hey guys, I am looking for a crew cab, 8ft bed, diesel. It's my daily driver, kid hauler and work truck. was going to buy new, but just not wirth the $$...

Im debating between
06 5.9 CR dodge ram and cant decide between 5spd auto and 6spd manual. I love driving stick, but had a 12V dodge stick and it gets annoying in a 1 ton.

or

06/07 Ford 6.0L fully loaded

I can get either right around 30K$ with similar miles.

the 5.9 is a bullet proof platform, the 6.0L has had issues, but EGR can come right off and problem solved.

The FORD is amazing inside, the lariet or king ranch is huge, plush, and def ouldnt mind driving around in that all day long

the dodge has a MUCH smaller back seat, and despite my kids are young, It would probably not be an issue till they are 8/9 yrs old and that 7 years away....

I cant decide which way to go, I've owned a 6.0L and never had an issue.

So owners let me know....MPG, maintence, drivability...I NEED HELP DECIDING buying within the next 45 days!!
thanks in advance

 

I am biased, but I'd buy the Dodge. I work in the car rental industry, and a ford dealer is one of our accounts that we give "free loaner" cars out to, when people come in for warranty work. I'd venture to say that 85% of the free loaner cars we rent out come from warranty/repair work on 6.0's... The interior on the ford is nice, but the potential motor problems of the 6.0 just aren't worth the risk to me.
Scott

 

that's what my brain says. A nice 5.9 CR with a 4sp or 5 sp auto, will last 250K and ill be comfy, and fully loaded they are pretty nice inside. I AM SO in love with the big ford interior but even with lots of preventative work, that 6.0L has demons....also it seems you can avg 20mpg with those CR 5.9 where real 6.0L MPG is near 14/15. The cummins is tested tried and true. ford has used 4 engines in 7 years.

 

I'd say go with the Dodge. The reliablity in the cummins is great and the space probably wont be a huge issue later. I have two friends that love theirs (03,05) and dont have issues. I know 3 people that have F-250's but all are 7.3's. The Fords do have alot of space and are nice inside, but I wouldn't want to deal with the 6.0 and its issues. Just my .02

 

I agree on the Ford being a great truck. The interior is great, and overall it is a great truck. We had two; an '05 and '06 6.0L at my last field job and one engine went kaput, and the other one was just a lemon and got horrible mileage. Personally I don't think it's worth the risk of spending thousands of dollars in engine repair and countless hours of hassle, warrantied or not. I'd go with the Dodge, not because I like it better, but because it's more likely to be more hassle-free.

 

my buddies uncle bought the 6.0 for the same reason you want one. the engine has been rebuilt twice and is on its way out again. all the space isn't worth anything if you dont have peace of mind. he is looking for a dodge now.

 

And you have to remember if you're spending 30k you dont want known issues attatched right away. I think you will be happier with the Dodge.

 

I've never driven or even rode in a Powerstroke or Dmax, so have no clue what they are like. I do have two Cummins-powered trucks and see no reason to look any further for my truck needs. If the engine isn't what you buy a truck for I don't know what is.

 

X2 couldnt have said it better, after owning one I am now in the market for another and dont think I will ever own anything other than a cummins now I am hooked on diesels no more gassers for me

 

If you need a long bed and a big cab you can always buy a dodge mega cab and take it to Precision Bodyline and make it a MEGA CAB LONG BED Awsome trucks!!