Hi,

I found out about this site thru the rvforum.net web site. I posted the below questions on that site but then got to thinking this site would have good opinions also.

I have not yet bought a trailer or 5th wheel (gooseneck conversion) but expect it to have a GVWR of about 7,000 - 8,000 lbs. I am looking for a daily driver as I will probably get rid of my 1998 Ford Expedition with the baby V-8 4.6L I need a 4x4 and would like a crew cab. An automatic is probably best as I doubt my wife could shift, or reach to push the clutch pedal in all the way.

I had no clue (duh..anything can be done with enough $$$$) about a conversion. I had thought after reading on the other site a Cummins engine in a Chevy or Ford body with a Allison tranny would be a great truck. Hmm...is there a business / market here?

There are a ton of opinions on tow vehicles, engines, brands, etc. And, I know the trailer choice should dictate your choice of tow vehicle. But, having said that, another thread on this forum (RVforum.net) discussed tow vehicle's costing under $7,000: "Newcomers' Corner / Gas vs. Diesel under $7,000?"

I read that and had some questions. It was stated the mid 1990's Dodge & Ford diesels were great engines. I gathered the Dodge 1996 & older diesels were best as they did not have an electronic pump (pump for what? fuel?) and the 1997's and newers had the electronic pump so it was best to avoid them. So, what is the year range for the Dodge 5.9L, 12V, 6 cyl diesel that I guess is the engine that is the best of all the diesels?

How is it that the Dodge could be so much better than the other brands when it comes to miles per gallon?

Also, it said the Ford 7.3L Powerstrokes were great engines but all it said was mid-1990's. What years does the great 7.3L encompass? I think now after being on this site it is the 1994 - 1997 years.

I also gathered the Ford Powerstroke from 2002 - 2007 is to be avoided because of overheating, head gaskets, etc. Is this correct?

And, there was no mention of the Chevy diesel...not the Chevy diesel from the 1980's (the gas engines GM turned into diesel) .....but I think it was a Detroit Diesel engine in the mid-1990's. Are they any good? But, after being on this site it appears thse are good for light duty toiwing and good miles per gallon. But, would they be better than the Dodge Cummins MPG?

I am guessing a mid-1990's Dodge or Ford or Chevy 4x4, long bed, crew / club / super cab disel, 3/4 - 1 ton should be near $10k for retail from a private party and slightly higher for a dealer. Does this sound right? I would like to stay near $10k and if mods were in the future take care of the mods on a monthly / cash only basis...meaning, if I can only get a non-modded truck for $10k so be it.

What is considered high mileage for a mid-1990's diesel? More than 200k, more than 350k? I know an engine with low miles could be worse off than an engine with high mileage, depending on how it was maintained and driven but is there any kind of rule of thumb? I am guessing the Kelley Blue Book and NADA mileage guides are not valid with diesel engines since diesels last for so many miles.

What about rebuilt engines? To be avoided? Rebuilt tranny's?

Thanks for the opinions...

 

As for mechanical fuel injection on the older dodge 12v's. It's from the early 98 year back.The later part of 98 is when the 24v's came out.As for the early chevy gas to diesel conversions i'll never buy one.The ford 7.3 engines i like,And i don't know much about the chevy duromaxes.
I sure someone will add some thing later.
And welcome to DB.

 

You have many questions in that post.

I cant tell you anything about Fords or Chevys but I can give you a quick rundown of the Cummins engines.

1994-1998 12V (second gen) Cummins engines are generally considered to be the most durable and most desireable. These years have the mighty P-7100 "Million Mile" pump.

The earlier 12V's (89-1993) had the Rotary VE pump (first gen). Not as desirable as a P-7100 pump but can make 500 hp with the correct tweaks and supporting modifications.

The 1998.5-2002 24V (later second gen) Cummins had the much hated VP-44. The VP-44 is actually pretty decent as long as you do the appropriate modifications.

2003 was the first year for the 24V Commin Rail engine (third gen). This engine had the CP-3 injection pump which I believe is considered to be more reliable than the previous VP-44.

The 12 Valve engines have pretty basic wiring and the later engines have much more electronics to deal with, thus the 12V's are much easier to swap into project vehicles.

 

I'll inform you on the Fords.

The 7.3L Power Stroke diesel(PSD) was available from late 1994 to early 2003. Late 2003-2007 was the 6.0L. For the 6.0L, the answer you get depends on who you talk to. In my opinion(after learning a lot about this motor), it is a good engine. There are things that should be addressed right away if you plan of modifying it in any way. In a 100% stock setting, these motors rarely have problems. EGR cooler, head gaskets, head studs are going to be your main upgrades on a 6.0L. Keep in mind that if you ever need major work done on this motor, that cab of the truck must be taken off to get to the motor. This also goes with the 6.4L and new 6.7L.

Just so you don't get confused, the 7.3L also came in IDI(indirect injected) form. This was from 1988 to early 1994. Some 1993 and 1994s came with a factory turbo system from ATS. Still a good motor, gets pretty good MPG and its mechanically controlled. No computers like a PSD. It has no where near the power of a PSD but its reliable, and will get you where you're going. It'll tow your load just fine too. The biggest thing to check on these though, is cavitation. If you want to know more about it, ask here: Ford 83-94 6.9 and 7.3L General - Diesel Bombers

Now the 7.3L PSD. The 1st generation is not intercooled. Intercoolers are better for towing vehicles. If you are only going to be occasionally towing, you'll be fine with a 94-97 PSD. If you were going to be towing this camper all around the country all year long, I'd get a 99-03 7.3L Super Duty that has the intercooler. Its a good reliable motor, fairly easy to modify. There are a number of aftermarket products out there and a lot of them are interchangeable between 94-03. These trucks are getting harder to find in really good shape, so shop around.

Another thing I just thought of is that 99 was a split year for the PSD motors. Early 99s are less powerful more basic trucks, such as the XL package Ford offers as their base model trucks. This is because Ford needed to get its commercial use/fleet trucks out there ASAP after re-tooling the factory for the new body style. The nicer trucks, XLT and Lariat packages, got the upgraded parts and make more power and have a late 99 built date. The early 99s are still good, and you can get the newer factory parts from a salvage yard to upgrade it.

 

Thanks for the info. This is good stuff to have in my head as I shop around. As I do nto see any mention of the Chevy I take it to be a decent enging just not as popular or as good as the Dodge or Fords. I saw a 99 Chevy flat bed dually work truck today with the 5 speed manula for $4,995 with 160k miles on it. But, it was not a 4 wheel drive and I do not really need a dually...but it looked at 1st glance to fit the bill. But, upon closer inspection...nope.

 

Good luck in your search.