New to the forum, just dropped an into, but have some general questions about looking for a used 2006-2010 diesel pickup. My price range is limited to $25k tops, and that may be pushing it some.. Coming from a gas truck (Ram 1500 Hemi) but need to pull a 5er, and want to be comfortable to take my family anywhere. That brings me to a diesel. I've never owned one, but have a good buddy that has a Ram 2500 CTD, I think '10, and loves it! His dad has a Ford 6.0 PSD, and love his! I read all kinds of whacky stuff about both engines on all the forums..?? Scares me off some when I have trouble at all with my Hemi! I can get by another year if need be, but not sure what will change in a year, same engines in the used vehicles, and I won't be able to afford new.

A local ford dealer has 2 different trucks that I may go look at tonight or tomorrow. He may have others, but these two caught my attention on their website.

Truck #1: 2008 Ram 2500 SLT Mega Cab.
Cosmetic wise: Interior looks pretty much just like my '05 1500. Exterior is Red, which is not my favorite, but I can deal with it.
Powertrain: 6.7 CTD, 6 spd auto. I've read horror stories all over the web, buy my buddy has had no issues..
58k miles.
Price:$26.5k - A little high for what I want to spend, but I like that it's a little newer truck with lower miles.

Truck #2: 2006 Ford F350 King Ranch SRW Crew Cab
Cosmetic: Super plush interior, especially for an '06. Brown leather inside. White/gold paint. I'm just used to the look of the Dodge, and so would have to get used to the Ford.
Powertrain: 6.0L PSD 6spd. Have read more horror stories all over the web, but friends dad has no issues and loves his.
Price: $20k Right in the sweet spot! But I've not been a ford guy, and worry about EGR. blah blah that I may need to deal with right away.

Truck will get driven in town mostly during winter when I cannot ride my motorcycle. As well as towing all summer and spring, and some fall. We camped nearly 50 nights last year, all towed with the Ram 1500. I worked that truck and it held up, but I'm not sure the tranny has another hard year in it. With a bigger truck I could tandem tow if I chose to, and would feel comfortable in mountains, hell on hills my 1500 is running hard!!

I cannot find a GM truck in my price range that is not close to if not older than 10 years.. Not really wanting that old of vehicle.

Any advice from the experts here on what is the safest combo between the two I mentioned above?

 

Personally id get the dodge.alot easier to work on etc. But it comes down to ypu and how you like the truck we can sit here all day and bash brands. The truth is depends on how well the vehicle was taken care of, all vehicles have issues,and its really your choice and ypur money.

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Very valid points. I will take into account what the overall condition of either vehicle is. I'm also not trying to bash brands. I'm not partial to any, and have owned all of them through the years, but only an old F150 80s and my 05 Ram 1500. Never a newer Ford, and no chevy trucks. I like the dodge, but not sure if I like it $6k more. The Ford is a 350, and is already set up with factory tow, and has a hitch in the bed.. Which also means it's done some pulling. Being that it's a King Ranch and has just about every bell and whistle, I'm thinking it may have been an older person who towed their 5er.. The dodge doesn't have a hitch, so it may not have been used as hard..?? I think I'll stop in and check them out.

 

Wasnt saying you were bashing. My fault. I was just stating ford and dodge guys can go on and on. With the Ford ask for a oasis report at the dealer. Drive both trucks see how they respond when you give er hell so to speak and braking hard. If the ford has a hitch in the bed it obviously means its been used prpbably which isnt horrible as long as it was taken care of. The 6.0 are really particular on maintenace oil every like 5k and fuel filters every 10k i believe. Also one downside is they take 16 qts of oil i dont know what the new dodges take but my 5.9l takes 11 thats about 12 dollars less every change. Also something to look at is maintenance costs like injectors when the need arises fords are V8's and are expensive to buy and a pain to replace, dodges are I-6's two less injectors to replace and are fairly easy to do yourself

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I gotcha. Thanks for the input! I start to think I could go for the 6.0, then read forum posts talking about make it reliable for $8k!! WHAT? I cannot afford to spend $20k on a truck (will have a payment) then need to do $5-$8k in work to make it reliable..??? I'd just continue to pull with my RAM 1500 until the tranny burned up, and fix that for $2500..

 

I bought an 08 Ram 2500 MegCab! So far I'm LOVING it! I don't find an cord tucked behind the bumper for the engine block heater? Is that something I may need to add? Do I need it? Live in Kansas.. It gets cold, but not crazy cold..? Never owned a diesel before.