Truck Advice

[ultrarunner]

It sounds like the main reason you want a newer truck is better fuel mileage. In that case, I would get an exhaust, intake and programmer for your Duramax and get better mileage than a brand new unproven Ecoboost Ford yet still have that reliability, resale and towing capacity of a 3/4-ton truck. I can't imagine getting rid of a truck just because I wanted a little more room in the garage. Get creative with storage and I bet you can make some fold-down tool racks.

Because of their diesel engines. :laughing:

Is this the consensus for all the Ford Diesels over the last 10 to 15 years?

I've heard the older ones are pretty much bullet proof compared to the GM offerings at the time.

 

[WilliamBos]

Is this the consensus for all the Ford Diesels over the last 10 to 15 years?

I've heard the older ones are pretty much bullet proof compared to the GM offerings at the time.

Ecoboost is a gasser, a direct injected twin turbo charged gas engine.

DMAC gave good advice. Or get a custom Tune.

 

[WM75Guy]

Is this the consensus for all the Ford Diesels over the last 10 to 15 years?

I've heard the older ones are pretty much bullet proof compared to the GM offerings at the time.

Comparing a new diesel to an old diesel of any brand is apples to oranges. The IH 6.9 that Ford used compared to a Detroit 6.5 that GM used was a fair comparision. Comparing either to a new diesel because of technology changes and emission requirements is difficult to do. Any manufacturer can make a good engines and a few lemons. We buy the one we like because of brand loyalty, price, or service. Any vehicle purchase usually involves a compromise on something.

 

[ultrarunner]

A family friend earns his living taking his mobile shop up and down California... his shop is contained in a 24' tag trailer. Sometimes he has up to 3 employees with him.

In the last 13 years he has had a Dodge Diesel, Ford Excursion, Chevrolet Diesel, Ford Diesel and now a 3/4 GM Suburban with gasoline.

The only vehicle he didn't have trouble with is the Diesel Excursion... traded it because it was getting up in miles.

All vehicles are 3/4 ton and the Dodge was the lightest 3/4 of the bunch...

The Ford Diesel had it share of problems and the Chevrolet too... plus, the Chevrolet would have him stopping to refill daily where the Fords wouldn't.

He went with the most powerful Suburban a couple of months ago and at 3,300 miles lost the engine... it didn't blow up... yet, Chevrolet ordered and replaced the entire engine as a complete unit... took 11 days in the shop.

 

[ultrarunner]

Comparing a new diesel to an old diesel of any brand is apples to oranges. The IH 6.9 that Ford used compared to a Detroit 6.5 that GM used was a fair comparision. Comparing either to a new diesel because of technology changes and emission requirements is difficult to do. Any manufacturer can make a good engines and a few lemons. We buy the one we like because of brand loyalty, price, or service. Any vehicle purchase usually involves a compromise on something.

I tend to keep my vehicles forever... do all my own maintenance... oil change every 2500 miles on the trucks and such.

My "New" truck is my 91 Chevrolet and my "Old" truck is my 85 Chevrolet work van... no problems with either... received real good service from both.

Just wondering if going with the lightly used Excursion will give me years of good service like the older trucks and I would have room for people/cargo inside when towing... my 91 pickup is a conventional cab.

Biggest problem I face with the older ones is they have both come real close to not passing smog... the standards continue to be tightened whereas the older Diesels are still exempt.

 

[capt_met]

i'm thinking you have one of the nicest trucks made. add to that you like it. it will be hard for any replacement to live up to its standards. if gas milage is of concern i agree with exhaust, stage 2 air cleaner and programmer, it made a difference in my duramax. or go with a small car to do most commuting in and keep the good truck for till it rots. I'm not thinking trucks are getting better in the near future.

 

[the6shooter]

With the economy so uncertain and lost, and atruck with 63,000 miles on it. Knowing that it has quite a few years left one it's life. Why now have a fund to save for another large down payment further down the road.
Mine is paid for but with 36,000 miles on it, and would love to have a new heavier new truck, and I do look for the right one I am in the mind set to for go the new truck till it starts bleeding me of cash. and have other things paid off as I go. to me buisness or not. You have a truck worth keeping. why spend money you don't have to? 63,000 mile on a diesel is nothing.
You ask for opinions, you have my 2 cents
david

 

[RollingsFarms]

I have an option for you that no one has mentioned. I have a 2011 GMC Sierra Crew Cab, 4x4, SLT, 6.2, every option you can get on it with the exception of navigation(although OnStar has turn-by-turn nav) and the $150 trailer brake control, and DVD. It has everything else though! We can just trade trucks:thumbsup:

 

[WilliamBos]

I have an option for you that no one has mentioned. I have a 2011 GMC Sierra Crew Cab, 4x4, SLT, 6.2, every option you can get on it with the exception of navigation(although OnStar has turn-by-turn nav) and the $150 trailer brake control, and DVD. It has everything else though! We can just trade trucks:thumbsup:

How do you like the 6.2L?? Is it 3:73 rear??

 

[newbury]

Is this the consensus for all the Ford Diesels over the last 10 to 15 years?

Only since the death of the 7.3 in mid '03. I think the general consensus is the engines have been problematic. Diamondpilot will disagree, he's got some good runnners.

The only years of Powerstrokes I would stay away from are the 2003 and early build 2004. But in reality they should all be fine by now some 7 or 8 years later. The early 6.0's were a problem child but the 05 though 07 were rock solid as any other diesels out there. The make great power and have good economy.

As far as older you cant go wrong with the Powerstroke 7.3L. There was a non Powerstroke 7.3L and a 6.9L that came before it.

As for after the 6.0L in 2007 they introduced the Twin Turbo 6.4 and now the 6.7L.

All motors were built by International Harvester until Ford took over production in 2011 with the 6.7L

Chris