Advice Needed - Quick

[rsmith]

3 days ago I had no intention of looking at a new tow rig. However, my wife actually spotted this one (rather one that looks like this one) and requested that we stop and look at it so that we could dream of our future tow rig. We assumed it (GMC 4500)was going to run around $30,000. We were going to smile at the salesman and tell him that we were just dreaming. However, We liked what we saw and I popped the question - "watcha askin?" His ressponse was "starting price is $19,500. - you have my attention. We ended up driving the truck - even my wife.

Here's the deal:

1. The truck has 240,000 miles. The Duramax diesel engine only has 60,000 as replaced under GM warranty a year ago. The only part used from the old motor was the fan. New turbo and intercooler. I saw the paperwork and spoke with the previous owner.

2. The Allison trans is original with all service records.

3. There is a slight leak in the power steering box

Here are the options:

• Gooseneck and bumper pull hitches
  
• LED light all the way around
  
• Jake brake
  
• Power Windows/locks
  
• Remote entry
  
• cold air
  
• Perfect paint job and new tires
  
• air ride front captain chairs/bench rear with plenty of room for 4 to sit comfortably
  
• Side storage boxes
  
  

Here is the deal as we left it this afternoon: $17,000 with my 1992 Chevy Duelly. I was going to shake hands at $16,000 but we have not quite made it there.

What do you all think about this? Any Duramax or Allison issues that you have had personally? I have done extensive research and cannot find too much bad about the Drivetrain setup. I think the motor is the first generation Duramax that had a little different injector position in the head and less emmission controls.

Tag is $200 a year and insurance is ~$400 a year for full coverage.


I am scared of hopping into a big truck like this and eliminating my one ton that is easier to maneuver around town on a daily basis. I will probably end up having to buy a small truck for daily use. I envision this truck attached to my 40' trailer headed out west with about 3 rigs loaded.

I took pride in my 92 Chevy of the fact that it was paid for and the tag and insurance only cost me about $200 a year.

I am not sure what to do. I got to let the fellow know something in the morning (Friday)

[broncocraigellis]

Oh boy...that would sure make a nice setup but would necessitate more frequent riding/hauling trips since you wouldn't just want a $16K or $17K truck sitting in the yard not being driven. Or at least that's my opinion. If you plan on riding 3 or 4 times a year, I say it's not worth it...if you plan on riding more, then yeah, go for it.

It does sound like a heck of a good deal though. I don't have personal experience with that drivetrain, so I won't give armchair commentary about its reliability. If you've done the research and found the setup to be reliable, then that should be good enough. At 240K miles, I'd believe the transmission is nearing a rebuild. At least it will need rebuilding sooner than later. The newer engine is a plus of course. Does this truck have 19.5s on it like the one pictured? If so, what kind of shape are the tires in? Truck tires have gotten expensive lately.

IMO, if you plan on using it a lot, go for it. Otherwise, stick with the 92 since gas and maintenance are the only costs associated, and if you are going to tow infrequently it would take a long time and a lot of gas to equal the cost of the new GMC.

Don't know if that helps-just my thoughts.

[jeepchipjones]

Rob, I will get some better advice than I can give you and get back to you asap. What time do you need to know by?

[jeepchipjones]

PS - that is one BAD tow rig. i will be glad to ride out west with you and even throw in some hours in the captain seat to pay my dues

[HottyToddy]

The one you're looking at......is it RED? And what year? I looked at one a while back that was the same type truck, the CARFAX was clean, but I went on to find out that it had had an electrical fire under the dash. I was just like you on the price.....something didn't seem right......then I found out about the fire. Just make sure it's not THAT truck.
Other than that.....the Duramax and the Allison is a great combo. We bought an '05 dually and it is an awesome tow vehicle. Hell, BIGGER is ALWAYS BETTER!!!!

[rsmith]

hottytoddy said:

The one you're looking at......is it RED? And what year? I looked at one a while back that was the same type truck, the CARFAX was clean, but I went on to find out that it had had an electrical fire under the dash. I was just like you on the price.....something didn't seem right......then I found out about the fire. Just make sure it's not THAT truck.
Other than that.....the Duramax and the Allison is a great combo. We bought an '05 dually and it is an awesome tow vehicle. Hell, BIGGER is ALWAYS BETTER!!!!

It is not red and I have spoken with the original owner. It belonged to a private trucking company in Paragould, AR (where the truck is now). He pulled the records and told me evertying from new brake pads to transmission service. The only issue they had with the truck was the injectors. One injector went out at three nearly 60,000 mile intervals. After the third time it was brought in GM replaced the whole motor except for the cooling fan. The current motor has about 60,000 miles on it. I think the mileage and the motor that is not original is driving the price down. I went over the truck front to back and cannot tell that there has been any body work or any other extreme modification.

I have decided overnight to offer $18,000 without my truck and that is the final walking away price.

[rsmith]

broncocraigellis said:

Oh boy...that would sure make a nice setup but would necessitate more frequent riding/hauling trips since you wouldn't just want a $16K or $17K truck sitting in the yard not being driven. Or at least that's my opinion. If you plan on riding 3 or 4 times a year, I say it's not worth it...if you plan on riding more, then yeah, go for it.

It does sound like a heck of a good deal though. I don't have personal experience with that drivetrain, so I won't give armchair commentary about its reliability. If you've done the research and found the setup to be reliable, then that should be good enough. At 240K miles, I'd believe the transmission is nearing a rebuild. At least it will need rebuilding sooner than later. The newer engine is a plus of course. Does this truck have 19.5s on it like the one pictured? If so, what kind of shape are the tires in? Truck tires have gotten expensive lately.

IMO, if you plan on using it a lot, go for it. Otherwise, stick with the 92 since gas and maintenance are the only costs associated, and if you are going to tow infrequently it would take a long time and a lot of gas to equal the cost of the new GMC.

Don't know if that helps-just my thoughts.

Thank you for your thoughts. I will use it for more than just trail riding. I have a farm that is 70 miles from where I live. I am constantly pulling loads down there. I have tractors and equipment that will need to be hauled. I will title the truck as a farm truck and deduct interest and fuel for farm purposes.

The tires are 19.5 and are in excellent shape.

[jeepchipjones]

here's a reply I got:

BUUUUUUUUUUY IT!!!
I've been looking at the same type truck for years, and have came very close to getting one myself. I have over 240,000 miles on my allison and it works great. The only problems I have had with my allison is some shifting solinoids. Their easy change and not too expensive. I need to have one more changed, but it's in the torgue converter and you have to drop the trans to get to it. My allison has seen very hard miles from day one of my truck and has worked great. I even got it so hot one time that it showed two different warnings for hot.
I don't think you're going to have a problem driving around town. Landscape crews drive trucks like these all the time around my area and they do fine.
I like it.

another reply:

Brian bought one for his trailer bus. and as a tow rig, had it 6 months and they never could make it have any mpg. He had every custom thing done to it he could and the GMC dealership, the dealership took it back.

and last but not least:

That thing is sexual... buy it and get a beater honda to DD

[jeepchipjones]

If it were me and I was going to negotiate, I would put it to him like this:

Let's be honest here, have you seen the price of diesel lately? You are not going to move this vehicle anytime soon, so why don't you let me do you a favor. (Insert low ball price here)

[possum398]

That decision is definately a hard one. Paid off vs. Paying on debate is one I face a lot lately. One good thing is you have the support of your wife on this one.

[rsmith]

I just got a verbal agreement at $17,500. I have not signed the dotted line, but it looks like we may be going tomorrow to give it a close look.

*edit* This figure is without trading my truck in. I may have a good 1 ton duelly for sale in the future if anybody knows of someone that might need it.


My plan is to bring this big truck home and drive it for a month and determine if it will absolutely meet my needs. If it does not it will be put up for sale. I don't think I can go wrong with this.

Thanks to everyboby for your help and opinions. I will post pics when it comes home.

[broncocraigellis]

Cool, post up pics if/when you get it!

[m38jeepman]

Looks like a good truck Rob. The Duramax/Allison combo is great. The earlier ones actually got better mileage than the newer ones. Our 2004 2500hd gets about 22 on the highway.
You can go 10000 miles between oil changes. I just like the diesel. The only issue I have heard with the duramax is the fuel filter. Keep it changed like the maintainence schedule describes. If and when it decides to get partially clogged, you are stopping and it is very little warning.
Man, most 2500hd duramax's bring more than that!

[rsmith]

I am not able to give you any pictures this morning

We drove all the way to Paragould, AR to pick the truck up. It is a rather lengthy story why I did not get it.

Have you heard the story of the fellow that escaped to his roof from a flood a prayed for Divine intervention? A boat and a helicopter came by and he waved them off and told him that God was going to save him. When he drowned and went to heaven he asked God why he did not rescue. Well you know the response that God gave him.

There were a few of those signs:

Sign 1. We were an hour late leaving because my parents were picking my oldest child up.

Sign 2. My youngest projectile vomited about 30 miles from home - should have gone home after that.

Sign 3. About 75 miles from home my youngest projectile pooped all over the van. At this point we have no clothes or underwear for him.

Sign 4. About 30 miles from the truck I had my wife read over the fine print on the Capital One check. The very last sentence said that it was not to be used for a vehicle over 1 ton - this truck is a 1.25 ton. We got other financing once we arrived.

Sign 5. I was test driving the truck and the Check engine light came on. I took it to Auto Zone and read the code. It was a camshaft Position sensor. The truck would not crank again and no dealership or parts store in town had a sensor in stock.

This truck was not meant to be mine. There is a verse in the Bible that talks about tithing and it is one of the only verses where God says "test me in this" The Bible claims that if we are faithful in tithing God will add blessings to us and protect our finances. I prayed before I left that the transistion would be smooth if it were meant to be. I should have turned around when the projectile vomit occurred

If anybody wants a good truck I believe it is a good one. It is just not meant for me. I can give you #'s if you like.

[Busted Knuckle Racing]

I agree with you Rob. Sounds like you did the right thing.