School me on diesel trucks.

[JODakota]

Dude 6.7l in cummins, problem solved

[Mudman]

Manuals=1st.  Cummins, pre 08 5.9 1st.  7.3 2nd.  Duramax pre emissions.  Dodge autos great after rebuilt right.  Chev best stock.  Fords ok.  7.3 autos will need rebuilt.  5.4 ford gas = garbage fuel spiller.  My 01 Ford 7.3 was favotite but trans kept going.  05 Cummins now and its great and much more reliable and cheaper maint.  Look at 98-02 Dodge and Ford?  Care of truck more important than miles I think.

[KFhunter]

http://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/4944251262.html

bullet proofed 6.0 F450

[HntnFsh]

Manuals=1st.  Cummins, pre 08 5.9 1st.  7.3 2nd.  Duramax pre emissions.  Dodge autos great after rebuilt right.  Chev best stock.  Fords ok.  7.3 autos will need rebuilt.  5.4 ford gas = garbage fuel spiller.  My 01 Ford 7.3 was favotite but trans kept going.  05 Cummins now and its great and much more reliable and cheaper maint.  Look at 98-02 Dodge and Ford?  Care of truck more important than miles I think.

Ever hear of the Cummins 53 series, Cracked block issues? Fits those years!

[Dhoey07]

Wow lots of ford and Chevy lovers on here. I am seriously surprised. Here's the industry standard for hauling though and that is simply put, Cummins. I have yet to see anything else used out here (oil industry) that isn't a dodge 2500 on up. And in this world, it is BIGGER and HEAVIER than anything you can imagine.

From what I've read, he doesn't live in your world.

[DRobnsn]

Manuals=1st.  Cummins, pre 08 5.9 1st.  7.3 2nd.  Duramax pre emissions.  Dodge autos great after rebuilt right.  Chev best stock.  Fords ok.  7.3 autos will need rebuilt.  5.4 ford gas = garbage fuel spiller.  My 01 Ford 7.3 was favotite but trans kept going.  05 Cummins now and its great and much more reliable and cheaper maint.  Look at 98-02 Dodge and Ford?  Care of truck more important than miles I think.

Ever hear of the Cummins 53 series, Cracked block issues? Fits those years!

Don't forget about all the vp44 issues. They all puke at some point. Granted they are easier to work on then a 6.0 but still not cheap by any means. Some say the vp44 is only a 60k mile pump even when well fed with good clean fuel.

[xXLojackXx]

SCHOOLED. 

[JODakota]

Wow lots of ford and Chevy lovers on here. I am seriously surprised. Here's the industry standard for hauling though and that is simply put, Cummins. I have yet to see anything else used out here (oil industry) that isn't a dodge 2500 on up. And in this world, it is BIGGER and HEAVIER than anything you can imagine.

From what I've read, he doesn't live in your world.

Well, he should!

[Hunter mike]

Cummins - you will not regret it!

I have an '03 and I would recommend the '03-'06 models if you can find a decent one.  Avoids a few of the minor pitfalls on earlier models.  I'd worry more about overall condition and maintenance records than the odometer reading - the power train is pretty bulletproof and a lot of maintenance will typically have to be done between 100-150k or so.  Probably nothing major, just typical wear parts.  If I could do it again, I'd get a manual but that said I've had no problems whatsoever with my automatic.  Don't hot rod the truck without a built transmission (and don't buy one that's been hot rodded unless you are sure everything has been done right).

Pre-'07 Duramax trucks are also nice - I think the cab configuration is nicer and more refined in the GM's.

Run away from Fords of this era.  The deals are so tempting due to the bad rep, but it's just not worth the potential headaches IMO.   

[KFhunter]

almost hard to find trucks that haven't been hooked up to a tuner box,  avoid those like the plague.

learn how to spot a truck that's had a tuner on it then re-coded back to factory spec for sale.

first thing I look at is the exhaust manifold for an EGT plug, is the air intake stock?  Is there a plug where a boost guage used to be?  Does the air intake appear to have been removed/re-installed?  fuse box been messed with?  Is there a non factory box plugged into the computer?

If so, don't buy it IMO

[trophyhunt]

Buy a duramax with the 6 speed allison and be done 

:yeah:06 or 07, love mine. If it's lifted you lose mpg but the motor and tranny are bullet proof. Mine is a gmc

[JODakota]

almost hard to find trucks that haven't been hooked up to a tuner box,  avoid those like the plague.

learn how to spot a truck that's had a tuner on it then re-coded back to factory spec for sale.

first thing I look at is the exhaust manifold for an EGT plug, is the air intake stock?  Is there a plug where a boost guage used to be?  Does the air intake appear to have been removed/re-installed?  fuse box been messed with?  Is there a non factory box plugged into the computer?

If so, don't buy it IMO

^ this

[docsven]

I was in the same boat about 3 years ago, totaled my 5.7 Dodge 2500 and couldn't find anything comparable for sale, so I bought a 7.3 L F250. It's more than I need since I was no longer pulling 3 horses in a trailer. I used it to pull my camp trailer and firewood. I knew the tranny had been rebuilt and after 6 months had to rebuild it again. I'm happy with it, but not really using it for what it's worth. Would recommend just holding out for gas if I had it to do again.
But mine's not for sale. Lol

[jackelope]

A diesel truck is a pretty complex machine. I've worked in Dodge and Ford service departments. I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Dodges are better and require less repair. But they all need repair at some point and it's typically not cheap. If you can buy a 6.0 right and plan to put $5k into it to bulletproof it, you might be golden.
If the engine is tuned for more boost, you should do head studs. Otherwise don't bother unless the heads have to come off.
Front ends suck on both of them, Dodge is worse on ball joints and front axle u joints.
Maintenance isn't bad on them, you just have to make sure you do it.
Don't buy a 2008-2009 ram.
The 6.4L fords can be just as bad as the 6.0's
I'd like to buy a 06-07 Duramax next I think.
If you don't need a diesel, I'm not sure if I would buy one. There are a lot of benefits to owning one, but there are downsides too. I'd probably just stick with a half ton. I do like the ability to do pretty much whatever you want if you decide to buy a trailer or boat or something. You won't be limited by your truck.

[Special T]

Since i have owned 5 of them  I would say that a 2wd Dodge  stick is the way to go. IMO i would purchase an 03-06. The front ends are tough on the 2wd the 4wd need constant repair. I also think that if a 2wd is ok for your use that a decent deal can be had on them since everyone is looking for a 4wd.

I am in the middle of a Ford 6L rebuild and i can tell you that a 150k mile engine has a high likely hood of not pumping oil through the oil filter... Really bad design and likely causing excessive wear.... All over a couple of $1 plastic parts...