I am looking for a diesel truck to replace my 02 GMC reg cab V6 2wd. I would like to find an extended cab (kids) 4x4 but would also like to increase the mileage I am getting. I am used to getting 15 mpg (hand calculated) city/highway driving about 40 miles a day to work. I may do some light towing (camper, boat). I have always wanted a diesel, and figure in order to get half decent mileage with an extended cab 4x4- it needs to be a diesel. I would be looking in the $10,000 to $15,000 range.

Do i need a 3/4 ton truck? No...but who builds a 1/2 ton with a diesel? No one... so a 3/4 ton will have to do. My requirements include getting the best mileage choosing a diesel that won't break the bank to keep running. I don't just mean the motor, I mean chossing a truck that is the least costly to maintain.

As an example, at first I looked at the 2nd gen\early 3rd gen dodges, with the cummins. I am a dodge guy at heart, having a 69 Charger in my garage, and the cummins is just plain sweet. It also seems to be one of cheaper motors to maintain. However, the dodge trucks themselves can be costly to maintain..ie. the front ends and trannies (from what i have read).

So then I started looking at the Fords. The 6.0L is out due to the problems, and I know they can be fixed, but I can't get into that at this time. The 7.3L is a good motor, but then I am getting into an older truck, and being so sought after, they are not cheap.

Then there's the Duramax. It seems to be a great motor and the allison seems to be a great tranny. However, with the injector issues in the LB7's and the complexity issues of the motor, I am a little weary.


Whats your opinions on the truck with the best mileage and least cost of ownership?

 

Unfortunately, with your budget, you are probably looking at a ten or so year old truck. Diesel's are not cheap to maintain and parts are certainly not cheap. You could get into the higher teens and some trucks will get into the low twenties with fuel mileage. A 7.3 will not get you a whole lot better mileage than what you currently get. My 95 averages 17 mixed driving. So cost per mile is probably pretty similar as far as fuel costs go compared to what you are at now...

I guess if it were me and fuel mileage is your main concern, I would look into something like a newer F150... You could tow your boat or small camper and still get a crew cab for the family.

 

We have customers parking trucks due to high maintenance cost. Often they "need" or more like want a diesel but fail to recognize a front end repair such as a unit bearing is normally $300-$500 more expensive, filters are more expensive, oil changes are more expensive.
Then you find customers pushing the limits as far as maintenance and needed repairs and the trucks condition headed down to the poor range. The moral of my story is to take into account repair and maintenance coast before making your purchase.

 

I concur with all of the above.....and would like to add "if I had a nickel for every buddy who wanted a diesel truck only to find out 6 months into ownership that (insert anything about a diesel truck many people don't like here)...."

In all seriousness....get a newer 1/2 ton Chevy or GMC with the extended cab, Vortec V8, and enjoy 18-21mpg and more power than you'll realistically need day to day.

I have diesel trucks for work and for moving big trailers full of heavy things. I drive them around empty a lot as well but that's the trade off for needing them for other things.

Regardless of their popularity at this point a diesel pickup is NOT for everyone, and I'm not trying to stereotype you so no offense, but your post has a lot of red flags in it to recommend a used higher mileage diesel truck for your intended purposes. If you really really really really gotta have one, we can help you find a good one, but research and choose wisely cuz it's a spendy world to play in on a temporary basis.

Cheers, Dan-

*EDIT* GM built a 1/2 ton diesel 4x4 pickup in the mid 1990's.....they were essentially the same truck as a Z71 K1500 but with the 6.5 turbodiesel. Not a powerhouse, and overall not as ghastly as many make/made them out to be, but in a nutshell they got their *** whipped by the Vortec 350 in every category including overall fuel economy......go figure.

 

This guy

Honestly dude, you've done your research and got it about figured out. Pretty much everything you've stated here is what I would have told you. If you get a Dmax, you would want at least a 06-07 LBZ, as the LB7's had injector problems. The 6.0 can be made good, but costs money, so a 7.3 is your best bet in the Ford, and they can be found with lower mileage. Cummins.... the injector pumps on the 98-02 24v's scare me, as do the injectors on the 03-07 commonrails, but the commonrails to a lower extent.

My vote is either 7.3 PowerStroke, 03+ Cummins, or 06+ Duramax.