6.2l L87 vs 3.0l Baby Duramax

I have an older F250 that I enjoy rat-a-tat-tatten around town in my 7.3 but my back says it's not interested in that being my daily driver anymore. So I'm ready for a new truck - probably jump into a new half ton GM product by the end of the month.

On the 2024, the Duramax comes standard on some of the upper trim levels I'm looking at. And the 6.2 comes as an additional 1500 option plus the 395 active exhaust.

I'm debating between the two. I've got nothing but positive things to say about Duramax owning papa Duramax before and I know people who get stupid mileage out of the little 3.0. But the thought of a burly V8 sounds kind of attractive and adds an extra sensory experience to my driving. It's 2grand more but what the hell, you can't take it with you.

It won't ever tow more than a bass boat so I don't really care about towing or payload capacity or even much about fuel economy any more.

I'd throw up a poll but I'm too TFF ignorant to do that so wonder what the consensus of my all-knowing, brilliant and opinionated TFF brethren are?

I am looking at purchasing the baby duramax also. Hard to find anything bad about the new version. I like the 30+ mpg on the highway. Never had a diesel but this seems too good to pass up.

If you don't care about fuel economy then the 6.2 is the way to go. I've had my AT4X for 13 months and just turned 20k. Still digging it.

How's the ride quality tmd? Would you drive it to Florida without wishing you would've taken a plane? That's my measuring stick - I've got kids in Florida I drive to see every so often. And we take her mid size SUV but I feel like a rat in a cage for that long a trip in that thing.

The seats to me and my wife are way more comfortable then my Fords were. In the Fords they seemed very comfortable around town and short trips but anything more than 2 hours and I was in bad pain, have pins and plates in my spine. The seats on my AT4X feel firm but are way more comfortable and have a massage feature. Been on an 8 hour road trip and felt great when I got there.

Based on your travels to Florida (mileage), I would purchase the baby duramax. I currently drive an 05 duramax (daily driver), and I went from a V8 to diesel because I put a lot of miles on my vehicles. I was tired of the frequent oil changes, and tune ups on the V8, and my gas mileage suffered when I pulled the boat.

I met a hot shot driver that also use's his vehicle as a private taxi service, and he is very happy with the baby diesel in his Denali. If you plan to keep this next truck, get the diesel. I'm having a hard time deciding between the Tundra (turbo) or Chevy baby diesel, so I'll just keep driving my 05.

Please let us know what you decide and how you like your next truck.

I have a 23 LTZ with the LZO Duramax. I love mine. Traded in a poverty edition Ram 6.7 cummins on it and would do it again in a heartbeat. I tow a 23' CC every weekend, normally both days. The ride is great, seats are comfy to me, and the mileage is crazy. It's been a long, long time since I was able to commute back and forth to work all week and then run to the lake on the weekend, all on the same tank of fuel.
Both will obviously pull a bass boat with ease, the duramax will get better MPG's doing it. I'm between 14-15 mpgs pulling my CC according to the truck. You will see reports of high DEF usage on the 3.0, but it hasn't been any different than what the Ram used for me.
But if you want the throaty sound, get the 6.2. The duramax is pretty is quiet.

6.2 all the way. 2021 High Country.

Love it.

Diesel here is $0.38 more than premium gas. $0.68 more than regular.

Only thing that bothers me about the 3.0, break out the wallet for that oil pump drive belt at the rear of the engine! Plus, those Duramax parts aren't cheap!

How much does it cost? I know you only have to do it at 200,000 miles. I like how it makes more torque than the 6.2 for pulling.

IF the little Duramax is getting 30 mpg, and the 6.2 wont sniff 20 mpg going downhill with a tailwind, the difference in fuel cost is more than offset by the difference in fuel in mileage. JMHO

Seen prices as low as $3000 and as high as $6000. Other than that, most people that have them, love them!

Love the 6.2, when you consider the DEF and higher price for diesel it comes out about even mileage wise, and diesel upkeep will be more also.

6.2

I would love to have a 6.2 , i have had 9 Chevy 5.3's

my 6.2 is garbage

2022 with 29K miles and I have blown the engine, new radiator and a boatload of other problems.

Service techs tell me these have been popping like crazy

I would already be in the 3.0 if they were not going to gut me on the trade

I would be pissed if i had 6.2 to do that , sorry to hear that .

This pro is using the baby duramax as his tow vehicle...

...and a not so positive review

Had a 6.2L GMC and went to the 3.0L Baby Duramax in my next GMC. Would make the same decision again without hesitation.