3linkedchevy

I guess my main concern, with each year I have heard of some sort of issue. My buddy has an '05 that I absolutely love (should have bought it before he did), I have towed my prerunner with it numerous times, including moving to TX from So Cal.

All I really know year range wise, the 01-02 (I think '02) don't have cats, which is appealing. '05 had head stud/gasket issues. What else is there to know about all the different motors?

I don't want to say I have a budget, but I am partial to the GMT800 platform, but wouldn't be opposed to say an '08 or '09 for the right price. I have towed with an '08 and a '13 as well.

So I know there has to be a handful of duramax guys that can help me out.

thunder550

iTrader: (70)

06-07 classic (LBZ trucks) are generally considered to be the "best" for modding because they are the newest you can get without the DPF system.

LB7s are prone to injector failure
LLY are prone to head gasket failure
LBZ+ are pretty good mechanically

LBZ has EGR and cat
LMM (07 new body style to 2010) has cat, EGR, and DPF
LML (2011 - current) has cat/DOC, EGR, DPF, and SCR/urea

LMM and LML can have the emissions systems deleted with a tune. LML ECMs cannot be read, but they can be flashed.

All models are prone to transmission failure once you go much above stock power levels. How much depends on how you use the truck and how nice you are to it.

Are you looking to stay stock or run bigger power?

3linkedchevy

Not looking for a crazy amount of power. It will mostly be used for towing the prerunner and longer road trips. So, when not towing, it will just be cruising at freeway speeds.

My friends '05 (for reference), has a 6" lift kit w/35s, intake/exhaust and some sort of inline/plugin programmer (forget which), and the drive to TX towing, I would say averaging 70mph, it was ranging from 15.3-17.5 mpg. And freeway cruising with no load, it gets in the 23-24 range.

Kind of thinking if I were to keep ride height stock and keep the tires around a 285/75R17 wheel/tire combo. The thing should do really well, at least that is what I am hoping and thinking.

And from your break down, I might lean towards an LBZ

gamble686

iTrader: (3)

The 01-early06 had a 5speed Allison VS the 6speed which is much more desirable for many folks. If I had the money I would be driving a late 2006 crewcab. It is one of if not the most popular years. Tuning is pretty simple with hptuners or EfIlive. It's one of the most stout built trucks on the road. They do hold value like you wouldn't believe so be ready to be blown away by prices for a near 10 year old truck usually with many many miles. I wouldn't hesitate to by a high mileage duramax they are built to run forever. Had a friend with an 04 that had over 500k on the clock. My mother in law has a 2011 with 375k and climbing.

TA63

iTrader: (5)

06-07 Classic body styles with the LBZ. Minimal emissions garbage and a six speed allison. Also no injector issues as with the LB7, nor the head gasket or overheating problems of the LLY.

3linkedchevy

Awesome!! Thanks for the help guys... looks like I will be on the hunt for a 06-07c.

I will be honest, I do love the look of the new Rams (Cummins if I were to get one), but I think deep down I know I would eventually get rid of it for a Duramax. So might as well stick with what I ultimately want.

gamble686

iTrader: (3)

Crazy thing about the late 06 trucks is they have held their value so well. Honestly you could get a 2011 with similar mileage for equal money. Other than mods being tough to come by on the newer trucks I wouldn't hesitate to buy a newer one if you have the cash.

3linkedchevy

I hear you.... it won't be super soon. Need to save some money after moving. I wouldn't be opposed to a newer one, but I love having something a little older and bringing them back to looking new again. For example, my '99 is pretty clean for being 16 years old, with the exception of the faded paint on the hood, roof, and bed cover. It runs perfect and averaged 18.5-20mpg on the drive my SoCal to TX. And the mileage is still under 10k a year.

In all honesty, my next vehicle purchase will be a commuter car, don't want to put 60-70 miles a day on the truck.

99LsSilverado

iTrader: (3)

One other thing on the LBZ is they can be prone to cracking pistons from poor tuning/cheap tuners. But other then the listed problems you really cant go wrong with any year duramax.

_zebra

iTrader: (5)

and the LLYs can resolve the overheating issues by opening the turbo inlet & exhaust as well as potentially adding an aux cooler for the water if you're pulling a lot in 100°+

the bigger draw to the LLY+ is that they also have variable geometry turbos which spool quicker than the fixed vane units in the LB7s

06 trucks had bigger cooling stacks & fan as well as a freer-flowing intake. as others mentioned, the Allison got the double overdrive that year.