Drove new LBZ Duramax today.

[Rosco]

Since I ordered a new Mega Cab recently I figured I'd go drive a new GM with the LBZ 360/650 Duramax and 6 speed Allison for a comparison. It's not that I have cold feet but I reckoned I owed it to myself and wallet to at least investigate.



Anyway, I figured the powertrain would be awe inspiring and make me second guess my Mega Cab order. Well folks, it's not. I really thought the truck would be a rocket but general cruising yields roughly the same performance as my current 305/555. I'm sure if I floored her it would perform better than my truck but I don't drive around town like that so whats the point. Also, the GM brakes still suck, the steering is very heavy, and the rest of the truck is rather vanilla. Not to mention the rear seat of the GM crew cab is barely larger than my Q/C.



Bottom line is the new Duramax/Allison is not great enough for me to even consider a GM truck at this point.

 

[BILLUA]

I have not driven that new 06 Dmax... . However, when I ordered my current 05, i drove the Ford and GM equivalant truck just to compare... I found the same thing as you. The GM sucked so bad, it wasn't even in the same class as the Ford or Dodge!

 

[rjohnson916]

The only thing I liked about the D-Max is the strictly business interior. It is couch comfy, and the layout makes sense. In contrast I hate the motor, I hate the way the motor sounds, even with mods & an exhaust the D-Max still sounds like poo poo. The cost sucks, the clearance is horrid, enough said. Once you go Cummins you never go back.



-Ryan

 

[BTighe]

talked to a gm tech i know in town here. he hates working on them and her runs one. said the turbo swap is an 8hr job. he know his stuff too. you should see what has to come off to get to the injectors.

 

[BigGunZ]

I aint skeered of no Chevy.


I think, that regardless of power, lies a visceral component to driving a Diesel... much like riding a Harley... it's not the fastest on the road, but has a feel that is just... well... right. The Cummins has that in spades.

 

[Rebel Ram]

I "get" the Cummins thing, But just cannot fathom the Hardly thing.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

We just had the clutch, flywheel, and p plate replaced at 35K. The 04 DMax was shaking at idle like a spark plug truck missing on a few cylinders. Actually, this is the second one here that has had the same fate. Both are used to pull horse and a flatbed trailers.



TG it was under warranty. Those Dual Mass setups sure are sweet. :-laf

 

[Nate]

Rosco, it's funny that you say the brakes suck. I guess the brakes on my Dodge REALLY REALLY suck (which I don't doubt much actually)



We have an 05 Duramax at work... 6 passenger. I drove it the other day for the first time and I about hit the windshield when I pushed the brakes.

 

[Doubleclutch]

Nate- I can't say anything about Chevy brakes because I haven't driven one, but I can tell you that the second gen brakes pull about 30" of vacuum compared to the third generation trucks.

Greg

 

[Mhannink]

Rosco, it's funny that you say the brakes suck. I guess the brakes on my Dodge REALLY REALLY suck (which I don't doubt much actually)



We have an 05 Duramax at work... 6 passenger. I drove it the other day for the first time and I about hit the windshield when I pushed the brakes.

could be wrong but i think for 06 chevy is going back to a rear drum setup on 1500 and 2500 trucks something about no difference and cheaper. im not sure on this and i hope someone who knows more will chime in. also don't know if that is on diesels too

 

[amsoilman]

Rosco, it's funny that you say the brakes suck. I guess the brakes on my Dodge REALLY REALLY suck (which I don't doubt much actually)



We have an 05 Duramax at work... 6 passenger. I drove it the other day for the first time and I about hit the windshield when I pushed the brakes.

I had a 94 CTD for nearly 10 years, and then bought the 03' CTD. There is a BIG difference in brakes! The 03' will stop much quicker, and if you're not carefull, you will hit your head on the windshield also!



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[BigGunZ]

could be wrong but i think for 06 chevy is going back to a rear drum setup on 1500 and 2500 trucks something about no difference and cheaper. im not sure on this and i hope someone who knows more will chime in. also don't know if that is on diesels too

I heard that from a Chevy service tech. The rear discs on Chevys use an internal mini-drum with mini-pads (yuk yuk) for a parking brake. There have been numerous incidents of people losing their truck with attached boat by trusting the parking brake on a launch ramp. There have been a flood of warranty repairs as well. The park brake in my Vette uses the same setup and is a piece of crap... it will keep it from rolling away on level ground but that's about all it's good for.

 

[Rescue Ram]

There have been numerous incidents of people losing their truck with attached boat by trusting the parking brake on a launch ramp. .

Boy, I'll bet that makes for an unpleasant afternoon. :-laf

 

[LOtero]

As for the gm rear drums, the 1500's have went back to drums for what reason I dont know, the 2500 and higer still have disk.



The park brake on 1500 and 2500 are different 1500 has a drum and shoe type in the rotor, its the one with all the problems, they suck bad, wear out very fast because of contact.

the 2500 and 3500 park brake arent too bad its a mini drum brake in the rotor, I believe its the same design as the 2500 and 3500 dodge too.

the only recall on the chevy 2500 and 3500 is a cable too short causing premature wear.

 

[Mhannink]

yeah i wasn't sure what was going to rear drums just heard mumrings of it the park brake that u speak of is used in fords too and our 450 has a decent one. course that was after 1500 for a whole new one but that was from driver error not the brake

 

[GMincher]

Amen, BigGunZ, Amen

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

love those corvette parking brakes uh??? I had a 74 that was nothing but a illbuilt POS, I think the parking brakes on those worked just long enough to get them off the plant parking lot

 

[BigGunZ]

love those corvette parking brakes uh??? I had a 74 that was nothing but a illbuilt POS, I think the parking brakes on those worked just long enough to get them off the plant parking lot

I suppose they fulfill their intent. Their biggest problem is that they're not very forgiving or abuse tolerant. Meaning that if you drive off with the p-brake on just one time even only for 20 yards or so... you just killed 50% of it's useful life.

 

[BigGunZ]

I "get" the Cummins thing, But just cannot fathom the Hardly thing.

I couldn't either at one time having owned numerous sport bikes, but now I can understand that certain quality that makes them appealing.

 

[Nate]

I noticied today at work that the Duramax doesn't have a wait to start light. . What does it use to warm up the cylinders?



Popped the hood on the truck and I feel sorry for the guy working on that engine. Looks like to have to tear it half apart just to get to the injectors.