Blown HG, replace or upgrade?

Hello Everyone,

I have a 2006 4.0L with 214,000 miles on the clock. I'm starting to experience symptoms of the dreaded head gasket issue. I've noticed a coolant blowout in the engine bay, and since then, I've had to top off the coolant regularly. Additionally, I get bubbles in the coolant when idling with the heater on. A pressure test shows no leaks anywhere on the hoses, so it must be a exhaust leak into the cooling system.
Shops are quoting 4-7k for replacement, but with a 20 year old truck, I am considering selling it (disclosing the issue of course) and upgrading to a late 3rd gen. Im looking at 2wd crew cab models with the 6ft bed. I am not a stickler for new fancy tech, just want something that will last a long time.
Wondering what people's experience with late 3rd gen model years are/what is recommended.

I know the trope of newer years seeming more reliable because there just hasn't been time for the issues to manifest, but from my research, it seems like 2019 or newer would be my best bet.

Thoughts?

 

I'm a bit biased but I'd look for a 2015, especially if you aren't a fan of the latest tech, it's known as the best year to get. Love mine!

 

Well -- I love my '05 V6 4WD, and it had slow bubbles in the coolant for a few years, slowly getting worse, so in Nov 2024 I had the HG's replaced and the entire upper engine rebuilt. Took the local shop 2 weeks to do the job. At 315,000 miles hardly any wear on the engine, and any wearable parts were replaced. $8k all in. Yeah it's a lot but I've had this one 20 years now, and I didn't want to spend $$$ on a new one yet. I can't speak to later models, but if you still love the truck, there's no shame in keeping it running.