265k Too Much On 2003 2500 4x4

jdaniel83 · August 13, 2011

I posted previously that I was looking at an '01 Duramax and it looks like it sold before I could make the 300+ mile trip to see it so unfortunately the deal passed me by. Well as the title says there's an '03 2500 Ext cab 4X4 truck in really good condition that I could probably get for a good price and I was wondering if 265K miles on a 6.0L motor/tranny is too much to trust. It runs and drives good but am I looking at something that will probably have a lot of problems or should it provide me with at least 50-100K more miles of good/problem-free service. This will be a work truck and will be towing about a 3K lb trailer regularly. Thanks.

SouthCo · August 13, 2011

I would think it all depends on how well it has been maintained over those 265K miles, which is hard to tell just by looking at it. Even looking at the fluids isn't a guarantee as most would change those before trying to sell a vehicle. For me, the truck would have to cost next to nothing to even consider. I guess in my opinion, buying something that used is going to be somewhat of a gamble.

Hopefully someone with a 6.0 with similiar miles can chime in. My wifes truck with 6.0 "only" has about 68K miles.

KMGZ400 · August 13, 2011

i personally would find something with lower mileage, im not saying that it wouldnt do the job, but thats a hell of a lot of miles

dodge123 · August 13, 2011

I purchased mine with 213k I now have 230k and haven't done anything besides fluid changes. This is not to say the truck doesnt need parts replaced, it does. I expected this when I purchased it. That being said I do not trust it to tow my trailer, when loaded, much further than across town and back. I didnt notice the transfer case rattling until a month after I had bought it but I still haven't fully diagnosed or replaced and the suspension bushings and ball joints need to be done along with what I thing is the steering box possibly, my dads 01 gmc has that issue currently. Ive put all those miles on the highway and a few rough streets in the city each week. I think you may notice it doesnt have the get-up and go that you may like.

SWDoodle · August 13, 2011

I think with that kind of mileage it would depend on what you want to use it for. If it is just going to be a beat around farm type truck, or occasional hauler, it would probably be fine. As a daily driver or putting a trailer behind all the time, I would hesitate. The motor and transmission probably have some life left it in, but all the other stuff starts wearing out like supsension parts, brakes, etc. Now, if that pickup ran down the highway for 265K it's probably going to last longer. If it's in good shape and you can steal it, I say go for it. Thing is you can find nice 2500HD 6.0's with less than 100K on them for around $12-15K all day long around here.

06_GMC · August 13, 2011

Well maybe i can help you out a little bit. I currently drive for work a '03 2500HD ext long bed 4x4 base model truck with the 4l80E. The truck has 241xxx very abused miles on it. The truck is a railroad truck and weighs around 9500lbs all the times with all my tools Hy-rail gear and such. It still has the original motor in it but it knocks pretty bad because of previous employees and the original tranny was replaced at 207K. All we have been doing to the truck is routine maintenance to keep it going till the new 2011 3500HD arrives. If it looks to be well taken care of and has a good maintenance history I would get it. This truck I drive runs mountain roads all day everyday and really rough and potholed dirt roads too. Again the truck is over the factory GVW and it does well and I put almost thousand miles a week on it without worrying.

jdaniel83 · August 14, 2011

Thank you everyone for your responses. As of now I've decided to pursue another truck, well actually the original truck I was looking at ('01 Duramax) ended up still being available so I am going to go see it and hopefully if it performs as well as I hope it will drive the truck home. The '03 was nice but an '01 Duramax with 55K less miles seems like a better bet to me. Especially for around the same price.

CapnDean · August 23, 2011

Thank you everyone for your responses. As of now I've decided to pursue another truck, well actually the original truck I was looking at ('01 Duramax) ended up still being available so I am going to go see it and hopefully if it performs as well as I hope it will drive the truck home. The '03 was nice but an '01 Duramax with 55K less miles seems like a better bet to me. Especially for around the same price.

I shelled out 10K for an 04 2500 HD with 130K miles. 4 door, 4wd, SLE Body is good ( a few scuffs here and there no major sheet metal damage)

Happy as can be. Just crummy gas mileage (what did I expect) but with the 4:10 gear a hoss of a tow vehicle. I do have an a/c issue with the blower door actuator but thats it.