DMAX Service Life

[Greg]

I drive over 30,000 miles a year in my daily driver and want to find a vehicle that will last.  A used Mercedes 300D oil burner is one option, but since I drive a lot on unpaved roads I'd probably shake it apart.  A friend has a new 2500HD crewcab with a Dmax and can't say enough good things about it.  (Except that his wife tries to keep it for herself.)  How has the Duramax-Allison combo been lasting for the long haul - over 200K miles?

[1BADZ71]

There is a gentlemen on another message forum that uses his for work.  He uses it to transport vehicles back and forth across the U.S. and he just recently posted hitting 300,000 miles.  Apparently in his post he says that the truck does not sit for more than 1 hour at a time as it is constantly transporting cars.  That is pretty impressive.  I just got mine a month ago and I love it.  The mileage is great, especially while towing.  I think you'll be happy with it.  And, with some minor performance mods, it will pin you in your seat and be faster than most gas trucks close to it's size.  

 

Pictures of my truck

[sutak]

I drive over 30,000 miles a year in my daily driver and want to find a vehicle that will last.  A used Mercedes 300D oil burner is one option, but since I drive a lot on unpaved roads I'd probably shake it apart.  A friend has a new 2500HD crewcab with a Dmax and can't say enough good things about it.  (Except that his wife tries to keep it for herself.)  How has the Duramax-Allison combo been lasting for the long haul - over 200K miles?

Greg,

If you're not hauling anything why not buy a loaded VW Jetta TDI. Remember a penny saved is penny earned. Might just give you the edge in business.

If you're not worried about fuel consumption, then I 'd sooner buy the 8.1L truck and supercharge it. Check out the Whipple charger. With the intercooler it'll give you 570 hp and a lot more torque.

Larry.

[hdmax]

I drive over 30,000 miles a year in my daily driver and want to find a vehicle that will last.  A used Mercedes 300D oil burner is one option, but since I drive a lot on unpaved roads I'd probably shake it apart.  A friend has a new 2500HD crewcab with a Dmax and can't say enough good things about it.  (Except that his wife tries to keep it for herself.)  How has the Duramax-Allison combo been lasting for the long haul - over 200K miles?

Greg,

If you're not hauling anything why not buy a loaded VW Jetta TDI. Remember a penny saved is penny earned. Might just give you the edge in business.

If you're not worried about fuel consumption, then I 'd sooner buy the 8.1L truck and supercharge it. Check out the Whipple charger. With the intercooler it'll give you 570 hp and a lot more torque.

Larry.

That is flywheel horse power, and then it is just a guestimate.

If you want real power from a GM truck, get the Duramax add gauges, bigger 4 to5 inche exhaust and one of the add on boxes. you will have more HP and more Torque then the 8.1L with a blower.

 

 And if you want to go crazy. go to ATS get the tranny beefed up, add propane, and a second box, injectors, and an after market turbo. Now you will be in the 650+ rear wheel horse power area, and 1100-1200 lb ft torque range. (700-800 flywheel horse power, and 1200-1400 flywheel lb ft torque) Just don`t plan on using it for a daily driver. These kinds of numbers look good, but don`t expect the truck to last long at all.

[BDBWTE]

We have a DMAX with 178,000 miles on it.  The Alli tranny is fine and the truck is holding up great.  I would get one if I had the money.  I like the DMAX motor, alas the IFS is weak so if you off road like we do at work you might as well get front end parts in stock...