What is the 8th digit of the VIN on your 04 Duramax? It should be a "1" or a "2". That will tell you if it is the LB7 or the LLY version of the Duramax engine. The 2004 LB7 was 300hp/520tq and the 2004.5 LLY was 310hp/590tq. Each of them has their own little quirk.
2010 Cougar 322QBS 5er
2007 Dodge 3500 SRW Megacab, 4x4, 5.9L Cummins, 3.73, 48RE auto HYPERTECH MAX ENERGY or DIABLO PREDATOR tuning MBRP 4" Turbo back Scangauge2 for Boost, Coolant temp, Rail press & Trans Temp
Torklift Stable Loads
ib516 wrote: What is the 8th digit of the VIN on your 04 Duramax? It should be a "1" or a "2". That will tell you if it is the LB7 or the LLY version of the Duramax engine. The 2004 LB7 was 300hp/520tq and the 2004.5 LLY was 310hp/590tq. Each of them has their own little quirk.
8th digit is a "1"
2012 Wildcat 313RE
2004 Chevy 2500hd crewcab long bed Duramax/Allison
jbadtoy wrote: The 03 had 180,000 on it and the 05 has 80 and they both towed 10,000 plus up and down the baker grade in so cal,the 20 plus mile grade at about 6% most of the grade in summer time around 115 degrees with the AC on.
Can't count the times I've pulled it.
Yes the Baker grade is a good pull especially in summer but 6% is still just 6%.
Start climbing some bigger grades with less air flow they all start to heat up quickly, especially the Dmax of that vintage.
I have a house in Big Bear Ca and one in Las Vegas and I do that drive twice a week if not more,in fact I am in my so Cal home right now,and on my way back to Vegas I will push the trip button on the truck and see how long it really is. I have traveled the Rockies and many other grades has some level off or down hill than back up again,but that darn barker in the SUMMER is one of the only place I know of that WILL even stop new caddy and SUV's without pulling anything Down on the side of the road from the heat and grade for that long All summer long.
07 Z71 1500 4x4 6.0
08 3500 Dually 4x4 just for work
05 2500 D MAX 4x4 8 inch lift 37 inch toyos tuned,4inch exhaust,intake and more.
26ft Carson Inbox loaded for the toys
28ft Caliber One Boat
18ft Carson Car trailer
ib516 wrote: What is the 8th digit of the VIN on your 04 Duramax? It should be a "1" or a "2". That will tell you if it is the LB7 or the LLY version of the Duramax engine. The 2004 LB7 was 300hp/520tq and the 2004.5 LLY was 310hp/590tq. Each of them has their own little quirk.
8th digit is a "1"
OK, then it's an LB7. About the only thing to watch for is signs of injector trouble. That usually manifests itself as white or greyish smoke at idle when the engine is up to operating temperature. That, and the engine oil level can INCREASE if you have a bad injector due to fuel being added to the oil. Keep an eye out for those two things. Other than the minor injector issue, that is a solid truck which should give you plenty of reliable service.
I had two D Max one 03 and the 05 and I never had any of the problems that I read about like the injectors or overheating. The 03 had 180,000 on it and the 05 has 80 and they both towed 10,000 plus up and down the baker grade in so cal,the 20 plus mile grade at about 6% most of the grade in summer time around 115 degrees with the AC on. I still own the 05 and with the 8 inch lift and the 37 inch tires don't help and never had it run hot even with my EFI tune. My buddy pushes his lifted 04 Dodge dually right behind me for years,and his gauges start to get around 225-230 on the same hill at the same time and my 05 just kicks the fan on and keeps it at 210 215 at about 55 to 60. I have a newer DMax company truck 2011 and it does the same in the same weather with the same weight but just bone stock so I think if you don't push your 04 with over weight and don't try to set the cruise control at 70 on the steep grades you won't be one of the guys on the web writing about how hot there truck runs,and what should I do and whats the problem with my truck.But that just my real world driving for the last 8 years of owning a 6.6 D MAX in hot weather and steep grades the hole time on the west coast.
8th digit is a "1"
OK, then it's an LB7. About the only thing to watch for is signs of injector trouble. That usually manifests itself as white or greyish smoke at idle when the engine is up to operating temperature. That, and the engine oil level can INCREASE if you have a bad injector due to fuel being added to the oil. Keep an eye out for those two things. Other than the minor injector issue, that is a solid truck which should give you plenty of reliable service.
thanks for the heads up, I'll keep a heads up for this
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