Which Diesel

Looking at replacing a work truck, It's used to tow up to ~17K lbs locally (30-40 miles) to jobs, and for towing our 5th wheel camper (12,500 empty, 14-15K loaded).

We currently have a 2005 f250 with the 6.0, I love the truck but it has 150K miles and the cost of maintenance (Small things, usually sensors) is starting to get aggravating and a few times the truck has left me stranded on the way to/from a job.

The 7.3L fords were good but a little underpowered (They need a chip) and the transmissions are weak.

I like the 6.7L fords but they are expensive, they seem to have great trannys and engines, plus the interiors are nice.

Looking at older (5.9L) cummins and they seem to have a few issues with intercoolers, and the interiors are nowhere near as nice as the fords.

With a budget of 12-15K what year range/model truck would you get?
Also looking at upgrading to a dually for stability.

 

Ford

 

'06 GMC 2500. My dad has one, hauls everything.

 

Got a loud 5 minute ride in (I think an F-350) and couldn't get out of it soon enough. Go with GMC.

 

Can't go wrong with the duramax/Allison combo...bullet proof....

 

Truth. He pulls a 40' box trailer with all his Shriner's lodge bikes in it (motorcycle patrol is all Harley Ultraglides) plus their little cars and two tool boxes. Truck has 150K on it and is just breaking in.

He made fun of my Tacoma...once. He wishes his truck had the Taco's fit and finish.

 

Maybe one of my favorite vehicles of those I've owned. Used daily to pull a loaded 24 foot box trailer.

 

Found a '99 F450 a few hours away, I may look at that because it's a reliable platform and all I'd need to do is a few trans mods.

Edit: it's actually in your area @Joe D

 

I'd do early 12 valve.

 

Here's what you want: 97 or early 98 Dodge 12valve Cummins 5 speed. Used to be in our local diesel truck club and that was 'the' truck to have (mine was a 96 auto and ate 4 of them even when they were 'built'). The Dodge parts are crap especially the auto tranny. It'll eat front ends but the manual shift equipped drive train is bullet proof. Only thing you need to do is fix the nut that holds 5th gear in place. Of course the best of both world would be to transplant that drivetrain into a Ford. For new trucks, I'd personally go with a Duramax.

 

6.7s are sooo nice, but yes expensive and a little hard to work under the hood. I would look for a decent 7.3 and dont run the piss out of it. like others have said youll eat a doge tranny towing around town.

 

You hear Dodge tranny issues as a problem FROM FORD and CHEVY owners....

At one point, in a business I owned, I had several 3/4-ton and 1-ton diesel pickups dragging around 25' gooseneck trailers, loaded to the hilt....(14.000gvwr) The BEST performing truck, hands down were the 2500 and 3500 Dodge Cummins/auto's. Never had a transmission problem. These trucks saw 300.000+ miles of torture. I had Fords, I had GMC (same as Chevy) and I had Dodges. They ALL worked hard. The Dodge was more reliable, the drivers liked driving them more, and they were less expensive to operate per mile.

All had good points, all had bad points. Dodge had LESS bad points.

 

I just sold a 1999 24v Cummins one of the best trucks I ever had and only sold it so I could start a Tacoma project. The intercooler problem was fixed in the 2nd Gen Cummins (1994-2002).

If you can find one in great shape snatch it up but I just sold mine for 16k! So be prepared to pay...

 

Not to be argumentative but... I was a Dodge owner and had nothing but trouble with my auto. 2 of the 4 trans replacements were my fault because the engine was no longer stock. But the first two were on a completely stock truck. I bought it new in 96 (took delivery in early 97) and the trans stated acting up with just over 1,000 miles. By 10k the first replacement went in. By 30k it was again bad. I would experience slippage and then limp mode where it would start out in 2nd. That being said, that ol' beast was the best truck I ever owned in regards of being enjoyable to drive. Nothing but gobs of torque and after modifying the engine it was just plain scary fast. Cummins best engine by far was the P - pump version. When they went to 24V, the injector pump changed to one that was lubricated by the fuel. The crappy Dodge fuel (lift) pumps are know to die resulting in a loss of fuel delivery to the injection pump which then limits lubrication and then ruins the pump.

 

Best years of the Duramax are 2005 to 2010. After the injector problems and before the DEF System. Also, the Allison transmission is one of the most bullet proof transmissions I've seen in 26 years of working for a GM dealer.

 

If your truck only has 150k on it keep it. For your price range most of the trucks are going to have more miles and be beat to hell and back. Around here Diesels are the new Civics and they are hammered and selling for 20k.

 

Ford. Only way to go!
Besides Toyota...

 

7.3 or a Bullet Proofed 6.0, the trans in the 7.3 can be helped with tuning if stay near stock power levels. That and add a 6.0 trans cooler and keep an eye on temps and your golden. I may be a little bias as I just bought a 7.3 with a 6 spd. With any manufacture the trans wont last long, even the beloved Allison of the Chevy/GMC guys.

Just read you already have a 6.0 that and your towing over what any of the 7.3 F-250/350 trucks are rated at unless you get a F-450.

 

Man I didn't get an alert that you had tagged me. If you want me to swing by and have a look (assuming it's close enough) let me know. If you head up this way let me know too...

 

Thanks for the offer but it looks like we may end up going to Tx to look at a 2013 ram 3500 4x4 with the 6.7.

Still not 100% sure that's what we are doing though.