Looked at a 02 Duramax today, HELP DECIDE

shocker45 · June 21, 2006

okay, im in the demolition business i drive bout 500 city km's a week. i often have a pretty decent load, ( but nothing a 1\2 ton couldnt handle ) and am pulling a 4000 lb trailer, once a week or so. lots of turning on\off the truck and stop and go from job to job. and every other weekend driving highway pulling a trailer full of quads. to the cabin and what not.

These are my options..

i looked at this today,

2002 Chevy silverado, diesel. 4x4 ext cab, short box. new tires, BRAND new injectors, and a rebuilt transmission. tranny was $2800 done by allison and injectors were $5000 done by the local chev store. anyways truck is in decent shape for $22 000 (canadian. which is cheap in my area, compared at $25 000- $29 000)

i love this truck, my concerns are other problem area's that might occur or if im going to be stuck with a big repair bill. in winter i was also thinking about putting a snowplow, we do lots of snow removal.

or im looking into a 2001 or 2002 dodge ram ext cab short box. 4x4, now ive heard the cummins is an amazing motor, but the tranny issues are a huge drawback. so i dont know how i feel about this truck, style is alright, but i like the chevy a lot more. these are about $18 000 - $22 000 in my area.

or getting a 2004 GMC Sierra with a 5.3 litre tow pkg. it will do the job for what i need it for, is just as comfortable and roomy as the diesel. but for the odd highway trip it wont be as economical. and i would not be able to put a plow on the front. but i dont have to worry about it being expensive for matienece.. these are about $23 000-$25 000

Let me know what you guys would do, i cannot make my up mind. and its driving me nuts. im kind of leaning towards the duramax. but have my concerns. help me...

Mark_in_Tulsa · June 21, 2006

Well the only help I can provide is that the new body style rams don't have a transmission problem anymore.

But that Duramax sounds like a good deal.

mmmikkke · June 21, 2006

LOL They *always* say that!

"Ooh, ooh, we're a completely different company, that junk that we made 3 or 4 years ago, that was other people! We still make the same parts in the same factories, still use the same designs, but now our parts are perfect and don't break!"

All kidding aside, it sounds like you should buy yourself a 5.3L half-ton.

carneyman · June 21, 2006

LOL They *always* say that!

"Ooh, ooh, we're a completely different company, that junk that we made 3 or 4 years ago, that was other people! We still make the same parts in the same factories, still use the same designs, but now our parts are perfect and don't break!"

All kidding aside, it sounds like you should buy yourself a 5.3L half-ton.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, a 5.3 will do ya fine, but how bout a TANK? Those things can go through just about anything...course, kind of a low top speed, but man, that gun would be nice to have in traffic...

saltwater_addict · June 21, 2006

the dodge would be nice, if you didnt HAVE to have the manual their autos are crap then theres also the fact that they are obscenely cheap in the interior dept. id have to say go with what YOU really want

Mark_in_Tulsa · June 21, 2006

LOL They *always* say that!

"Ooh, ooh, we're a completely different company, that junk that we made 3 or 4 years ago, that was other people! We still make the same parts in the same factories, still use the same designs, but now our parts are perfect and don't break!"

All kidding aside, it sounds like you should buy yourself a 5.3L half-ton.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Are you referring to my comment about the Dodge Transmission?

silverado3500 · June 22, 2006

If you're intending to plow definately go with the HD. As for the city towing, If you decide against the diesel, I would suggest getting a 2500 (non HD) with the 6.0. The 5.3 can tow, but you will most likely be happier with the 6.0 for towing on a daily basis.

mmmikkke · June 22, 2006

LOL They *always* say that!

"Ooh, ooh, we're a completely different company, that junk that we made 3 or 4 years ago, that was other people! We still make the same parts in the same factories, still use the same designs, but now our parts are perfect and don't break!"

All kidding aside, it sounds like you should buy yourself a 5.3L half-ton.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Are you referring to my comment about the Dodge Transmission?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes. Sorry for the confusion.

Mark_in_Tulsa · June 22, 2006

LOL They *always* say that!

"Ooh, ooh, we're a completely different company, that junk that we made 3 or 4 years ago, that was other people! We still make the same parts in the same factories, still use the same designs, but now our parts are perfect and don't break!"

All kidding aside, it sounds like you should buy yourself a 5.3L half-ton.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Are you referring to my comment about the Dodge Transmission?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes. Sorry for the confusion.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You don't think they can make a good transsmisson now, because in the past it was bad?

Wingnut · June 22, 2006

Yeah, a 5.3 will do ya fine, but how bout a TANK? Those things can go through just about anything...course, kind of a low top speed, but man, that gun would be nice to have in traffic...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've seen tanks go about 60 mph. That much mass moving that fast is a scary thing.

carneyman · June 22, 2006

Yeah, a 5.3 will do ya fine, but how bout a TANK? Those things can go through just about anything...course, kind of a low top speed, but man, that gun would be nice to have in traffic...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've seen tanks go about 60 mph. That much mass moving that fast is a scary thing.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Like I said...slow. Now get me one that'll do 100, then I'll show you what kind of damage I could do.

mmmikkke · June 24, 2006

LOL They *always* say that!

"Ooh, ooh, we're a completely different company, that junk that we made 3 or 4 years ago, that was other people! We still make the same parts in the same factories, still use the same designs, but now our parts are perfect and don't break!"

All kidding aside, it sounds like you should buy yourself a 5.3L half-ton.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Are you referring to my comment about the Dodge Transmission?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes. Sorry for the confusion.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You don't think they can make a good transsmisson now, because in the past it was bad?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If we wait a few years we'll have the answer. In the meanwhile I'd put my money on "they spend too much on saturation advertising to have any left for actual engineering."