I'm looking to buy a diesel truck and I figured I might as well outline my driving/towing requirements as well as personal preferences, and let some other people have some input. All things considered, my main concern is best MPG. Automatic is preferred, even though manual gets better mpg. Whatever truck I buy will be stock UNLESS mods can increase mpg. I don't want any sort of lift or big tires as I like a comfortable ride. I would consider taller tires if that led to a lower highway rpm cruise and an increase in mpg. I have some knowledge about diesels, but not enough to tackle anything serious, so anything above basic maintenance means a trip to the mechanic, which I am never fond of.

Basic driving = up to 20k a year mostly all highway.
Towing = a boat that MIGHT be 5k fully loaded 2k miles a year (almost every weekends 30-60mi RT). Some small work trailers here and there.

I'm sure everyone will tell me not to get a diesel if I only tow 5k, but hopefully in 3-4 years ill be moving up to a boat that can weigh anywhere from 8-11k lbs.

I'm willing to buy anything from mid 90s to late model but would like to keep it all under 13k. From what I have read it seems 7.3 or 5.9 with the right gearing should get me there. Of those two choices, what years are better to have than others or to avoid??

Thanks for the help!
Alex.

 

I would stay 2003 or older on both. Cause thats when they quit making the 7.3. and Ive heard the newer cummins than that get worse mileage...I would go 98.5 to 2002 cummins cause you can put a chip on them and get better mpg than the 12 valves. research block problems on the cummins and be thorough when shopping. fuel economy in these diesels is all about a light foot. little add ons help but its all in the way you drive them. Keep the boost low and the egt down. My ford will get 19mpg empty but thats shifting at 2000 rpms and keeping it under 60mph. My dodge will get almost 22mpg and I can go 67mph and shift at 1800-2000rpm. but it has all the crap in my sig to help with that. stock it was 16-17mpg. But it really is how you drive them. When my wife drives the dodge it gets 14-15 mpg cause shes giving it hell all the time running 80mph down the hiway. And if you get an auto of either plan on putting a tranny or two in it. I would get a cummins personally but go drive them both. And keep doing research. wikipedia both engines as well...

 

You do know there are three US manufacturers of diesel pickups right?
If I were you and new to the diesel realm I would look at everything available and then see what fits into your proposed budget for said truck and then make a decision. Fuel mileage will be better than a gas engine but there is usually a cost penalty for diesel and the mileage figures stated by the manufacturers might not be exactly real world. I would give you my opinion but that is what it is, my opinion. I'm a long time diesel owner (measure that in decades) not just a few years. I would suggest looking at the total package. You ain't buying just an engine to pull your boat. There are a few other expensive pieces in the truck to consider also. A truck is a tool and get the one that best fits your needs and that you can afford. Diesel is the way to go but they cost more upfront and the maintenance is a little higher.
Stay safe out there
Ken

 

I am definitely not ruling out the duramax, I just hadn't heard a whole lot (pos or neg) about them, and I thought the 7.3 and 5.9 were the two best mpg motors which is why I only mentioned them. In the end I guess the best deal will win over anything, but in the mean time I'm going to learn as much as possible.

 

With your budget, finding a nice clean Dmax is going to be a bit more difficult.

I would be looking at a 99-03 Powerstroke or a 24v cummins. The cummins will get better fuel economy but you have to take the Dodge with that deal.

Either way, you need to do some searching, drive as many as you can before making a decision and choose which one floats your boat.

 

I would recommend the DMax as well but that will be a bit more than your budget would allow. If you want an auto then the 7.3 Powerstroke would be best. You could go with a 96 through 2002. I would recommend a 24v Dodge ONLY if you get it with a manual, under 150K miles, is bone stock, and has never been modified. The only mod I would look for would be an aftermarket lift pump such as AirDog or FASS. To increase your milage you will have to do the basics to any truck; exhaust, intake, and tuning.

 

yep,

there's a reason you don't hear a lot about Duramax, were all too busy having fun working them to post

that aside, you would be hard pressed to find a good un abused one in your price range

 

well i am not everyone so i think a diesel is always an option. i have a Duramax LB7 and the MPGs more then makes up for the increase in diesel prices around here. this is my daily driver and i rarely tow with it, but it is nice to know that i can.

i have a friend that has a gas truck as his DD that only gets about 13-14 mpgs. mine gets between 16.5 to 22 MPGs and can tow twice as much as him.

i love my diesel, he does not

Jason

 

I don't agree with this statement. Good post otherwise.

To the OP: For your price range, don't get a Duramax, at least not an 01-04, unless you want to put three or four sets of injectors in it. From 06 and up, they were bulletproof engines, but I doubt you find one for under $13k.

Late model 7.3 Powerstroke (99-03ish) or a 5.9 Cummins gets my vote.

 

'99 -03 7.3L's had factory intercoolers which is better for towing and egts which is better for mpg, however if you get a automatic plan to rebuild it or replace it at some point while owning that truck. as previously stated all the typical add ons will help fuel milage in any truck [intake,exhaust,tuning]. A 24v cummins would be the way to go if you do decide on dodge but then again if you get a automatic plan to rebuild or replace at some point. As for the D-max the earlier models had issues but they are infact a well built motor and coupled with the allison automatic are a very capable truck but IMO [and again this is just my opinion] I didnt choose a D-max because these have IFS 4 wheel drive systems instead of a straight axle design