Who has "upgraded" from a 1500 gas to a 2500 Duramax?

FirstAscent · January 5, 2020

Hey everyone!

Has anyone here picked up a new 2500 Duramax that came from a previous 1500?

I currently have a 2019 Silverado 1500, 5.3 4x4 High Country. I've had it for a year now and overall love it. It has a BDS 6" lift and 35's and to me, looks amazing.

However, I'm seriously considering the new Silverado 2500HD with the 6.6 Duramax. I don't tow much now but plan to get a trailer for the toys in the future and who knows what else the future holds, but looking at these new HD's to just be prepared for whatever. I'm not towing 12k+ lbs or anything like some of you, and for the most part, the 1500 CAN tow what I would need, but I really want one of these 2500's.

Also, I've never ever owned a diesel, and I know they more efficient when it comes to towing. I would be using this truck for normal means too (ie driving around town, mountain biking, snowboarding, etc) but it's also NOT my daily driver.

The couple friends I've talked to who own diesels, of any size in a truck, say they would never go back to gas!

So, let me know your thoughts from any personal experience, thanks!

Thankful · January 5, 2020

If you can afford it, go for it. You won't regret it. I've had eight GM Duramax's since my first one in 2005. They keep getting better and I keep trading. I did downgrade to a High Country with the 6.2 once myself (don't like the 5.3) and regretted it. Since you have the 5.3 you'll love the 6.6 Duramax. I don't like the new Silverado's grill. The GMC Sierra Denali is far better.

Edited January 5, 2020 by Thankful

FirstAscent · January 5, 2020

If you can afford it, go for it. You won't regret it. I've had eight GM Duramax's since my first one in 2005. They keep getting better and I keep trading. I did downgrade to a High Country with the 6.2 once myself (don't like the 5.3) and regretted it. Since you have the 5.3 you'll love the 6.6 Duramax. I don't like the new Silverado's grill. The GMC Sierra Denali is far better.

Thanks! And great looking truck! I had a Tundra since 2010 and sold it for my 1500, I actually like the Silverado grill (1500 and 2500’s). As much as I love my 1500 I keep wishing I had at least gotten the 6.2, and not black again haha.

I kept my tundra for 10 years and plan to keep whatever next truck for awhile and if I’m already 2nd guessing this 1500 then it’s not the right choice.

I test drove a new 2500 a few days ago and it felt really good and smooth. Felt similar to my 1500 since interiors are basically identical but a little longer since the short bed of the 2500 is about a foot longer than the 1500 short bed.

I’ve heard people say the 2500’s are more harsh unloaded but I honestly felt it was smooth and comfortable.

January 5, 2020

Funny, I went the other way. I just traded in my 2015 Denali Duramax 2500 for a 2020 6.2L AT4.

My needs changed as I sold a business. Before, I needed payload capacity of 2500-3000 LBs. Now that I don't, I did not want to own and out of warranty diesel. Had I not sold my business, I would have traded for a 2020 AT4 2500.

I'll still tow 5-7,000 LBs, and don't expect the 6.2L to be nearly as good. Also, much of towing is downhill, and the diesel exhaust brake has to be one of the greatest components of that platform. I live in Colorado and never needed my brakes going down any of our famous passes with the trailer in tow.

My new job has a lot of stop and go traffic commuting. That is not what a 6.6L Duramax is good for. I have no regrets, and coming from that truck, the 6.2L is a real pleasure off the line. Still, if you need an HD truck, the Duramax is the best platform to go with.

FirstAscent · January 5, 2020

Funny, I went the other way. I just traded in my 2015 Denali Duramax 2500 for a 2020 6.2L AT4.

My needs changed as I sold a business. Before, I needed payload capacity of 2500-3000 LBs. Now that I don't, I did not want to own and out of warranty diesel. Had I not sold my business, I would have traded for a 2020 AT4 2500.

I'll still tow 5-7,000 LBs, and don't expect the 6.2L to be nearly as good. Also, much of towing is downhill, and the diesel exhaust brake has to be one of the greatest components of that platform. I live in Colorado and never needed my brakes going down any of our famous passes with the trailer in tow.

My new job has a lot of stop and go traffic commuting. That is not what a 6.6L Duramax is good for. I have no regrets, and coming from that truck, the 6.2L is a real pleasure off the line. Still, if you need an HD truck, the Duramax is the best platform to go with.

Good to see your opinion going the opposite way, that makes sense though.

And I forgot about the diesel exhaust brake since I’ve never owned one, it will be interesting to see how that helps. I know they do just haven’t experienced it first hand.

I need to do more research about these diesels for the long term, sounds like they can be more expensive IF things go south and out of warranty.

January 5, 2020

10 minutes ago, FirstAscent said:

Good to see your opinion going the opposite way, that makes sense though.

And I forgot about the diesel exhaust brake since I’ve never owned one, it will be interesting to see how that helps. I know they do just haven’t experienced it first hand.

I need to do more research about these diesels for the long term, sounds like they can be more expensive IF things go south and out of warranty.

I'm not an expert, but my general opinion is a lot of the current diesels were never designed with the current emissions requirements in mind. The current Duramax LP5 is hopefully better than the LML my truck had, but I don't know enough about it to say. From what I read about the 3.0 I6 available in the 1500, it sounds like this motor is a ground up design. I never intended to keep mine out of warranty at all, if you have one of the many emissions systems fail or have a sensor problem, or God forbid the blown CP4 fuel pump, you're on the hook for some costly repairs.

My truck had one related warranty repair in 62 months and 69K miles. A failed heater in the DEF tank, so they replaced the entire thing.

FirstAscent · January 6, 2020

I'm not an expert, but my general opinion is a lot of the current diesels were never designed with the current emissions requirements in mind. The current Duramax LP5 is hopefully better than the LML my truck had, but I don't know enough about it to say. From what I read about the 3.0 I6 available in the 1500, it sounds like this motor is a ground up design. I never intended to keep mine out of warranty at all, if you have one of the many emissions systems fail or have a sensor problem, or God forbid the blown CP4 fuel pump, you're on the hook for some costly repairs.

My truck had one related warranty repair in 62 months and 69K miles. A failed heater in the DEF tank, so they replaced the entire thing.

One incident isn’t bad! But I’m sure that’s not the norm haha.

Was that replaced under warranty for you?

jjackkrash · January 6, 2020

I went from 1/2 tons in 2007 to a 3/4 ton gasser in 2010, to a 3/4 ton diesel in 2013 and 2016 to a 3500 DRW in 2019. All of these trucks have been my daily and I'll never go back to a gas truck or a 1/2 ton (I may go back to an SRW, I am still on the fence on this). I prefer driving the diesel loaded or unloaded, hands down. And I really like towing whatever I want, when I want, or throwing whatever I want in the bed, without having to do a bunch of math. Everyone has their preference, but unless you are off-roading and need a lighter truck, my preference is for having a truck that will do whatever work I want it to do, especially now that they ride like luxury sedans.

Edited January 6, 2020 by jjackkrash

yankeedoodle86 · January 6, 2020

Hey everyone!

Has anyone here picked up a new 2500 Duramax that came from a previous 1500?

I currently have a 2019 Silverado 1500, 5.3 4x4 High Country. I've had it for a year now and overall love it. It has a BDS 6" lift and 35's and to me, looks amazing.

However, I'm seriously considering the new Silverado 2500HD with the 6.6 Duramax. I don't tow much now but plan to get a trailer for the toys in the future and who knows what else the future holds, but looking at these new HD's to just be prepared for whatever. I'm not towing 12k+ lbs or anything like some of you, and for the most part, the 1500 CAN tow what I would need, but I really want one of these 2500's.

Also, I've never ever owned a diesel, and I know they more efficient when it comes to towing. I would be using this truck for normal means too (ie driving around town, mountain biking, snowboarding, etc) but it's also NOT my daily driver.

The couple friends I've talked to who own diesels, of any size in a truck, say they would never go back to gas!

So, let me know your thoughts from any personal experience, thanks!

I had a 2015 Sierra 1500 and upgraded to a 2500. I deleted, lifted, etc and absolutely loved my duramax. Honestly, I’m glad I went back to a 1/2 ton and won’t go back to a diesel unless I need to. I don’t tow often enough to justify it and the added cost isn’t worth it.

I went back to a 1500 this year and the only thing I wanted was the 6’6” bed with my crew cab.

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cNate · January 6, 2020

I had a 2014 Sierra SLT 4x4 5.3L. I also had a 6” BDS with 35” Toyo RTs. Stock gears were 3.42 and I swapped them for GM OEM Yukon 4.10 gears. Added a super spring and tuned the truck. Lots of other goodies on the truck as well: AMP power steps: cover, sound system, etc.. Absolutely loved my truck. Had it 5 years and 70k miles before going to the 2020 Sierra AT4 HD 2500 Duramax. The 1500 did great off road and towing a 5k lbs boat. It really is a big difference when towing with the Dmax though. I have a 35’ 8500lbs trailer. I always wanted the Dmax and should have got it last time around. Didn’t have a reason to until I sold my much lighter boat and went to a heavy trailer.

For towing, it’s night and day difference. I highly recommending getting all the trailering packages and tech if you plan to tow. Happy to provide a lot more comparison info if you message me.

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redwngr · January 6, 2020

6 hours ago, FirstAscent said:

Hey everyone!

Has anyone here picked up a new 2500 Duramax that came from a previous 1500?

I currently have a 2019 Silverado 1500, 5.3 4x4 High Country. I've had it for a year now and overall love it. It has a BDS 6" lift and 35's and to me, looks amazing.

However, I'm seriously considering the new Silverado 2500HD with the 6.6 Duramax. I don't tow much now but plan to get a trailer for the toys in the future and who knows what else the future holds, but looking at these new HD's to just be prepared for whatever. I'm not towing 12k+ lbs or anything like some of you, and for the most part, the 1500 CAN tow what I would need, but I really want one of these 2500's.

Also, I've never ever owned a diesel, and I know they more efficient when it comes to towing. I would be using this truck for normal means too (ie driving around town, mountain biking, snowboarding, etc) but it's also NOT my daily driver.

The couple friends I've talked to who own diesels, of any size in a truck, say they would never go back to gas!

So, let me know your thoughts from any personal experience, thanks!

Ran 1500's for a bunch of years.

Ran several 6.6 dmax trucks for about 10 years.

Needs changed again and decided I could make do with a 1500 again.

I'm back in a 2500. Don't need one, but I prefer the way they drive and ride. I do run lower tire pressure when not loaded and not towing.

Most of my usage is rural 2 lane.

Some freeway, some city and some light towing.

Edited January 6, 2020 by redwngr

Chevyguy85 · January 6, 2020

Started in a 73 c10 long bed, then 2001 & 2006 2500HD with the gasser and short beds. Now in a 2009 dually with the duramax. Definitely can't go back to a half ton but I am toying with the idea of going back to a gasser. With 14kish towing capacity on the gasser I think I'd be right around that number but live in FL so no hills to worry about. Big reasons can't go back to a half ton is lack of 8ft bed option on a crew cab and lower stock height. If you don't tow a lot why not consider the gasser in a 2500 or 3500 SRW? Get the towing stability when you need it vs the half tons and the higher stock ride height. All the emissions crap scares me on these newer diesels my LMM only has EGR and DPF. Seems like majority of the problems of diesels no matter their size are emissions.

CRApex · January 6, 2020

16 hours ago, Thankful said:

If you can afford it, go for it. You won't regret it. I've had eight GM Duramax's since my first one in 2005. They keep getting better and I keep trading. I did downgrade to a High Country with the 6.2 once myself (don't like the 5.3) and regretted it. Since you have the 5.3 you'll love the 6.6 Duramax. I don't like the new Silverado's grill. The GMC Sierra Denali is far better.

I could type your response word for word as I have had a similar experience with one change.. I don't like the new GMC's grill. The Silverado High Country is far better.

ShotgunZ71 · January 6, 2020

I had 1500 and upgraded to a Duramax diesel 2500 when we started camping. Then , I traded that for a Super Duty gasser and had that for a while. Now, I have a 2020 2500HD High Country 6.6L gas engine and am very happy. It pulls our 14,300 5th wheel fine. It is also used as my daily driver most of the time, with many short trips during the week. If we were to go camping in the mountains quite a bit, a diesel again may be considered, but our trips are usually east of the smokies.

SilveradoX2 · January 6, 2020

We went from the Silverado 1500 NHT in my tagline to the 2018 All Terrain and have really enjoyed the GMC. Getting ready to order a 2020 AT4 3500HD long bed for the increased capacities. We are keeping the 1500 for around town, I still enjoy the kick in the pants I get from the 6.2L.

P.S. I took the All Terrain to Jackson WY 5 weeks ago after I put Goodyear Wrangler DuraTracs on it and the traction was amazing, even in 6 inches of snow. Hope the 2020 AT4 does likewise. Wish GMC had stayed with the DuraTracs.

Edited January 6, 2020 by SilveradoX2