What year FORD or Dodge diesel is the best.

So this year I aa looking to mass amount of projects around the house.
I need something that can tow me heavy equipment from Home Depot. (b..es won't let me tow with Taco)
So Ford and Dodge Diesels are my targets. I found 1998 Dodge RAM with under 100k miles. Any idea of what problems one can expect?
What are good years for Ford Dodge diesels?

 

If you get a ford, avoid the 6.0's and the 6.4's like the plague. Try to find a 7.3 (Pre '03 IIRC)

 

Dodge Cummins 2500 or 3500 5.9L 24v

 

My truck before my taco was a 97 F-350 7.3 Powerstroak and i loved it...so much power

 

Dodge with Cummins 5.9. After 2007 you have a lot of emissions parts that require alot of up keep. Also try and find a manual, the auto equipped trucks are derated by almost 20% so the trans doesn't blow up. If the 98 Dodge is in good condition you won't have many problems, maybe trans issues if its an auto but even then nothing crazy.

 

So 1998 Dodge 5.9 Diesel dually is that a good buy ?

 

Get a duramax! Less problems then dodge and ford IMO.

 

I think you have that backwards lol

 

I will agree that those trannys are the best hands down but thats about the only thing on a Duracrap that dont fall apart haha not trying to piss anyone off just my .02

 

98 dodge probably pretty good, the biggest problem I've seen is when the injector pump goes out. Pretty much the heart of a diesel, and probably biggest expense. Dealers want $3000+ to replace,you could find a rebuilt one for $1100, and 4-5 hours of labor. The other expense on a used diesel is replacing injectors, some dealers want $1000 to replace one, but we use a local recycler who will install used injectors for $200 including injector.
All diesels are expensive to repair, every part is made heavier duty than 1/2 tons, so almost everything is more expensive. The plus side is diesels motors can last along time with routine maintenance, and they have the power to pull heavy shit.
I own a 93 dodge Cummings, 97 powerstroke, 2004 duramax, and my close friend owns a two 97 powerstrokes, 2004 Cummings, and a 2003 duramax.
My 93 has 285,000 miles, my 97 has 250,000 miles and the 2004 has 125,000 miles.
We have a ranch, farm, whatever, where we grow alfalfa, and we have some heavy equipment, so it is a necessity to have diesel trucks.
I got tired of putting diesel at $1.00 plus more per gallon, so I bought a taco. My taco at 2000 miles has already saved me over $500 in fuel.

 

I thought the diesels equipped with autos were able to handle more torque, but after looking it up, it seems the standard tranny equipped trucks do have more power output.
2001 powerstroke, 525 ft lbs on manual, 505 ft lbs on auto.

 

CUMMINS ALL THE WAY!!! its the only med duty engine put in a light duty truck! best diesel you can get in a pick up! cant go wrong with any of them 12v 24v or common rail... I would try to stay away from the "53 block" tho. Miss my last one 530RWHP and 1302RWTQ If you plan to build it get ready to spend some $$$ on building the trans if you get an auto, If you get a stick and build it about all youll need is an upgraded clutch.

 

yep thats what I am thinking. Older Dodge most likely dually.
I found one 1998 but turns out it has a rusted hole in the frame.
Found another one so I need to go check it. just need something that can handle towing small diggers from Home Depot to do work around my place.
Now long their Auto transmission lasts before rebuild ?

 

they'll last a long time untill you start adding a lot of power, That's when they need work. Mine was a stick bec I knew I would be building the truck.

 

I bought a new 1991 F250 with 7.3L diesel. Put about ~90k on it with very little trouble. Sold it and bought a used 1995 F250 with a 7.3L Powerstroke, way more power. At about 130k I started pouring money into it. Transmission, glow plug harness, radiator, alternator, etc... It was to the point that I couldn't rely on it and bought the 2012 Tacoma.

 

we had a 99 f-250 with the 7.3, i loved that truck, we added a HD bumper and winch and that sucker was almost unstoppable, we also chipped because before it felt like you were driving with the parking brake on.

we currently have a 05 f-250 with the 6.0, we burned through 3 turbo's in 80,000 miles (we later learned that your supposed to let the truck idle for 2-3 minutes before shutting it down) besides the turbo's the only problem we've had is you have to clean the EGR valve after you tow something heavy or it'll throw a code.

now we want to get a 06-08 dodge 3500 dually with the diesel, mega cab.

 

7.3L is a monster. I loved that thing. Had good luck with the 5.9 and the 6.7L Cummins. Solid solid trucks. The 6.0 and 6.4L Power Strokes are garbage. Stay far far away from them.

 

Only people I know with diesels have Powerstrokes. One a 7.3 the other a 6.0. Neither have had any issues yet. Granted they haven't have them very long will be interesting seeing which has issues first.

 

I agree that 7.3L is a beast, my dad has one that he only uses for towing a 35 ft RV, never had a single problem with it. 7.3s a great for towing. I owned a 6.4L before my tacoma and it was garbage.. never towed anything but was averaging 7 mpg... was getting less than 350 miles out of a 35 gal tank and that was babying it. Never road it hard or anything just loved eating through diesel.

 

Don't you dare get a 6.0, I had an 04 prior to my Tacoma and even after all the research and people telling me don't go 6.0 I did it. Blown head, blown EGR did EGR delete, blow tranny (6 speed) HPOP dead, exhaust started leaking just after the manifold... $850 part. This was all before 100k. I towed maybe a couple times a month small tractors and what not. God I miss the power though..