Looking for a 3/4 ton 4x4 diesel

69C20 said:
and also in your opinion what would be a better all around dd, work horse, versatile truck, interior and comfort arent high on my list, i enjoy both interiors and feels equally. i just want a truck thats reliable and will last me a long time and that fits my needs
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Honestly, I think either would fit your needs well- it all comes down to what you can find that fits your price range. The IFS on the GM trucks has gotten a bad rap when compared to the solid axle trucks, but it actually holds up quite well. For example, most of the big power trucks are doing 20psi 4wd launches without any damage. A set of tie rod sleeves and some supports for the pitman and idler arms make it a pretty good set up. Still not even close to the toughness of a Dana 60, but for most applications, plenty strong. That being said, I would probably pick the GM for an all around truck, as long as I wasn't hauling a huge, super heavy trailer (like tractors, farm equipment, etc.), or plowing a lot of snow. The only real reason I wouldn't want to plow with my Chevy is the fact that the front end isn't nearly as tough as a solid axle truck, and reverse with the Allison trans is painfully slow if you're trying to back up fast.
I would recommend driving them both and then thinking about it for awhile- When I park my plow truck and then jump in the DD, its like getting out of a dump truck and getting into a nice car....but that's just my feeling. I would say that you can't go wrong either way, and after you drive both, your decision will be easy- they are so different that you will definitely like one more than the other.
 
standy said:
Honestly, I think either would fit your needs well- it all comes down to what you can find that fits your price range. The IFS on the GM trucks has gotten a bad rap when compared to the solid axle trucks, but it actually holds up quite well. For example, most of the big power trucks are doing 20psi 4wd launches without any damage. A set of tie rod sleeves and some supports for the pitman and idler arms make it a pretty good set up. Still not even close to the toughness of a Dana 60, but for most applications, plenty strong. That being said, I would probably pick the GM for an all around truck, as long as I wasn't hauling a huge, super heavy trailer (like tractors, farm equipment, etc.), or plowing a lot of snow. The only real reason I wouldn't want to plow with my Chevy is the fact that the front end isn't nearly as tough as a solid axle truck, and reverse with the Allison trans is painfully slow if you're trying to back up fast.
I would recommend driving them both and then thinking about it for awhile- When I park my plow truck and then jump in the DD, its like getting out of a dump truck and getting into a nice car....but that's just my feeling. I would say that you can't go wrong either way, and after you drive both, your decision will be easy- they are so different that you will definitely like one more than the other.
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Thanks man, THis really does help me out alot. and the farm eqipment thing and solid front axle keeps swaying more towards the 7.3, my dad has a 6.0 and the interior is nice and I like the feel of the truck. Its been a little while since ive driven a gm, but that was also comfortable, and like you said yes it does feel like a car. I guess Im just gonna keep the options open and test drive what I find and like and go from there, ill send some rep your way and everyone else whose given advice, its greatly aprrieciated.
 
69C20 said:
Thanks man, THis really does help me out alot. and the farm eqipment thing and solid front axle keeps swaying more towards the 7.3, my dad has a 6.0 and the interior is nice and I like the feel of the truck. Its been a little while since ive driven a gm, but that was also comfortable, and like you said yes it does feel like a car. I guess Im just gonna keep the options open and test drive what I find and like and go from there, ill send some rep your way and everyone else whose given advice, its greatly aprrieciated.
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No problem, glad to help! If you're ever in the Warren area and would like to check out my Chevy, feel free to stop by.
 
standy said:
No problem, glad to help! If you're ever in the Warren area and would like to check out my Chevy, feel free to stop by.
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haha sounds good man, I just might, for some more opinions and to get more of a feel for it
 
i was in a diesel dilemma like yours a few months back. I wanted a cummins for the power and mileage they get, but they are a bit pricey, and the newer D-max's were a little out of my price range. (I didn't want i forget the years 01-early 04 Max because they are the ones prone to injector failure) The 7.3's were more common/easier to find and were priced a bit better than anything else i found.

The trans in the 7.3 is junk'ish though. i fried my converter with it stock and only mod being an exhaust. I just put a billet triple disk converter and shift kit in it and now all is well again and i love the truck once again :lol:

Like standy said if you're out my way and want to rip on my truck i think you'll like it's power (intake/exhaust and now tonywildman 6 position chip)

For what it's worth I paid $17,000 for my truck with 69K miles on it just this past summer

no matter what you get, you will love driving a diesel!
 
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SS4Matt said:
i was in a diesel dilemma like yours a few months back. I wanted a cummins for the power and mileage they get, but they are a bit pricey, and the newer D-max's were a little out of my price range. (I didn't want i forget the years 01-early 04 Max because they are the ones prone to injector failure) The 7.3's were more common/easier to find and were priced a bit better than anything else i found.

The trans in the 7.3 is junk'ish though. i fried my converter with it stock and only mod being an exhaust. I just put a billet triple disk converter and shift kit in it and now all is well again and i love the truck once again :lol:

Like standy said if you're out my way and want to rip on my truck i think you'll like it's power (intake/exhaust and now tonywildman 6 position chip)

For what it's worth I paid $17,000 for my truck with 69K miles on it just this past summer

no matter what you get, you will love driving a diesel!
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I agree 100% to everything in this post. As far as the injector problems, they were the worst with the 1st gen. (01-04.5) engines. They were still occasionally an issue on the 2nd gen. (04.5-to i believe early 07), but not nearly as widespread. Poor maintence (fuel filter replacement not performed regularly) was a big contributor to this. Good maintence records are a big plus- I like to see the fuel filter replaced every 10k miles.

One last thing on the transmissions- even the mighty Allison won't hold up to much abuse in its stock configuration. A tune making more than 90-100hp over stock will usually limp it with a quickness, so don't let that be a decision maker when deciding on a truck. I have almost $3k into my trans to hold the power I make now, so if you plan on running any big tunes, also plan on a performance transmission build for either vehicle.

All this is making me think that if I wanted a fast DD, I shoulda built a Camaro or Mustang. lol I definitely chose the hard and expensive route. :headscrat
 
lol, thank you guys for the great info, its not the trans that im worried about, I dont need to go fast, I just want the muscle and grunt of a diesel for working and stuff. I planned on the trans stuff, because down the road who knows I might flash a quick tune in there, but never really planned on anything. for the car thing, Iive had an accord, a fox mustang and my grand prix, and I treated them all like trucks, mudholes hauling dirtbikes, and always needed to borrow a truck when I needed to do other stuff.

I greatly appreciate all the tips and information you guys have given me. This is probably the best online resource there is because theres a collection of so much knowledge in so many areas here.

Ive been sliding more and more towards the fords just for the price reason. I stiull would love a Dmax, but most Ive found in good condiition are above my price range and with the recent issues with my trans in my car it has set me back more.

I dont feel worried about getting either truck now. its just a choice of preference.

Thanks again guys, I might take you up on some test drive offers if im out your ways!
 
yeah i'm sure a lot of the Dmax injector problems were related to lack of maintenance, but what scared me is one of my ex girlfriends step dad is a diesel mechanic at a dealership and has an early duramax and in under 100K miles i think he went through 3 sets of injectors! with a stock truck and obviously maintained.

I do change my fuel filter ever other oilchange though to help with such problems...and the part about the hauling dirtbikes....well any truck is good at that!

22954af399cd41bca.jpg

my buddies 99 in the background with a 4" lift on some 35' tires!
 
SS4Matt said:
yeah i'm sure a lot of the Dmax injector problems were related to lack of maintenance, but what scared me is one of my ex girlfriends step dad is a diesel mechanic at a dealership and has an early duramax and in under 100K miles i think he went through 3 sets of injectors! with a stock truck and obviously maintained.

I do change my fuel filter ever other oilchange though to help with such problems...and the part about the hauling dirtbikes....well any truck is good at that!

22954af399cd41bca.jpg

my buddies 99 in the background with a 4" lift on some 35' tires!
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haha oh ik so are cars......my 01 grand prix
 

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