Hey Guys, I have a 2000 ecsb Z71 and it's getting to the point where it needs some lovin. I use the truck as my DD, I do light towing on occasion and I spend a bit of time on logging roads for biking and fishing although the vast majority of my use is on pavement. I am looking for opinions on what I should do. Right now im thinking either buy a used Duramax or swap in a 6.0 and 4l80e from a junkyard and do a either a mild turbo build or just a mild cam and converter. Just looking for opinions from people who may have some first hand insight. Looking for a really fun but still practical truck.

Thanks a lot.

 

How many miles are on the truck?

 

Much like you I have a 00 but mine is a suburban. I bought it new in 00 and have had 4 other trucks in the last 13 years. All of those other 4 trucks are gone and I still come back to the 00 suburban. One of the trucks I had was a diesel. Somethings to consider with a diesel truck: Regular maintenance (oil changes, tires and so on) are substantially more expensive, diesel at one point and time was 70-85 cents more than regular and repair bills are more. Do they hold their value better? Maybe...... does it offset the higher cost you initially pay...... Probably not. Does it get better MPG? Sure......... does it offset the higher maintenance and fuel bill...... My experience says no. With all that said I loved my diesel, I just didn't use it to its fullest capabilities so my Dad drives it now. Power is stupid crazy in these new ones if you get the right tune on it.

If you go the diesel route, I would get a 07 down. In 08 they got crazy with the emissions. Do a search for DPF on the 08 and newer models....... You will find people don't like them.

I plan on doing heads/cam/nos on my 5.3. I know I should get a 6.0 but I just don't want to get rid of a perfectly good motor that I have maintained very strictly. My vote goes for swapping in the 6.0.

 

The truck has about 250,000 km's on it so I think thats about 150,000 miles.

DUK713, I agree with all your arguments for sure. I really like the mpg and power of the diesel as well as how easy it is to get more power but the cost is a little crazy. I also really like my truck so im kinda leaning towards the 6.0l swap aswell.