrous to assist on hills. Weight and wind resistance hurt these things a LOT for mileage.. 2wd's do considerably better then 4by's