Diesel or back to gas

[Frozenhosehead]

Well I'm at a crossroads with staying diesel or returning to a gasser!

My 2001 Chevy 2500HD is running good after all the problems I've had over 5 years. After having first replaced the injector pump and months later the injectors in the original motor in 2009 and that taking a dump 2 months later. I am on engine 2 and in the Spring did another injector pump and all 8 injectors for 6300.

I have about bought my truck twice over! Now it needs $2600 in front end work which is why I'm deciding its time to let him go.

I've found several trucks in my area that are fairly low to medium high miles in both diesel and gas trucks.

I want to stay under $30000 with no downpayment and I found a 2008 GMC ext cab 6.6 which seems like a nice rig with 83??? on it and came from Texas. The Vortec I like is also an 08 with 28,??? and a crew cab and both are in really great shape.

My concern is I don't know much about the newer D-Maxs and how they are holding up and what repair costs I will be getting into in the future and diesel being more expensive and all! I don't tow on a regular basis but I would still like to get good MPGs with my driving 90 miles to work on the hwy every couple of days. Living in Alaska means my diesel is plugged in more during the winter an also drives costs up which in this economy we are all struggling! I did have my truck paid off but took out a loan on it to pay off a higher credit car so now I owe $13000. What would be the best asking price at the dealer for it? I am hoping I can get pay off for it or within a thousand!

That's why I'm asking my D-Max family what they would do and what my best options are as I'm trying to stay under $400 for a payment.

THANKS!!!!

[TDIpowered]

Get a ranger and save money

[bigjohn]

Wow a lot a problems with your 01. 2600 seems cheaper than buying a new truck but if your sick of your truck get the 08 duramax. Don't buy a gasser there junk.

[firefighter37]

With as strong as gas trucks are today, most people do not NEED a diesel (me included). A gas truck will pull most anything a diesel will pull, just not as easily or as well. I've had gas 2500s and have a diesel right now. I loved both of them, I got a diesel because I always wanted a diesel. Was it worth it, realistically, no it was not.

When I had a gas truck, there were few modifications out there to make power, most gas performance parts are a waste of money. I saved a lot of money because I left it relatively stock. Fast forward to a diesel. The aftermarket for diesel performance is bigger than cutting springs on your Honda civic it seems. Many people get bit by the bug and end up dumping a ton of money in their already expensive truck. Then something breaks. More $$$.

If you tow heavy on a regular basis, it's a no brainier.

In the end, you have to ask yourself why you Need/Want a diesel and evaluate it from there. I don't know if I could go back to driving a gas truck, if I did, it would probably be a Vortec MAX. (Modified of course).

[btilghman]

I love my LBZ and probably will never need to buy another truck, but for what I use it for a gasser would do just as well. When you add in the foolishness associated with regen and EPA stuff, it just doesn't seem worth it. If I had to buy a truck today it would be a gasser; heresy, I know........

[Frozenhosehead]

Thanks for the replies and i will not buy a smaller truck or a Ford. We have moose and they are like hitting a brick wall!

I will just have to test drive both and see what I think. The gasser has less miles than the diesel but miles on a Dmax are like miles on a Harley, breaking in! I will evaluate all the reasons I need to have a diesel or gas and a crew or extended cab and then the amount of time my truck stays plugged in at -40 but its free electricity at work.

What I can afford and getting a good deal are a little more important than the fuel I put in it.

[HD Dmax Machine]

IMO if u pick the 08 LMM do u plan on doing a DPF delete & all the other fixins? If not Id pass on it & look for another Duramax like a LBZ or get the gasser. As for MPG regen once per tank full will kill MPG.

[wheelie-king]

if you do go with gas go with a 1500. ive had a 1500 with a 6.0L init and a 2500 with a 6.0l. the 2500 would not get anything above 9.0 mpgs and if i was on it 7.0mpgs. i tryed everything to get better fuel miles and nothing worked. i put a bullydog in to it and nothing but i could go over 100mph.. my 1500 6.0 was way faster, lighter and drove like a dream i loved that truck but the dealer gave me 29,xxx for the truck when it was 3 or 4 years old. that truck would get an average between 14.5 and towing a two place snowmobile trailer 12.0 so before you jump into a gas 2500 i would say test drive a 1500 first.

[TakeEm]

IMO you got a bad taste from diesel with the LB7 injector problems. The newer trucks don't hAve many issues if any. I've had my LBZ for over a year and haven't done a thing to it except for maint.

That being said, I won't ever go back to a gasser. I hate towing with them, I hate the mileage, and the drivability is way worse IMO. I have a has work truck, 1 ton (2012 Chevy 6.0) and every little baby hill it downshifts, wraps out on RPMs and doesn't go anywhere. That same hill in my LBZ I can cruise 6th towing a light trailer!

Agreed, the newer trucks LML I would not want, especially after the warranty was up, if I left it stock. And it's only going to get worse. The next trucks will more than likely have a locked ECM and stricter emissions. If I were you I would snag up a LBZ or LMM, kill the emissions and drive it. You'll like it way more than that LB7 or a gasser. I will pay the difference in gas bs diesel prices all day. It is well worth it to me. Just my thoughts, not telling you to go diesel or gas! Best of luck!


Sent from my Autoguide app.

[wheelie-king]

Originally Posted by TakeEm

IMO you got a bad taste from diesel with the LB7 injector problems. The newer trucks don't hAve many issues if any. I've had my LBZ for over a year and haven't done a thing to it except for maint.

That being said, I won't ever go back to a gasser. I hate towing with them, I hate the mileage, and the drivability is way worse IMO. I have one as work truck, 1 ton (2012 Chevy 6.0) and every little baby hill it downshifts, wraps out on RPMs and doesn't go anywhere. That same hill in my LBZ I can cruise 6th towing a light trailer!

lmao hahaha my work truck is a 3500 4door 8'bed and i towed a standup jet-ski on a one place trailer and thats all the truck did... junk lol