If you go GM, get at least an 06, and you can't go wrong IMO. Earlier years had problems.

If you go Dodge, find an 03-07 5.9 with a 6 speed. Some had injector troubles, but if you go at least that new you don't have to worry about injector pumps going out.

If you go Ford, get a 99-03 7.3 PowerStroke. Im a Ford guy, but I couldn't recommend a new diesel owner to get a 6.0. You might try an 08-10 6.4 PowerStroke also, in my experiences, they had less trouble than 6.0's.

 

I want to first say THANK YOU to all that have given their $.02 on this thread and so I am clear I am looking for a Cummins motor tied to an Allison tranny stuffed into maybe a Ford body (for roominess)?!?!?!? LOL

All of your input really does help tremendously. I have been looking around and reading a TON on all models and I went and drove a Dodge 4 door and I REALLY like the looks and the motor BUT it is just too small inside the back seat for my twin boys and a 70lb Weimaraner (need to find the elusive MEGA cab)!! That leaves the Chevy and Ford. I have a line on a few (yes a few) older Fords with the 7.3L motors. I really like a particular 1999 F-250 Lariat I've been eyeing but it came stock with about 235hp and about 500ft lb of torque. Is the 7.3L a good candidate for a tuner? Not for performance on the track but for towing and mileage increase???

Once again thanks in advance for all your help.

Derek

 

Derek,
I'm not going to lie about mileage mines not the greatest it's a 99 as well 250, but I drive alot of city and backroad so it's hard to get good avg. Mpg. I get anywhere from 13-18 or so just depends on my driving style, traffic etc. But I started with 9-10 mpg to stated above. But it's all how you drive. I have a ts 6 position and gauges on mine with a 6637 mod that's it, drives great transmission shifts great if anything a chip helped it changed my shift points and really like it doesn't shove into gear.


Strokin' Away

 

7.3's are great trucks. even being a cummins guy i can say that. but i love my truck. 2003 5.9l. hardly any problems. lots of power and easy to work on when something does happen. i'd get a manual over an automatic just for extra reliability, but its all a personal choice, just for my .02, stay the hell away from 6. uh-oh's. ford was not thinking when they put this motor in their trucks, everything seems to be underengineered and its so complicated to do anything to those motors, i cannot stand to work on them! just my opinion!

 

Wasnt fords fault EPA smashed the door down at ford
Sadly we have a 6 Oh No on my ranch... Wish it get totaled...

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One of my good friends has a 1999 F 250 and has a tuner on it its a F 250 Ext cab 4x4 with 180K we got 22 MPG in here and it has a auto I can vouch for the 22 MPG cuz I help drive. We were also runnin red diesel ( DONT TELL!!) I love the 7.3L Just 7.3L dont like the Cold round here so I settled for a Cummins. 99 had electrical issues(Some did anyhow) you would know by now if a truck and electrical problems just make sure all the lights work, and also check the trailer hook up thats where I find the pain in the *** problems... And another friend has a 2002 F250 Crewcab he gets 12 MPG but lives in the city and sits on 35's i tires and has an Edge Attitude and that truck has 210K on it and only issue he has was transmission...
Goood luck hope you find the right one... thought the 7.3L had 250HP ( 235HP close enough) anyhow dont let the Low Hp scare ya thats why we all love Diesel because low HP with high torque gain!!!! GO DIESELS!!! But yes if your luck enough to find a Cummins bolted to an allison that is bolted into a crewcab ford Id be jelous of you. But Im about to embark on the adventure of Shoving a 95 12 Valve into a 97 F 350 Crewcab. Thats should be a great experience...

 

Have you looked at any DMax's? Im hunting for a Mega Cab too . 5.9 with a 6 spd. For towing and mpgs, I would be looking at the Duramax. Allison is the best auto and with a DMax you can tune it with EFI live which is the best tuning out there.

 

Too bad that dodge body is not going to last as long as that cummins will. 6.0Ls have a bad rap but there are so many of them running around my town with no problems, usually you get on a forum if something is wrong and your trying to find solution or rant about your bad luck. I like chevys too just the interior is not as nice as fords and dodge....ya thank god for cummins

 

I'll bet my 24v's body lasts twice aslong any 6 Oh No. The paint Dodge used from 94-98 was pretty crappy and is known to fade pretty bad which leads to rust. Mainly on the roof and hood. But it also went down the fenders, bed sides, and doors. There are some pretty bad cases out there. When they brought out th 24v in 98.5 they changed the paint and clearcoat they were using. The later 2nd gens and 3rd gens all have bodies that will last aslong as the Cummins. I would rather deal with a bad paint job than a bad EGR Cooler, Oil Cooler, and a blown head gasket. And to put head studs on you have to pull the motor out of your Ford or lift the cab completely off the frame. On a Dodge, lift the hood and pull your head and you only usually have to do it because you go above 45psi with an aftermarket turbo. A 6.0 needs headstuds to survive if you add a programmer.

 

^^ how many 6.0s have you owned?

 

Look Im not trying to be a dick man but dodge does not build good trucks, they never have. Second tell me why I run innovatives hot tune all day long with 200,000 miles stock bolts, stock trans, stock FICM, EGR system is still in there for now, Ford coolant, stock oil cooler. ARPs are on the list for down the road but they are NOT needed and well see, your cummins will last for a long time I already said that but your dodge will fall apart long before that. Unless you know a 6.0 inside and out, own one, or you are a technician at a ford dealer dont talk it makes you sound ignorant