I really appreciate the knowledge and opinions of the seasoned veterans on this site. Your opinions are valuable resources for me, although I know the final decision is going to be mine to live with.

I am searching for my first diesel pick-up. I intend to use the truck as a daily driver. I do not plan to pull anything but in case I change my mind I want something that can accommodate a fifth-wheel or a good sized camper. So, in that regard I'm looking for a 3/4 or 1-ton model. Not interested in a dually or a crew-cab necessarily. Have browsed all the truck/car sites. This truck will probably be the last vehicle I buy. I expect it to last me for 10-15 years. By then I'll be handing it over to my son or daughter and I'll be driving some 2-seater electric thing around a retirement home.

Here are my choices thus far:

2001-2009, < $22K, < 100K miles

F250/F350 Regular or XLT cab, 4x4, 7.3L (have heard too many horror stories about the 6.0L).

2500/3500 Chevy or GMC, 4x4, Duramax.

2500/3500 Dodge, 4x4 Cummins. Have no comparison knowledge btwn the v8 and the 6 cyl.

Now the questions:
Is a truck with a "plow" history a potential problem child?
As a daily driver, am I going too far with a diesel?
Best realistically accessible R/E ratios for fuel economy and reasonable power? (3:73 vs 4:10)
What is the best truck for availability of service experience? In other words which one can I get serviced most easily? (I don't want to end up trying to get a Swiss watch problem fixed at a Waffle House.)

Thanks very much in advance.

 

Personally, I would avoid any trucks that have snow plows. IMO you would be begging for trouble. Whether or not you need a diesel depends on how many miles you drive; short trips are torture on the engines. R/E ratios depend on which type transmission you have (manual/auto), and how heavy you tow. Since you don't intend to tow heavy regularly, I would recommend the 3.73 over the 4.1. Of course I drive a stick, so it makes less of a difference for me...
Don't really know about your last question...

 

Thanks for the comments, mishkaya. I drive about 25K/year now. I am expecting a move to Texas within the year and will probably increase driving by another 15K (so 40K/year). What is compelling about going to a diesel is the life cycle cost and overall reliability. I am a rather conservative driver (no heavy foot), and rarely have a problem with a vehicle. (i.e., The '87 F150, 4.9L six, 3-spd with O/D has 300K now with no calamities to the engine.) I just don't want to inherit problems by making a stupid decision now.

(If I could I'd buy about any small 4x4 truck that came with a 4-cyl diesel and a 5-spd transmission.)

 

Personally, I think your best bet is going to be a Cummins. They are hard to beat for reliability, but when something breaks, they seem to be a bit more expensive to fix(at least from what I've seen and experienced). Also, if you do any modifications to the engine performance wise, you'll have to beef up the transmission because Dodge autos suck. I'd go with an 03 or newer. Other than that, find one that's been taken care of and you should be set for quite a while.

With a Duramax, you'll have a better ride, almost car like, a quiet engine, but still a pretty solid truck and it would work great for a daily driver/occasional hauler.

And Powerstrokes. I think Ford is in the middle. If you find the right truck, you can have reliability and comfort. In the PSD faminly, the 7.3L is hard to beat in reliability but not the easiest to make big power out of. It would be plenty for what you are looking for though. The 6.0L is a good engine, there are just certain things that need attention as soon as you get one. The EGR cooler is the biggest one. The biggest drawback in my book about Fords is that any motor that came after the 7.3, the cab must be removed in order for more major engine work to be done. Even knowing that fact, I still would like to get a 6.4L if I ever get the money.

As for repairs, if you only go to a shop, find a good knowledgeable diesel shop. Whichever truck you choose, it would be best to take it to a specialist for that engine. If you tend to do repairs yourself, feel free to ask questions in the tech section of the truck you end up buying and we will help the best we can. Good luck and

 

If I had my choice I would get a powerstroke. I have drove and worked on both and like the powerstroke much better. I do not have any experiance with the duramax, so I have no opinion on them. If your going to do the work on your own truck, I think that the powerstroke is much more mechanicaly friendly. The Cummins don't seem to be engineered to be easy to work on. For reliability, they are both extremely good power plants. The main difference that I have noticed is that the powerstrokes need more frequent trips into the garage, but the parts bills are not that bad. The cummins requires less frequent garage time, but when you have to work on them, you better hold onto your wallet.

 

I think the 5.9 cummins is the better engine, BUT don't like the dodge body. The powerstroke I would get is the 7.3, cause it's the most reliable

 

cummins would probably be easiest to work on and least likely to break down if it has had a good history. but i just think there ugly.