Hey everyone I know its been a long time since i've been around here but i've always gotten great advice from this site and everyother forum I seem to join seems to just be filled with d-bags. Oh well, but a general hello to everyone.

I just sold my 02 ss camaro and am looking to get into another truck. I've always been a duramax fan and everyone I know that drives them have always had good luck. I have found an 03 chevy 2500hd duramax with 176,000 miles. I went and looked at it and you can tell it was a work truck but it's honestly not in bad shape. The plastic bed rails have a few scuffs on them and it has a few scratches here and there, but nothing out of the ordinary for a 9 year old truck. I drove it and it felt strong no hesitation plenty of power, never had a programmer on it or anything and is completely stock. My question is other than looking at the oil is there any other way I can make sure that the engine is sound and doesn't have any problems. I didn't hear any weird noises or anything like that. I just want to make sure that I am buying a good truck and not a lemon. In the big scheme of things 176,000 miles really isn't all that much for a diesel. My room mate has a 2000 duramax with 500k on it and it still runs like new. The motor isn't throwing any codes either. Like I said my main concern is that I am getting a truck with a solid motor in it that I can put another couple hundred thousand miles on. What else can I look for to make sure that this trucks motor is in good shape? Basically looking for any red flags. The guy im buying it from is an auto broker and has had this truck for awhile and just wants it gone. It's a steal for $9,700 bucks tt&l. You can hardly find a duramax with like 250k for 10k. So that is why I am kinda skeptical. Especially since this truck has leather. No key fob for some reason but it has power locks and windows and power drivers door but passengers seat is manual. Thanks for the help guys any advice is appreciated as always.


here's the link to the truck
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/ctd/2941919535.html

 

It looks 2wd? that would explain the difference in the prices you're finding vs. this one.

 

I'd see if the injectors and water pump have ever been replaced. Have you driven the truck yet? My girlfriend's dad has the same truck (only 6.0), can't keep the front end together on that thing, and he's easy on it.

 

ya zach I have driven he truck it runs strong no hesitation. I doubt the injectors have been changed but I planned on doing that. Same thing with the water pump. I'm getting the carfax on it tomorrow. found this truck in san antonio. I can get it for 8k. I just think its probably got more problems then just the injectors. plus its already lifted and moded. It takes a hell of a lot of abuse to blow up an allison tranny. we've had 4 duramax trucks and still have all of them, all farm trucks that have never seen an easy day in their lives. Always pullin cattle or hay or whatever else. They all have 200k + miles on them and have never had any transmission problems. we always put programmers on them too to help out with the towing and economy. I have a friend in san antonio who is going to check over the truck tomorrow and tell me if it is just injector problems or what else is wrong with it. but i doubt ill buy it. it had to have been rode hard and put up wet.
http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/2896782434.html
either way I know I am going to have to do work to both trucks, injectors for sure and not sure what else. If my buddy tells me the other truck is still in good condition (it has 150k) then i'm kinda inclined to get it. all in all i have around 11k to spend. on the 2wd drive truck its got some exterior things that need fixing so I was gonna do that then put some 33's and 20's on it, a programmer, intake, injectors, and 4inch from the turbo back. The other truck already has all that minus the injectors and assuming it does need some work like suspension parts replaced and what not it already has everything done to it I was going to do. just not 10 inches of lift.

 

I'd pass on the 2nd one. I'm sure the dude who owned it beat the crap out of it if he blew up the tranny and injectors.

 

As an ASE tech with a few years of experience, here are my two cents. Keep in mind that I am a huge Ford fan. For that year range the Duramax was the best diesel on the market, but they have their drawbacks. The injectors usually go bad at around 200-250k, and I haven't seen a Duramax with more than that on it, so I can't tell you how long they last. The front ends are a little under built, and if you mount a plow on it or take it off-road, count on putting ball joints in it every few years. The front brake pad slides like to rust and lock up. The transmission range sensor fails and puts the tranny in limp mode, but it is a cheap fix. If it is 4x4, the transfer case encoder motor, switch, and module all have more problems than they should. Overall, it is a good truck, and it is the only GM truck that I would own. If you take proper care of it, and run a quality fuel and change oil and fuel filters like socks, you shouldn't have a problem.