Since I sold my 01 Powerstroke a couple years back, I've been wanting to get another diesel. I don't really want to make payments on a truck again, so I'll be looking to pay cash. Unfortunately, that puts me in the under $5000 range. It appears that I'll be looking at 2wd 89-93 Cummins, 94-97 Cummins, and 94-97 Powerstrokes. It also looks like whatever I get is probably going to have over 100,000 miles, but less than 200,000 miles. I'll mainly be driving it to and from work, hauling car parts, and occasionally towing my car to the track on an open trailer. Maybe a bit of drag racing, but that would be just for fun to see what it will do. I want a pre-97 truck as well so i won't have to deal with the CA smog.

I'm having a difficult time deciding which truck to go with. I had an 84 Dodge W150, and while it was a tough and reliable truck, it was all truck. It didn't ride smooth at all, was very noisy in the cab, and had no creature comforts. My F250 was just the opposite, although it was a bit noisy, that was all due to the engine and alright with me.

From my experience, in stock form neither the Dodge nor Ford automatics last very long. I'd really hate to buy a truck and then shortly after have to replace/rebuild the transmission. Nothing like spending $5K on a truck and then drop another $3K into it to just drive it. BTDT with my current Ranger and it sucks.

I understand the manual transmissions are stronger, but I don't really want to deal with a manual transmission when I get stuck in the horrible SoCal traffic. Plus, all of my other vehicles have manual transmissions. Having an automatic in my F250 was the only thing that got me around and to work when I hurt my knee a few years back. If I didn't have the truck I would have been screwed. So what is one to do?

Personally, I like the looks and general body of the Fords, but I hate working on the powerstroke engine. That is almost enough to steer me to the Cummins since I tend to do all of my own service.

I'm definitely going to bomb whatever I get. I can't leave anything stock.


What are the pluses and minuses of each of the trucks I have listed above? What would you choose and why?

 

it really all comes down to your preference. both the 7.3 and the 5.9 were strong and reliable. the dodge auto wont hold up to much bombing, but a good torque convertor and a valve body and it'll be good. the 12 valve is cheap and easy to mod, but some people complain about the interior being uncomfortable. personally i disagree. either way you go they are both great trucks it all comes down to what you like

 

i agree i loved both my 5.9 and 7.3. either way you look at it you can go wrong. kinda also depends on whether or not you want ex.cab or four door, or single cab, just look around im sure you will find the right one when you see it

 

I'd prefer an extended cab short bed like my F250 was. Definitely don't want a crew cab. I have toyed around with the idea of picking up a standard cab long bed and then sometime down the road sectioning the frame and tossing a short bed on it. I've seen a few 99+ superduties done like that and I like it.

From what I understand, the Cummins 12v would be easier and less expensive to get more power out of than the Powerstroke 7.3L and the Cummins could get better fuel economy. Is this correct?

I had a Banks BigHoss 120hp chip, K&N FIPK, and a magnaflow 4" turboback on my 01 F250 and I was content with the power and could get 21mpg on the freeway. If I could get that performance out of either truck I'd probably be OK for a while. I actually still have the BigHoss chip sitting around as well as a 6.0L banks technicooler intercooler and a 3rd gen Cummins intercooler.


Do any of the 94-97 Powerstrokes have the 4R100 or are they all the E40D?
When did Dodge switch from a 3spd to a 4spd automatic and when did they get a lock up converter?

 

the dodges got 4speeds w/ lock up tranny's in 94. 94-98.5 dodges had the p7100 injection pump which is darn near bullet proof and very easy and cheap to get power.