I owned several suburbans and an explorer before deciding to go diesel back in 01. I drove the Ford and Chevy and the duramax was the clear winner at that time. I've got an 01 HD2500 dmax/allison that has been stone reliable for 32,000 miles and very fun to drive.

I miss the suburban though and have been looking at the X with the 6.0 since they are really the only option in this category right now. However, the widespred reliability concerns and poor mileage with the 6.0 and the live front axle/wandering of the X really have me wondering if I'd be unhappy with it.

I'm very much aware of the fact that these forums tend to attract a lot more comments from owners with problems than from happy owners so I'm trying to figure that in but, especially regarding the motor, it is pretty over obvious that there are some major problems. I followed the dmax forums before and after I got my 01 and it never had anything even close to this level of problems.

So my question is, are there 6.0 owners out there that are NOT having problems and how many miles do you have on them? What kind of mileage are you getting?

I love the Eddie Bauer X that I'm looking at but I'm scared to death to trade a reliable truck for a problem.

 

As with ANYTHING - or ANY manufacturer ----
"Your results may vary " !!!
Just like you discovered with the Duramax - right?

The Ex is the BEST travelling vehicle I've ever owned...
and I've owned a BUNCH - motorcycles, sports cars in my "yuth", sedans, vans, other SUV's, motorhomes...
and most things in between...

But my ONLY complaint is self induced...
The new 5 speed trans and QUIET 6.0L powerband are so much better than the 7.3L - 4 speed (and that was my first great Ex!) that I have a tendency to start WAY too quickly from all the lights and stop signs here in the DFW area !

If I drove like a "PawPaw" I'm sure my mielage would be MUCH better - but the fun-factor still hasn't worn off after 10K miles !
And my 4x4 is stock other than upgraded lighting front and back.

Am afraid to take Quad in Fort Worth up on his offer to test install one of his modules to see the difference - I KNOW I'd be buying it ! All reports indicate better fuel mileage with the modules, and I KNOW 100+ HP would double the fun factor...

Actually my fuel mileage is not THAT bad for an 8000 lbs truck, but I'd always like more - especially since the reflash @ 8k miles dropped my mileage 3 mpg with no change in driving style...

So, while I FEEL for the people that are having issues with their trucks - really I do - been there, had that done to me before -
I've been VERY pleased with my '03 Ex...
build date sometime after April '03 may be part of the difference...

***********
Good luck - and test drive one - I see them more and more around the DFW area... even ran across TWO just like mine !
My wife asked me if
I felt like the two women who wore the same dress to a party !?!

Now, HOW would I know that ?@?@!!

 

Not really. As much as folks wanted to believe that there were some dmax problems, it was rare to actually read about them on the big GM forums. Quite a contrast to what I've been reading on the ford forums.

I drove 2 X's with the 6.0 over the weekend. Loved them. Much the same power as my dmax. Maybe a little less power in the ford but, as with my dmax, I'm sure it'd get stronger as the miles roll up. We LOVED the trucks (both Eddie Bauer's) but am torn about the decision still.

Thanks for your input.

 

My mistake -
guess it was someone else that refernced all the concerns they read on the Dmax boards before buying their Dmax and finding they were unfounded...

Don't know what's on the other boards-
I never read other than the 'cars I have' boards -
currently the '03 Ex and an '02 Lincoln LSV8...

but when and if I decide to change vehicles-
which I hope is a LONG time - I will research the net...

Good Luck with your decision - all I can speak of is my experience - what i've heard is only hearsay :-)