2003 Duramax VS 2003 Powerstroke - Discuss per below.

[woodswalker]

Pros, Cons and personal likes, dislikes, things to watch for.

Background: 2 very similar trucks, within 5K miles of each other, in the 180K range, similar prices and equipment.  K2500 and F250, both extended cabs, 8 ft boxes, Towing packages, canopies and condition.

[Dhoey07]

03 isn't the greatest of duramax years. Unless you know the history on the truck or you are getting a fairly good deal, I would shy away.  04-07 are much better options with the lbz/allison 1000 6 speed being the best option.

[HntnFsh]

03 Duramax would probably be ok if its had recent injectors or they test out good.

[huntnphool]

 Which 2003 Powerstroke?

 The first half of the year they still used the 7.3, second half they went to the 6.0L.

[Henrydog]

Just Say "NO to 6.0"

[gutsnthegrass]

HP is correct.  If it has the 7.3, it is a solid pickup.  I don't know much about the Chevy.  I owned a 7.3 and it was one of the best rigs I've owned.  I should have never gotten rid of it.  The 6.0litre on the onther hand...stay away!

[woodswalker]

03 Duramax would probably be ok if its had recent injectors or they test out good.

supposedly had injectors at 165K...Have not seen the paperwork though

[HntnFsh]

03 Duramax would probably be ok if its had recent injectors or they test out good.

supposedly had injectors at 165K...Have not seen the paperwork though

Should be a good rig then. Especialy if he can prove injectors were done. You can check balance rates with a blue tooth dongle and the torque pro app. That will give you a pretty good idea of how healthy the injectors are. Only other thing of concern would be head gaskets. But that's an easy check.

[Special T]

7.3 are solid as a rock. my brother is getting ready to toss in a built Re-man for his company rig. New diesels are expensive ans suck with all the emissions crap on them. they have over 350k miles on a shop truck that has been ridden hard.

[huntnphool]

7.3 are solid as a rock. my brother is getting ready to toss in a built Re-man for his company rig. New diesels are expensive ans suck with all the emissions crap on them. they have over 350k miles on a shop truck that has been ridden hard.

 I'm at 520k on my Excursion

[Special T]

7.3 are solid as a rock. my brother is getting ready to toss in a built Re-man for his company rig. New diesels are expensive ans suck with all the emissions crap on them. they have over 350k miles on a shop truck that has been ridden hard.

 I'm at 520k on my Excursion

Im guessing yours is well taken care of. This one of 3 ford 7.3 he has. hauls a 100 gallon fuel tank full every day with all manner of logging gear on it. Often towing  heavy loads.

I bet with care, a secondary fuel filter, and not beating the  out of it they would last a really long time.

[huntnphool]

7.3 are solid as a rock. my brother is getting ready to toss in a built Re-man for his company rig. New diesels are expensive ans suck with all the emissions crap on them. they have over 350k miles on a shop truck that has been ridden hard.

 I'm at 520k on my Excursion

Im guessing yours is well taken care of. This one of 3 ford 7.3 he has. hauls a 100 gallon fuel tank full every day with all manner of logging gear on it. Often towing  heavy loads.

I bet with care, a secondary fuel filter, and not beating the  out of it they would last a really long time.

 Basically been a daily driver since 2000.

 OP, FWIW I'm looking for another one, that's how pleased and confident in the drivetrain I am. I'll likely put a new engine in this one when the time comes as well.

[Timberstalker]

7.3 are solid as a rock. my brother is getting ready to toss in a built Re-man for his company rig. New diesels are expensive ans suck with all the emissions crap on them. they have over 350k miles on a shop truck that has been ridden hard.

 I'm at 520k on my Excursion

Wow, that's almost up to Cummins performance levels.

[woodswalker]

7.3 are solid as a rock. my brother is getting ready to toss in a built Re-man for his company rig. New diesels are expensive ans suck with all the emissions crap on them. they have over 350k miles on a shop truck that has been ridden hard.

 I'm at 520k on my Excursion

Wow, that's almost up to Cummins performance levels.

Well I haven't found a Dodge that wasn't beat to death body-wise, of the interior destroyed. Or needed the whole front end rebuilt.

[Woodchuck]

7.3 are solid as a rock. my brother is getting ready to toss in a built Re-man for his company rig. New diesels are expensive ans suck with all the emissions crap on them. they have over 350k miles on a shop truck that has been ridden hard.

 I'm at 520k on my Excursion

Wow, that's almost up to Cummins performance levels.

Well I haven't found a Dodge that wasn't beat to death body-wise, of the interior destroyed. Or needed the whole front end rebuilt.

They sell them that way new.

[Woodchuck]

I have an 02 Duramax and I love it. Oil quality and quantity is crucial for injector life. 270k on it, pulls anything I want to pull as fast as I want to pull it up any hill I have found so far. Gets over 20mpg empty if I drive decent. 

[Timberstalker]

7.3 are solid as a rock. my brother is getting ready to toss in a built Re-man for his company rig. New diesels are expensive ans suck with all the emissions crap on them. they have over 350k miles on a shop truck that has been ridden hard.

 I'm at 520k on my Excursion

Wow, that's almost up to Cummins performance levels.

Well I haven't found a Dodge that wasn't beat to death body-wise, of the interior destroyed. Or needed the whole front end rebuilt.

They sell them that way new.

You should be tarred and feathered. Publicly. A lot.

[lord grizzly]

The only diesel I’d take over a 7.3 is a 5.9 mechanical 12 valve and it would be a toss up at that. 230k on my 7.3 and have now doubts about the next 200k

[huntnphool]

The only diesel I’d take over a 7.3 is a 5.9 mechanical 12 valve and it would be a toss up at that. 230k on my 7.3 and have now doubts about the next 200k

 Have you changed the injectors?

[Special T]

Regardless of what you decide put a 2nd stage fuel filter on and run down to 2 micron. on my dodge i run the stock filter then a 2 micron. it will save a lot of wear and tear on the injectors and pump. it is amazing how much crap is in the fuel you buy. 

[jackelope]

The only diesel I’d take over a 7.3 is a 5.9 mechanical 12 valve and it would be a toss up at that. 230k on my 7.3 and have now doubts about the next 200k

Keep a close eye on your injectors.

[jackelope]

I have an 02 Duramax and I love it. Oil quality and quantity is crucial for injector life. 270k on it, pulls anything I want to pull as fast as I want to pull it up any hill I have found so far. Gets over 20mpg empty if I drive decent. 

How's the leaf springs holding up?

[Woodchuck]

I have an 02 Duramax and I love it. Oil quality and quantity is crucial for injector life. 270k on it, pulls anything I want to pull as fast as I want to pull it up any hill I have found so far. Gets over 20mpg empty if I drive decent. 

How's the leaf springs holding up?

Is that a fat joke? 

[Grit dog]

I have an 02 Duramax and I love it. Oil quality and quantity is crucial for injector life. 270k on it, pulls anything I want to pull as fast as I want to pull it up any hill I have found so far. Gets over 20mpg empty if I drive decent. 

We had a LB7 02 Dmax
Only had 150k when sold but it had literally zero issues.
Not sure what you’re talking about with oil/ injectors. You’re thinking of Powerstrokes with HPOP. Duramax oil has nothing to do with the injectors.

[yorketransport]

I've had 14 work trucks with the International T444e engine which is very close to the 7.3 Powerstroke (I think the ECMs and oil coolers are a little different) and they've all been excellent engines. They've all gone at least 300K in hard use trucks run at 18-20,000 lbs for 10-12 hours per day. None of them had any mechanical issues until beyond the 250K mark and then it was usually the injector pump.

My personal truck is a 2005 Duramax, so a newer version than what you're looking at, but I did have one 2003 work truck with the Duramax in it a while back. My personal truck has been excellent and I haven't had any mechanical issues buy it's only at 140K. The work truck was a light duty (10,000 lbs) rig that ran right at 10K lbs every day. It got better fuel economy than the 6.0 L gas engines but it spent an awful lot of time in the shop. Injectors, head gaskets and glow plugs were a constant issue until I ditched that truck at around 200K.