hello there i neeed some help, i have a 96 k1500 z-71 its i great truck it has about 165000 on it i am thinking about upgrading to a duramax and i been looking into the like 15000$$ range but i was wondering on like year wise what i should get? i know they las long time but like should i stay away from 150000 or more miles? i want a duramax because i do alot of snowmobileing and i haul up to 4 sleds and the 8mpg my 96 is giving me just isnt cutting it i would like to know that those sleds aren't even there

any information would be greatly appreciated !!

 

as far as mileage, it's a bit different than a gas rig. my 04 'max has over 200k miles, but if you ask any diesel guy, they would say that's barely broke in. runs like new. previous owner held high maintenance. pre '04.5 were prone to faulty injectors. a tsb was issued, so it might be a good chance these rigs were fixed. even the rest might be good too. the 04 and later (up to 07 or 08) had the allison 5 spd automatic. pre 04's had the allison based 4 spd auto. that 5th gear is great. empty, flat, at 65 i pull 25 mpg. towing 5000 lbs, even up hill, i break 14 mpg. uphill. it's been the best truck. i would pay attention to mileage, but be more concerned with maintanence, any leaks, noises. test drive a few, some older some newer, so you can get an idea of what feels right, and what doesn't. good luck, and let us see what you come up with.

 

I have heard a lot of good things about the Duramax (6.6-liters/made by Isuzu) - especially when coupled to the Allison automatic transmission. Admittedly, I am a big fan of the Ford Powerstroke {sourced from International/Navistar} turbodiesel (particularly the '96 to '03 7.3-liter version) from the F-Series and have had experience with other International trucks.

Anyway, those diesels will run almost forever - or at least until the rest of the truck falls apart; but they're very dependent upon proper maintenance & care. Regular oil changes, filter replacement and other little things can make for a 400,000 mile truck. If Fords can run that long (I have seen them in service after that many miles + more), there is no reason why an HD General Motors truck won't do the same. Hell, even a Dodge can last a long time with a little luck. LOL!

165,000 miles is nothing to a Duramax or Powerstroke, sir. Before I bought my used Silverado half-ton, I considered a 1999 Ford F-250 Powerstroke that was in excellent condition with just under 200,000 miles.....but they wanted way too much money for it.

Whatever you get, I wish you luck with it!

 

At my dad's shop they have a 2004 2500HD Crew Cab with a flatbed and A DURAMAX! It is used every day to haul molds all over the state and sometimes the country if a bigger truck can't be used. The kicker, as of last week when they got it serviced and put new tires on it, it had almost 450,000 miles. No problem. We have an 06 Duramax with 74,000miles that we use on the farm and it's been a great truck with the exception of the power steering pump goign out last week.

Just a correction to be made to the above, the 05 and 06 Duramax's had a 6spd Auto with manual overdrive. It's cool because when towing a load that weighs more than 10,000lbs, you can put the truck in manual and shift at your liking between two gears with the simple touch of a button on the gearshift.

A relative of mine passed up a deal in Arizona last week for a 2006 GMC 3500HD Duramax Crew Cab Dually. Black SLT with 60,000miles. They wanted $13,500! It is almost worth your while to drive down there and pick up a truck because up here that truck wouldn't have gone for any less than $22k

 

thanks for all the input its greatly appreciated!!
but i was lookin into a 01 2500hd duramax with 176000 miles on it and its going for 12000$$ do you think its worth it??

it has all the options like leather cd pretty much all the bells and wistles

 

I would go for it as long as it has had the injector issue stated above taken care of, otherwise, offer $10,000 and take care of it yourself.

 

i agree 100%