Build Thread about my Duramax - Some of you already know that I bought a second Truck. I was searching for an affordable Diesel for the last few months but ...

[ElReeso]

Some of you already know that I bought a second Truck. I was searching for an affordable Diesel for the last few months but never really intended to buy one.
It was more like watching the market, dreaming and being shocked about the outrageous prices for LMMs or LMLs and even LBZs.
I considered buying C*mmins and Pewerstroke but prices where the same and I wanted a Chevy again.

Fast forward to two weeks ago. I was browsing the german craigslist counterpart and saw a nice NBS Diesel.. at the same time my future Mother in Law was searching for a SUV or a smaller Truck. We talked a bit and then I decided to sell her my Ferd Expedition to gain funds for the Duramax.
I called the seller and we talked about the Truck.. Alot of things to do but he promised me the Transmission and Engine are in great shape. Told me its a 2004 with the LB7 (yeah I know.. LLY would be better) which he bought half a year ago and he needs to sell it because his wife is pregnant.

Booked flights and last friday I flew up to him and looked at the Truck. The guy was cool and the Truck was in a solid shape... Dents in both bed sides and scratches. Some smaller rust spots and the left cab corner was rusted out and done previously pretty bad. No german papers and a cracked windshield made it impossible to get normal plates so I had my friends dealer plates with me.

Test drove it and it ran good but had a ticking noise from the engine when accelerating and driving over 1100 rpms. Went away when you let off the pedal.. Trans shifted good but fluid needs a change soon.
Talked him down another 2500 bucks and took the truck with me. 1020km and not a single problem! Ticking, little low oil pressure at idle and dents... welcome home Duramax!

Few facts about the Truck: 2004 2500HD 4x4 Extended Cab with Longbed and LS Trim. Cloth interior with power everything and Cruise Control. Banks Airintake and Banks IQ Tuner (nothing changed when I scrolled through power levels). 156k miles on it and so far I´m more than happy with it!

Plan is to get that ticking noise checked, add a Winch bumper and possibly a Rollpan. Smaller Liftkit and MT Tires.. then have fun and do smaller mods and things I´m coming across.

I already started with the removal of all the addons and door moldings etc.. I like the blue but it needs to be a clean truck for me.

[ElReeso]

First mod is already ordered

Its the ARB Winch Bumper which will be outfitted with some nice LED Lights and a 12000 LBS winch. I ordered through amazon to have full buying protection whilst the package is on its way to Germany.

I shipped it to a buddy in Florida who has a export/import business and he will send it over in one of his sea containers. If I´m lucky it will be here in 3-4 weeks but I´ll doubt that.
The fitting kit is purchased seperately and will be here soon.

[nealinator]

Great looking truck Mario. Looking forward to following this along!!

[badbruin44]

Yes nice looking truck. It must be a monster in Europe (BIG). It will be a lot of fun to make it your own enjoy.

[jake2250]

Great looking truck Mario! Get that tranny fluid changed! Also, run a good oil in the motor, I had good luck with Delo in my previous Diesel and was pleased with the performance. Also, get in a DMax forum and see what they say about the tick.
Good luck with it and looking forward to seeing the progress!

[ElReeso]

Thanks guys! It actually is a few inches shorter than my NNBS which was required to fit it in the garage.. I can´t park both trucks outside and block all the parking space and the garage.

I´m changing the oil next weekend as I think the previous owner threw the wrong oil in there which might be giving me the low oil pressure at idle.
I´m also changing all fluids and filters. We will see how that goes..

Thanks for the suggestion Jake, I signed up and asked my Questions.. Answers are ranging from normal to valve lash.. since I think i have a small power loss or not enough power I might prepare myself for a valve job..

[jake2250]

Mario, look up "Valve lash adjustment" for the Duramax and you should find a video or two about adjusting the valves. Finding a good competent Diesel shop is a good thing also.
I thought I could do a bunch of work on my diesel but I wound up taking it in for a few things and they knew the little tricks and what not to get that motor where it needed to be.

[ElReeso]

Looked it up and it looks pretty simple. Just alot of stuff to remove but thats how it is

My buddy Smitty is actually a certified Diesel Tech and one of a few in Germany who works on US Diesels. He is driving Chevy Diesels since 86 and has three LB7s himself. One with 360k miles.. I´ll get his dealer plates soon and then we will take a little drive and check compression to see if the valves are still good. Hopefully I just need to adjust them or maybe its even less than that!

[ElReeso]

The Bumper has shipped within 2 days and arrived at the container station.
It will be packed tomorrow and probably arrive in 4-5 weeks at my place




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[nealinator]

I need a Smitty buddy!!

Bumper looks beefy. Will change the look of the rig for sure.

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