Used Diesel Truck Recommendations

[huntnphool]

Whatever you do run screaming from any 6.0L Ford diesel. Don't know you'll see many for the requirements youre looking at but seriously run screaming. Have had a lot of Ford diesels in my work fleet and all have been great at regularltowing real heavy loafs except the 6.0. Those things are utter garbage.

If you have a 6.0 and want to make it so you don’t have to run screaming from it, look at the bulletproof diesel stuff. Billet aluminum egr and oil coolers don’t crack like factory ones do. Get all that done to one and you’ll be hard pressed to find a better ford Diesel engine. You can do egr deletes and stuff like that too, but that’s all essentially illegal so complications could arise. The only downside to that is you need to spend $5k to do it unless you have the knowledge and tools to DIY it. My 2 diesel techs both drive 6.0 trucks. We see 20+ trucks a day and these guys know what they’re doing.

 Will egr/cat deletes be illegal after this year?

[jackelope]

Whatever you do run screaming from any 6.0L Ford diesel. Don't know you'll see many for the requirements youre looking at but seriously run screaming. Have had a lot of Ford diesels in my work fleet and all have been great at regularltowing real heavy loafs except the 6.0. Those things are utter garbage.

If you have a 6.0 and want to make it so you don’t have to run screaming from it, look at the bulletproof diesel stuff. Billet aluminum egr and oil coolers don’t crack like factory ones do. Get all that done to one and you’ll be hard pressed to find a better ford Diesel engine. You can do egr deletes and stuff like that too, but that’s all essentially illegal so complications could arise. The only downside to that is you need to spend $5k to do it unless you have the knowledge and tools to DIY it. My 2 diesel techs both drive 6.0 trucks. We see 20+ trucks a day and these guys know what they’re doing.

 Will egr/cat deletes be illegal after this year?

Will it be legal to tamper with federal emissions parts?

It’s federal emissions standards compliance stuff.

[jackelope]

Whatever you do run screaming from any 6.0L Ford diesel. Don't know you'll see many for the requirements youre looking at but seriously run screaming. Have had a lot of Ford diesels in my work fleet and all have been great at regularltowing real heavy loafs except the 6.0. Those things are utter garbage.

If you have a 6.0 and want to make it so you don’t have to run screaming from it, look at the bulletproof diesel stuff. Billet aluminum egr and oil coolers don’t crack like factory ones do. Get all that done to one and you’ll be hard pressed to find a better ford Diesel engine. You can do egr deletes and stuff like that too, but that’s all essentially illegal so complications could arise. The only downside to that is you need to spend $5k to do it unless you have the knowledge and tools to DIY it. My 2 diesel techs both drive 6.0 trucks. We see 20+ trucks a day and these guys know what they’re doing.

Did also know a guy who had this done and it ended pretty much most of his issues (minus normal issues) but that's a hefty load to drop into a purchase cost for a poor factory design.

If you do have a 6.0 that's pretty much close to what the dealer will want to fix it back to "about to happen again" status with oem parts.

I don’t disagree with you at all, but if you have one and you don’t want to buy a new truck, a $5k investment is a small price to pay...especially for what you’ll have afterwards. Less all the emissions crap that fails, some say the 6.0 is one of the best Diesel engines ever. I don’t know enough to have an opinion on that other than what I’ve seen in our shop.
It’s kind of a fact of life with Diesel engines in pickup trucks. If it’s not Ford egr coolers it’s Cummins injectors or injection pumps. Or it’s whatever goes wrong with duramax trucks. I think injectors there too. If it’s not one thing, it’s another. They all have “common” issues.

[BDildine]

emissions tampering has always been a no-no, but in this state we dont have the visual inspection aspect that some other states do. If you look, on all those parts/kits the manufacturer will state "for off road or competition use only" this covers them (for the most part, H&S still got royally screwed a few yrs ago, but i digress).
Knowingly tampering/modifying/removing OE emissions equipment can bring a hefty fine if caught/convicted.
its your choice, i doubt anyone (especially on here) would turn you in, but thats the long and short of it

[huntnphool]

 Federal law prohibits marijuana too, just saying.

[JWEBB]

I love my diesel but they are definitely expensive to maintain especially if you take them to a shop. My recommendation would be a 7.3 with low miles. Yeah they don’t have all the fancy gadgets like new trucks but they are almost indestructible and have plenty of power/torque for what you need

[bullfisher]

I've had a 7.3, a Dmax LBZ and a CR 5.9 Cummins. Even had a pretty sweet old 6.9 IDI once. Most of the guys I run with have newer Dmax or 6.7 Cummins. If you plan on maintaining and working on it yourself over the years, then I'd say a late model 5.9 Cummins. Like an 07'. It is a simple and superior engine for its era.
If you don't mind the emissions stuff, then the 6.7 Ford's and Dmax's are great rigs. The cummins 6.7 is still a great engine, they just don't do emmissions as well, though I have heard the newer ones are getting better.
Do not buy a 6.0L. Or even the 6.4L ford, no matter how bullet proofed someone says it is!

[Mudman]

  Polish a turd (6.0) but it still a $ turd!  Ford ruined a good engine pushing it to hard (HP) and of course poor designed emissions,

[Boss .300 winmag]

Here you go.

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,236352.msg3159623/topicseen.html#new

[Special T]

I want to back up a couple things Jackalope and Yorke have said.

I have several customers that are going gas engines when purchasing new for work rigs.  The big reason is down time. I have one customer with 5 diesel rigs and one is always in the shop for a sensor or some other emissions crap. Down time kills more  than vehicle power or longevity because they are working rigs.

Be aware that if you do a delete other states have differing inspection laws and if deemed used for a commercial purpose it's a much bigger fine that for Joe Sixpack. 

Your only other option is to buy a used pre emission truck and just budget dropping in a new motor and tranny when the time comes. My brother is currently working on a 7.3  crate build that is complete to replace on one of his work trucks with 350k. They dont get a new one because the upgraded motor and tranny is $better spent than new.

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[Mudman]

Ya, Ford is coming out with a NEW OLD school 7.3 gas engine for this exact reason!!!

[Matth]

Just because something is rated for 'X' amount doesn't mean I'd necessarily feel comfortable hauling or towing anywhere close to that for long periods of time. It's all relative. 3/4 ton and 1 ton rigs are plain and simple built better and better equipped for hauling and towing. Suspension, brakes, calipers, rotors, frame, weight, engine, tranny, stock tranny coolers, etc. are going to typically be bigger, better, more capable. If you are talking about towing as long of distances as you are talking about I'd go 3/4 ton at least. Unless you like being hard on and replacing stuff more frequently. Most half ton's are quite capable, yes, but aren't built nearly on the same level for towing, pulling, hauling, stopping with a load, etc. That's why it's a half ton. I'd rather have slightly more truck than I 'need' just for the piece of mind alone. Sounds like what your end goal is in a truck suitable for your needs would be asking a lot out of a half ton. Couple of my buddies have 1/2 tons and tow things less frequently than I do with my 6 liter 2500HD, but still pull things. We've owned our trucks roughly the same amount of years (6-8) and have roughly the same amount of miles (120k-140k) and I haven't done brake pads on mine yet... they aren't even really close yet and they've about gone through 2 sets.  And 1 has had to rebuild his tranny (3rd gear went out-the workhorse gear towing/pulling hills) and the other has a tranny that is starting to slip. Also, My 3/4 ton is the oldest of the 3 trucks by 3 years, (03'). Just stuff to think about. 3/4 ton duramax with an allison and you'll never look back. Rides like a sedan in town and pulls like a pissed off baby semi up the pass. Lower mileage 06' I would suggest.  Just my opinion. Happy hunting!

I couldn't agree more. My pickup is rated to tow over 18,000, in combo over 26,000. I have maxed it out a couple of times, and it is not something i would advise doing regularly even to a 1 ton. I do however agree that the original poster can probably get by just fine with a 1/2 ton pickup at this point, but towing anything over 8,000 on a regular basis is not a good idea.

[Special T]

I have ran a LOT of miles maxed out on weight with a 1 ton and trailer...  the biggest issue is more maintenance and the need to drive slower with attention to other drivers.  Imo trips 3-4 times a year with a modest load doesnt require a diesel, just working eletric brakes and a balanced load.

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[baker5150]

I want to back up a couple things Jackalope and Yorke have said.

I have several customers that are going gas engines when purchasing new for work rigs.  The big reason is down time. I have one customer with 5 diesel rigs and one is always in the shop for a sensor or some other emissions crap. Down time kills more  than vehicle power or longevity because they are working rigs.

Be aware that if you do a delete other states have differing inspection laws and if deemed used for a commercial purpose it's a much bigger fine that for Joe Sixpack. 

Your only other option is to buy a used pre emission truck and just budget dropping in a new motor and tranny when the time comes. My brother is currently working on a 7.3  crate build that is complete to replace on one of his work trucks with 350k. They dont get a new one because the upgraded motor and tranny is $better spent than new.

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Your brother should build a Fummins

[Special T]

I want to back up a couple things Jackalope and Yorke have said.

I have several customers that are going gas engines when purchasing new for work rigs.  The big reason is down time. I have one customer with 5 diesel rigs and one is always in the shop for a sensor or some other emissions crap. Down time kills more  than vehicle power or longevity because they are working rigs.

Be aware that if you do a delete other states have differing inspection laws and if deemed used for a commercial purpose it's a much bigger fine that for Joe Sixpack. 

Your only other option is to buy a used pre emission truck and just budget dropping in a new motor and tranny when the time comes. My brother is currently working on a 7.3  crate build that is complete to replace on one of his work trucks with 350k. They dont get a new one because the upgraded motor and tranny is $better spent than new.

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Your brother should build a Fummins

He has thought about it but he is a certified Ford mech in addition to his other talents and the 7.3 was right in his wheelhouse when he worked at the dealership. The bugs have been worked out on that drivetrain so it's better just to replace it.

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