Help me purchase the right tow rig.
09-11-2011, 05:15 PM
#42
I didn't even think about an excursion, if you don't need a bed then an excursion would be my choice for sure. Tons of space inside and a roof rack. One of the outfitters I hunt with has his wife in one and with a superchips programmer gets 20mpg on the highway. It's the ole 7.3 though so it would be an 02 or older.
09-11-2011, 10:02 PM
#43
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Lake Stevens WA
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Somebody mentioned the 6.4 being a good option. My 08 f450 with 6.4 averages 8 mpg and weighs about 12k. It has 65,000 miles and had egr cooler issue, two radiators and the water pump plate was eaten thru and filled the crankcase with coolant. This was taken care of under warranty but I am sure that this thing is going to have more issues related to that one. Ford says lack of cooling system maintenence is the cause!
09-12-2011, 01:58 AM
#44
I have no idea why Chevy doesn't make a diesel Suburban anymore. I was told that you can order a diesel suburban from the factory but I can't imagine what a 2012 Suburban diesel would cost. More than my house probably.
I just can't get past the looks of the Ford or the Dodge. I just dont like them. It sounds like the Duramax has it's own line of issues unless you leave it mostly stock. I'm ok with that. Just a good tune and I'd be willing to do a converter if it needed it. I plan to leave the suspension alone.
Do all Duramax trucks come with the 6sp-Allison or is that an option?
I just can't get past the looks of the Ford or the Dodge. I just dont like them. It sounds like the Duramax has it's own line of issues unless you leave it mostly stock. I'm ok with that. Just a good tune and I'd be willing to do a converter if it needed it. I plan to leave the suspension alone.
Do all Duramax trucks come with the 6sp-Allison or is that an option?
09-12-2011, 04:41 AM
#47
06 and up have the 6 speed Allison. 01-05 have the 5 speed.
Its about 200 lowercruise rpm difference in RPM from the 5 to the 6 speed.
And the 6 speed is stronger from the factory. Add a transgo jr shift kit and it really helps hold more power, and the kit is only around like 100$ IIRC.
My truck has been tuned since about 500 miles. Not one issue and i drive all the time on my race tune ( around 500 rwhp) . Its like anything else, i drive hard but dont beat it to death and change my fluids often.
Its about 200 lowercruise rpm difference in RPM from the 5 to the 6 speed.
And the 6 speed is stronger from the factory. Add a transgo jr shift kit and it really helps hold more power, and the kit is only around like 100$ IIRC.
My truck has been tuned since about 500 miles. Not one issue and i drive all the time on my race tune ( around 500 rwhp) . Its like anything else, i drive hard but dont beat it to death and change my fluids often.
09-12-2011, 06:42 AM
#48
If you live in a area that is a cooler climent with not many long 6% + grades and 5000'+ altitude you prob know nothing about it. There are many trucks with defective injectors that just never meet the conditions to set the P0087 code but give it time and they will... I've seen the problem as early as 70K miles, and as late as 500K. If the truck has had fuel additive run a good part of it's life they usually fend a lot better.
Your 04.5~05LLY Is your best bet for gambling with a high milage Dmax. Other than some over heating issues when towing really heavy in extreme heat, and some EGR issues I have seen very few problems with them. I just picked up a 125K 05LLY for my dad ExLB 4x4 clean truck for $11,500. I added a 90HP PPE, and blocked the egr and it's a great running truck.
Last edited by stock48; 09-12-2011 at 06:52 AM.
09-12-2011, 07:50 AM
#50
FWIW I paid 26otd for my 06 lbz fully loaded with 73k in January of 08 so those aren't very good prices imo. These trucks are 3 years older and for what you want if you look hard enough you can find one for 20. Check autotrader too, that's where I found mine.