Ordered the 3500 Duramax today...titan is on the block.

[ned946]

The poor payload rating just won't cut it for my use.
Titan is a good 1/2 ton....I'm sure I'll miss her.

On a related note, I have a 05 smoke gray LE 2wd w/ DVD, 12.5K miles immediately available.

ned946@cox.net

[GETSOMZ28]

Hey, keep us updated on the Duramax. I really would like to get one if I start to tow heavier loads.

[HudsonValleyTitan]

I don't understand how you just now figured out that you need a 1 ton and not a 1/2 ton truck. You'll miss her but you have to do what you have to do. Good luck.

[skytop]

Why did you choose to order the Chevie and not the newer Ford or the Dodge?
The Chevie model 1 ton is acknowledged as being very long in the tooth, and is being totally redone next year. Good diesel engine but everything attached to it, according to most every magazine and reviewer is 'obsolete.' Watch out for well known poor brakes on that truck as well. Hope you did your due dillegence and did not jump on the Chevie too fast.

[titanallover]

True i would have gone with a Powerstroke, however we cant talk crap out brakes!!! Have fun with your new truck. Get what you need. Its a good truck.
Good luck.

[PHOEBISIS]

Does the LE have side curtains?FFV(on inside of gas cap).Thanks.Charlie

[phillipyang]

You should've purchased that 1 ton first. You must've paid out of the ____ for that Titan to trade it now...

Keep us updated on that duramax, those are beasts

[tnbowhunter]

You must haul a heck of a load to warrant the cost of a 3500.
You are right the Titan is a 1/2 ton truck.

[Old Speed]

a buddy of mine works as a service tech at my local chevy dealer. and he said the 5.3 he really likes as a engine but the duramax is the biggist pile of steeming! he said there junk and he hates working on the,,.. just some advise from a tech. hopefully you will have good luck with it!

[QShip]

I like the Cummins powered Dodge.

[skytop]

My experience is only with the new 6.0 liter Ford diesel and I can honestly say it is a really phenomenal engine. Incredible power, responsiveness and real grunt. Unloaded, my truck actually pulled like a muscle truck. Reliable too.

My friend has the latest Dodge and he loves his 6 cylinder diesel. Very reliable and a real locomotive.

Read the forums on the Chevie truck and the diesel. You should quickly come up to speed and get the straight scoop on what is best for you to do.

[ned946]

Life threw a curve ball is my best explanation.
We're about to adopt our first horse...maybe 2.
Those horse trailers are heavy...especially if we go 5th wheel type.

Hope the naysayers are wrong but from what I've ready the duramax is the way to go.

[skytop]

Say, the Chevie Duramax is still gonna get the job done and haul those little ponies ta home!

We're just a bunch of Ball Busters sitt'n in our comfortable chairs stabbing at the keyboard while being warmed by the glow of the LCD screen judgin the world and telling everyone else what ta do.
Yup, we're normal!

[PHOEBISIS]

Isuzu is a huge player in smallish truck diesels and has been for a long time.They are a really big player outside the USA.
The Duramax is the least thirsty(recent moto mag test) of the Big 3 Diesels;that will be more important as it ages.Luck,Charlie

[skytop]

Engine output for Chevy Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD increased to 360 horsepower and a class-leading 650 lb-ft of torque. (New Ford is 325 HP with 570 ft. pounds of torque and New hi output model Dodge Cummins is 305 HP with 610 ft. pounds of torque. All tremendously powerful mills!)

Significant updates result in smoother, more refined operation, as well as reduced emissions New glow-plugs reduce start time by as much as 50 percent.

PONTIAC , MICH. - Later this year, GM Powertrain will introduce a new 6.6L Duramax 6600 turbodiesel V-8 (RPO LBZ) for the 2006 model year Chevy Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD with class-leading horsepower - 360 (268 kw) at 3200 rpm and class-leading torque, at 650 lb.-ft. (881 Nm) at 1600 rpm. In addition to the power increase in the Silverado and Sierra, all 2006 Duramax engines have been significantly revised to deliver lower emissions and significantly improved quietness and smoothness in every application.

The 2006 Silverado HD and Sierra HD with the Allison 6-speed automatic transmission will be equipped with a significantly revised 310 horsepower Duramax 6600 (LLY) through the third quarter of 2005. It will be replaced in these applications in the fourth quarter of 2005, by the higher output, 360-horsepower Duramax (LBZ).

"The introduction of the Duramax diesel in 2001 represented a significant evolution in North American diesel pick-up truck market and propelled GM's heavy duty diesel pick-up truck market share to over 25 percentage points," said Charles Freese, GM Powertrain executive director, diesel engineering. "The introduction of the improved, 2006 Duramax turbo diesel once again sets a new benchmark to which all others will be measured."

The Duramax 6600's horsepower and torque increase and emissions reduction are enabled by a strengthened iron cylinder block and a lower compression ratio. The lower compression reduces stress on the engine by reducing the peak cylinder firing pressure. This, in turn, allows more fuel to be burned - more fuel means more power - while the lower compression helps reduce NOx emissions. Lower compression also helps reduce noise and vibration, making the all variants of the 6600 a quieter and smoother engine.

A revised variable-geometry turbocharger also enhances the driving experience of the Duramax




1- 2004 Chevy Taho pulling a 5,000 TT. Pulled a local 7% grade at 37mph tops.
2- 2005 Dodge Ram Cummins pulled this same trailer at 74mph up the same grade.

Comparison #2:
1- 2004 Chevy Taho pulling the same trailer averaged 8-10 mpg.
2- 2005 Dodge Ran pulling the same trailer averaged 11-14 mpg.

Comparison #3:
1- 2004 Chevy Taho non-towing gas mileage was 14-18
2- 2005 Dodge Cummins non-towing mileage was 16-21