School me on diesel trucks.

[Stump]

I bought a new1997  F350 crew cab, 4 X 4, 7.3 and with the 410 rear end. 198,000 miles later still a great truck. My sweet spot hauling about anything is 2000 rpm. That's why I have he 410. Only thing is the glow plug light for that year goes out 8 seconds before it should.

[Blacktail Sniper]

Again, thanks for all the info.  We went on up because I had said I was going to, but I told them I was not interested in looking at the 6.0 but did look at a couple others. 

Test drove a 2004 gas Dodge, 5.7 Hemi 4wd, and a little sudo SUV, station wagon thing...I have no idea what it was, but my bride liked it!!

Still in the hunt, and thinking that a 3/4 or one-ton 2wd gas-burner will be more than adequate.  Of course, there are stacks of half-ton 4wd trucks, but the heavier ones seem to be few and far between, at least in my searches so far. 

Currently our tow and my daily driver is a 2002, 2wd Tahoe. Small V-8 and just over 201,000 miles. Pulls her hourse trailer with one horse decent, and can handle both horses, but is at the top end of capacity.

Again, thanks for all the info. 

[huntingaddiction]

Horrible reliability right around 110.  Go with a 7.3 if you want a ford.  However get a 2001 or older.  In 2002 they started powder coating the rods verses forged metal.  Also if you can i would avoid an automatic especially if you are going to be towing.  Also if you get the fwo wheel drive you may regret it.  I would go with 4x4 just in case.

[salmonchaser]

It's been well stated, run away from the 6 liter Ford. I've only owned 7 vehicles since 1974, all have been Ford trucks, the 2003 f350 the only diesel.  All of those trucks except the 6 liter went well over 250,000 miles. That Damn diesel nearly cost Ford a loyal customer.
I am a little disappointed with the newer F150 as far as towing is concerned. The trucks are built so light you really feel even a relatively light trailer, 2,000 pounds, and mileage falls off dramatically. I'll be stepping back up to a 3/4 ton next year as we're going to be towing much more. The jury is still out as to species and feed. I'll be following this thread to see what I can learn.

[Blacktail Sniper]

Still looking, not going to completely rule a diesel out, other than the Ford 6.0, as I just don't want to gamble that big.

Part of me wants a a 4wd and part says less moving parts...less to break.

Half-tons are apparently breeding like rabbits, as you can't toss a Honda without hitting one it seems, and automatics...have they forgotten how to make manual transmissions for anything bigger than beer can sized cars??

The 3/4 & one-tons are hard to come by, which, to my mind says a lot!

[Skillet]

If you're willing to look at Suburbans, you can get a heck of a deal compared to similarly equipped trucks.   6.0, 4l80e in a 3/4 ton

[MR5x5]

If you want to research Fords go to this site.  It's all there...

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/index.php

[Blacktail Sniper]

If you're willing to look at Suburbans, you can get a heck of a deal compared to similarly equipped trucks.   6.0, 4l80e in a 3/4 ton

No SUV type vehicles, we have currently a Tahoe and want the open bed capability of a pick-up.

[brush hunter]

Just remember 97% of the ford trucks sold are still on the road....The other 3% made it home!
Cummins is the way to go. Yes Dodge bodys don't last as long as the Ferd, but 400,000 miles on a Cummins is not uncommon. You'll do a couple of rebuild to do that with a powerjoke. The Duramax, well it's a duramax.

[jackelope]

If you're willing to look at Suburbans, you can get a heck of a deal compared to similarly equipped trucks.   6.0, 4l80e in a 3/4 ton

Been out of the Chevy loop for a while, but is there such a thing as a 6.0 in a burb? Used to be in the new(now old)body style all you could get with a 3/4 ton was the 8.1L

[syoungs]

Just remember 97% of the ford trucks sold are still on the road....The other 3% made it home!
Cummins is the way to go. Yes Dodge bodys don't last as long as the Ferd, but 400,000 miles on a Cummins is not uncommon. You'll do a couple of rebuild to do that with a powerjoke. The Duramax, well it's a duramax.

pretty sure 200k miles rebuilds are not a common ford thing.

[DRobnsn]

Just remember 97% of the ford trucks sold are still on the road....The other 3% made it home!
Cummins is the way to go. Yes Dodge bodys don't last as long as the Ferd, but 400,000 miles on a Cummins is not uncommon. You'll do a couple of rebuild to do that with a powerjoke. The Duramax, well it's a duramax.

pretty sure 200k miles rebuilds are not a common ford thing.

They arent, even the 6.0's when properly upgraded will last a very long time. I'm working on a 1999 7.3 right know (needs injectors) that has 330k on it. It's a service truck and I know it's history the only repair it's ever had done previously was a torque converter replacement. I checked the compression In all 8 holes and they're still all at the high Ford spec, cut the oil filter open not a single piece of metal in it. Injectors, glow plugs and proper service intervalls it'll be good for another 100k plus, easilly.

[huntnphool]

Just remember 97% of the ford trucks sold are still on the road....The other 3% made it home!
Cummins is the way to go. Yes Dodge bodys don't last as long as the Ferd, but 400,000 miles on a Cummins is not uncommon. You'll do a couple of rebuild to do that with a powerjoke. The Duramax, well it's a duramax.

 Like any vehicle, it's all in how you take care of it. I have a daily driver 7.3 with 400k+ on it.

[huntnphool]

Just remember 97% of the ford trucks sold are still on the road....The other 3% made it home!
Cummins is the way to go. Yes Dodge bodys don't last as long as the Ferd, but 400,000 miles on a Cummins is not uncommon. You'll do a couple of rebuild to do that with a powerjoke. The Duramax, well it's a duramax.

pretty sure 200k miles rebuilds are not a common ford thing.

They arent, even the 6.0's when properly upgraded will last a very long time. I'm working on a 1999 7.3 right know (needs injectors) that has 330k on it. It's a service truck and I know it's history the only repair it's ever had done previously was a torque converter replacement. I checked the compression In all 8 holes and they're still all at the high Ford spec, cut the oil filter open not a single piece of metal in it. Injectors, glow plugs and proper service intervalls it'll be good for another 100k plus, easilly.

 Time for me to do injectors as well, 400k+ out of the stock isn't too bad I'd say!

[Special T]

One of the things ive done to my Dodges that really helps longevity i think is a 2 tier fuel filter system. I use the stock filter then a 2 micron spin on filter. There is a LOT of bad fuel out h
there where the places are not changing the pump filters often enough & they are running half empty tanks or less which causes bother condensation and rust on the inside of the tank. I had my first one installed at Dynamite diesel for something like $300 mostly because it was in the shop there anyway, but its a good investment for your injectors