I am getting a used Diesel and just wanted to get some opinions and advice from your shop. I am looking for a truck I can mod to get around 20mpg and use for road trips, camping and beach duties.

There are three trucks I am comparing now:

2006 Dodge 2500 5.9L with a 6 speed manual
2006 Ford F250 6.0L with the 5 auto tranny
2008 Ford F250 6.4L with the 5 auto tranny.

I prefer the interior of the Fords, but I have heard some horror stories about the 6.0 and 6.4 engines with the EGR and DPF issues, and numerous problems with warranty honoring. And I know about the Fuel pump and front suspension issues that Dodges have.

I am meticulous about maintaining vehicles, and just wanted to get your input as to the longevity of the different models, and what upgrades I would be looking at to 'Bulletproof" these into reliable million mile trucks.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to help educate me.

 

The 5.9 is going to get the best MPGs, and is the best motor with no emissions holding it back
The 6.4s get decent mileage with EGR and DPF deletes if you can do that depending on what state you live in, also going to need a tuner. I would say you could pull 18-20 highway with it deleted and going to have the most power, best transmission.
The 6.0 is going to need an EGR delete, coolant swap, need to test things like the FICM, ECT EOT degree difference. Mine gets maybe 18 MPG highway, 14 around town on my innovative race tune. This is also going to have a great auto trans behind it but I would only recommend if you can work on it yourself, or you are willing too.

Honestly you are going to choose whether or not you want the proven platform with the manual and not as nice cab room, seats, or ride. Or you can take a chance with the fords unfortunately the 6.4s make a lot of power but have a lot of problems just like the 6.0 which can have problems but there are many of them in the 200k miles range and still going strong. I love cummins, hate dodge thats how I made my decision. Good luck

 

My 6.4 hasn't given me any problems, but I only have 50,200 miles

 

Well you're asking for trouble when comparing a Dodge and a Ford. The big thing here is if you live somewhere where you have to get emission testing every year. Also, what are you looking for? A truck that is going to last til 500K miles or is cosmetics, ride, and room more important?

The 5.9 will make it to 500k plus. The 6 spd is good. In higher horsepower applications it tends to want to get rid of 4th gear. But if you want a million mile truck, you wont be pushing for high horse power numbers. Bad thing about the Dodge though; interior is a little boring, rides like truck, and if you are over 6'1", the back seat can be kinda cramped. But you might be like me and not worry about little things like that. I dont expect a truck to ride like a Caddy or have some amazing interior. Its a 3/4 diesel truck. Im gonna use it, abuse it, and do everything I can to make it last. For me, knowing the motor in mine has been proven to make to a million miles, I can easly deal with the "little" things.

The 6.4 would be the best if you need the roomy back seat and can do without the emissions BS. These trucks make very good power if you can take all that off and it greatly improves their reliability. Make great towing trucks IF you can delete everything.

The 6.0 is where it gets fun. There has been fight after fight about these. Wether they are good or not is always the debate. You have people saying their truck is problem free but then you have people saying their truck is horrible. Does the 6.0 have issues? Yes. If you spend the money to address these issues does it help? Immensly. Just make sure you tackle all the problems before you blow a head gasket. Ford spent millions in warranty repair and buy backs after they first released the 6.0. The carbon build in the turbo could lead to an over-boost condition and you would blow a head gasket. Now, now the 6.7 Cummins had a similar issue but instead of blowing a head gasket, you smoked your turbo. Headstuds are highly recommended because the 6.0 only has 4 head bolts per cyclinder instead of the 6 like on the 7.3. Not every 6.0 has issues and once they got the kinks figured out the later models havent had the problems. Just keep in mind that to change the head gasket and install head studs, the cab has to come completely off the frame or you pull the motor all the way out.

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After reading what I wrote Im not promising a Dodge will make it to 500K miles. Its just the motor that has the least problems, is less complex, and has been proven to last. Now remember these are all our opinions and it can get nasty when its Ford vs Dodge vs Chevy. All trucks have their down sides and plus sides but its your money, you pick the truck you want.

 

False, it can all be done in the truck. Pulling the cab just gives you more space

 

You have done it with your motor installed?

 

It can be done

 

Both of you have done this?

 

NO, i havnt had to do any major engine work... BUT it has been proven that you can do anything to a 6.0 without removing cab

 

Ok, I have never seen this done but that doesn mean it cant be. If you say it can then I believe you. I still think its easier to just lift the cab though.