1500 with 6.2 or 2500 Duramax 6.6?

[2018GMC]

Hi,

I am looking to buy a used 2007 or newer GMC 1500 with 6.2 or 2500 Duramax 6.6. My budget is 32K or below. I rarely tow but will have this truck for a very long time. I believe the 6.2 gets 18 MPG highway so i would think the Duramax gets the same unloaded? I would appreciate your insight on what problems or improvements any years have and what you all recommend. I live at 7,000 feet and drive a lot of mountain highways. Truck will mostly be driven unloaded and for trips, errands. My thinking is if the Duramax gets similar mpg as 6.2 then why not buy an HD with a turbo? I wish they made a 1/2 ton diesel!

 

My dad owned a Powerstroke 6.0 ford that had all sorts for engine problems, so i definitely want to stay away from any years with problems.

 

What years do you recommend? Is there any large difference between 2007 - 2012?

 

MPG for 6.2 AWD or 4x4 stock and tuned?

 

MPG for Duramax 4x4 stock and tuned?

 

What to look for on a used truck?

 

Maintenance costs on Diesel?

 

Can you get a power bench seat or do you have to go captain chairs?

 

Which years had the cloth seat lint problems?

Edited March 16, 2012 by 2009 GMC

[EX-F150 owner]

My dad owned a Powerstroke 6.0 ford that had all sorts for engine problems, so i definitely want to stay away from any years with problems.

This ain't no Ford

 

What years do you recommend? Is there any large difference between 2007 - 2012?

Not sure I know the right answer here but I would like to think each year a new bug was worked out. My thought is the newer the better

 

MPG for 6.2 AWD or 4x4 stock and tuned?

Will depend on what gears are in it. Mine has 3.73 and is a crew cab 4x4. I see 13-14 around town a and 16-17 on the hwy, but I don't get my hwy time on mine so it could be a little better.

 

What to look for on a used truck?

All the usual stuff that goes with any used vehicule. If you don't know then it might be better to have an idependent shop go over the one you like the best. This would be a lot better than buying someone else's problem, that can come with any used vehicule.

 

Maintenance costs on Diesel?

Never had one but everyone's told me that it's a lot more than a gasser.

 

Can you get a power bench seat or do you have to go captain chairs?

I've never seen that option. Maybe when 8-tracks were out??

 

Which years had the cloth seat lint problems?

07-current I think. I know the guy I work with has an 08 and his has it.

 

 

If money is not an issue than I would get the DMAX without a question even if I wasn't towing with it, it should outlast a gas engine without question.

[RyanbabZ71]

07-09 only way to get a 6.2 is a sierra denali. 2010 (mid 09 I believe actually) is when it was dropped into the sierra, non-denali

 

lint seats - 07-08

[becker87]

The Duramax got the urea injection in 2011 w/ an all new chassis, it also got a lot more power. But in all honesty your going to have a tough time finding a nice low mileage diesel for under 32k, at least around my area anyway.

[SouthCo]

Well, I would get the the 6.6 duramax since your looking used and can find one in your price range. Heck, I've thought of selling mine (less than 6k miles) and getting a 6.6 duramax myself.

[2018GMC]

The Duramax got the urea injection in 2011 w/ an all new chassis, it also got a lot more power. But in all honesty your going to have a tough time finding a nice low mileage diesel for under 32k, at least around my area anyway.

 

 

Why did they change frame? Problems or just something new to promote? My 32k range would prob be a 2007 or 2008 maybe 2009. If there is a big difference in later years then I will have to save.

 

My brother has a 2008 Powerstroke and he recently did a exhaust and chip. Holy $hit that truck is a whole different animal! Burnouts are no problem and a large increase in HP, torque, and even better mpg!

 

If anyone has recommended engine upgrades for Duramax that improve HP, torque, and mpg please post!

[becker87]

The Duramax got the urea injection in 2011 w/ an all new chassis, it also got a lot more power. But in all honesty your going to have a tough time finding a nice low mileage diesel for under 32k, at least around my area anyway.

 

 

Why did they change frame? Problems or just something new to promote? My 32k range would prob be a 2007 or 2008 maybe 2009. If there is a big difference in later years then I will have to save.

 

My brother has a 2008 Powerstroke and he recently did a exhaust and chip. Holy $hit that truck is a whole different animal! Burnouts are no problem and a large increase in HP, torque, and even better mpg!

 

If anyone has recommended engine upgrades for Duramax that improve HP, torque, and mpg please post!

 

 

 

Just upgraded frame, nothing wrong with the old one, the new one is just stronger.

 

As far as diesel performance goes, there are a lot of options, I like Banks engineering as from what i have heard the spend a lot of time on all around performance, not just throwing more fuel into the engine. They are a bit more expensive, but from reading other forums such as dieselplace.com they are worth it.

[2018GMC]

So was the engine completely reworked or just tuned differnet to get more power in 2011? I know Banks makes a tune for 2007 - 2010 that unlocks 100 - 130hp and 240lb torque but nothing yet for 2011 - 2012 engines.

[2018GMC]

 

Maintenance costs on Diesel?

Never had one but everyone's told me that it's a lot more than a gasser.

 

Can you get a power bench seat or do you have to go captain chairs?

I've never seen that option. Maybe when 8-tracks were out??

 

 

 

Interesting info...

http://www.thedieselpage.com/mileage.htm

 

As far as the bench seat goes, I like the option to seat 6 but would dont want all manual adjustments.

[mossbum]

if you get the 40/20/40 front seat the drivers side is powered and the center console can fold up for an additional seat.

[2018GMC]

Frogfish and SouthCo, are you unhappy with your gassers? Just want to try something different? I was sold on a 6.2 for the past few years but then started looking at prices for 2007 - 2009 Duramax and they were damn close or cheaper than a 6.2. So what the hell! Plus adding an extra 100hp and 240 ft lbs torque with a tune is awesome! I wish the gassers had that much hp hidden away. Must be because of the turbo... Downsides for me on a Diesel is maint costs, stiff ass ride, increased tire wear, and F'N big ass truck! I know the 1500's have a rep for driving like cars. I do wish GM would offer a standard bed on crew cab 1500's. If Ford can do it then why the hell is GM not? I just can't get used to the ultra short 1500 beds on crew's.

Edited March 16, 2012 by 2009 GMC

[EX-F150 owner]

I'm not unhappy with my gasser, I'd just like to have the raw power to mess around with that comes with the Dmax...with proper bolt ons and tune, you can reach 700+ hp!!!

 

As for maintenance cost, it really isn't that much more ( a couple more filters a year), and if the ride is too stiff you can always upgrade the shocks.

 

IMO the new LMLs also look a lot better than the 1500s...the HD grille/hood/bumper is pure sex

 

Filters-plus you have almost twice the amount of oil to change everytime too. The 6.6L hold 2.5 gallons.

 

IMO shocks will help some but it's only gonna get but so good on a HD truck.

[tmoney82]

It you are not towing, my choice would be a 6.2! The price of the duramax to maintain would be to much for me!

[tmoney82]

Give me an excuse to pay for higher fuel than i have too! Of for higher oil changes! Or a rougher ride!

[michigan2500hd]

So has anyone lined up a 6.2 and a duramax yet?..I'm sure if both are bone stock and no load that the 6.2 would kill the diesel ..but the duramax will out tow the gasser every time. I have drove a couple of duramax trucks and wasn't that impressed when I pushed the loud pedal to the floor..I'm sure a tune would change that