Ok here's the deal guys. I'm looking to spend 20-30k on a new truck for my self I've got my play thing 84 k20 that's gonna be a 6 cylinder frame twister some time in the next century ,shes gutted and getting ready for paint currently and I've decided to wise up and spend some coin on a good daily driver just something I can do the basics to (chip, intake, gauges, exhaust) drive it a billion miles and have it hold up with regular maintenance and as my daily it won't be something I try to abuse at all just tow hay, car trailers and other sheet depending on the season but again with care as I like my junk to last. Somto the point I'm mostly considering a LBZ duramax with the 6speed auto or a newer Cummins with the stickshift ,I absolutely love the quality of the newer ford 6.4 era trucks but am skeptical of reliability and maintenance on something you gotta pull a radiator on to do a serpentine belt ,so keeping that I will be doing my own maintenance like many of y'all what do you suggest ? I'd like to stay 2005 or newer ish.
Anyway thanks for read in !and have at it !

 

the duramax motors are good motors.
The reason you just posted about pulling the radiator to change a belt is one of the things i hate about the newer rigs.They have to cram everything in the engine bay. Even changing a head light is a pain in the neck.
The cummins motors your looking at are good years,especially since dodge still puts manuals in their trucks.
The only other thing i don't like about the newer rigs is the emissions garbage on them.

 

I know its ridiculous . any other helpful info guys ?

 

I'd stay away from Ford's unless u wanna go buy a brand new 6.7 and id still be skeptical. IMO go with a nice LBZ or LMM Dmax, or a 06-07 5.9 cummins with the 6spd. I love cummins and duramax. Cummins has a ton of pulling power but they beat you to pieces when you drive them (they ride really rough). Duramax has a lot of power and are honestly pretty quick trucks, and are so COMFORTABLE!