Talk me out of a diesel or help me pick!

[DanO]

DanO, the double cab is the same size as every other crew cab out there. Don’t rule out the tundra because of that. The crew max is absolutely huge, more leg room in the back than the front. My last 2 trucks were tundras and I will never own anything else unless I feel the need for diesel. My 2006 had 90K on it when I traded it in, didn’t even have to replace the brakes on it. My 2011 has over 150k now and only routine maintenance and a front axle shaft covered under warranty, the boot got torn and threw out all the grease so they just replaced it all.

Gonna have to go to the dealer and sit in one. It looks awful tiny compared to F250 / RAM 2500 crew cabs. Actually thinking a RAM mega cab would be nice.

 

[Dylan9862003]

Gonna have to go to the dealer and sit in one. It looks awful tiny compared to F250 / RAM 2500 crew cabs. Actually thinking a RAM mega cab would be nice.

I have an 06 ram Mega cab diesel 4x4 and the room is awesome. When the time comes for a new truck it would be hard to go back to anything smaller. I don't use mine as a daily driver anymore I have semi retired it with 170K on it. Programmer, CAI ,Injectors and fluids are the only things not still original in the truck and it was abused pretty good early on. I only use it for towing now so less than 7500 miles a year (Per my insurance company) and 11-14 MPG regardless of empty are or towing. Still love my truck but just don't haul anything to and from the refinery daily so the 43MPG civic makes the trips to work and the camp unless towing is needed. So far the Civic has hauled home a 363.3# Warsaw grouper (#2 state record) plus 4 adults and 4 limits of red snapper, and 6 deer(on separate occasions of course) but the hatchback is a deer wagon.....LOL

 

[Gator]

Gonna have to go to the dealer and sit in one. It looks awful tiny compared to F250 / RAM 2500 crew cabs. Actually thinking a RAM mega cab would be nice.

I say the Mega cab is equivalent to the Tundra Crewmax except the Megacab can have a larger bed. Not sure why Toyota won't put a larger bed on their crewmax.

 

[DanO]

I say the Mega cab is equivalent to the Tundra Crewmax except the Megacab can have a larger bed. Not sure why Toyota won't put a larger bed on their crewmax.

Exactly my thoughts. Won't have less than 6.5' bed if I can help it. My 5.5' bed now fills up too fast.

 

[Wirrex]

Exactly my thoughts. Won't have less than 6.5' bed if I can help it. My 5.5' bed now fills up too fast.

I hear ya. I had to take the bed cut because of 3 boys in car seats...

 

[Ontariofarmer]

Exactly my thoughts. Won't have less than 6.5' bed if I can help it. My 5.5' bed now fills up too fast.

If you use a 5th wheel you want a 6.5 bed.


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[DanO]

If you use a 5th wheel you want a 6.5 bed.


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No need for a 5th wheel at this time, but having it as a possibility isn't a bad thing.

 

[Ontariofarmer]

I had two ram half tons with hemi’s and now I have a Ford 3.5. The ford pulls better IMO

25% more torque than the hemi. The turbo is only used when needed. It really does not rev very high with the ten speed tranny - only when accelerating hard. Will it last. I guess I will know some day.
Normal rpm 14-1600

If you are not pulling really heavy loads and are not pulling frequently why buy a diesel


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[DanO]

I had two ram half tons with hemi’s and now I have a Ford 3.5. The ford pulls better IMO

25% more torque than the hemi. The turbo is only used when needed. It really does not rev very high with the ten speed tranny - only when accelerating hard. Will it last. I guess I will know some day.
Normal rpm 14-1600

If you are not pulling really heavy loads and are not pulling frequently why buy a diesel


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Yeah, mostly talked out of a diesel. That was the purpose of the thread!!
So now looking at Ford F250 (150?), RAM 2500, Nissan Titan XD
Mostly ruled out Toyota Tundra due to cab/bed configuration limitations
Ruled out GM/Chevy - sorry, no overwhelming reason just preference and need to narrow down the list.

Needs:
Moderate-heavy towing occasionally
Lots of light towing
6.5' Bed
Crew Cab
Seating for 6
Really don't want a baby engine
7 years old or newer

 

[EricS]

I would stay away from dodge also unless you find a deal to sweet to pass up. Not sure on the newest dodges but I don’t know many dodge owners with ten year old trucks that haven’t had ball joints, condenser fans, and blower fans replaced. Chrysler vehicles seem to have the most electrical problems and they don’t hold their value well. The value part is good if your looking for used.

 

[Squatch]

Automatic Trans are typically more reliable an will hold more power now in the newer diesel trucks.
Take the nv4500 as an example it's a 5 speed that was behind the 12Vcummins in dodge trucks an the 48re was the auto. Throw a little fuel at the truck an it will smoke the auto an the manual will need a clutch. Now throw a bunch of money at both those transmissions an the auto is going to be much more reliable that Nv4500. I had billet input shaft 5th gear nut fixed dual disk clutch an that transmission would give it self up on occasion.
I have had numerous diesel pickups auto an manual an automatic is way to go now you stay on boost when shifting gears. They have come a very long way with the automatic transmission in 3/4 an ton pickups

This is solely a matter of opinion
You can put a southbend 550hp dual disk in it and never get your moneys worth out of the spending on an auto
And that’s if it even comes down to it
I pull a 9,800 lb tracked skidsteer to Kentucky and back up and down back roads/hills etc

Not saying an auto won’t do it
I am saying that the manual will do it just as well, cost less money to maintaining and remain driveable over the years, and have a higher resale value in the end



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[parkersdad]

I would stay away from dodge also unless you find a deal to sweet to pass up. Not sure on the newest dodges but I don’t know many dodge owners with ten year old trucks that haven’t had ball joints, condenser fans, and blower fans replaced. Chrysler vehicles seem to have the most electrical problems and they don’t hold their value well. The value part is good if your looking for used.

The new trucks do not have this problem. Between my brother and my dad and I we have never had an issue with a ram truck. We have a 13 with 150,000 miles on it and my 15 has 72,000 miles on it. Ram in my opinion is making the best truck right now.


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[DanO]

The new trucks do not have this problem. Between my brother and my dad and I we have never had an issue with a ram truck. We have a 13 with 150,000 miles on it and my 15 has 72,000 miles on it. Ram in my opinion is making the best truck right now.


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Thanks. Had to meet my brother tonight so met him at the RAM dealer near his work. Got to sit in a 2500 crew cab and also check out their massive Mega cab - that's nice for sure.

 

[KYRanger]

Uh oh, once you start looking at new trucks, it’s hard not to scratch that itch! A lot of these points lead back to the Titan XD, even the gas model. Go check one out. You get a lot of truck for your money. Just an option that may be worth a look.

 

[DanO]

Uh oh, once you start looking at new trucks, it’s hard not to scratch that itch! A lot of these points lead back to the Titan XD, even the gas model. Go check one out. You get a lot of truck for your money. Just an option that may be worth a look.

Heading over to check out Nissans on Saturday along with F250s. I've never owned a Nissan or RAM truck, so gotta go where they are to check them out. I hear ya though.

 

[Ontariofarmer]

Thanks. Had to meet my brother tonight so met him at the RAM dealer near his work. Got to sit in a 2500 crew cab and also check out their massive Mega cab - that's nice for sure.

I have had. 14 ram 17 ram and a 19 Ford half ton. All Chevy for 15 years before that.

I liked the Rams. I bought a Ford because the discounts were greater at the time. I bought a ram previously because the discounts were greater at the time.
The Ford equipped similarly has as much room as a Ram. The high end Ram interiors are cool The Ford tranny with the small 3.5 will pull more. 25% more torque. It pulls 5000 pounds super easy
It’s rated to pull much more of course. I seldom pull more than that any way. Payload. 1700 pounds
The 3.92 rear end in the Ram makes the fuel economy much poorer

Trucks equipped the same. I would buy the cheaper one. Sometimes thousands different new.
The titans looked great and my brother loves his and he is an engineer for a very large automotive parts mfg

I am talking half tons


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[IHI6FAN]

This is solely a matter of opinion
You can put a southbend 550hp dual disk in it and never get your moneys worth out of the spending on an auto
And that’s if it even comes down to it
I pull a 9,800 lb tracked skidsteer to Kentucky and back up and down back roads/hills etc

Not saying an auto won’t do it
I am saying that the manual will do it just as well, cost less money to maintaining and remain driveable over the years, and have a higher resale value in the end



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I'm very familiar with southbend clutch. Peter builds a great clutch. Had a NV 4500 with southbend dual disk in a 2001 F350 CC long bed 4x4 that had 2002 P-pumped 24V Cummins pump was set up for 5500 RPM an 600cc of fuel it had some decent power. If your going the route of a cummins swap an your going to swap a manual for a auto for sake of more reliability an think it will hold more power. Talk to some reputable shops an see what they have to say.

As far as resale goes it definitely helps to have a manual trans if you a selling a trucks that has a 12 inch exhaust tip an tires that stick out 4 inches out from the wheel wells. The type of truck high school kids build that have no idea where the Mason Dixon line is lol.
There is a reason the big three only offer the new trucks with auto only. Wish it wasn't the case but it is what is.

 

[Squatch]

I'm very familiar with southbend clutch. Peter builds a great clutch. Had a NV 4500 with southbend dual disk in a 2001 F350 CC long bed 4x4 that had 2002 P-pumped 24V Cummins pump was set up for 5500 RPM an 600cc of fuel it had some decent power. If your going the route of a cummins swap an your going to swap a manual for a auto for sake of more reliability an think it will hold more power. Talk to some reputable shops an see what they have to say.

As far as resale goes it definitely helps to have a manual trans if you a selling a trucks that has a 12 inch exhaust tip an tires that stick out 4 inches out from the wheel wells. The type of truck high school kids build that have no idea where the Mason Dixon line is lol.
There is a reason the big three only offer the new trucks with auto only. Wish it wasn't the case but it is what is.

I’m far from my high school years and my truck is all stock. I wasn’t aware they dropped the g56 in 19 as I bought mine in 17
This is upsetting .....


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[KyleND]

Don't own one myself but have always been intrigued by the Ram ecodiesel....

 

[KyleND]

Factory airbag suspension for your 2-3 times a year of heavy hauling would be nice. You can find used ones for $25k give or take. Then look into extended warranty...