New 2007.5 Chevrolet Duramax Crew Cab

[HughM]

I was going to order a 2008 Duramax but the strike changes things. I took delivery today of a 2007.5 Chev. Silverado, Duramax, Silver Birch, Crew Cab, SB, Brake Controller and other options.
Chev had been offering $3500 off 2007 but today they began an additional $1500 of certain models Crew Cab being one of them.
I couldn't turn down $5000 plus additional $$ off and wait on a 2008.
My first tow is to the Southeastern rally at Cotton Hill CG GA.
We'll be gone a month and end up in the Florida Keys in November.
After reading the posts I guess my next projects are air horns, compressor and Firestone air bags.
Any of you Duramax guys (or girls) have comments, suggestions, or need to know things please let me know. Not my first diesel (had 4 others) but its my first Duramax.

[mobrownies]

Check your charging line on the trailer connection. I don't know about the new trucks, but mine did not come with the 30A fuse in the charge line for the trailer battery. Instead it had a blank piece of plastic, but wada ya expect for a $40,000 truck

I seem to recall a break in period and a filter on the Allison that needed to be changed right away.

Hope you love the truck as much as we love ours. We pulled some hills getting into Ohiopyle PA and I was glad we had the D/A.

[Ozzie]

Ummm...uh-oh...can someone point me to that missing fuse?
I have a newer truck and never checked that one...

[bncinwv]

Ozzie,
The wiring harness that came in the glove box had our fuse taped to it. It looks like a square block. If you lift the cover off of the fuse block under the hood. it is easy to see if it is in there or not.
Bingo

[Ozzie]

Thank you sir...

I started to worry a bit as I've heard of this before and forgot all about it.
I see it has been discussed a bit over at The Diesel Place too...

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/sho...+charging+fuse

[Rondo]

Hugh, You will love your Duramax! Do you have the 6 speed Allison with it? I have a 2007 that I bought in May! I only have about 5600 miles on it so far but I'm averaging 18.8 miles without the tow and with my Monty 2980RL behind me, I'm averaging 10.6 with it and I've talked to the dealer and others (including my brother who has had the diesels for his last 4) and they all have said I won't see the actual mpg until I hit the 20,000 mark! They have said I'll be averaging 25+ without and 15-16 with the tow. I have the new body style, short bed, crew cab, rhino liner and a Reese slider. I've always had gas but won't anymore! This Duramax is OUTSTANDING!!!
Rondo

[lwcdg]

Hugh, I agree you'll love the truck. I just picked mine up on the evening of the 19th. I wanted to get it once I made up my mind. I'll call the dealer tomorrow and see if they'll do anything with the new 1500 rebate for me. I'm not holding my breath though. As others have stated you may see nice mpg if you can keep your foot out of it. I'm getting 13 to 16 in city and 18 on the hwy. 700 plus miles on it in 6 days. Odometer is reading just over 1100 and Pam likes the it being quiet. She likes this diesel much better than the old 7.3 Ford, it's hard to believe it is a diesel.
enjoy it,
Chuck

[Montana Sky]

HughM,
Congrats on your new Duramax! My 04 has over 80,000 miles on it and my previous 03 Duramax had 25,000 on it before it was totaled in an accident. With more than 100,000 miles combined on my Duramax's, I am confident in saying; you will wonder why you did not buy one sooner...Enjoy

[dscott]

Hugh,
I have about 1600 miles on mine, mpg is great 18.8 on the e-way using cruse.Hard to keep your foot out of it,all that HP is fun to drive.Just sold my 340 hp; 8.1 GMC gasser, and I thought that was powerfull.
I'am trying to learn how to use all the toys on this truck. The brake controller works great,ONSTAR, E-MAILED me and said my rear tires,were low on air.WOW Enjoy your new truck.

[RKassl]

My 2004.5 D/A has 49000 now. At 65 mph I have squeezed 21 mpg unloaded on the interstate. Pulling the Monty with full load, I average 12.5, have hit 13 once. Love the power. This was my first Chevy and most important my first diesel. I made a great decision for a tow vehicle.

[Clyde n Deb]

Hugh, you will really enjoy that truck. I am old school maintenance, and probably overmaintain, but it gives me peace of mind. GM recommends a minimum of 500 miles driving before any towing to breakin the rearend. I would as mobrownies suggested, replace the tranny filter if you get some miles on it before heading out on your trip. The Allison guys say definitely change that external spin-on filter BEFORE 5000 miles the first time. I would change engine oil too if you get 1500 or more miles on it before you go. The tranny filter is an easy change. It is easily visible under the truck, and holds less than 1/2 qt. of fluid. If you change it, make sure you get that round washer style magnet off the old one, wipe it off, and put it on the new filter before you replace it. Fill the filter with fluid, wet the rubber gasket, and spin it back on. You won't be off an iota on your dipstick. If you do your own oil changes, remember the oil pan drain plug on a DMax is 62 ft. lbs. It can leak if you don't tighten it adequately.
As mentioned, www.dieselplace.com is a great site for any and all DMax/Ally questions. I wish I was heading to the Keys with you!

[bncinwv]

I am just a little confused here (normal state). Allison says to change filter at 5,000 miles. GM site says to change filter at first normal maintenance which according to the on-board computer is at 10,000 miles. Anybody know the correct answer???
Bingo

[Clyde n Deb]

Bingo: As I stated in my post, I perform maintenance ahead of most schedules for all things. I change my diesel oil regularly @ 5k also. Many people think that's excessive. I don't. Some things may change from year to year as well. I based my answers and suggestions on the fact I am running a DMax LLY, (second generation with Ally 5 speed). Getting into maintenance habits, intervals, and fluids, will get you answers from A to Z. If you really want to get a conversation thread started sometime, bring up the subject of synthetic vs. standard fluids, and which ones are best. Everybody has an opinion.
My suggestion to the 5,000 mile first filter change came from attending the RV show when we bought our Monty. The Allison guys from here in Denver always have a booth at the show. I stopped to visit them, told them I had just purchased a 5er and was about to start towing. I said I had a relatively new (at that time, 3 months old) DMax with Ally, and did they have any suggestions before I started towing. The first thing out of one guys mouth was, "how many miles ya got on it?" I responded that I had about 4500 miles on it at the time, and he advised me to go home and change the filter pronto. Also, the Allison operator's manual for Allison 1000/2000/2400 On-Highway transmissions, on page 49 states that the spin-on filter is to be changed at the first 5000 miles, and at regular intervals therafter. I have since put on an Allison deep pan made for heavier trucks, and switched to BG synthetic trans fluids. I now have my own service intervals that I follow that are somewhat by gut feeling based also on the amount of time I have towed vs. not, conditions towing, and elapsed time since the last service. Some people change the spinon Ally filter and fuel filter @ every oil change too. That IMO is excessive. Following the DIC recommendations in your truck is fine if that's what you subscribe to. Any maintenance is better than none or not frequent enough. Do what is best for you and your situation. Remember always that towing as we do constitutes "Heavy Duty" or "Severe" when you are looking at recommended fluids and intervals. Enjoy your truck and your Monty. I'm out of here tomorrow for a visit to the original Cabela's store in Sidney, Ne. and on to the lake fishing through Sunday. Can't wait, can't sleep. Movin' on.

[Montana Sky]

I changed the spin on filter for the Allison on my truck at 5,000 miles as well. From there, every 25,000 miles the fluids and filters are changed on the transmission. At 50,000 miles I had the fluid switched to synthetic in the transmission. I also switched the front differential to synthetic at 30,000 miles. My dealership gave me a service schedule from GM for my duramax, that is what I follow.

I also change my engine oil every 3,000 miles, even though the onboard computer says it is nowhere near time to. I run the standard oil that is used by my GM dealership(Mobil). I change the oil frequently for my own personal satisfaction.

[HughM]

Thanks for all the replys. I won't have but about 800 miles on it when I start towing. Yes wiil be driven under 50 mph for the first 500 miles. Its at 360 now. It will be 50 mph for the first 500 towing miles. Then its 65 on x way.
I got 24 months of scheduled maintenance included in deal. Service manager told me no way to trust DIC on oil changes. Bring it in every 5000 miles. Remember its their dollar.
Allision will be changed on the return home at approx. 3500 miles.

[Eagle Man]

I changed the Allison spin on at 5k. BTW, get the filter from Allison (it will be less than $7)not GM(it will be over $30). I change engine oil a little before the DIC says it's time, same for the fuel filter.