I've narrowed it down to these two trucks.
Truck #1= 1996 3500 CTD, 5 speed, 4wd, 198k, extended cab, power everything
One owner truck, says its all original drivetrain, clear coat is gone, few dents,
new tires, ball joints, front end alignment.
Starts pretty rough in the cold, (takes some throttle to get it started), and it starts to wander at about 50mph = $$7700

Truck #2= 2003 F350 7.3, 6 speed, 4x4, 115k, DRW, winch
Service truck for a power company, obnoxious yellow paint,
flatbed, 4 tool boxes, few dents, no AC, manual everything
vinyl seats= $6500

My needs are, daily driver, haul a small dual axle trailer/small tractor
hauling wood to heat my home, farm duty, etc...

Aside from sticking to the vinyl in the summer time and having no room in the cab, the 7.3 seems like the best bet. Im going to look at it tomorrow after work.

Which one is going to get better MPG's? Anything i should be looking for
on a service truck in particular? Both trucks have no lift/stock tires, stock drivetrains.
Whats the best over all value.

 

The service truck probably had proper timely maintaince all it's life so see if there are any records for both truck, and you can always get a seat cover for the vinyl. And most dodges wander unless you upgrade the front end. (track bar, steering box and shaft ect.) And as far as the dodge starting rough, check the grid heater to see if it was working. Also, when you started it was it plugged in and how long had it been sitting?

 

they both look like good deals but you already own a 1996 cummins thats what i would stick with nothing against the ford but 2 of the same make and model in the yard could be nice at times

 

Extended cab is handy too...

 

the cummins had been sitting out in the open, unplugged and we have about a foot of snow on the ground. the guy made a point of telling me it had been sitting out and he wanted to show me how it started cold. The guy showed me maintenance records and there was nothing more than oil changes, brakes, etc
As far as front end upgrades go on the dodge, what companies should i look for and do the 7.3's hold up better over time?
Any thoughts about ride quality and MPG on these two trucks? Will the flatbed get better MPG than the standard?
Extended cab is a definite in the plus category, and I don't have the other 96 CTD in my sig. I need to buy a truck this week!

 

the cummins is the best one for the mpg but the 7.3 has more power from what i herd i my self would get the dodge

 

I had an 03 7.3 4door 4x4. It was sweet but now i drive a 12v extcab 4x4 5spd. Just the stuff you can do for free and how easy everything is makes the 12v stand alone. Go mopar.

 

I think the Dodge is your best bet. I've had 1 Powerstroke, and I'm on my 3rd 12-Valve Dodge Truck. The last 2 Dodge and the Ford I had were all very nice trucks and I'd love to have them all back, but ya can't keep em all! The Ford got mid teens for MPG, all 3 Dodges have been over 22mpg on average. The Ford pulled a car trailer very well but didn't have much in the way of passing power, or the pep around town. I had to spend money to make the Ford as fun to drive as the Dodges, and I didn't have to spend any money on the Dodges to make them have that extra pep in their step. I'm not really biased on any particular brand, but I guess I prefer the Cummins engine over the others. You don't see guys putting Powerstrokes or Duramax's in Dodge trucks do you? No, but you see Cummins swapped into Fords & Chevrolets all the time. I'd really like to have a mid 90's Ford 4x4 Extended Cab with a Cummins 12-valve and an Allison transmission...to me....it would be the perfect truck.

Which ever truck you choose, I'm sure it will be a quality truck...just chime back in to let us know what route you go.

 

I had a 2x4 late '99 psd, 6spd, 7.3 ac extended cab long bed. W/ a tymar intake, straight pipe and disconnected wg it would scoot around realll good. Would almost keep up w/ an '07 duramax from a dig. Got 20mpg city with it. Got 22-ish mpg highway. Has WAY more *****/power stock from my '97 cummins. W/ a tuner will ONLY put down 305hp to the crank TOPS.

My '97 cummins is sloooooow stock, put a 30$ fuel plate in, 50$ bhaf, and did a straight pipe and I get 22mpg city and 25-26mpg city. Would run CIRCLES around my truck and Ive spend barely 100$ on it.

 

CUMMINS!!! i have a powerstroke and i am willing to admit that the cummins is better...more torque and cheaper to build up. not to mention it sounds like it is alot nicer of a truck.