New LMM or 2-3 year old LMY or LBZ?

jake13 · 06-18-2008, 10:45 AM

I have driven Fords for 25 years. Currently have a 97 PS, 4X4 supercab longbed. Rides so bad my wife won't get in it anymore, unless it's got 1500 pounds in the back. Hoiwever, it gets 16 mpg day in and day out in mixed driving. Drove an 07 LMM last weekend. Wow. The Ford is definitely going. My issue is whether to buy a new 08, or a nice low mile 05 or 06. I just got a call last night on a 05 with 30K miles. Just what I want in terms of configuration, but not sure the 05. I haven't found any LBY's with low miles in my area. I know about the overheating issues in the 05's. How is the transmission. It's Allison, right? Will I get 16 mpg in an 08 with no mods?

gr8shot · 06-18-2008, 10:56 AM

If you can afford to buy new, go for it. It should get around 16. But the emission stuff will be a Pain in the... Personally I would buy an 06 or 07. The six speed tranny is very strong. As is the LBZ motor, no major problems to look out for. And yes, all duramax's have the allison tranny in them. As for the 05, if you like it go for it. The overheating problem is pretty easy to fix. There's a pretty good thread on it if you wana read up on it. cold air intake

Basically it can be solved with a simple hole in the air box like what "Hook 'em Horns" did to his.

**Meyerperformance** · 06-18-2008, 11:01 AM

I have a LMM 07.5 and i did dpf delete and im seeing 17.9-18.2 in town driving depends on if wanna lay down some coal or not.

smcruikshank · 06-18-2008, 02:42 PM

I have an 08 and love it. I am getting 13-14 mpg towing ~9000 lbs. The power and ride is unmatched by that of any other. On highway rides without towing I have seen 22 mpg. I LOVE my truck and will hold onto this one until the wheels fall off. The emissions crap is a bit of a PITA, but there are ways to bypass it if you are willing to spend the money and will give you better gas mileage. There was a recall on the new ones, problem with the ECM not allowing the truck to start, but if you buy one the warranties are all transferable, so they will fix it no problem.

The 05's are nice too, and like gr8shot said, the heating problem is a simple fix. If the price is right on the 05, I would scoop that one up, 30k miles is nothing for that motor. If you are going to be doing regular towing and have the money to drop on the 08 then I wouldn't hesitate to get it though. Oh hell, buy them both!!!!!

**Meyerperformance** · 06-18-2008, 03:29 PM

smcruikshank, if you wanna ditch your emission stuff let me know and i can help.

Tyler

Big White Dmax · 06-19-2008, 06:33 AM

This is the list of brand new Ford pickups I have bought new.
75, 80, 81, 88,95, 00, 04, 05. The 80 and 04s were lemons and I kept them less than 6 months,
The 95 PSD, 00 PSD, and 05 V10 were terrific trucks but rode like crap compared to my new 08 LTZ and this Chev, I absolutely love driving. The ride and inside fit and finish is like the amazing Dmax engine itself..........incredible.
Also, my wife and I love the fact this thing has no bad exhaust smell at all My wife , like many people was sickened by the smell of diesel exhaust. We will gladly take a small hit in fuel economy to own a diesel truck with a clean, sweet smelling exhaust. I will post this and send another post because in this forum, all my long posts time out and disappear.

Big White Dmax · 06-19-2008, 06:40 AM

Ok, back to the LMM and the LTZ.............completely has converted me from a die hard Ford guy to a Chev lover. If you tow trailers you want the new mirrors. IMHO the 05 mirrors with the elephant trunk extensions are butt ugly and a poor trailer mirror. This one issue is why I did not buy a new 05 Chev when the sick litre Navistar had made me have to dump my 04 Superduty. I ordered the 05 Lariat SD V10, terrific truck but the 08 Dmax feels like a hybred in fuel use compared to the V10 gasser. Feel free to ask me any more of my thoughts on this and I still have not towed with my new truck but I am feeling confident it will handle the trailer as well as my Fords. Take care.

**TYREBOYZ_DEMAXIN** · 06-19-2008, 09:27 AM

for myself i would go with the 03-04 LB7 Duramax for it has the rep for the best fuel economy of all of the Duramax's but the new ones are hard to beat for looks,power and comfort in stock form.

str8pipelmm · 06-19-2008, 05:28 PM

I had the exact truck as you. Kick ass truck, but not very smooth. the wife thing was not always bad though. New truck is a cadilac compared to the old one, drivin, ridin, pullin. Loved the old one, wouldn't go back for anything!

**Johnasara** · 06-19-2008, 06:56 PM

I have a 06 LBZ, same motor as the LMM but without the emmisions crap. I could not tell you what kind of mileage it got stock because I had it a week before it had a new exhaust and programmer. It gets 15-17 in town and 19-22 on the highway. Either way you choose you will love it!!!!