I am looking for a durable but comfortable diesel to drive. I have done quite a bit of research and certain years on the big 3 seem to be pretty good but getting to test drive them where I live it very hard because they fly off the lot so fast(at least the ones that I want). Sometimes they are sold within 1 hour of arrival.

I won't be towing with it and I won't be making a bunch of upgrades, if any, especially not a chip unless I decide that it would be worth it down the road. Basically, I don't care about speed or modding, I just want a nice truck under the hood and inside the cab. I drive on the highway a lot and usually for extended distances, so I want something that is extremely comfortable(leather seats only). I have heard that Ford wins in that department with really plush seating but is a bit more bouncy to ride in, while Chevy is a little less comfortable but is a firm ride, and Dodge is kind of meh. So this is one area I need help on.

Another question I have is what is going to be the best reliability wise. I know that it is usually dependent on how the previous owner treated it, but I have heard lots horror stories with certain engines like the duramax injectors and the 6.0 powerjoke and Dodge transmissions. I want this truck to last me about 5 years so it needs to be pretty reliable and I don't want to be pouring money into stupid little bullshit every time I turn around.

Here are the trucks I am looking at specifically:

1998.5-2002 Cummins
1999-2003 Powerstroke
2001-2004 Duramax

All automatic, manuals are out of the question.

My other question would be is it easy to convert the interior of a Ram to be as comfortable as a Ford or Chevy? I have had many more people tell me to go with a cummins over a duramax or powerstroke, but I can't take them too seriously because most of them drive cummins or some kind of a Dodge vehicle. This is in a state where there are more Rams than people.

P.S. In case you are wondering why I would want a diesel and not a gasser for what I use it for, I want one just to have one.

 

What do you plan on as far as towing? Even though a big gooseneck with some forklifts might weigh around the same as a 40 footer camper trailer with a few slideouts, how you pull it and what it is pulled with are completely different. Are you going through any excessive amountsmud, sand, mountains, etc.? I think that despite their rep, the dodge trannys are good if you are good to them. In my opinion, the cummins is the best as far as reliability. The interiors are not as nice, I will give everyone that. But seat swaps are not a huge deal. I once saw a guy that found a low mileage 90s chevy half ton in a junkyard and put them in his obs ford. The ac in dodges are the best though!

 

I would go with the duramax or Cummins, I like my dodge tans has 178,000 on it, with no problems yet, has a new injection pump though. I had a 02 duramax, the ride was way better than the dodge. Injectors on the duramax lasted about 100,000 just need to take care of them. If I where u not towing I would get the duramax, I also got better mpg out of it also, not that the dodge is far behind. Also had a 99 Ford, it had a lot of problems, but might of been bad luck for me, lots of people have a ton of miles on them.

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Late 99 to 03 was a BAD YEAR range for fords diesels because of so many fuel and oil system problems and the powdered metal rods.

 

I wouldn't worry about the dodge tranny if you're keeping it stock and not towing. My AC is out, I have an evaporator leak. The whole dash needs to come out. Interior is obviously a matter of opinion. I'm happy with my Laramie.

 

2005 7.3 "king ranch" f250. your butt will never be comfier.

 

When did 7.3 end?

 

04i believe? oh didnt mean to put 5

 

The 7.3 and the 6.7 are the only two fords I would want. I don't know about the 6.7 reliability, but it's a fun mother to drive fuel mileage was pretty bad. You better keep your foot out of it which is hard to do. I've driven a duramax. It was alright. Needed a programmer just like the cummins for a little speed. I like a little giddy up.

 

Chevys I think have the nicest ride but the least comfortable cab, Ford has an awesome cab and body. I have a 1998.5 Cummins and I realy like the dash setup everthing is accesable easily from the driver seat. My transmission just rolled over 238K on the originnal transmission and I think itll get to 300K easy just takin care of here...