My first GMT800, 01 2500HD LQ4

[CPB]

Recently acquired a 2001 2wd 2500HD 8ft crew cab with the LQ4 with 125,000 miles.

I'll preface by saying I've used someone's 2500HD Duramax off and on for years for towing racecars. It seemed to be very reliable, simple to work on and capable of car hauling. Around 2018-2019 I decided I should get one for myself. Well, life happens and we all try to forget 2020.

Fast forward to present, this truck was somewhat neglected but found a home with me. It's not a diesel, so I was skeptical it would work well for car hauling. I was pleasantly surprised it's just fine and has lower repair/maintenance cost.

Maintenance Upgrades I've done so far;
-Replace headlights with modern LED with better visibility
-Replace foglights with modern LED
-Replace interior lights with LED
-Replace underhood light with LED
-New washer tank
-Rear right window motor and regulator
-Front left window motor
-Cabin filter
-Engine air filter
-Bleed brakes (fluid was black and 3%+ moisture)
-Flush power steering
-Replace AC orifice tube, seals, vacuum and recharge system
-Replace fuel filter
-Replace spark plugs
-Replace camshaft position sensor
-Replace corroded battery tray
-New differential fluid
-New transmission fluid
-New coolant
-New toolbox struts
-New DRL sockets
-New Atoto headunit with android auto
-New fuel pressure regulator
-Reverse camera
-New air spring elbows
-New speakers, old ones rotted to nothing
-New trailer connector that has both 7 and 4 pin. (Hopkins 40920)
-New wipers
-New idlers, tensioner, belts for both serpentines
-New rear cupholder clip
-New starter motor
-New key fob
-New 5th wheel pins
-Added wireless phone charger to armrest
-Replaced broken tailgate release clips
-New taillights
-3d printed block off plate for unused 4wd control, also 3d printed phone plate for dashboard

Future plans I'm considering
-New shocks, but still trying to figure out what I need Added Bilstein 4600's (24-060813, 24-060820) on 4-23-2025
-Sulastic Shackles
-S&B Filters cab mounts
-Add a dorman fuel line check-valve into feed line
-Bilstein steering damper Installed Bilstein 5100 (33-174525) on 4-23-2025
-Air lift remote pump + control for the airsprings
-Revised ACDelco left valve cover #12570427
-Steering rebuild (pitman, idler, tierods)

Thanks for having me

 

[CPB]

It did great on the highway 67 hills in Missouri.

 

[Cadillacmak]

Welcome to the forum from Alaska. That is a great truck you have, looks like it found the right home to keep it on the road for a long time.

 

[1997]

welcome, nice truck.

interesting paint scheme on that charger? .. i'm not a mopar guy.
what's the plan for that?

 

[CPB]

welcome, nice truck.

interesting paint scheme on that charger? .. i'm not a mopar guy.
what's the plan for that?

Transported it on behalf of my mother in law for some TLC. Nothing crazy, just becoming a decent runner.

 

[4silverado]

Welcome from Kentucky.

 

[ORVietVet]

Welcome to the forum, from Oregon.

Nice looking hauler you got there. IMO, you have a great engine too. I owned a 2003 Duramax and never had problems but I got rid of it when I no longer needed for towing.

I had a purpose built full size 73 Blazer that I did rock crawling and trails with and was not legal to drive on streets. I used to pull with that Duramax and blow the doors off of trucks with big blocks pulling way smaller Jeep Wranglers.

 

[stutaeng]

Very nice truck. Welcome to the forum from Texas.

I really want to buy a 2500HD truck myself

 

[ORVietVet]

Very nice truck. Welcome to the forum from Texas.

I really want to buy a 2500HD truck myself

Bound to be a non rusted Texas truck somewhere.

 

[99Sierra2500]

I was pleasantly surprised it's just fine and has lower repair/maintenance cost.

I have the same setup, and it tows hauls fine.

 

[TooleyOnDeck]

Welcome, how do you like those RMAJET headlights? Any issues with hyper flashing?

You have what has become the most sought-after front clip of this generation, and it looks to be in great condition, excellent find!

 

[CPB]

Welcome, how do you like those RMAJET headlights? Any issues with hyper flashing?

You have what has become the most sought-after front clip of this generation, and it looks to be in great condition, excellent find!

I've had them for about 6-8 months so far. It was one of the first things I did to the truck, but can't speak for long term durability.

All my cars have some form of HID or HID retrofit. This is my first LED based headlight unit. Overall it's great for the price, but doesn't have the coverage of a great OEM bixenon projector. The highbeam is very "narrow" but intense enough to throw down the road. No hyper flashing of any sort. The DRLs look fairly OEM and I like the safety of running lights.

By default the LED toggles between high and low, so you have barely any light when high comes on as you lose low beam. Included in the box is a jumper plug that allows toggling the system to run both high and low when the high beam is engaged.

It's a great upgrade from stock and very affordable, but my "real" retrofitted headlights on my 01 Honda absolutely crush them. It's impressive how much can be designed and manufactured in the modern era. Headlights like this would have been a fortune to make from scratch 20 years ago.

 

[ORVietVet]

Very nice truck. Welcome to the forum from Texas.

I really want to buy a 2500HD truck myself

2002 chevy silverado 2500hd for sale by owner - Damascus, OR - craigslist

Our beautiful 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD V8 6.0L long bed 4x4 Only 116,000 miles This truck has ZERO issues Runs awesome Drives awesome Shifts amazing Everything works on it AC blows ice cold...

bend.craigslist.org

There is this no rust truck in Oregon.

 

[AuroraGirl]

View attachment 2643
Recently acquired a 2001 2wd 2500HD 8ft crew cab with the LQ4 with 125,000 miles.

I'll preface by saying I've used someone's 2500HD Duramax off and on for years for towing racecars. It seemed to be very reliable, simple to work on and capable of car hauling. Around 2018-2019 I decided I should get one for myself. Well, life happens and we all try to forget 2020.

Fast forward to present, this truck was somewhat neglected but found a home with me. It's not a diesel, so I was skeptical it would work well for car hauling. I was pleasantly surprised it's just fine and has lower repair/maintenance cost.

Maintenance Upgrades I've done so far;
-Replace headlights with modern LED with better visibility
-Replace foglights with modern LED
-Replace interior lights with LED
-Replace underhood light with LED
-New washer tank
-Rear right window motor and regulator
-Front left window motor
-Cabin filter
-Engine air filter
-Bleed brakes (fluid was black and 3%+ moisture)
-Flush power steering
-Replace AC orifice tube, seals, vacuum and recharge system
-Replace fuel filter
-Replace spark plugs
-Replace camshaft position sensor
-Replace corroded battery tray
-New differential fluid
-New transmission fluid
-New coolant
-New toolbox struts
-New DRL sockets
-New Atoto headunit with android auto
-New fuel pressure regulator
-Reverse camera
-New air spring elbows
-New speakers, old ones rotted to nothing
-New trailer connector that has both 7 and 4 pin. (Hopkins 40920)
-New wipers
-New idlers, tensioner, belts for both serpentines
-New rear cupholder clip
-New starter motor
-New key fob
-New 5th wheel pins
-Added wireless phone charger to armrest
-Replaced broken tailgate release clips
-New taillights
-3d printed block off plate for unused 4wd control, also 3d printed phone plate for dashboard

Future plans I'm considering
-New shocks, but still trying to figure out what I need
-Sulastic Shackles
-S&B Filters cab mounts
-Add a dorman fuel line check-valve into feed line
-Bilstein steering damper
-Air lift remote pump + control for the airsprings

Thanks for having me

where did you get toolbox struts from just curious
in the future if your tensioner for AC dies, a stretch belt from a gen iv v8 would be cheaper and since its the behind belt it needs to come off a lot less often

Why put a check valve in ?

 

[AuroraGirl]

I agree with your tail light choice, I have a 2005 but I like the amber turn so I got one of them too

But youre missing tailgate bumpers!


That little metal post is supposed to have little rubber triangles on them
you can buy new ones from auto part store, they will keep tailgate from rattling

 

[CPB]

where did you get toolbox struts from just curious
in the future if your tensioner for AC dies, a stretch belt from a gen iv v8 would be cheaper and since its the behind belt it needs to come off a lot less often

Why put a check valve in ?

I looked up the part number on the blown toolbox struts and it overlapped with these lincoln hood struts. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DWYVSPL

The check valve has failed inside the fuel pump sender assembly, but the pump is still good. I'll spend $30 on a check valve and add it in line.

 

[AuroraGirl]

I looked up the part number on the blown toolbox struts and it overlapped with these lincoln hood struts. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DWYVSPL

The check valve has failed inside the fuel pump sender assembly, but the pump is still good. I'll spend $30 on a check valve and add it in line.

What dorman high pressure-compatible check valve are you thinking of using?
I ask because I cant find one that doesnt have barb ends, even with injection hose and clamps id advise against having that in your fuel circuit because of fire risk

 

[CPB]

What dorman high pressure-compatible check valve are you thinking of using?

"Dorman 800-196"

Amazon.com

Hadn't picked a location yet, but maybe the plastic feed line above the tank.

 

[AuroraGirl]

I dont think this will work on the fuel line by the tank
And up by the engine, as i edited my previous question, i fear about fire risk.

do you know where the check valve is on the fuel pump assembly? If its on the bottom, then there could be a bad hose on the fuel pump module that goes from the check valve to the top. if its on the top, theres a chance you could fix it by removing from the tank and ensuring the sock is clean and the hose is in good shape and the outlet pipes arent leaking.

 

[AuroraGirl]

Does your mirror on the driver side shake while driving, and have a tendancy to point downward over time?