I'm looking at getting a diesel truck, just don't know which one.

Budget - under $15,000

Wants -

4wd, crew cab, somewhat nice interior.

Needs -

It will be a daily driver, about 60 miles a day in Eastern Kentucky (mountains/hills)

Be towing a 5,000lb boat occasionally, and a UTV in the future.

Carry some Class 8 truck parts and work around the house.

Needs to last a LONG time and be reliable.

 

Drive a few different brands/makes/models and go from there. All vehicles have their ups and downs, dodges automatics are junk so years have body issues, fords aren't known to much for exceptional fuel mileage but they do ok if drove properly. Duramax have the allison but that's about it besides a high price tag.

Sent from my dumb phone!

 

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.

 

I've drove a ton a PowerStrokes, a few Dodges and 1 Duramax.

The information you gave me is what I'm looking for.

I've heard all about the problems of the 6.0 and 6.4 PS motor but nothing else with the truck itself.


I hear about Dodge transmission problems and body problems but nothing else.

Duramax, I hear little about period.


Me and my uncle can do about anything on the motor side, but pulling a cab to change head bolts or a turbo.....I don't know.

 

You can probably get something along this line for your budget. Here is one near me that would be about the size you need, but dont buy one with a slipping transmission like this onehttp://lubbock.craigslist.org/cto/3105577414.html. I do have one question though. Why do you need a crew cab? Got munchkins to haul? If you do, 3rd gen dodge extended cabs are WAY bigger than 2nd gens. My 6'2 200 pound brother fits in the back seat of a 3rd gen with room to spare.

Definately stay away from up to 04.5 Dmaxs. I once saw an 02 with just over 200 thousand on the clock, and it was on it's sixth set of injectors. The dodge auto transmissions are definately good when you only do occasional towing like us, but from what you told me about it's duty's I would definately get a manual if you buy a Dodge. But manual trannys in ANY truck are cheaper to repair/replace and they can handle power mods and towing MUCH better than any auto.

The absoloute Golden Goose of the Powerstrokes is '991/2-early'00. The oil system in the powerstrokes until 99 1/2 were problematic, but the repairs they need are very cheap. The degree of the early 99s oil pump was different from all the others and are extremely poorly constructed, but again they are cheap things to replace in your driveway. If I was in your shoes, I would buy a Cummins for the fuel mileage going through those mountains towing. I would not worry about the Dodge bodys. I do admit they are a bit weak, but the parts that are prone to rusting or breaking are simple things that just bolt on. I would not let the body durability worry me. The truck you choose will be a long-term, expensive investment. Use your money carefully and wisely. Do NOT settle for good enough! Be SUPER picky when you are buying a truck. No matter how good of a deal it is, DO NOT buy something you are not in love with. If you don't love it when you see it, you won't love it later on. But back to the subject, every truck has rock solid strong points and achilles heel querks. But whatever you do decide on, post LOTS of pics!! We would love to see them!!

 

money to truck ratio an 05-07 6.0 ford cant be beat. If you want an auto stay away from dodge. If you want a duramax stay away from 01-04 years. If you get a truck that has been taken care of and you take care of it I dont think any of them would be a bad choice. your price is what is going to limit you on the more desirable dmax and cummins trucks

 

x2 what he said! Whatever truck you get though, let us know!!

 

I need a 4 door because I have a little one and hopefully more on the way.

MPG is a major concern.


I have found a 160k 2006, and dealer says head bolts and gaskets been replaced., wants 14,900

 

That is a decent price but just because the gaskets and bolts were replaced doesnt mean it cant happen again. See if it has studs

 

My truck has a 305 motor with the stock carburator which needs a rebuild but i prefer to put a different carb on it. I want a bigger CFM carb , but What CFM carb should i go with, with minimal mpg losses but will give me more power?