Ok long story made short....our farm truck 2002 Dodge Cummins burned up 2 weeks ago, insurance isn't giving us enough money to replace it with a similar Dodge so I have been looking, I happened up on a 2002 Chevy Duramax Allison extended cab with a flatbed and 156,000 miles on it. They came down to $8250.00 out right. It runs great and needs a good washing but other than that it is in really good shape. So tell me some pros and/or cons for considering buying this for the farm please, got to let them know yes or no Friday. thanks for any help or advice.

 

Your crazy for buying a Duramax..

It's not the only truck out there..look around there is a Cummins with your name on it..

 

Need to replace it ASAP!!! Been looking for over 2 weeks and every Missouri Truck that is cummins either has way too many miles on it for the price or are so over priced that the mother in law doesn't want to go in debt for it. Need to replace the truck so the hired hand can quit using his perosnal truck.

If any one has a line on Good used dodge 2500 or 3500 in Missouri let me know ASAP!!

 

Seems like a good price if everything is clean about it.


A work truck that's not pullin and for a farm hand. I'd probably get him a gasser.

 

Been looking at gassers too but we don't keep gas on the farm, only diesel. It will pull anhydrous tanks, stock trailer few times a year, hay trailer, the rest of the time it will be loaded up with fuel tank, tools, welder. I can't seem to find a good reason to pass this up! Any one on here with Duramax experience???

 

An 02 will have a first generation LB7 engine. They had lots of injector problems, but GM stood up and increased the injector warranty bigtime. They still might actually be covered on that truck. Look for missing and rough idle and hard starts.

They seem to be a decent unit though, LB7 was probably the best on fuel of all the versions. Keep on top of fuel filter maintenance; they don't have a lift pump and rely on the CP3 to suck fuel from the tank.

The trucks seem decent too- same rear axle as the 3rd gen Cummins Dodge. They seem harder on front wheel bearings and inner tie rod ends than our trucks, from what I've seen. Factory brake rotors really seem to rust and pit prematurely too, but they've likely been upgraded by now on that unit.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

thanks torquefan that is the kind of feedback I was wanting to hear. thanks for all the input guys

 

I was looking at an early lb7 gmc and from my understanding the issues with injectors was a common problem and warranty was 100k regardless of how many owners and expensive to repair- good luck

 

I know several folks who have gone from Cummins to Duramax, they all love them.
Don't think I could ever bring myself to it though.

We have a '08 at work that's a pleasure to drive.
With a 15k lb tractor and implements loaded on a gooseneck. Set the cruise control and it stays right on the money whether you're going up or down a 7% grade.

 

If it has that many miles on it and the head gasket is ok, it should be good. Like it was mentioned before, injectors and head gaskets are a issue. but if both are good, go ahead.

 

I have been over the truck, no leaks, starts right up, no smoke, drives out smooth. New batteries, all fresh fluids. I have to admit I do like it and if someone was giving it to me to drive for work I wouldn't complain, but I still love my Dodge. Only thing I don't like is the wooden floor on the flatbed, but some steel tread plate will fix that. Thanks for the input, carfax even checks out good as one owner no reported problems.

 

LMM's are good but not a fan of the LB7's. my dad had one for about 10,000 miles and swaped for a 5.9

 

injectors are a problem and the gm extended warranty was 7yrs or 150k so it wont be covered. is it 4wd? the price may not be that bad if its in as good as shape as you say. they aint no cummins but loads better then a jokestroke.

 

also i live in stl mo so i feel your pain on the cummins prices. on stl craigslist there is a 01 3500 ext cab 4x4 auto (says rebuilt with hd parts) 200k for 7500 or offer. its in rolla.

 

Hey, at least its not a power stroke