• Welcome to The Truck Stop! We see you haven't REGISTERED yet.

    Your truck knowledge is missing!
    • Registration is FREE , all we need is your birthday and email. (We don't share ANY data with ANYONE)
    • We have tons of knowledge here for your diesel truck!
    • Post your own topics and reply to existing threads to help others out!
    • NO ADS! The site is fully functional and ad free!
    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

    Problems registering? Click here to contact us!

    Already registered, but need a PASSWORD RESET? CLICK HERE TO RESET YOUR PASSWORD!

Newbie to Dmax need some fast advice

A

Acesneights1

New Member
Messages
10,018
Reaction score
36
Location
Northeast CT
Hey guys,
Don't spend much time in this section but I am thinking about getting a newer pickup. I found a 2003 Standard cab(BTW near impossible to find) with a dmax. What do I need to look out for and how can I tell which engine it has ? I have read around here that it probably has an lb7 and they are known for injector issues which may be covered un warranty(if GM is still in business to do them). Anything else to know/look out for know issues ?
It's a 2500 4x4 with 101k on the clock guy wants 11,500$
 
Kenny, I would first get a vin check to see what has gone on with the truck. Also check out this post it may have some answers for you.
 
Last edited:
Wow. Now I'm scared. Thing is this, find a standard cab dmax 4x4 is nearly impossible anyway. Looking at some of the known issues and costs to repair them , suddenly my 6.5 looks good again. Anyway found a 2003 but that seems to be the worst year from what I'm reading. I just don't want to jump from the frying pan to the friar and it has to be a standard cab. Ext/quad cab way to big for the places I go to cut firewood. Barley fit with my 2000. As far as tunes, 6spd vs 5sp that stuff doesn't matter. I only want t to run good. I would keep it stock. The 6.5 in my 2000 is stock and it runs fine for me so a stock dmax would be like a tuned 6.5 anyway.
 
Hey how come there are so few standard cab 4x4s with dmax anyway ? They are almost like 2 door tahoes. I see alot of municipal ones.
 
I wouldn't worry too much about the '03, it seems that the '01s are the "oddballs" if there is one in the Duramax lineup. Only bad thing about the '03+ is that damn ugly front...

Price seems reasonable and miles are good for that age. Question is, what are you willing to spend to upgrade by 3 years? $6K is about $180 per month if you care to think about it that way.

That said, as one with a foot in each camp, there is no comparison between a "tweaked and tuned" 6.5 and a bone stock Dmax... (not that I really remember what a stock Dmax is like)....:)

As for the dearth of regular cabs, I guess after you pay the $8K upcharge for the Duramax/Allison, adding a couple extra doors, leather, XM, etc, etc seems like a deal...:)
 
Here's the VIN. I posted in the VIN sec so hopefully I will find out what's been done etc. but the guy is the original owner and says injectors have never been done. Can you tell from Vin that its an LB7 or is it pretty much one anyway cause of the year(2003)
1GCHK24143E158313
He said pretty clean as far as rust. Trucks a little beat up which for me is good cause I go off raod anyway to cut firewood so don't want a show piece.
 
It's an LB7.

2001-2004 were the years that the LB7 was used. The "1" in the 8th digit of the VIN also tells you this. Injectors may or may not be an issue... some have had problems, lots have not. I would ask a few dealers in your area if they will still cover the injectors under the 7 year 200k warranty offered for those trucks.

Is the seller the original owner? Did he ever have a programmer or tuner installed?
 
you have a year left or 99k to get new injectors. if it were me i would offer him 10 and if he accepts great if not just sit on it and decide if its what you really want. LB7's are great, every engine has it issues anyway. If you do get it just get an oil analysis (about 20 dollars) and if there is fuel in the oil bring it to the dealer for your free injectors. only thing they may try to charge for is fuel filter and oil/filter change.
 
if there i fuel in the oil, then they have to change the oil per GM at no cost to the owner. been there, done that. and no i didnt get the friggen t-shirt :mad:

Ken
 
shortcircut65 said:
if there i fuel in the oil, then they have to change the oil per GM at no cost to the owner. been there, done that. and no i didnt get the friggen t-shirt :mad:

Ken
Click to expand...

not according to what my dealer showed me. GM is not paying for fluids/filters along with the injector change. Wish I could post a copy on here but didnt matter to me as I use amsoil ea filters and fluids and didnt want the dino or factory filters.
 
Don't be scared Ace, just think about if you came on here considering a 6.5 purchase as a complete newbie. All the "heads ups" you'd get would have you running with your tail tucked between your legs. But you've lived it and know the other side of the coin.
I have an 01. I got it with 82k miles. It has 130,000 on it now. In 50k miles I have done the water pump and a few months later the head gaskets. I got some tranny issues, but that's all my fault. Oh speaking of tranny, I had to do the nsbu switch- there's another heads up for ya.
Since the time I got my truck, my brother's F250 has been in the shop numerous times and he puts on half the mileage.
 
If you get maxxtorque magazine I think you have all the info you need to make your LB7 reliable, additional fuel filter, additional oil filter and cooling, air intake update to prevent incoming radiator air from going into air filter. That should prevent the blown heads, since hot air into intake was causing overheating, and failing injectors with cooler oil and cleaner fuel.
 
I'd say get it...........just ran KBB on mine and I'd not sell it for what they say it's worth, which is a considerable amount more than what you are looking to spend on the one you speak of. That is IF you need a diesel in the first place. You can hear, see and read all kinds of horror stories about different makes and manufacturers............. mine has had a set of injectors installed, along with an ECM and TCM. I've done some stuff to it and I have worked it damn hard and still wouldn't flinch about tie'n it to the gates of hell and rip'n them off their hinges.
It's all in what you need and want, really.
 
Thanks. I'm waiting for the Vin check plus I can't get to see it till maybe Sunday. It's about 2.5 hrs from me. I'm just thinking my 2000 has 174k on it and it maybe time to go a little newer butt I don't want something real nice cause the truck gets worked. No gasser for me. I get diesel at wholsale cost and I love diesels. Check out my photo album. It's all I have ever owned. I do have to agree with oters the 2003 grille is ugly. it looks like a mad chinamen...:)
 
Acesneights1 said:
Hey guys,
Don't spend much time in this section but I am thinking about getting a newer pickup. I found a 2003 Standard cab(BTW near impossible to find) with a dmax. What do I need to look out for and how can I tell which engine it has ? I have read around here that it probably has an lb7 and they are known for injector issues which may be covered un warranty(if GM is still in business to do them). Anything else to know/look out for know issues ?
It's a 2500 4x4 with 101k on the clock guy wants 11,500$
Click to expand...

Aint that the truth! LOL. But I love having an oddball. Mine is very similar to the one your looking at, I have had no problems with it and it has performed flawlessly. Just under 90K on it. Good luck with yours!
 
jcool said:
not according to what my dealer showed me. GM is not paying for fluids/filters along with the injector change. Wish I could post a copy on here but didnt matter to me as I use amsoil ea filters and fluids and didnt want the dino or factory filters.
Click to expand...


they must have changed that too, because GM used to cover the lines from the rails, and now they dont. been there too, done that too, and still havent got the damn t-shirt. it doesnt matter much to me either, as i too run amsoil and filter.

Ken
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top