What diesel trucks to avoid

[Diamondpilot]

Dodge makes a good truck but it is a know fact that the bodies just dont hold up as well as the GM or Ford's. At least in my part of the country where they salt the **** out of the roads. Also the 4 speed tranny if looking at a auto leaves alot to be desired in that era of truck.

I know you will think I am biased but the Fords I love have weak points also like ball joints. The GM's are a little shy on brakes so they all have good and strong points. The thing Dodge has going for it is that motor. The Cummins is legendary.

Chris

[WTA]

I really like my 97 f-250. I wouldn't own a new one. The 97 is a powerstroke with 4.10 gears and 4 wheel drive and it has been extremely reliable. I get over 20 mpg from it also. As high as 28 MPG if I am real careful and stick to 55 or 60 mph. With 12,000 pounds worth of horse trailer behind it I still have plenty of power and mileage only drops to about 12-14 or so unless I'm in the mountains.

99 and up models have transmissions I'd rather throw in the trash than rebuild. I never liked GM diesels and that goes back to the 3 different GM dealers where I worked on them. I never had any sitting around time is all I can say.

Now, I just wouldn't own a new light truck. I like the dodge engine but that's it about that one. I've worked on way too many other problems on them. You couldn't give me a new powerstroke or a GM.

We are saving for a new truck but it will be a freightliner business class. It's just barely under the limit where I would be required to get a CDL and will pull a house down if needed. Plus they have a good solid transmission that has been proven on the road and a good choice of engines from all the major diesel makers. Mileage sucks in them is the only drawback. Everyone I know with one gets about 6-8 MPG with a good load on it. That's not much better than a big truck. I'm going to drive my 97 till the wheels fall off and then rebuild it. It's at 250,000 now and never a problem. I ran a million miles up in my 91 ford and it never stranded me either. I like the older ones a lot.

[mlauk]

I'm from the south, so I guess I've never heard of this well known fact about Dodge. I'm sure the salt will eat up any vehicle that isn't taken care of properly. The 4 speed auto does lack behind the Ford and Chevy, but I had the 6 speed in mind. Don't get me wrong, I like Ford and Chevy also, but when I bought my 03, the Chevy suspension didn't seem as heavy duty (also didn't like the IFS) and the Ford 6.0 was having problems.

[LarryRB]

all I've had is Dodges and as Diamond pilot says they don't hold up, I am opposite and say they do. A Chevy/GM here won't last long at all in the winter months and Ford is only marginally better, At least the Dodge body holds up much longer than the other do in the NEw England area,.. Also, Dodge doesn't ride quite as nice as the Ford-Gm models, however, I need a TRUCK to do TRUCK work and not a lincoln or caddy interior in a pickup..

[crbr]

Should have named the title of the thread, "My truck and the one I like...."

[Dargo]

Yeah, my diesel truck gets 63 mpg towing 15,000 pounds uphill. It still gets about 28 in town as long as I keep my foot out of it. You should buy that kind!

[scesnick]

Originally Posted by LarryRB

all I've had is Dodges and as Diamond pilot says they don't hold up, I am opposite and say they do. A Chevy/GM here won't last long at all in the winter months and Ford is only marginally better, At least the Dodge body holds up much longer than the other do in the NEw England area,.. Also, Dodge doesn't ride quite as nice as the Ford-Gm models, however, I need a TRUCK to do TRUCK work and not a lincoln or caddy interior in a pickup..

I agree, I am on my second Dodge CTD and absolutely love it.I had to upgrade from an extended cab to a quad cab when I had kids.. I haven't had one single problem with either truck (2001 and 2005) I tow a 12K dump trailer with it quite a bit. I graveled my driveway last summer and constantly overloaded the trailer Had up to 6 ton on it !! That's 15,300lbs including the trailer. ( the state police would have loved me) It towed it just fine but you could tell it was back there, that is for sure...
You can't beat that inline 6cylinder Cummins... They are pretty much bullet proof except for maybe the second generations and the lift pump issue. That was solved in the third gens...

BTW, I put an Edge Juice with Attitude in mine and I can get right at 20mpg on the flat freeway at 65mph !!!! Not bad for a 3/4ton ( that is empty of course)

[LarryRB]

I've never added anything like chips, better air filters or, or? Just stock. Been happy with all the Dodge'sI'ved owned since my first one in 74. Yes, their interiors are not as slick as GM/Ford, but to me, I don't need it. I need a truck and for me that is what I have...

[scesnick]

Originally Posted by LarryRB

their interiors are not as slick as GM/Ford, but to me, I don't need it. I need a truck and for me that is what I have...

Exactly, interior bells and whistles don't get the loads pulled down the road.

if i want to ride in luxury I will borrow my dads Caddy !!!

[RayCo]

Originally Posted by scesnick

I had to upgrade from an extended cab to a quad cab when I had kids..

That's the main issue that I'll probably run into and the reason that I have a Tahoe now and not a pickup. But, I've seen a number of parents picking their kids up at my daughter's daycare in extended cab Chevy trucks. If I do go truck shopping, that'll be the first thing I look at. I don't want something that the carseat will just fit into; I want something that will still give her some room to breathe. If that means a quad cab, then I probably won't find anything in my budget. And that means I'll be posting this same question here 6 years when my daughter's 8. Or maybe it'll be 16 years going by some of the information out there. I hate the idea of having my daughter ride in the backseat until she's 400 years old like the safety books say. I want her to hang out up front with Daddy, but also don't want to endanger her. I know that when I came home from the hospital, I rode on my mom's lap in the front seat of a Chevelle. I never died.
</div>