In 2005 I bought an Lly 4wd cc shortbed-fast forward to 2020 im still driving my Lly w/403k miles -90% of what you said was problematic w/the Lly is definitely not common-i have a very Heavy foot & I’ve been using a 90hp ppe tune since 2009-factory head gaskets,injectors,cp3,starter etc-ive replaced 1 alternator,1idler pulley & 1 a/c compressor.my truck is used daily for my own Diesel Mobile Mechanic business 👍🏼
I agree totally, had many duramax s LLY, LBZ, L5P, what he’s saying about the tailgate plastic piece missing, I’ve never had one break, stolen, cheers from Chestermere.
LLYs are one of the best and strongest duramaxs made IMO. Injectors are easy to replace like the lbzs and newer. The stock turbo mouthpiece is one of the main reasons the HGs blow early. Pre emissions. Biggest factory turbo. Just as good as the beloved LBZ but llys don’t melt pistons ....only thing the lbz has on the lly is the 6 speed.
100% agree! Plus the price difference between LLY and LBZ is huge, enough to buy an LLY, new turbo intake piece, and 6 speed conversion and still have left over $
My grandpa and I both got an 05 2500 and have never had any problems besides the usual stuff like belts and oil and lights I find 05 one of the toughest Silverado’s made
this guy knows half of what he's saying... love the ride of IFS over Ford and dodge... I have an LLY with slight mods, has 235K miles I've only replaced batteries and water pump PERIOD... best truck ever hands down
Awesome job ! You just gave the best used truck review I've ever seen.... simple, honest and you pretty much covered everything that needed to be. Thanks. Love your channel!
I definitely dont hate the LLY. They do have the biggest turbo from the factory and produce and nice screech when you lay into it with a straight pipe. I own an 06 lbz with loads of engine work done to it, but I can say I'd take an LLY over any of the newer models any day.
"Rust Free" & "Pennsylvania" have no business being in the same sentence together. As for LLY head gaskets, my LLY 6 speed has 446k miles on it, and still wears the factory installed head gaskets.
I have a 2005 Chevy 3500 dually with the LLY, factory stock. I bought the truck brand new with 34 miles on it. I towed an 8000# camper until 2007 when I bought a 40ft 5th wheel that weighs in around 14,500# loaded. I just pulled this camper for 600 miles through the mountains of VA and it performed great. 172,000 miles and I've only had to replace the water pump. This truck isn't going to compete with a new one but it's been solid and steady for 17 years and it has done everything that I've asked of it.
I have a 04.5 LLY with 300,000kms the truck is just opened up with s&B turbo mouthpiece s&b air intake straight 5" exhaust back to 8" tip gonna add air dog lift pump put a tune on her and keep driving her until she rots out as it’s a very good engine with these upgrades and a few more and she be close to bulletproof with proper maintenance and additives!!
Theoretically I’d say the LB7 would be the most hated DMax not the LLY. I have an LLY and did ARP studs and gaskets not because it was blown but because I wanted too. I got 5 tune set up to 125 hp triple disk converter and a stage II trans build. Truck is reliable and fast enough for me.
@@TheOGThumper I have a 04 LB7 with 270K. Injectors were done at 6.9 years and 115K miles. Chevy had a silent recall on the injectors for 7 years and 120. Found a dealer that knew about the recall a took care of me.
Got my LLY 2 years ago. 50 hp tow econo tune.66000 on it sbcc black just like yours except loaded. Never plowed and never saw a winter till I got it. The origenal owner with 72. didnt need it anymore. $22k and I love this truck. the odd thing about this truck is I looked for this truck on CL. Its the first truck that popped up.! minute search.
One other problem with these trucks also is the stupid integrated dash bulbs in the hvac, cluster and steering wheel buttons that go out. They are not horrible to change on the cluster if you can solder but just a real pita when half of the dash is dark in various spots and the steering wheel buttons at $30 plus per button cluster sucks from the dealer too.
We used to have the gas version of this truck 4x4 and we loved every second if it since we sold it still have never seen a match to it verry rare I guess ours looked like the red donor truck for the whistlin diesel truck sad :-(
Is it me or did 15 year old trucks of 2020 gotten alot more expensive. At the time of 2003 a 15 year old trucks like a squarebody 1989 chevy 3500 with 170000 miles would cost 3k to 4k at average. But 9k for a truck like this for me is overprice.
You're gunna shit you're pants when you read this in todays world and realize how fucked we've become in the car/truck market lmao! That truck is 15k all day right now and that's if someones nice or it's trashed with rust.
$20k is about what a private sale would bring in the south East. I sold my 2007 classic with D-Max and 200k miles for $21k and it sold within 2 days to the 1st person who looked at it.
Sidebar, the LLY has the biggest turbo. The tail gate bezel that’s always broken was not. 🤷🏼♂️My Lilly has 200k and the tailgate bezels always been fine on it. Operator error and those little plastic pieces that go get replaced by DIY guys and they break the bezel in the process.
Own a 2005 Duramax 2500. Travel in medical field. Tow fifth wheel to live in on assignment(one was 14,500ish pounds/current one 11.5k). Have upwards of 60k towing. 238k mileage on truck. Probably put somewhere around 12-17k in parts and labor in vehicle. You covered most of everything. Problems you didn't name. Did ppe tuner with egr delete (common problem). Inside fan system shorts out causing 3 and 5 speed to go out. Always carry an extra fuel filter with any diesel. Only time I didn't do that, I was stuck at a pilot for a couple of hours. Pretty much everything you stated happened to me. Cluster panel. Glow plugs. Rust. New lights all around. Seats and roof fabric. Whole front end replaced. I would buy this truck all over again. Great vehicle. Probably won't sell until wheels fall off.
Sought after by shops that like doing head gaskets....I'm just messing with you, the LLY is a solid truck otherwise and yes, the LB7 would truly be the most hated.
@@TopLineRacer lol well in stock form if they aren't hauling loads too heavy the oem gaskets commonly see 250k miles. it's the guys running tuners without studs that cry about the gaskets. what did they expect? gotta mod diesels the right way. gotta say though, that even though the LB7 in stock form is kinda hated, the bottom end makes one helluva base for a 800hp 1600ftlb beast :)
Man love your vids unfortunately where ever there is a spot weld there is bare metal the e coat that the oem puts on can't get all the way to the spot weld that is y they rust
Im about to get into hotshot hauling. I watched this vid for the reliable needs for a build. So about the tranny basically its not good to use for that?
What's your opinion on a 2005 ford f150 with the 3v 5.4 in it.The one i have i have to do the timing chain kit on it with a new HV oil pump im just a little worried about doing it never done stuff like that before.Your input would be helpful.
I have not personally done any work on the 5.4 but the cam phasers go bad in basically every single one of them unfortunately. I would just say check out the videos on youtube of the install process as I don't have any first hand experience on those.
I’m thinking about buying a 2004-2010 Duramax either LLY or LBZ whichever I can find. How do I know too many miles is too many (of course 300k is too much) I’m thinking buying one with around.... 150k or lower if I can find one. Is that too many miles for the truck or not really?
40 Years Auto-Body... The Plastic Fender Flares DO-NOT cause the Fenders and Box sides to Rust... The RUST is from the inside out... The Flares just hide the Rust longer... Washing the Inside your fenders and box sides and coating with some type of Oil like transmission Fluid is the Best way to stop Rust... same with cab-corners and rockers there is No plastic on them and they still RUST...
@@rochmedina5305 yes still going strong. No issues, just replaced, fuel filter, air filter, did oil change, new transmission filter, and new transmission fluid. Runs really strong its 100% stock. I do plan on doing a 5inch exhaust and removing the resonator, maybe a FASS lift pump in the future I'll see.
In 2005 I bought an Lly 4wd cc shortbed-fast forward to 2020 im still driving my Lly w/403k miles -90% of what you said was problematic w/the Lly is definitely not common-i have a very Heavy foot & I’ve been using a 90hp ppe tune since 2009-factory head gaskets,injectors,cp3,starter etc-ive replaced 1 alternator,1idler pulley & 1 a/c compressor.my truck is used daily for my own Diesel Mobile Mechanic business 👍🏼
Still going? Pre awesome I got 370k with heads replaced
I agree totally, had many duramax s LLY, LBZ, L5P, what he’s saying about the tailgate plastic piece missing, I’ve never had one break, stolen, cheers from Chestermere.
Hell yeah that’s what I needa hear!
LLYs are one of the best and strongest duramaxs made IMO. Injectors are easy to replace like the lbzs and newer. The stock turbo mouthpiece is one of the main reasons the HGs blow early. Pre emissions. Biggest factory turbo. Just as good as the beloved LBZ but llys don’t melt pistons ....only thing the lbz has on the lly is the 6 speed.
Well said
Not entirely true, the LBZ had some block improvements, thicker connecting rods and bigger piston pin diameters over prior LB7 and 04.5-05 LLY.
100% agree! Plus the price difference between LLY and LBZ is huge, enough to buy an LLY, new turbo intake piece, and 6 speed conversion and still have left over $
My grandpa and I both got an 05 2500 and have never had any problems besides the usual stuff like belts and oil and lights I find 05 one of the toughest Silverado’s made
I have an 05 w/the 8.1 big block with 373,000 miles
this guy knows half of what he's saying... love the ride of IFS over Ford and dodge... I have an LLY with slight mods, has 235K miles I've only replaced batteries and water pump PERIOD... best truck ever hands down
Awesome job ! You just gave the best used truck review I've ever seen.... simple, honest and you pretty much covered everything that needed to be. Thanks.
Love your channel!
Glad it was helpful!
bought 2004 GMC drama new, put 426000 on it. newer hot rodded it. 2 sets of new injectors. no trans issues. replaced upper ball joints. great truck
Wow!!! That's pretty crazy!
I definitely dont hate the LLY. They do have the biggest turbo from the factory and produce and nice screech when you lay into it with a straight pipe. I own an 06 lbz with loads of engine work done to it, but I can say I'd take an LLY over any of the newer models any day.
100% agree
How many miles can you get out an lly
"Rust Free" & "Pennsylvania" have no business being in the same sentence together.
As for LLY head gaskets, my LLY 6 speed has 446k miles on it, and still wears the factory installed head gaskets.
I have a 2005 Chevy 3500 dually with the LLY, factory stock. I bought the truck brand new with 34 miles on it. I towed an 8000# camper until 2007 when I bought a 40ft 5th wheel that weighs in around 14,500# loaded. I just pulled this camper for 600 miles through the mountains of VA and it performed great. 172,000 miles and I've only had to replace the water pump. This truck isn't going to compete with a new one but it's been solid and steady for 17 years and it has done everything that I've asked of it.
I have a 04.5 LLY with 300,000kms the truck is just opened up with s&B turbo mouthpiece s&b air intake straight 5" exhaust back to 8" tip gonna add air dog lift pump put a tune on her and keep driving her until she rots out as it’s a very good engine with these upgrades and a few more and she be close to bulletproof with proper maintenance and additives!!
Theoretically I’d say the LB7 would be the most hated DMax not the LLY. I have an LLY and did ARP studs and gaskets not because it was blown but because I wanted too. I got 5 tune set up to 125 hp triple disk converter and a stage II trans build. Truck is reliable and fast enough for me.
Yeah, I should have saved the "most hated" line for when I do an LB7.
How much was it to do the stage II trans build?
Lb7 is the most hated
Agree. Never heard anyone complain about an lly aside from harness rub and head gaskets on high mileage stuff with a tune
I was about to say lb7 just because of the injectors
Got 2004 LB7 with 418k and the valve covers have never been off of it so original injectors. Probably a fluke but it's been pretty solid!
@@TheOGThumper I have a 04 LB7 with 270K. Injectors were done at 6.9 years and 115K miles. Chevy had a silent recall on the injectors for 7 years and 120. Found a dealer that knew about the recall a took care of me.
@@NollEngineeringPerformance yeh lmao I had my lly blow a head at 350k miles replaced it and it’s now at 558k miles
Got my LLY 2 years ago. 50 hp tow econo tune.66000 on it sbcc black just like yours except loaded. Never plowed and never saw a winter till I got it. The origenal owner with 72. didnt need it anymore. $22k and I love this truck. the odd thing about this truck is I looked for this truck on CL. Its the first truck that popped up.! minute search.
You lucked the hell out for sure!!!
Awesome job! Appreciate your efforts my friend! Always a enjoyable experience and cool veiw thanks for all! Keep well!🙂✌🏁!!
Thanks, will do!
THAT was a great review ! Totally matter a factory and to the point. Nicely done and I look forward to other reviews done in your style - THANK YOU!
this video is still worth watching man great job keep up the content
I appreciate it!
Just bought an 06 silverado 2500 with 127k, 6.6 diesel. Needs rockers but thats it. Paid 14k. Pretty excited.
Lucky bastard
In Michigan that truck would of pulled 12k easily. Btw lb7 is definitely most hated in my opinion
You’re pretty much spot on with everything man, awesome video! Mine has a new engine tuned by GM, original transmission though, with389k
One other problem with these trucks also is the stupid integrated dash bulbs in the hvac, cluster and steering wheel buttons that go out. They are not horrible to change on the cluster if you can solder but just a real pita when half of the dash is dark in various spots and the steering wheel buttons at $30 plus per button cluster sucks from the dealer too.
I have that issue too, need led replacement lamps instead of those incandescent bulbs they come with .
And they burn out in groups not one at a time
Most hated duramax? Hmmm.... disagree.
Didn’t mention-
Largest factory turbo.
That's fair. It's the LB7.
100%! LLY for the win!
We used to have the gas version of this truck 4x4 and we loved every second if it since we sold it still have never seen a match to it verry rare I guess ours looked like the red donor truck for the whistlin diesel truck sad :-(
That's awesome, I actually have a review on the gas version as well.
Is it me or did 15 year old trucks of 2020 gotten alot more expensive. At the time of 2003 a 15 year old trucks like a squarebody 1989 chevy 3500 with 170000 miles would cost 3k to 4k at average. But 9k for a truck like this for me is overprice.
You're gunna shit you're pants when you read this in todays world and realize how fucked we've become in the car/truck market lmao! That truck is 15k all day right now and that's if someones nice or it's trashed with rust.
A friend of mine got a 2005 Duramax, & about a week after he got it he had to replace the head-gasket.
I'm about to replace mine after about 2 months.. getting arp head studs and replacing a bunch of stuff while doing it.
Yep, Deep South Georgia rust at the same place. I’ve got the same truck but the GMC version 😊
Most comfortable interior of all Chevy’s is that era interior
Thanks man.. looking at an '05 LS LLY 2500HD w/215k (2 owner) and appears to be in really good shape. Knowing what to look and look out for helps!
Some dealerships would sell this for 20k. Lol
Especially in California
I’m looking at a LLY single cab with 150k miles for 20k lmao
$20k is about what a private sale would bring in the south East. I sold my 2007 classic with D-Max and 200k miles for $21k and it sold within 2 days to the 1st person who looked at it.
Shoot here in Georgia 2022 market, a dealer would ask $26,000 and they’d get it lol
Sidebar, the LLY has the biggest turbo. The tail gate bezel that’s always broken was not. 🤷🏼♂️My Lilly has 200k and the tailgate bezels always been fine on it. Operator error and those little plastic pieces that go get replaced by DIY guys and they break the bezel in the process.
Sweet breakdown.....then at the end as quick as that ....its going down the road that fast...lol take care!!!
Own a 2005 Duramax 2500. Travel in medical field. Tow fifth wheel to live in on assignment(one was 14,500ish pounds/current one 11.5k). Have upwards of 60k towing. 238k mileage on truck.
Probably put somewhere around 12-17k in parts and labor in vehicle. You covered most of everything.
Problems you didn't name. Did ppe tuner with egr delete (common problem). Inside fan system shorts out causing 3 and 5 speed to go out. Always carry an extra fuel filter with any diesel. Only time I didn't do that, I was stuck at a pilot for a couple of hours.
Pretty much everything you stated happened to me. Cluster panel. Glow plugs. Rust. New lights all around. Seats and roof fabric. Whole front end replaced.
I would buy this truck all over again. Great vehicle. Probably won't sell until wheels fall off.
Great review 👏👏 an outstanding video. Personally I won't buy a duramax, but they dont seem like awful trucks.
Thanks!
Nice truck, my dad's has a 2001 2500 HD with zero rust , still smells new and runs like a top but has some dents.
I have had issues with the back lightening of the steering wheel control and HVAC control burning out every couple years !
Arizona trucks only get the headlight fade. No rust problems
Don't forget the typical steering shaft clunk. Either replace them or pull it and pack it with grease
For sure! Thanks!
Hmm is is the sound I'm hearing over bumps under the dash?? 99,560
Im 14 next year I Can get a car and can get a job rn but that 2500 z71 is my dream truck
Lb7 is most hated and I got one lol 04 lb7 361,000
if you have the chance to get a 2005 2500 roller for free what motor would you throw in it and how easy or complicated is it?
Very informative video. Keep up the great content
Appreciate it!
LLYs are totally underrated!
I actually really like that truck
There was this video I saw where someone used a heat torch to renew the plastic lol. Idk if it worked or not
you must be new to duramax diesels, cuz the LLY is one of the most sought after duramax engines. rarest too
Sought after by shops that like doing head gaskets....I'm just messing with you, the LLY is a solid truck otherwise and yes, the LB7 would truly be the most hated.
@@TopLineRacer lol well in stock form if they aren't hauling loads too heavy the oem gaskets commonly see 250k miles. it's the guys running tuners without studs that cry about the gaskets. what did they expect? gotta mod diesels the right way. gotta say though, that even though the LB7 in stock form is kinda hated, the bottom end makes one helluva base for a 800hp 1600ftlb beast :)
Cool vid, you should see the horrorshow of what salted roads in maine does to thin metal lol.
Haha I've seen couple vehicles from around there and it gets rough in a hurry.
Same here in Massachusetts, salted roads are the fricken WORST!!!
rust isn’t a problem in florida ;)
And hurricanes aren’t a problems in the Midwest :)
@@Mooreman50 Midwest is the best
But trucks are hard to find still, I end up always flying back to Texas for trucks.
Do u recommend this truck for pulling a 5th wheel camper
love living in Texas
I love my 05 LLY!
how many miles on yours? i’m looking to get one!
WoolWax!!! It will change your Vehicle's life!!!!!!!
Rust free should mean rust free. Nice looking but man it sucks once they drive on salted roads
You are a verry good youtuber you make amazing content
I removed the fender flares on my 2000 z71, they were packed full of crud, I left them off.
Definitely a good call
The rear break light will rust around and leak 😂 i have that problem and 2 of my buddy’s also have the same issue
Is it for sale ? I need a truck, just started a job and it’s 30 minutes away and my last car blew up, and I’m willing to come get it
It's actually already sold.
Love the channel. Hey I have a Toyota pickup 2 door a 2.4 liter manual truck. Needs a new speedometer. Can't find anywhere!! Can u help? Thanks
Thanks for the video...learned a lot.....
Appreciate your video bud
Man love your vids unfortunately where ever there is a spot weld there is bare metal the e coat that the oem puts on can't get all the way to the spot weld that is y they rust
Excellent work and thanks for the content
No problem 👍
@@TopLineRacer 👍
Im about to get into hotshot hauling. I watched this vid for the reliable needs for a build. So about the tranny basically its not good to use for that?
It's a great transmission and will hold up to lots of abuse but obviously towing all the time isn't the easiest on them, overall it's a solid choice
@@TopLineRacer thx
What brand/model tires does the truck have?
Nice vid keep u the good work
Rusted brake lines. Not a huge deal though if you don't need brakes. Oh and rusted fuel lines..
That any brand tho... have had them all and they all rust. Very stupid that they dont use plastic.
Good point!
People don’t really like the 5 speed Allison transmission they like the 6 speed better all the Duramax engines are the same lol
Most hated? I choose an lly over the LB7 for obvious reasons.
Thank you so much for the video
its a chevy with a dirty max its not even broke in yet
2:10 lol what? I couldn’t even take mine off without breaking it in half when it was going to get resprayed
Good investment is to use hot shot secret products
The deep south boi ! ! !
Can you do a review like this for the F150?
My buddys white lbz all the paint is flaking. You can see primer on basically the entire roof the hood the doors everythings flaking
Unfortunately that's all too common on the white trucks
Great review!
What's your opinion on a 2005 ford f150 with the 3v 5.4 in it.The one i have i have to do the timing chain kit on it with a new HV oil pump im just a little worried about doing it never done stuff like that before.Your input would be helpful.
I have not personally done any work on the 5.4 but the cam phasers go bad in basically every single one of them unfortunately. I would just say check out the videos on youtube of the install process as I don't have any first hand experience on those.
Nice review!
Thank you!
Put on the whistlindiesel wheels on the black duramax
They won't even come close to fitting haha
I thought the could fit
Keep it up spencer
I’m thinking about buying a 2004-2010 Duramax either LLY or LBZ whichever I can find. How do I know too many miles is too many (of course 300k is too much) I’m thinking buying one with around.... 150k or lower if I can find one. Is that too many miles for the truck or not really?
Nah, you should be fine.
40 Years Auto-Body... The Plastic Fender Flares DO-NOT cause the Fenders and Box sides to Rust... The RUST is from the inside out... The Flares just hide the Rust longer... Washing the Inside your fenders and box sides and coating with some type of Oil like transmission Fluid is the Best way to stop Rust... same with cab-corners and rockers there is No plastic on them and they still RUST...
If you have a title, how much you want for it ?
It's already sold
The only thing I hate more than gmt800 tie rods are the gmt400 tie rods 😑
Haha
I know this sounds stupid, but is the gmc sierra version basically the same with the duramax engine and features?
Yep
My dad has 271k on his 98 dually still runs like brand new.@toplineRacer how many miles is on your guys dually?
Its right around 190k
TopLineRacer what year?
97
Great job. Looks great.
Thank you!
It's not easy buying a diesel
Hope mine last 1 million miles at least.
Is this your truck?
GM sure doesn't you to keep these unless you never take it out.
What’s the best diesel I can get with a 30k budget?? I’m using it to move to Denver and daily drive!!!
Something pre-2008, with under 150k is what I'd go with.
@@TopLineRacer I actually ended up going with a 2019 6.7 f250 lol
@@Steezy_R1 that's awesome! Those are great trucks!
284k on my 2006 LBZ. I really hope to hit 400k+
Still running strong?
@@rochmedina5305 yes still going strong. No issues, just replaced, fuel filter, air filter, did oil change, new transmission filter, and new transmission fluid. Runs really strong its 100% stock. I do plan on doing a 5inch exhaust and removing the resonator, maybe a FASS lift pump in the future I'll see.
I’m here!
My cousin has an 07 classic 2500 Duramax that has 298k and all he’s done to the motor is replace the glow plugs and injectors
I have an 07 classic and it has been a great truck for me
Would you buy one with 283k for 12 thousand?
That’s wayyy to much for that. I would say that’s worth like 6-9k
I just bought one in texas for 4 grand😂
How you like it?
Lucky
Aye whistlin diesel
384k on my lbz
Bust it
LLY most hated duramax? You mean LB7 that needs injectors.
And LLY's need head gaskets but truthfully the LB7 is more hated so you have a good point.
Where in pa do you live because I live in pa
I'm around Harrisburg
@@TopLineRacer I live around shamokin