Help on Buying a 2003 D-max

Guardian · June 14, 2003

Recently blew up the engine in my 91 k2500HD (It was a 454 Now its a 6000 lb. lawn ornament). Now I'm considering buying a 2003 1 ton duelly Crewcab 4 x 4 (the 3500) with the duramax diesel. Never had a diesel or a duelly before was hoping someone out there could give me a little advice. Has Chevy finally worked the kinks out of there diesels? Is the Allison trans as good as everyone says? What options are a must have? I'll also be towing a gooseneck trailer (about 15 to 17,000 lbs), and a 30' fifth wheel. Will this truck need additional trans coolers, bigger radiators, etc... or will all that come from the factory? Any advice would be appreciated.

Rob Simmons

(Owner of the 6000 lb chevy lawn ornament)

Anyone out there happen to have a spare 454 for an early 90's truck? I'm up in Washington

SxViper · June 15, 2003

Get the towing package... That is going to be one towing monster... I have a Crew Cab 2500HD basically the same truck without the dually and duramax... You have to fiqure out if you want leather and all the bells and that go with it... I didn't and got the next step down in packages with a bench seat( the beat seat on these trucks are great)... I for one could not live without power windows... If you live up north you might want the winter package(heated mirrors and rear defrost)... I don't have it in mine and really don't miss it much. The back window defrost with heat on the crew cabs. There is two heater vents under the back seat the throws warm air up to the window.. I am sure more people on here will beable to give you better advise...

Truckman031 · June 15, 2003

Yes, Chevy appears to have fixed their diesel woes. These are very good engines. On another website I belong to, there is a guy who runs them for his towing business. He tows cars and other heavy items on a long gooseneck trailer and puts mega miles on the trucks. A side from one tranny failure, he has had no problems. The Allison is another great product. It does a great job of holding gears going up or down inclines. How often will you be towing the heavy loads. If it is alot, 25% or more, I would buy a tranny cooler. Most truck have them,but make sure you have the trailer package, it is a receiver hitch,but you never know when you'll use it. Hope this helps. If you have any more questions PM me or post them in this thread.

c5hd · June 15, 2003

I am a first time diesel owner (2003 Duamax CC) and I love it. I was a little aprehensicve at first, I wanted the big block. Everyone said I should get the diesel and I am glad I did. The proof was when I asked to borrow a tuner's race trailer. He said the trailer was too heavy, when I said I have a diesel and he said, Oh, no problem then.

Performance is as good, or better than anything, can tow a house, gets good gas mileage, gas is cheaper (in NorCal anyway), longer life, better resale, better warranty. you can't go wrong.

LARSONEM · June 17, 2003

If you can fork out the extra money for the Duramax Allison combination, do it. You will not be sorry.

I was towing a 32 foot travel trailer with a 2001 Silverado 1500 ext-cab with a 5.3L motor. At about 5200 pounds plus cargo, bicycles, firewood, passenges, etc; it struggled. Third gear constantly, second gear at 4400 rpms in a long grade. Bottom line was a sure death of the powertrain over the long haul.

I've invested in a 2003 Silverado 2500HD LT CC D/A SB and it handles the trailer with ease. I don't even run in tow/haul mode. I've towed four times now. It stays put in 5th gear. I've had it shift to 4th in a grade a couple of times, but that's minimual. Also on account of my foot pressing harder on the throttle in a passing lane on a two lane road, it's forced a shift to 4th a couple of times. The Duramax/Allison combination is extremely impressive. Fuel economy while still nothing to write home about isn't bad considering the power, torque and amount of load being moved. I had an honest 11.5 mpg this past weekend running 250 round trip at 70 mph. I never saw anything over 9 with the 5.3L motor and rarely ever exceeded 65 mph with it.

Eric

Professor · June 17, 2003

Guardian,

Drop by The Diesel Page for more informaton on the GM Duramax. I think you will be impressed with the engine in your application.

Professor

Guardian · June 18, 2003

Thanks for all the great info guys! You've helped me to convince my better half that I need a new truck (I'll be picking it up this Friday). One last question though on the old truck. The old 454 block isn't rebuildable (oil pump failure - seized the main bearings, which destroyed the crank, which took out half the connecting rods). Didn't realize until today just how expensive those big blocks were, I'm thinking of putting a 350 in there instead. Does anyone know if thats a bolt up application? The tranny is a 480le.

Thanks for all the great info.

Rob Simmons