45acp’s DIVORCED build!

Dodges only issues are the transmission and shit front suspension components... Aka I need 4 new ball joints lol.

 

Transmission is pretty important I think.

 

I drove a 96 dodge Cummings 5 speed for a summer for work at john Deere. Was a half ton truck and we towed shit with that bastard welllllllll over its rated tow capacity. Oh and it had 303k on it and still pulled like a mother.

Sure the interior wasn't great, but the seat was comfy. I liked it...fords are always louder running I feel like. Hate their clatter as well. I'd take a dura maxx over a ford too.

But none of there will be as reliable as a Toyota. Just how it goes. But they will all work well as a tow rig.

I would still rock a 96-03 dodge extended cab Cummings.

 

Also..I found your bypasses

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/pts/4697690298.html

 

I've seen both with over 250K and still able to pull like hell. Either would be a good answer and IMO whatever fits your budget would be the best answer That said DO NOT go anywhere near a 6.0...There are some that run OK but my dad had one and it was a complete money hole. I've yet to meet somebody that was happy with their 6.0

 

Had one...Tried fixing it...there is no justification its still a piece of junk haha

 

Seems manual transmissions are few and far between. Searched for both Dodge and Ford 4-door diesel with manual transmissions and there's basically nothing within 500 miles.

...then again, I could look as far as the NE/WY/CO/SD/KS area since I hate rust.

Too bad I don't have the money.

 

07 was the last year for the 5.9 in the dodge, and if you're going to tow, mpg's will be better with the cummins.


As an aside:
I've known at least 3 people that have had injector problems with the 7.3, and thats a very pricey fix

 

True but the same can be said of any Diesel truck. IMO the 7.3 is the best towing diesel Ford has made. I'm not going to start comparing it to anything else. I just personally believe it is the best as far as Fords go.

 

Still open to either, but considering the lack of manual transmissions, is there a preferable automatic transmission, or should I consider swapping in a manual?

 

Guess I missed that part. Well I'm leaning towards the Dodge now. Thanks for the input guys.

 

Oh god this will never be done, now your taking about swapping trannys in a vehicle you don't even own

 

7.3 is good, trans is fairly weak though, cummins is great, but it's wrapped in a dodge.
I have no experience with duramaxes, but I personally don't like them.

I like our 6.0 but you do have to do an EGR delete, and monitor the exhaust gas temps before shutdown, but if you aren't gonna do any engine mods you might not need to touch the heads.
The trans behind the 6.0 (torqshift) is great, much better than the one behind the 7.3.

All the trucks I've had experience with have been auto trans though.

 

Get the new ford... Capable of towing #32k!!!!!! IMO the 6.7 diesel that ford has is the best ford has made... the 7.3 is great, but out dated.

 

I can't afford the newer models.

And not that it matters much, but what is generally the MPGs with the 7.3 and 5.9?

 

With my 5.9 my first pull of the taco was 12.1 MPG. That was also with meaty tires and a bad tune. Now I bet I could get 13 mpg. And If I went with a better tune (EFI Live) I could probably do 14+ at least I am hoping.

Old school 12v 5.9s could get about 26 mpg or more on hwy no load... Not sure about with a load. I only get about 19 mpg right now

 

....

 

This just made my night hahaha

 

Where i work we own all 3 big name diesels...A 5.9 Cummins 6 speed, (?) Duramax w/ Allison, and a 7.3 Powerstroke 5 speed. Granted, all 3 trucks are beat to piss and tow on a daily basis... Out of all 3 i would consider the 5.9 the all-around performer and it'd be the one i look for if i were on the market for a diesel.

 

To out this in perspective...

The FRV got 6-7mpgs towing Frankenstein from Idaho...lol