Buying a diesel truck

[westsideoutdoorsman]

http://www.m.nwmsrocks.com/7.3l_diesel_powerstroke_trucks/2002-Ford-F-250-XLT-4x4-12729A

 

[M_ray]

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? They are higher price for a reason ... I have a guy that has worked on my 7.3 and I have 190k,  he told me a just worked on the same year as mine that 750K  ... I'd say if one had 125k you should jump on it!!! 

[jackelope]

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? They are higher price for a reason ... I have a guy that has worked on my 7.3 and I have 190k,  he told me a just worked on the same year as mine that 750K  ... I'd say if one had 125k you should jump on it!!! 

the ones that get bad mileage do so because of the new emissions stuff on them. Has little at all to do with how many mikes on them. You can put a few hundred thousand miles on a diesel engine but you've still got the rest of the truck to worry about. I cant see spending $25k on a truck that has that many miles in it unless you're ok with putting money in other repairs into it. Injectors at $300-600 each plus labor add up quick.

[huntnphool]

I'd be looking for a 2000 to 2003 7.3L Powerstroke.

[KFhunter]

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? They are higher price for a reason ... I have a guy that has worked on my 7.3 and I have 190k,  he told me a just worked on the same year as mine that 750K  ... I'd say if one had 125k you should jump on it!!! 

the ones that get bad mileage do so because of the new emissions stuff on them. Has little at all to do with how many mikes on them. You can put a few hundred thousand miles on a diesel engine but you've still got the rest of the truck to worry about. I cant see spending $25k on a truck that has that many miles in it unless you're ok with putting money in other repairs into it. Injectors at $300-600 each plus labor add up quick.

I didn't pay 300 bucks for all six of my injectors 
DDP stage 1 - I like 

[huntnphool]

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? They are higher price for a reason ... I have a guy that has worked on my 7.3 and I have 190k,  he told me a just worked on the same year as mine that 750K  ... I'd say if one had 125k you should jump on it!!! 

the ones that get bad mileage do so because of the new emissions stuff on them. Has little at all to do with how many mikes on them. You can put a few hundred thousand miles on a diesel engine but you've still got the rest of the truck to worry about. I cant see spending $25k on a truck that has that many miles in it unless you're ok with putting money in other repairs into it. Injectors at $300-600 each plus labor add up quick.

I didn't pay 300 bucks for all six of my injectors 
DDP stage 1 - I like 

Ford diesel injectors are fairly cheap too.

[fair-chase]

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? They are higher price for a reason ... I have a guy that has worked on my 7.3 and I have 190k,  he told me a just worked on the same year as mine that 750K  ... I'd say if one had 125k you should jump on it!!! 

the ones that get bad mileage do so because of the new emissions stuff on them. Has little at all to do with how many mikes on them. You can put a few hundred thousand miles on a diesel engine but you've still got the rest of the truck to worry about. I cant see spending $25k on a truck that has that many miles in it unless you're ok with putting money in other repairs into it. Injectors at $300-600 each plus labor add up quick.

 

While the core components (long block) of a diesel may last well past the 500k mark, nothing else attached to said motor will. And with the over inflated prices of diesel parts these days, it's much more economical to own a gas truck. Just go down to your local parts store and start comparing the cost of starters, alternators, and fuel pumps for diesels vs. their gas counterparts. Unless you are towing severe loads on a regular basis, I wouldn't recommend one. On top of that the ride off pavement usually sucks compared to a 1/2 ton gasser. I'm not bashing diesels, I loved all of mine, but they are a tool. One that I would prefer not to use unless absolutely necessary.

[jackelope]

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? They are higher price for a reason ... I have a guy that has worked on my 7.3 and I have 190k,  he told me a just worked on the same year as mine that 750K  ... I'd say if one had 125k you should jump on it!!! 

the ones that get bad mileage do so because of the new emissions stuff on them. Has little at all to do with how many mikes on them. You can put a few hundred thousand miles on a diesel engine but you've still got the rest of the truck to worry about. I cant see spending $25k on a truck that has that many miles in it unless you're ok with putting money in other repairs into it. Injectors at $300-600 each plus labor add up quick.

I didn't pay 300 bucks for all six of my injectors 
DDP stage 1 - I like 

Theyre not dodge or chevy injectors then.
Maybe I should have specified. I have purchased injectors from DDP at wholesale price and they were $300+ each and they were OEM injectors. Bone stock in other words.

[csaaphill]

Well good luck with the search. For my money I'd go with a dodge or chevy

[M_ray]

Well I know that the components aren't going to last as long as the engine ... I do own a powerstroke and I have replaced the Alternator , glow plugs, wiring harness among other things but I didn't see a huge difference in the price over others I have owned, sure the alternator was a bit more but to be expected as the engine is larger.  I guess what you have to do is compare the cost savings of pasts plus the cost of three entire trucks Vs the same time period that you bought parts that cost a little more for one truck I suppose. It's sounding like an Algebra formula here huh? 

[bearpaw]

With new trucks at $50K many guys are forced to buy used for half the price. When I was looking for a truck several guys who work on diesels told me to look for a Dodge 2005 or older, Ford 2003 or older with the 7.3, or the older Chev duramax as mentioned due to the poor mileage of newer trucks.

I bought a 2003 7.3 Ford F350 that I am very happy with. It gets 11 to 17 mpg most of the time depending if I am towing and how fast I go. If I can get 250,000 miles out of it I figure it was a free truck considering the fuel savings over my previous 2000 chev 3500 big block gas which got 7 to 10 mpg doing the same work. In addition to better mileage, the ford can tow anything bigger and faster than the older gas truck.

If you can find a 2003 -2005 Dodge Cummins with a 5 speed manual tranny you will get even better mileage, I know guys with those who are getting 17 to 22 doing the same work my truck does at 11 to 17 mpg. The biggest problem is that guys are looking for these older trucks and they are wearing them out and looking for another one rather than buying a new fuel guzzler.

Good Luck, they don't seem to be getting any cheaper, I think my truck is worth almost what I paid for it 2 years ago. Glad I bought when I did.

[Gamehunter034]

I have no personal experience with Duramax's so I can't comment on how they function performance wise. I had a '99 7.3 powerstroke and loved it, I miss it to this day I traded it in with 165k and no mechanical issues, just did regular maintenance had intake, exhaust and programmer set on tow mode, I had no serious repairs on it until about 150k and it was just batteries, alternator, and ball joints. I ended up getting a 06 cummins used with 73k on it, I've had it a yr and a half and so far have had all front u-joints replaced, ball joints upper and lower, rear u-joint replaced and now its in the shop again getting injectors replaced, all it has is intake and exhaust. I have just over 100k on the cummins now and all the work listed above..I am likely due for a new clutch soon as well so there's another close to 2k bill coming my way. My father still has his '00 powerstroke with 207k on it same auto tranny and only so far replaced ball joints/u-joints/brakes & rotors and starter, it is completely stock, i am driving it while mine is in the shop, its slow to get up and go but it still tows without hesitation and gets ya from point a to b. He now has a '12 powerstroke and loves it. Mileage wise I am getting roughly 21 solid hwy driving in my cummins, my 7.3 i was about 18-19 on a good day. Both trucks tow like champs so you don't have an issue there, I'm hoping that since all this work has been done on my dodge that itll last me another 100k or more without further work (knock on wood)...If you can find a 5.9 i would not shy away from it due to the fuel mileage and towing purposes, expect it to get front end work eventually if it hasn't already, if you can find a 7.3 under the mileage your looking for i would get that, at the time I couldn't find one i liked in particular and we needed a bigger cab since we had a kid so the cummins has worked in that aspect for us. Its all what you need performance wise and day to day use, no matter what as long as you take care of em maintenance wise they will last forever and out perform most any gas truck on the road. Hope that helps a bit, Good luck with your selection!!

[RG]

I've had three Dodge cummins trucks.  A 96 5 speed, a 97 auto, and now an 06 6 speed manual.  Over 20 mpg with the manuals and around 15 pulling a medium sized 5th wheel to Utah and back.  Stay away from auto trannys before 2003 unless you do the rebuild, mine was $5000 on the 97.  My current 06 with the 5.9 is bone stock and pulls everything I own from here to where ever in 6th gear and cruise control without breaking a sweat.  I've had to fix a few things, the #4 injector line blows on them dousing everything with diesel.  $50 buck part, 20 minute repair.  Some other odds and ends like clutch hydraulic cylinders, etc.  nothing major.  I'm sitting on about 90000 miles so far.  Love the cummins!  Before I got my first cummins I pulled a horse trailer with a Ford 460 gas truck.  I had one horse in the trailer going over manastash ridge when a Dodge cummins with 3 horses passed me like I was on a kiddy cart.... and I was getting 6 mpg.  Couldn't get a diesel quick enough, that was in 1998 and I've never looked back.

[bearpaw]

I had to replace the auto tranny on my ford right after getting it at 100,000 miles. I have also done ball joints and an alternator. I figure a few repairs are just part of owning a used vehicle. My mileage is a little past 140,000 now.

One thing, oil changes and filters are pricier on diesels, that is my one regret with the diesels.

[Swatson]

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.