Before I buy question.....???

mhraracing · February 26, 2003

Hey guys - I am looking for some insight about a new truck purchase....if you read my post below.....I am looking to purchase a new Extra or Crew cab truck shortly....but cant decide on Big Block or Diesel ???

I know by reading around the posts there are many pros and cons for either...but right now I am leaning towards the DMax.

The one big question the I have is .... I dont put alot of miles on my truck ..... It basically sits all week and I would drive it basically on the weekends only. In the summer - it would get more use....as I dragrace and tow my car to the racetrack and do some bassfishing....to give you insight...I bought my present 2002 HD in Nov of 2001 and only have 13234 miles on it so far........back to the question.....

If I dont drive the truck very often....would this be a problem for the Deisel.......I live in New England...so would I have to worry about the feul gelling ???

What other concerns might I have ??

Thanks

Remeber our fallen heros !!

awdvkd · February 26, 2003

I have the 8.1 ally and I would not trade it for the Dmax. 1st I do alot of short distance trips, I work close to home and I hate the smell of diesel. Now with that said, I have seen this hashed out numerous times and would suggestion you do a search on the topic. Get something to eat and drink 1st though because you may be there for awhile. The one key factor that everybody agrees on is it seems like is diesels don't like short trips and sitting around, diesels do cost more to maintain, repair and buy. Big blocks do use alot of gas and the dmax does get better mileage. I do believe with all thing considered both are very good engines and will put a smile on your face. I am sure this will start another slamfest as usual and as hard as I try someone will will disagree with everything or part of what I have said, but that is where all the fun starts around here. Good luck with deciding, I think it is the most talked about topic on this forum.

Sierra5.3 · February 26, 2003

HOw do you figure that diesels need more maintence?They are pretty maintence free, They are more efficient and burn cleaner than gas engines. Diesels also use 300% less fuel when ideling than gas.In the new diesels you cannot even smell diesel from them the only diffrence is the engine noise and duramax sticker on the side. But I wouldnt recommend a diesel for this guy. Diesels like being ran for a long time and arent ment for short trips when they are turned off and started back up over and over. I would definetly get a big block for you.

CMNTMXR81 · February 26, 2003

HOw do you figure that diesels need more maintence?They are pretty maintence free, They are more efficient and burn cleaner than gas engines. Diesels also use 300% less fuel when ideling than gas.In the new diesels you cannot even smell diesel from them the only diffrence is the engine noise and duramax sticker on the side. But I wouldnt recommend a diesel for this guy. Diesels like being ran for a long time and arent ment for short trips when they are turned off and started back up over and over. I would definetly get a big block for you.

At 300,000 miles when it's time to rebuild it, it'll be more expensive to do so than a simple BBC will at 100k or 200k to rebuild.

A BBC doesn't wear out turbo's, intercoolers, have additional plumbing, and doesn't have dual battery electrical system (standard anyway). Another advantage is that as time goes on, the BBC motor may/will share other common GM parts bin components, the D-Max probably won't (except with other iterations of D-Max's).

Not that any of those things are bad.

Sierra5.3 · February 26, 2003

Diesels can easily go 400k-500k without a rebuild, But BB gas engine usually 150k the cost will usually even out when compared to diesel rebuild every 400k-500k.

Shaners · February 26, 2003

I bought my present 2002 HD in Nov of 2001 and only have 13234 miles on it so far........

Remeber our fallen heros !!

My 2001 HD just turned over 9k miles, and as much as I'd like a Dmax, I know I just don't put the miles on like I should, and the short trips in the winter would be killers...

Truckman031 · February 26, 2003

Buy the 8.1. It doesn't sound like you tow enough or long enough to need a diesel. You will save about $3,000+ in the process.

clk7711 · February 26, 2003

Buy the 8.1. It doesn't sound like you tow enough or long enough to need a diesel. You will save about $3,000+ in the process.

I agree, the Duramax is awesome but for your situation the 8.1l would be better.

mhraracing · February 27, 2003

Thanks for the info guys.....Its starting to sound like the BB is the way to go for me....the main reason I was thinking DMax is fuel milage. With the price of gas going who knows how high ($1.80 right now)... the 8 MPG of the BB kinda turns me off. My 6.0 gets 13 empty and 11 Towing - so the 20 MPG of the DMax looks very inticing. BUT - if the Dmax doesnt like sitting around like this truck will....then I guess 8 MPG and filling up every 208 miles (26 gal tank in sortbox) is the way to go ???

See if you put it on paper....it looks horrible !!! - 200 miles to the tank full ?!!?!?? Might as well buy stock in Texaco Corporation ????

Thanks

D

- Remember our fallen Heros

Truckman031 · February 27, 2003

The mileage is around 12 mpg. Glad you will go with the Big Block. This engine will fit your needs to a T. Anytime a diesel idels alot or is used for short trips, it won't live up to its potential. Good luck with the buying process and keep us posted.

t-76y2kss · February 27, 2003

I have 1 of each Im biased to dmax.BUT in your case your yearly mileage,short trips ,new england winters dont justify,added 65 dollars a month.8.1 heats up much quicker on cold starts ,dmax more suited to extended running times.Watch oil burning my 8.1 burns 1qt ever 800 miles in town,3 3200 mile road trips(empty) less than half a qt each trip at 85mph,dont understand that one.You might consider long bed to get 34 gal tank. Expect 9-10 in town 12-13 open road 70-75 mph.Sidenote dmax -13 degF not plugged in 0 starting, fuel gelling issues.

BDBWTE · February 27, 2003

I'm partial to diesel's but that's all we run at the shop. And I feel that my 6.0L is hurting sometimes while I pull like a diesel. I've never drove a 8.1 pulling so I don't know how it pulls probably good. Comes down to what you really want. You want the diesel clatter and smell. Or big block roar and accel? Both are a good motor that will pull anything you'd need them for..

JimWilson · February 27, 2003

Sounds like most of the opinions are the same, mine included; the dmax probably isn't for you.

cdhd2001 · February 27, 2003

mhraracing,

Why are you looking to trade in your current 2002 6.0L? Seems to me that you will lose more in the trade-in for a dmax than the mileage will ever give you back (in my case, $28k total). What are you towing that you now need more power than the 6.0L will give you? Another option you might want to look into would be power adders, like a chip or blower. Might give you what you need at a fraction of the cost of trading in.

Good luck!

mhraracing · February 28, 2003

cdhd2001

The ONLY reason I am thinking about trading in my Reg Cab 2002 is because I need/want the inside cab room. Not because the lack of power. I do have a two place gooseneck car trailer and a 20ft enclosed car trailer that I have not pulled with this truck yet.....My buddy has a Dmax - I let him pull the heavy stuff - I pull a single open no prob - so I figured that if I upgraded to the CC or Extended I might as well get the BigBlock or Dmax. As for trading in right now....you are right....I probably should wait at least two years before I trade it in. One thing that I like to do .. is research the #### out of everything before I buy - Im kinda anal like that. - So....buy the time I figure this all out...it will probably be the fall anyways

thanks