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Elite Veteran
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Location: south central usa | nance - 2016-05-23 2:18 PM
foundation horse - 2016-05-23 1:57 PM Engine wise, the Cummins wins hands down! In anything prior to 2010 that is. Now the Dodges will and are falling apart around the Cummins. But that goes for all three. The Diesel Powerplants will outlast whatever body/chassis they are installed in. (We currently have a 96 F250 Crewcab Powerstroke w/ 330k). In the criteria you have listed the 7.3PSD will be your best bet. The Duramaxs had injector problems in those years. The Dodge's had transmission and front end problems and the dashboard literally disintegrate. I have been personally daily driving diesel pickups for twenty years plus, so my experience speaks as to what I am saying.
Yep - it's the truck falling apart around the engine that also concerns me, lol, I test drove several last weekend and liked the Ford best. Not a 7.3 but a 6, 2007 model with 130,000 miles. It checked out ok but it is at top of price range ($15,000) and of course I'd like to be lower. But finding anything with less than 150,000 miles is difficult.
there is a reason that truck was priced that way -- just google ford 6.0 issues/problems/repairs/headaches/nightmares - heck you can even search on a barrel horse forum for "6.0" and find all sorts of opinions on that engine |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
 
Location: Kansas | nance - 2016-05-23 2:18 PM foundation horse - 2016-05-23 1:57 PM Engine wise, the Cummins wins hands down! In anything prior to 2010 that is. Now the Dodges will and are falling apart around the Cummins. But that goes for all three. The Diesel Powerplants will outlast whatever body/chassis they are installed in. (We currently have a 96 F250 Crewcab Powerstroke w/ 330k). In the criteria you have listed the 7.3PSD will be your best bet. The Duramaxs had injector problems in those years. The Dodge's had transmission and front end problems and the dashboard literally disintegrate. I have been personally daily driving diesel pickups for twenty years plus, so my experience speaks as to what I am saying. Yep - it's the truck falling apart around the engine that also concerns me, lol, I test drove several last weekend and liked the Ford best. Not a 7.3 but a 6, 2007 model with 130,000 miles. It checked out ok but it is at top of price range ($15,000) and of course I'd like to be lower. But finding anything with less than 150,000 miles is difficult.
actually $15,000 for an 07' with 130K is a DANG good deal. I paid $12,500 for my 06' with 230k on it, and now has 270K. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 164
| Test drive all 3. Everyone has their favorite brand. In all reality it doesn't really matter. They all have good and bad qualities. You have to try all three and see what you like. It doesn't hurt for you to go drive new and used ones at the dealers and not buy any from them. Just try them out and really look them over. We love Chevy's but really that doesn't matter. Any of them will work. Don't get a gas job for that kind of pulling. I guarantee you'll regret it. That would be maxing it out. I would stay away from 6.0 fords, 7.3's are better. But as you can see, some people on here have great 6.0's so it's really hard to say! Good luck! |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 312
Location: KS | I have an 06 GMC Duramax and that would be my prefer year and model. My husband is a Ford man and will only drive the 2000 and older, had several people around us not get along well with some new ones, but I think you hear that about every make and model, so get what you want.
I think the GMC/Chevy's before the emissions (late 07) and after the injector problems (02-04) is one of the better diesels. If you go 06 you get a 6 speed Allison, so think your getting a better transmission with that year. However if you find and older one 02-04 that has had the injectors done, I don't know that I would be scared of it beings the problem should be fixed.
I also have an egr programmer on my 06, so I get 20-21 mpg on the road, anywhere from 16-18 hauling (depending on what Im hauling). Between my folks and 2 of my 3 brothers we have 7 duramaxes from 02-06. My dad does have a dually now he uses to haul bulls across the states, and even with the egr programmer on it, he doesn't get what out 3/4 tons get for mileage. We all have the programmers on ours, so we have a little more $ invested in that, but think its worth it if you plan to keep it for several years. Honestly I don't think Ill ever get rid of my 06, I don't drive it daily though so it doesn't get the wear and tear of everyday backroads, my other little pickup does.
Also think the GM's have a nicer interior than most others, but have been in a couple nice Fords that seem roomy, Dodges seem cheap to me, but everyone kinda has their own opinion....this is just mine. Good Luck! |
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Posts: 1395
Location: Missouri | HannahRodeoCowgirl - 2016-05-23 4:24 PM
Test drive all 3. Everyone has their favorite brand. In all reality it doesn't really matter. They all have good and bad qualities. You have to try all three and see what you like. It doesn't hurt for you to go drive new and used ones at the dealers and not buy any from them. Just try them out and really look them over. We love Chevy's but really that doesn't matter. Any of them will work. Don't get a gas job for that kind of pulling. I guarantee you'll regret it. That would be maxing it out. I would stay away from 6.0 fords, 7.3's are better. But as you can see, some people on here have great 6.0's so it's really hard to say! Good luck!
Yes to this. Test drive all three and see what YOU like. We're Ford people to the core, but that's just our preference. Like Hannah mentioned, they all have their pros and cons.
Since I saw the OP mentioned you looked at a 6.0....we have one, we're some of the few lucky people with a 6.0 that hasn't cost us an arm and a leg and has actually been a really great truck...(knock on wood....) I'll drive the thing til it dies and we love it.
THAT said, I would absolutely NOT take a gamble on getting another one. Love mine, but I wouldn't roll the dice on another 6.0 again, unless I really didn't have any other option in my budget. Just my two cents, for what it's worth. :) good luck to you! |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | nance - 2016-05-23 1:18 PM foundation horse - 2016-05-23 1:57 PM Engine wise, the Cummins wins hands down! In anything prior to 2010 that is. Now the Dodges will and are falling apart around the Cummins. But that goes for all three. The Diesel Powerplants will outlast whatever body/chassis they are installed in. (We currently have a 96 F250 Crewcab Powerstroke w/ 330k). In the criteria you have listed the 7.3PSD will be your best bet. The Duramaxs had injector problems in those years. The Dodge's had transmission and front end problems and the dashboard literally disintegrate. I have been personally daily driving diesel pickups for twenty years plus, so my experience speaks as to what I am saying. Yep - it's the truck falling apart around the engine that also concerns me, lol, I test drove several last weekend and liked the Ford best. Not a 7.3 but a 6, 2007 model with 130,000 miles. It checked out ok but it is at top of price range ($15,000) and of course I'd like to be lower. But finding anything with less than 150,000 miles is difficult.
Some people have good luck with them, but if you are looking for an easy to care for, low maintenance diesel, DO NOT go with a 6.0 or a 6.4 in a Ford. The 7.3's are good and the 6.7's are good, but stay far, far away from the 6.0. The Duramax had some bad years as well, mostly the 2002, 2003, 2004 years. The later ones were/are better. |
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Veteran
Posts: 165
| I agree with others. Avoid the ford 6.0's at all costs. Saying this from expensive experience. I now have a duromax and my husband has a dodge one ton. Both good trucks.
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Posts: 1718
Location: Southeast Louisiana | nance - 2016-05-23 2:18 PM
foundation horse - 2016-05-23 1:57 PM Engine wise, the Cummins wins hands down! In anything prior to 2010 that is. Now the Dodges will and are falling apart around the Cummins. But that goes for all three. The Diesel Powerplants will outlast whatever body/chassis they are installed in. (We currently have a 96 F250 Crewcab Powerstroke w/ 330k). In the criteria you have listed the 7.3PSD will be your best bet. The Duramaxs had injector problems in those years. The Dodge's had transmission and front end problems and the dashboard literally disintegrate. I have been personally daily driving diesel pickups for twenty years plus, so my experience speaks as to what I am saying.
Yep - it's the truck falling apart around the engine that also concerns me, lol, I test drove several last weekend and liked the Ford best. Not a 7.3 but a 6, 2007 model with 130,000 miles. It checked out ok but it is at top of price range ($15,000) and of course I'd like to be lower. But finding anything with less than 150,000 miles is difficult.
That's not a lot of miles for a diesel. The problem is that everything else has over 150,000 miles on it, too. Like the driver's seat and the front end... You have to find one that's been well maintained. That's why I don't like a Dodge. Their engines are great, no doubt. I wouldn't hesitate to own a new one, if I could afford a new truck.
Personally, I think the Fords are just built more solid and last longer. I have a 2000 F250 7.3 diesel with a little over 330k miles on it and it runs and drives great. But, we bought it from a family member and knew its maintenance history. That 6.0 with 130,000 miles is just getting into the mileage range where the typical 6.0 problems show up. From my research, I wouldn't touch one unless it's been bulletproofed. jmho
Also, I don't know about your area, but diesels are very heavy and I have had to use 4 wheel drive more than once to get out of a muddy parking lot after it rained. I wouldn't want a two wheel drive. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 319
| Hadn't thought about needing 4WD more often because a diesel & 3/4 ton truck is heavier. Ive never needed 4WD on my half ton. Wonder how often 4WD is needed. |
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Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | nance - 2016-05-24 10:12 AM Hadn't thought about needing 4WD more often because a diesel & 3/4 ton truck is heavier. Ive never needed 4WD on my half ton. Wonder how often 4WD is needed.
I honestly don't use my 4wd very much |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 405
| hoofs_in_motion - 2016-05-24 10:15 AM nance - 2016-05-24 10:12 AM Hadn't thought about needing 4WD more often because a diesel & 3/4 ton truck is heavier. Ive never needed 4WD on my half ton. Wonder how often 4WD is needed. I honestly don't use my 4wd very much
I don't either but whenever I needed it, I sure was glad I had it! Got me out of a bind more than once. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 319
| Found a 01 F250 7.3 Powerstroke, one owner with 131,000 miles. Asking $11,500 and looks in very good shape in pictures. I'll call tomorrow.
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | nance - 2016-05-24 9:12 AM Hadn't thought about needing 4WD more often because a diesel & 3/4 ton truck is heavier. Ive never needed 4WD on my half ton. Wonder how often 4WD is needed.
We've used it once on our 2013 and once on one of our 1994's. The 2013 we were in Idaho Falls, and it dumped about a foot of snow on us, and we were EXTREMELY glad we had 4x4, or I'm not sure we would have made it into Idaho Falls that night. On the 1994, we had to block of the rear end for a slightly trailering issue (we had to make the rear of the trailer lower) and to get it up on the blocks we had to use the 4x4. Over all we don't use 4 wheel drive very much, but it also may be something you want to consider if you ever need/want to sell the truck, as it will bring more and sell easier being a 4x4. |
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 I Love the Oldies
Posts: 3767
Location: Central Washington | We love our 07 Dodge, but I recently (last 3 months) was in your same boat.....looking for an older diesel, under $12K for my son that will go off to college next year. It was like trying to find a dang unicorn I swear!!
2 weeks ago I bought a 99 Ford F-350 with the 7.3. IMO, in your price range you can't go wrong with a 7.3 Ford or a Dodge.
I would stay clear of the 6.0's though! Awful. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 319
| tweeks - 2016-05-26 2:53 PM We love our 07 Dodge, but I recently (last 3 months) was in your same boat.....looking for an older diesel, under $12K for my son that will go off to college next year. It was like trying to find a dang unicorn I swear!!
2 weeks ago I bought a 99 Ford F-350 with the 7.3. IMO, in your price range you can't go wrong with a 7.3 Ford or a Dodge.
I would stay clear of the 6.0's though! Awful.
Yes. I passed on the 2007 Ford and have a line on a 2001 with 7.3. Any idea what kind of fuel mileage they get?
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 Expert
Posts: 2041
Location: home for the winter...what a dumb idea | In the year range you are looking dodge made both the 5.9 and the 6.7.....they up graded the tea my in 03 for the automatic. .....the manua 6 speedl tans comes mostly on the HOs .....after 02. 01 and older have the best mileage but some quirks .....I have driven all 3 owned everyone but the ford.....Chevy was an 06 duramax pice of $hit....couldn't pull by 2 horse steel trailer. ...had an old gmc.94 was awsome pull all day.....have had 2 01 dodges both the 5.9....love them would have never replace the 1st one handy brother not totaled it .....my 01 dodge can out pull my bosses 01 f350 all day and get better mileage doing it....my friend is a commercial trucker they only use the dodge 5.9 Dulles for there hot shot loads will out pull any truck on any road any day... |
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 Expert
Posts: 4121
Location: SE Louisiana | Get a Vin...
 (vin.jpg)
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 vin.jpg (55KB - 170 downloads)
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 To the Left
Posts: 1865
Location: Florida | I have an 08 GMC Cummings/Duramax and it is the best towing truck I have ever had. Good mileage, no repair problems, just maintenance.
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 683
Location: Ohio | My first diesel was a 99 Ford f250 7.3 superduty with a manual 6spd transmission and its still my daily driver. Even though it came from up north and now has rust issues I still love that truck. It has 240,000 and still runs like new. Small things have needed replaced over the years (starter, water pump, etc) but its to be expected. Its the most reliable truck we have ever owned (tons of transmission problems with our dodges and chevys over the years so beware the automatics).
I agree with others to go with a 4x4... its saved my butt more than once. 2 examples I can think of would be a steep gravel driveway with a fully loaded 3 horse, gravel was too deep and I kept spinning out and parking on grass and it decides to rain (slicker than you think). |
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Location: Iowa | Whatever you do never ever buy a 6.0. I can promise you that you will regret it. Everyone that has bought one at some point has. Second most diesel debacle of all time behid the chevy diesel of 80's. Dont' buy. You will reget it. For what you are looking for Dodge would be number one and Chevy/GMC duramax number two. |
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