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Talk me out of a diesel or help me pick!

pennstate.craigslist.org

Ford F350 Super Duty

V10 engine 114,437 mi. New all season tires. New rear breaks, calipers, and rotors. New front breaks. New tail gate with rear camera and step. Runs strong. Shifts smooth. Call 814 Three six zero 0678
pennstate.craigslist.org

Where you at location wise? Not sure is this ones near you @DanO
 
I’ll never buy a used diesel again. Mine was an 04 dodge with 175k Miles. Beautiful rust free truck but as it got closer to 200k everything started going wrong. The injectors and pump was $6000. When all was said and done I had about $10-$12k in repair bills. I sold it for the same price I paid for it though.
 
Ford 13 or newer.
Chevy 05 up
Dodge with a manual transmission


Don’t be afraid of a few mods assuming you can do them where you are. Here we junk the emissions on all the diesel trucks making them awesome!
If I could buy one today it would be a low mileage Chevy Duramax 2008 or newer

My buddy at work has a 2013 Ford F-250 says it has “the death wobble” he has 167k miles so be sure to check out the front ends even on newer trucks. The Diesel engine is hard on them.


See you in a tree, Ricky
 
I had an old PowerStroke F-350 crew cab. Awesome truck. I think it was a '96. Sold it with 275K miles and it was still going strong. It would tow anything, and got decent mileage. I did have to replace an injector or two that failed over the years, a few glow plugs, a water pump, alternator, other regular stuff. Parts were expensive. Now I've down-sized and drive a Tacoma with towing package, rated to 6000lbs, which is plenty for me. Been perfectly reliable for 65K miles so far. Fuel mileage is surprisingly almost identical to my old PowerStroke, and it can only pull half as much weight. But it's a heck of a lot easier to park, feels like it has double the turning radius, and my wife doesn't mind driving it when she has to. Plus gas doesn't cost as much, and doesn't stink like diesel fuel does. If I needed huge towing capacity then I would get another diesel for sure. Otherwise no.
 
What is it’s primary use? If it’s towing then I would say diesel. Anything else... gas

The MPG increase of diesel over gas is very small in a truck. The cost of diesel is more per gallon, maintenance is more and the up front cost of buying a diesel is quite a bit more than a gasser.

I won’t buy another ford myself. Last one was a lemon. It was at the dealer more than I had it in my possession.

The dodge I have now is decent. Dodges engines are excellent hemi/Cummins but the transmissions meh... The front end is kinda crappy too. I get significant bump steer and it doesn’t handle heavy loads well.

I will probably go back to a GM for my next truck. I have had issues with a GM truck I had also but I felt I got more for my money. The duramax engines are decent and the Allison transmissions are the best in the business.
 
You came to the wrong place to be talked out of something lol..

I got talked out of a power stroke by a ford mechanic was basically told they are ticking time bombs, the turbos go and your engine is done..
Cummins makes the best engine in the ram and allison makes the best transmission in the GM.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
 
I’m gonna also make a plug for a Nissan Titan XD diesel, if you want diesel. I like buying American, and wanted to buy Ford or Dodge, but couldn’t pass on the value of the Titan XD. A few points:
Diesel:
pros: fuel economy, torque, durability
cons: diesel is dirty, engine repairs can cost more, loud (even though newer diesels are quieter) turbo lag
With a budget of $20k, you will be hard pressed to get an American made diesel truck with reasonable mileage. You may be able to get the Titan XD. Its not a true 3/4 ton and it’s heavier than a half ton. It rides Better than a true 3/4 ton, and handles like a half ton. But it’s got a Cummins diesel, the transmission found in the 3500 series dodge and has 100k mile warranty, you may be able to find one with a little warranty left. Just an option to consider. Good luck.
 
tmattson said:
Is new an option your considering?
Click to expand...
New probably isn't an option unless there's a killer deal on a lease I don't know about. Not into making 600-900/month payments.
T.Clarke said:
If you can find the Excursion you want you won't be disappointed. I have a good friend that deals in used vehicles, he found mine for me, I can have him start looking for one for you if you'd like.
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I know I would be happy with Excursion after driving yours! Just all the other things to go wrong with a vehicle that old. For some reason I have zero time right now to tinker with cars. Ask my wife - she's been after me to change her cabin air filter and I keep telling her I will when I get a second. lol
 
Weldabeast said:
pennstate.craigslist.org

Ford F350 Super Duty

V10 engine 114,437 mi. New all season tires. New rear breaks, calipers, and rotors. New front breaks. New tail gate with rear camera and step. Runs strong. Shifts smooth. Call 814 Three six zero 0678
pennstate.craigslist.org

Where you at location wise? Not sure is this ones near you @DanO
Click to expand...
Thanks - I'm in SE Michigan. Definitely need a crew cab though.
 
First off my bona-fides: currently own 94 7.3L idi, past owned 03 6.0, my dad dailies an 05 6.0 and services about 10 different diesels on his farm and is a certified diesel mechanic. Having said that, the 6.0 isn't a bad motor IF it's been bulletproofed and had the aftermarket egr installed. My dad's 05 hauls hay all day every day and is pushing over 400hp and almost 900ftlbs of torque with a tune and he has no problems. (see photo). I'll echo what everyone else has said if you're only going to occasionally tow then I'd go gas. Sure diesel gets better gas mileage but man parts not to mention fuel are expensive. You're shooting for under 20k, you aren't going to touch a 6.7 for under that that doesn't have north of 200k miles, which ain't much for a properly maintained diesel engine but that's wear and tear on the drive train and other components. My wife's father has an '15 f150 extended cab I think with the ecoboost engine in it that he regularly uses to tow an 8k lb boat in the mountains of Washington and it does it without issue. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't experienced it for myself.
Just some food for thought.
 

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enkriss said:
What is it’s primary use? If it’s towing then I would say diesel. Anything else... gas

The MPG increase of diesel over gas is very small in a truck. The cost of diesel is more per gallon, maintenance is more and the up front cost of buying a diesel is quite a bit more than a gasser.

I won’t buy another ford myself. Last one was a lemon. It was at the dealer more than I had it in my possession.

The dodge I have now is decent. Dodges engines are excellent hemi/Cummins but the transmissions meh... The front end is kinda crappy too. I get significant bump steer and it doesn’t handle heavy loads well.

I will probably go back to a GM for my next truck. I have had issues with a GM truck I had also but I felt I got more for my money. The duramax engines are decent and the Allison transmissions are the best in the business.
Click to expand...

Need to be able to tow anything out West. We take trailers loaded with quads and all our gear for camping. But it won't get tasked a ton most of the time. Will be used for towing my 19' aluminum trailer locally. Also used for business - picking up parts, etc.

Lot's of good comments so far. I have a lot to think about.
 
I'll throw some more wood on the fire:
The fam dailies a 2011 suburban with the 5.3l in it. I've owned it for 7 years now and have put 70k on it with ZERO problems. All I do is keep up with maintenance and fluid changes. It regularly towed a 20ft box trailer (is that a thing? That's what I'm calling it lol) for my church without issue. My hunting partner has a '13 denali with the 6.2l in it and he loves it, same thing. Tons of miles, no issues. I know there are some out there who will Foo Foo and chime in these trucks suck and they're junk but I've had good luck. Plus, they sold a gazillion of the things and every government acronym and leo agency bought them by the truck loads so parts are cheap. What issues they do have are well documented. Unladen I get 20mpg on the freeway if I don't drive it like I stole it. Seats 8 comfortably. Just my thoughts
 
KYRanger said:
I’m gonna also make a plug for a Nissan Titan XD diesel, if you want diesel. I like buying American, and wanted to buy Ford or Dodge, but couldn’t pass on the value of the Titan XD. A few points:
Diesel:
pros: fuel economy, torque, durability
cons: diesel is dirty, engine repairs can cost more, loud (even though newer diesels are quieter) turbo lag
With a budget of $20k, you will be hard pressed to get an American made diesel truck with reasonable mileage. You may be able to get the Titan XD. Its not a true 3/4 ton and it’s heavier than a half ton. It rides Better than a true 3/4 ton, and handles like a half ton. But it’s got a Cummins diesel, the transmission found in the 3500 series dodge and has 100k mile warranty, you may be able to find one with a little warranty left. Just an option to consider. Good luck.
Click to expand...
I was intrigued by the Titan XD when those came out. From the initial reviews though it seemed like they didn't deliver on towing and weren't any better than 150/1500s. What is your experience with towing?
 
Yeah that’s pretty quick on oil and filter on a diesel Nissan recommends every 10000 on oil and filter And i believe Dodge recommends every 15000
 
Way better than half tons when towing.Chasis is stiff enough and the truck is heavy enough that there is no comparison The brakes are massive on the Titan and tranny is awesome.Smooth as butter while towing and you don’t have to listen to all that racket like a gasser revving way up to get the job done.My Titan just cadillacs along less than 2000 rpms once up to speed.Its nice to actually be able to hear yourself think.
 
What ever you do avoid the 6.4 as well had a buddy go through 4 radiators in under a year. Even with some bulletproof gear or whatever u do to them. I have an 03 duramax that’s been through the bowels of hell and still running like a champ. If you can find a 7.3 Excursion. Don’t jump dive on it they are pretty rare. My buddy got rid of his as it was pretty slow but it towed boats like a dream. Can’t go wrong with a duramax. A 7.3 or 6.7 ford. Or a dodge. Some years had trouble in the automatic but that was a while back.
 
Squatch said:
Hey man
Soooo I’ve owned a few of these
The newer power strokes are nice and generally trouble free
Problem you have is expect to rebuild tranny in most cases by 250,000 miles on a ford
I had a 2010,2014,2016
When you go look at them even from a dealer crawl under them. I’ve found several leaking on the back of the engine block and on parts of the pan gasket
Test drive, listen for weird noises, watch your gauges til u get used to it so u know what “normal” for that truck looks like

I’m currently driving a 17 ram 3500
6.7 Cummins
6 speed manual 4x4
I’ve put 100k on it In last 2 years
Always service every 5,000 miles (first 3 services done at 3500)
I pull a 25ft flatbed every day
I’m in the landscape and hardscape Industry
Sometimes my trailer has a 10,000 lb skidsteer
Sometimes I have 5,000 lb worth of plants or trees
Sometimes I have pallets of wall block and pavers
Truck has been great!
If you can get a used ram I heard a lot of good about the Aisin transmissions so far with 6.7 Cummins
I just like to shift, automatics are boring and besides that working 80 plus hours a week it’s hard to fall asleep at the when hen you have to shift

If I had my way I’d throw this engine and transmission in a 93 f350 crew cab


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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X2 on 6.7 Cummins. Loved the way my f-350 drove but as stated above I went through 2 trannies and then switched to the Ram. I have the aisan tranny and it tows my 16k pound fifth wheel without breaking a sweat. My favorite thing on this truck is the factory exhaust break. I don’t know how I ever towed without it in my f-350. Brands are not a big deal for me. Loved fords and chevys too. But this Ram has just plain gotten done what the other 2 could not. Also when not towing I am getting 20 mpg. That’s awesome. Good luck on the new truck!
 
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