Ok so I have been dreaming of getting a Diesel truck for awhile. I understand the MPG plus/minus of Diesel vs Gasser. I also understand that other then a few bad years or brand loyalty, Dodge, Ford, and Chevy all make decent diesel engines. What I am not finding in my search are the issues with the rest of the truck. I have found that in some years, Dodge had a Paint issue (which is a concern do to being in New England), but other then that most discussions pertain to engine short falls. My question is other then any engine issues, what are the "problem areas" for each perspective truck?

I am looking for the 3/4 ton category, extra cab or quad/crew cab. I will continue my search and spend some much needed seat time in each. Just wondering if there are key spots to look when checking out a particular brand.

Thanks In advance
Bob

 

I've been tinkering arround with all of the big three for a few years and I've always owned Powerstrokes but it's a pretty diverse lineup here. The biggest thing I've really seen on Dodge is the front ends on the older ones, Fords are expensive to play with, and GM likes to eat front end parts. The Dodge problem is normally related to wheel bearings, my truck has ate a tranny and two rear ends in 4 years, and GM ifs won't withstand abuse without supporting the horsepower you add. There's a lot of other issues that i'm sure other people on here can inform you of in more detail than I can. This is just a few of the things I've seen first hand. Alot of the issues that arise are from added horsepower putting added strain on factory components but factory parts will fail. Good luck with whatever you decide to buy.

 

i think we need to narrow it down to how much money you are planning to spend. There's no sense for example in getting into the problems with an 08+ truck if you're looking for an early 00's truck.

 

This would make sense!! Sorry. I guess I jumped in before checking the water! Just had the money chat with my better half and I am NOW looking at something under 5k. At first I was up around 10. So needless to say my field of trucks has just gotten smaller.
I have my eye on a 2000 GMC6 3500 6.5 w/<200k miles. He says it has no issues other then some cosmetic. I'm thinking at this point, and brand issues would have come up already and now it's just a truck-truck wear and tear stuff. Did the 6.5's have any predisposed issues?
You all have been a great pool of info. And I appreciate all the help.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

What do you plan on doing with the pickup?

 

Daily driver, more or less. I do have some toy hauling to do but nothing that "needs" a truck this size. I could theoretically haul a camper, but that would be a once or twice a year thing.
I am also looking into Bio and if a brand or model truck could affect that I would be interested.

sent from my phone, pardon the auto-correct!

 

With a 6.5 you'll have a pretty good daily driver. The few i've drove for company vehicles were really easy on fuel and were'nt largely underpowered. I have a couple friends that love their 6.5. i know they've replaced the injection pump and the turbo and the truck only has about 120k on it, but I dont know if its really a common problem or just their bad luck .

 

I had a 1992 C3500 that I used as a daily driver. The truck was great. As far as the 6.5s go, the 92-93 had the mechanical injection pump so there was less electronics to worry about. Torque wise the thing pulled awesome and got about 20-22 mpg on the highway with 4.10 gears. As far as the newer 6.5s go, The PMDs should be relocated to the front bumper or some other area of the engine bay so the engine does not cook it. I just got a 1988 F250 4x4 with a 7.3 non turbo IDI, im pretty impressed with it so far too