Buying a diesel truck

[shoot-em-dead]

I can't comment on the diesels but I can say that I have an 02 ford half ton with 225k and right around 200k I replaced all the ball joints and bearings.   I replaced the alternator for the second time at 220k. Seems like they only last about 2 to 3 years on all my rigs. I have an 03 Chevy venture for the wife and all the same work needs to be done there. My point is that these are maintenance issues and you should just plan on doing them no matter what rig you buy, if you want it to last that is.

[Rick]

Dodge, up to 07.5 have the 5.9 great mileage compared to the v-8's and twice the life span. Will pull anything. All full size pickups have their down falls but it's hard to beat the cummins. The ride of a Chevy is great but you lose integrity when pulling due to the "soft" suspension.

Interesting...

I never saw an honest 20mpg tank in my '07 Ram with the 5.9 CTD. My '11 Duramax with the DPF and emissions has seen several 20+ MPG (hand calculated) tanks.

Towing the same 11,000lb fifth wheel,the supposedly soft suspension on my '11 2500HD handles the fifth wheel better than the '07 Ram did.

My 26' aluminum pilothouse boat weighs over 10,000. No issues with my 2500HD pulling a bumper pull either.

[BK Dave]

Don't be to Quick to knock the 1/2 tons! Unless you're planning on pulling a 10k trailer a lot, today's 1/2 tons are fine for boats and trailers up to 7500 lbs just fine!    Ford Chevy Toyota(the big 3)  all claims up to 10k but I wouldn't push it.
I'm a chevy guy but I'm probably picking up a 2-3 year old Tundra for that same budget as you. 4 doors with a 6 ft bed  381 ponies is plenty for my needs   

[Rick]

For you guys complaining about the mileage of these trucks you do realize that aren't even broken in until about 75-80k miles right?

Where do you guys come up with this stuff? 

[Swatson]

21.3 mpg on my last tank and that was hand calculated.  On my 2006 Dodge 5.9  Truck has slowly gotten better and better mileage since I bought it with 25,000 miles, now has 85,000.

[PolarBear]

My 97 7.3 Powerstroke still gets 21mpg on the highway.  Even towing 7 tons of hay over the pass I have never gotten under 18 mpg.  Something to think about.

[bearpaw]

My 97 7.3 Powerstroke still gets 21mpg on the highway.  Even towing 7 tons of hay over the pass I have never gotten under 18 mpg.  Something to think about.

Have you done anything to help your truck get this good of mileage?

My truck computer (powerstroke 7.3) says I get nearly 20, but when I do the math most of the time I am actually between 11 to 17 mpg depending on the load I am pulling.

[PolarBear]

Nope, it is as stock as it gets.  It has been an awesome rig.  With just under 180,000 on it all I have had to do is replace the water pump (last week) and an alternator.  I did go ahead and do some preventative maintenance and have the whole drive train and steering serviced.  It runs like a champ.  I would like to upgrade to a K&M type air system and bigger exhaust but I'm not in a big hurry.

[cohoho]

My 06 bone stock Duramax, gets around 18-19, when I tow my boat drops to 15-16...  200K as of right now.  Plan on getting a new truck when this one hits 350k..

[logger]

I have 5 diesels from 2000-2011  and hands down my dodge 06 is by far the best performer, the dodge has wweak front ends but my fords are far from sturdy in the front end also. my 2011 ford is by far the biggest dissapointment I have had in a pickup. 11-12 mpg on the freeway down hill in a hurricane with the wind in my favor!

[huntnphool]

Ford's 7.3 is a sweet motor but stay away from the 1999-2005 years as their trannys are junk!  Had an 01 and loved it but the Trannys suck!  Dodge 5.9 are tough to beat.  My 06 6 speed has 85,000 miles now and when I'm not towing I'm getting between 20-22 mpg.  Tows like a champ too.   

Ive got two, a  '00 7.3 Excursion and a '02 7.3 F-350, I've put over 300k on my Excursion, towing a boat and taking off road for air of those miles, not a single tranny issue on either rig.

[bearpaw]

I have 5 diesels from 2000-2011  and hands down my dodge 06 is by far the best performer, the dodge has wweak front ends but my fords are far from sturdy in the front end also. my 2011 ford is by far the biggest dissapointment I have had in a pickup. 11-12 mpg on the freeway down hill in a hurricane with the wind in my favor!

I have heard that many times about the new fords. 

Nope, it is as stock as it gets.  It has been an awesome rig.  With just under 180,000 on it all I have had to do is replace the water pump (last week) and an alternator.  I did go ahead and do some preventative maintenance and have the whole drive train and steering serviced.  It runs like a champ.  I would like to upgrade to a K&M type air system and bigger exhaust but I'm not in a big hurry.

I am certainly not as lucky as you. Without towing anything I average about 16 or 17. Best I ever got when I ran the truck at about 50-55 without any fast or slow driving to speak of was about 19 mpg.  I've thought about changing filters and exhaust too, I wonder what the average mileage gain is?

[huntnphool]

I have 5 diesels from 2000-2011  and hands down my dodge 06 is by far the best performer, the dodge has wweak front ends but my fords are far from sturdy in the front end also. my 2011 ford is by far the biggest dissapointment I have had in a pickup. 11-12 mpg on the freeway down hill in a hurricane with the wind in my favor!

I have heard that many times about the new fords. 

Nope, it is as stock as it gets.  It has been an awesome rig.  With just under 180,000 on it all I have had to do is replace the water pump (last week) and an alternator.  I did go ahead and do some preventative maintenance and have the whole drive train and steering serviced.  It runs like a champ.  I would like to upgrade to a K&M type air system and bigger exhaust but I'm not in a big hurry.

I am certainly not as lucky as you. Without towing anything I average about 16 or 17. Best I ever got when I ran the truck at about 50-55 without any fast or slow driving to speak of was about 19 mpg.  I've thought about changing filters and exhaust too, I wonder what the average mileage gain is?

i get better than 20 on the highway as well Dale but I also ordered mine with a 373 limited slip rear end, I think the 411 gear rear end was standard with the 7.3, giving you better performance off the line and towing but a little less mileage.

[logger]

my dodge has the big exhaust and k&n air cleaner from olympia to hood river I avg. 24 mpg, stock ford avg.11.6 on the same trip, and it has half the snoose the dodge does, the other fords I have are 1ton shop trucks with the 7.3 and they avg. 15-18 packin 3 times the weight.

[fair-chase]

My 97 7.3 Powerstroke still gets 21mpg on the highway.  Even towing 7 tons of hay over the pass I have never gotten under 18 mpg.  Something to think about.

Have you done anything to help your truck get this good of mileage?

My truck computer (powerstroke 7.3) says I get nearly 20, but when I do the math most of the time I am actually between 11 to 17 mpg depending on the load I am pulling.

I got similar results out of my '96 Powerstroke. Average 20-22mpg highway with 6" lift and 35" tires. I think that the mid to low 20's mpg highway is fairly typical. Mileage seems to drop dramatically with the newer ('98 on up) body style.