Buying a diesel truck

[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?

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.

OK thanks, that makes a lot of sense. I have good bottom end and towing power, but it's no speed demon on the hwy, bet I have the lower geared differentials. 

[jackelope]

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.

I agree re: towing, Rick.

As far as mpg's out of the Cummins, I've had lots of people report to me 20+mpg out of them pre-6.7l.

[Skyvalhunter]

  spoken from a mechanic

[snocohunter]

Wow, I go steelhead fishing for half the day and come home to three pages of great discussion.

I honestly started looking at 1/2 ton gas trucks because they will probably tow 90% of anything I'd ever need it to. BUT, nearly all of my friends who haul snowmobiles and travel trailers and bigger boats with their half ton trucks say they wish they'd bought a diesel in the first place. Is a diesel more than I need right now? probably. But I want a truck that will last me a long time and/or retain some of its value. I've considered the repair costs for parts and I'm okay with that. I'll most likely pickup a daily driver soon too just to keep from racking up the miles on a truck. If I can average 15-17mpg ill be happy.

I've found an 03 and an 04 dodge both with the 6 speed which I'm leaning towards. I got spoiled driving an 07 duramax for a couple months this summer while my buddy was outta town and was house sitting for him. It was a nice ride and of course I loved the torque and horsepower.

[westsideoutdoorsman]

Ford Chevy Toyota(the big 3)

Lol. Got 2 of the big 3 there.

[BK Dave]

Ford Chevy Toyota(the big 3)

Lol. Got 2 of the big 3 there.

lol. Somebody caught that

Here's my 2 cents when it comes to "half tons"
#1 Tundra (Made in America)
#2 chevy
#3 ford
#4 Nissan
#5 bucket of crap
Other stuff
Other stuff

#13 Mopar
 

[Rick]

  Even towing 7 tons of hay over the pass I have never gotten under 18 mpg.

If thats the case,you need a new calculator.

[RG]

So, in summary, now that we've all agreed....  just go buy the 06 Dodge cummins and solve all of your problems. 

[jackelope]

spoken from a mechanic

Not a mechanic.

[jackelope]

I drive a half ton 2002 Chevy truck with 176,000 miles on it. I bought this truck with 30,000 miles on it seven years ago. I have towed mostly smaller stuff, the biggest being a 21 foot boat. I towed that boat  all over the state with this truck. Mostly just tow my Driftboat or other small trailers.

[brianmtsinc]

PM sent......

My sons 2000 Dodge 2500 with manual trans gets around 17 - 23 mpg's with the stock tires and wheels on it.  With the 33's on there now, he is getting between 15-18.  It has the Edge chip in it which added 2-3 mpg's.  Next to my brand new 2012 3500, it is the best truck I have ever owned. 

[snocohunter]

I'll keep it in mind Brian but right now I don't have financing for anything over 125k miles.

[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.

OK thanks, that makes a lot of sense. I have good bottom end and towing power, but it's no speed demon on the hwy, bet I have the lower geared differentials. 

i run about 1750 rpm's at 60mph Dale, my buddy with the 411 runs closer to 2000rpm's at 60, might give you a idea of your gears.

[jburkett]

Dodges have weak front ends.

compared to what?  I have owned several dodges and have never had any trouble with the front ends, it's a Dana 60 front in the 3/4 tons,  that has been a proven work horse since the 60's and its miles stronger then the I.f.s garbage that some of the other brands come with.

[jackelope]

Dodges have weak front ends.

compared to what?  I have owned several dodges and have never had any trouble with the front ends, it's a Dana 60 front in the 3/4 tons,  that has been a proven work horse since the 60's and its miles stronger then the I.f.s garbage that some of the other brands come with.

z

Ball joints, axle ujoints, steering components. If you own a 2500/3500 10 years old or newer, you will replace them at some point...I will almost guarantee it. We did BJ's in a '10 the other week. Not a good sign.
I wasn't talking about the differential.