- Jun 19, 2025
- 1
- 0
Hello everyone!
Newbie here, and I am about to buy a 1500 zr2 bison with the baby duramax. I have been reading the forums for a while, but dont own the zr2 yet . I have extensively read hours and hours of threads here and am super grateful to everyone who's posted, as I have already learned so much and it has helped me cement my decision that this truck is right for me.
I am not a car expert. I say that so you guys know I humbly come with no real knowledge, other than the hours I’ve spent reading these forums and watching videos, my 4 trucks of different brands before this, and with no ego other than wanting a smooth experience with the 1500 ZR2 Bison I am dead set on buying.
Like I said, I have read in-depth many many things in these forums and elsewhere, so I hope that questions posed or advice sought here are not completely repetitive for you guys. Below is pretty much everything i am considering and concerned about, and wondering what all you guys think.
For some time, I have been looking at the Silverado ZR2 Bison Duramax. In the next month or two, I will pull the trigger on one. I’m looking at 2024/2025 Chevy certified with about 10k-20k miles. I need a very functional off-road truck that’s fuel efficient, and the Silverado 1500 ZR2 Bison with the Duramax really checked all the boxes for me after extensive, extensive research.
I am from Florida but currently live in Costa Rica, where if you go to a dealer here, you are looking at about 120k for the same truck that costs 70k stateside. Obviously absurd.
I have a connection here to help me pay minimal import costs and thus am looking to buy stateside and bring it to Costa Rica.
My biggest concern is that I will pretty much forgo any warranty I might have from where I bought it (again, the only way to get one would be to completely overpay for it down here). So I'm willing to bite the bullet on some costs or work needed if it arises, but I’m also trying to minimize any potential hiccups or predictable issues, or causes for the truck to be stuck in a shop for extended periods:especially early on in its life.
I’ve read all about the 10-speed issues and see many divided over how big a deal it is or how common. I am thinking of buying and installing the kit from Next Gen to be safe. I know I will want to monitor the oil well to make sure there’s no small leaks, and I see all the convo about DEF (i will not be towing but often with 800+lbs in the back).
I'm willing to spend some money to be proactive or enhance the reliability of the truck any way i can.
nextgendiesel.com
Im trying to be smart with my money, but at the same time i dont want to be stingy when im not with a warranty. if a $700 nextgen kit will give me piece of mind, then of course im going to spend that. I have no allusion that these trucks are 100% perfect and never without an issue, and want to get ahead of any potential issue, or enhance the durability however i can: feedback and advice super appreciated.
I’m sure there’s always reasons people have to sell the trucks relatively quickly, but I admit I’m a bit paranoid after a really bad experience with a low-mileage Ford f350 diesel and don’t have a lot of trust in dealers/sellers of any kind to be honest and forthcoming.
For lack of a better way to put it, I don’t want to buy a truck that has a lot of problems. To me, a 10-20k mileage truck seems perfect, as it’s not brand new, so any issues may be known (although I’d have to figure that out myself, as who knows what the dealer will actually disclose). What is everyone's feedback on new off the lot vs 10-20k miles in terms of what is the lowest risk for reliability issues or issues of any kind?
I don’t remember if there is a way to check if the transmission has had issues already. My goal is the most durable truck possible, as the fewer big issues I bring to CR, the better.
Does anyone feel super strongly on 24 vs 25? I see they are not making big changes until '27.
The roads here in the part of Costa Rica I live are unpaved and bad, and I will traverse up and down unpaved mountain dirt roads (40% of the year always wet), etc. You get it. But that said, it’s not like anything insane in terms of what I see the off-road courses i have seen on youtube: which is why, if I don’t lift it (below), I would definitely keep the tires stock on the zr2 bison, to get the better MPG (100% open to feedback on this based on any of your experience).
I see people mixed on oil change length but plan to be proactive about this as well and maintain the vehicle as best as i can. Any advice here is also welcome regarding oil types, care, and other ways to keep the reliability of the engine.
Thank you to everyone that took the time to read this, and I welcome any and all feedback. I just want to have the most reliable and best experience with the 1500 ZR2 Bison duramax that I can and super appreciate whatever feedback y’all offer. Truly appreciated and God Bless America.
Cheers,
Mike
Newbie here, and I am about to buy a 1500 zr2 bison with the baby duramax. I have been reading the forums for a while, but dont own the zr2 yet . I have extensively read hours and hours of threads here and am super grateful to everyone who's posted, as I have already learned so much and it has helped me cement my decision that this truck is right for me.
I am not a car expert. I say that so you guys know I humbly come with no real knowledge, other than the hours I’ve spent reading these forums and watching videos, my 4 trucks of different brands before this, and with no ego other than wanting a smooth experience with the 1500 ZR2 Bison I am dead set on buying.
Like I said, I have read in-depth many many things in these forums and elsewhere, so I hope that questions posed or advice sought here are not completely repetitive for you guys. Below is pretty much everything i am considering and concerned about, and wondering what all you guys think.
My Objectives (elaborated upon below):
- Get the right 1500 ZR2 Bison Duramax (new vs 10-20k miles).
- Make it as durable as possible—both defensive (transmission) and offensive (under-frame coating for salt, is the air filter sufficient for dirt roads?, etc.).
- Don’t sacrifice MPG if I can with any changes, as fuel is damn expensive here (I was planning to keep the tires as is).
For some time, I have been looking at the Silverado ZR2 Bison Duramax. In the next month or two, I will pull the trigger on one. I’m looking at 2024/2025 Chevy certified with about 10k-20k miles. I need a very functional off-road truck that’s fuel efficient, and the Silverado 1500 ZR2 Bison with the Duramax really checked all the boxes for me after extensive, extensive research.
I am from Florida but currently live in Costa Rica, where if you go to a dealer here, you are looking at about 120k for the same truck that costs 70k stateside. Obviously absurd.
I have a connection here to help me pay minimal import costs and thus am looking to buy stateside and bring it to Costa Rica.
My biggest concern is that I will pretty much forgo any warranty I might have from where I bought it (again, the only way to get one would be to completely overpay for it down here). So I'm willing to bite the bullet on some costs or work needed if it arises, but I’m also trying to minimize any potential hiccups or predictable issues, or causes for the truck to be stuck in a shop for extended periods:especially early on in its life.
I’ve read all about the 10-speed issues and see many divided over how big a deal it is or how common. I am thinking of buying and installing the kit from Next Gen to be safe. I know I will want to monitor the oil well to make sure there’s no small leaks, and I see all the convo about DEF (i will not be towing but often with 800+lbs in the back).
I'm willing to spend some money to be proactive or enhance the reliability of the truck any way i can.
1st Piece of Advice I’m Seeking:
Aside from what I just mentioned, I’m wondering about any other potential issues I can get ahead of, look out for when I purchase, or need to be proactive about that I can upgrade once I own the vehicle (like the next gen kit).
Project Carbon® Allison 10-Speed Billet Valve Body Upgrade Kit
Welcome to the most effective valve body upgrade kit in existence for the Allison 10L1000 transmission, proudly engineered 100% in-house by Next Gen Drivetrain.
nextgendiesel.com
Im trying to be smart with my money, but at the same time i dont want to be stingy when im not with a warranty. if a $700 nextgen kit will give me piece of mind, then of course im going to spend that. I have no allusion that these trucks are 100% perfect and never without an issue, and want to get ahead of any potential issue, or enhance the durability however i can: feedback and advice super appreciated.
2nd Piece of Advice I’m Seeking:
One thing I go back and forth on is brand new off the lot vs something with 10k miles that’s certified by Chevy. Does anyone see any issues for a 10k-20k mileage one? Or think it’s a red flag to have those being sold in general?I’m sure there’s always reasons people have to sell the trucks relatively quickly, but I admit I’m a bit paranoid after a really bad experience with a low-mileage Ford f350 diesel and don’t have a lot of trust in dealers/sellers of any kind to be honest and forthcoming.
For lack of a better way to put it, I don’t want to buy a truck that has a lot of problems. To me, a 10-20k mileage truck seems perfect, as it’s not brand new, so any issues may be known (although I’d have to figure that out myself, as who knows what the dealer will actually disclose). What is everyone's feedback on new off the lot vs 10-20k miles in terms of what is the lowest risk for reliability issues or issues of any kind?
I don’t remember if there is a way to check if the transmission has had issues already. My goal is the most durable truck possible, as the fewer big issues I bring to CR, the better.
Does anyone feel super strongly on 24 vs 25? I see they are not making big changes until '27.
Daily Driving Conditions:
My daily driving includes nasty pothole-filled dirt and dusty roads and will absolutely need every off-road benefit the ZR2 Bison provides me. Maybe 40% max will be driving on highways/well-paved roads, which, along with diesel being cheaper here (much higher fuel costs in general than the States), have drawn me to the 1500 ZR2 Bison with the Duramax.The roads here in the part of Costa Rica I live are unpaved and bad, and I will traverse up and down unpaved mountain dirt roads (40% of the year always wet), etc. You get it. But that said, it’s not like anything insane in terms of what I see the off-road courses i have seen on youtube: which is why, if I don’t lift it (below), I would definitely keep the tires stock on the zr2 bison, to get the better MPG (100% open to feedback on this based on any of your experience).
Other Considerations:
I’ve gone back and forth on a 4" BDS lift and whether it’s worth it, but that’s less urgent than:- Determining new vs. 10-20k miles and what is a more reliable vehicle, or gives me the best chance.
- What defensive or proactive upgrades I can do to minimize any issues or enhance the durability and functionality of the vehicle, like the Demonworks kit and also maybe some coating on the frame for salt as I live near the ocean.
I see people mixed on oil change length but plan to be proactive about this as well and maintain the vehicle as best as i can. Any advice here is also welcome regarding oil types, care, and other ways to keep the reliability of the engine.
Thank you to everyone that took the time to read this, and I welcome any and all feedback. I just want to have the most reliable and best experience with the 1500 ZR2 Bison duramax that I can and super appreciate whatever feedback y’all offer. Truly appreciated and God Bless America.
Cheers,
Mike
