Originally Posted by Truck Guy99 (Post 910431)

I agree with what 1999stroker said, it all depends on what you absoloutly have to have and what you might be willing to sacrifice for other features. I would do like stroker said and try a few out. Stay away from late '00 to 03 ford powerstrokes for their injector recall and powdered metal rods. These are notorius for these issues. I wuld also stay away from all duramaxs up to 04.5, especially if your towing, for the injectors issue. 04.5 to 05 had cooling issues while towing, but it is a cheap fix to solve this. 06-07 Duramax's are arguably the most desirable of the duramaxs, for the injector and colloing issues were ironed out, but you dont have all the econo-crap on the later ones. There are many argues on 04 to early 07 Dodge diesel on whether or not they are good. An 03 to early 04 4WD Manual Dodge would be the way to go for me. They make about 250 horses, but they are great for fuel mileage and aftermarket parts availability.

If you want to hear a story, I have a buddy that bought a bone stock silver 03 dodge diesel 3/4 ton single cab with a 2 wd auto for his first truck. He converted it to a dually, and loved it for about a year or two. One day, he was driving too fast in the rain and he hydroplaned, spun to where he was moving backwards, went off in the ditch, and totaled it. The truck was also rolled, so they had to use the jaws of life to tear open the cab and take him to the ER to fix his broken arm. The insurance cut him a check for about seven thousand. He shortly after bought a white 05 Dodge dually extended cab diesel with no motor, but with a brand new Jasper transmission already in it for 6 thousand. He then had the motor pulled from his wrecked 03 and installed it into the 05 and now he loves it every day. The funny thing is though, the arm he broke had been broken 3 times before in his life is the only one that ever got broken. His other arm is completely fine.