Dodge Diesel?

dodge man · Oct 16, 2011

I currently own a 2002 GMC regular cab 4 wheel drive long bed with 106,000 miles. I've wanted a Dodge diesel since they first came out in the late 80's. There is really nothing major wrong with the truck I own now, but I'd like something newer and I want a crew or a club cab. I rarely tow and when I do, its less than 10,000 lbs. I do on ocassion haul a load that is more than a half ton can handle, probably twice a year on average, but the truth is, a half ton is usually adequate. I do use my truck for my job at times, but off road ability is more important than load carrying ability or towing.

There is a practial side of me that says I should look for a gasser half ton or 3/4 ton and be happy with it. They are cheaper, and after all the reading on here, I'm not sure they are any worse than a diesel for my needs.

There is another side of me that wants a diesel just for the heck of it. There are times it would be nice, but its more of a want than a need.

There is another side of me that says I should keep the truck I've got. There is a intermintent trailer wiring problem, the cruise doesn't work, and I've never been happy with the ride on the back roads we live on. I'm sure I can live with it, or fix the things bothering me and make it last several years.

We can afford a different truck, but like most people, we don't want to throw money away either.

Any opinions?

PoorMansCat · Oct 16, 2011

if I were to buy a new truck, it would be a gasser.... contrary to popular internet lore, the new emissions diesels do not get the fuel efficiency of the older ones... add to that the overly complicated emissions systems and the expensive maintenance..... for your requirements, its just not worth it...
If you needed a truck capable of pulling high loads all the time, then you could justify the extra expense of the diesel....
If it were me, I would purchase a 3/4 ton 4x4 crew cab with the Hemi, and make sure it had 4:10 or 4:56 gears....(I believe the 4:56 is only available in the Power Wagon)
It will tow anything you ever need.....

RoyJackson · Oct 16, 2011

I'd love a diesel...looked at a couple Fords and Dodges (I think that Cummins Turbo Diesel is the best thing since sliced bread).

But!
The price of diesel is higher then 91 Octane gas, Diesel trucks, even older ones, are expensive (more then $20K) and, unless you keep the truck for a long long time, the diesel premium price just isn't worth it...unless you do have a specific need (towing and such).

On the other hand...
You go around one time in this life...and if a diesel truck is what you want...and you want one bad enough...go for it!!
Otherwise, when you're 93 years old on your death bed...you'll be kickin' your azz

I just didn't want one bad enough...so I got an F-150 Crew Cab gasser.

Paystar · Oct 16, 2011

Here's my two cents. I love diesel pickups and I own one because I was hauling travel trailers across the country commercially. Now that I have gone back into trucking, I wish I could get rid of my diesel and buy a gasser.
While my diesel gets very good mileage, at 9000 pounds it's not much better than the new breed of gassers, as compared to what I see the new 5.0 and Eco Boost's doing (other brands probably just as good, only used Ford as an example as that's all I have experience with.) The only way I gain with the diesel is because of my commercial fuel account pricing, otherwise the price of gas versus fuel is very small around here.
But the big thing is maintenance and licencing costs. Oil, air and fuel filters for my Powerstroke cost more than the Cat filters for the big truck. Plus it takes 14 litres of oil. And when it breaks, watch out. I see all kinds of $4400.00 head gasket jobs, $4000.00 high pressure oil pump jobs, $5000.00 Duramax injector jobs and my own $2100 for the egr and oil coolers that failed. That kind of money, not to mention the upfront costs will go a long way with a gasser. I even see some commercial rv haulers going back to gas.

Just a thought, I don't claim to be right.

flyingcow · Oct 16, 2011

I had a 2003 dodge 1/2 ton quad cab. Loved the cab, but my neglect and other things, i wasn't overall happy about the maintenance. Had alot of tranny problems. never could get fixed right, even while it was under warranty. Front end issues, but i saw all kinds of front end issues on about every make of truck up here. This pickup had the 5.9 or 360 cu inch motor. Never saw above 13mpg. Usually back down around 10mpg.
But I got rid of the dodge, and went with a 2006 chevy with the duramax. I plan on towing my tractor, hence the heavier truck. I looked at 2007's and down. kept me out of the newer EPA compliant motors. I drove the diesel from va to maine. 900 miles at 74/75 mph. Pencil and paper figuring, 16.2 mpg. :thumbsup:

But it was more pricey to buy than a gasser. start goofing around craigs list and auto trader and see what you're up against.

Back to original topic. You will not go wrong with the cummins dodge. bullet proof motor. It's the motor all the other brands are trying to keep up to. The place i bought my pickup, even had a Ford dually crew, that had the ford 6.0. They installed a dodge cummins in it. Pretty neat.

Todd_C · Oct 16, 2011

Look for a low mileage 2006-to an early 2007 with the 5.9 CTD. I had an 07 and it was a great truck. I sold it because the quad cab was not big enough for my three kids and the short bed version is about 6" shorter than the competition. I had the 4spd auto with the 3.73 ratio. I also used 2 cycle ashless oil in it. I could get 19-20 mpg on the intersate 65-70 mph. The best it ever got was just over 23mpg coming back from the OBX running 55-60mph on Rt. 460. The 48RE automatic is fine as long as you don't add more power. The truck is also offered with a 6spd manual. If my Dodge would have been a mega cab I would still own it. The Cummins is definatley a loud motor but you quickly fall in love with it. I currently have a new Ford 6.7 diesel and I swear the Dodge felt stronger on the bottom end but the new Ford diesel never seems to run out of steam on the top end. I have seen a few on the used market with under 50K miles for around 28-30K. I know the local Amsoil rep and he has two Dodge CTD pickups, one with the 5.9 and one with the 6.7. His old 5.9 has over 700,000 miles with no internal engine repairs. The Dodge diesels do like to eat the ball joints form the weight of the Cummins.

thatguy · Oct 16, 2011

I bought a 2002 Dodge Ram 3/4ton Cummins BUT I couldn't justify buying another one.. At that time I was driving between 15 to 20k miles a year - for the past 8 yrs I only average 8k miles a year..

Right now it only has 70k miles on it but based on the extra cost of the diesel engine and the price difference between gas and diesel at the pump - I could have bought a LOT more gas even when I average 18 MPG running around and up to 21 on the Highway with the diesel

When it comes time for a replacement I would probably still get a 3/4 ton, but in gas.. I like the idea of having a pickup and having a pickup big enough to town what I need, even if that is seldom that I tow anymore

brian

Egon · Oct 16, 2011

If off road is a real item the Diesel may not be the best.

Otherwise do what you think is best.:thumbsup:

JerryK · Oct 16, 2011

thatguy said:
I bought a 2002 Dodge Ram 3/4ton Cummins BUT I couldn't justify buying another one.. At that time I was driving between 15 to 20k miles a year - for the past 8 yrs I only average 8k miles a year..

Right now it only has 70k miles on it but based on the extra cost of the diesel engine and the price difference between gas and diesel at the pump - I could have bought a LOT more gas even when I average 18 MPG running around and up to 21 on the Highway with the diesel

When it comes time for a replacement I would probably still get a 3/4 ton, but in gas.. I like the idea of having a pickup and having a pickup big enough to town what I need, even if that is seldom that I tow anymore

brian

I agree, I paid about 31K for my 2002 Dodge Cummins H.O. 6 speed, and probably would never buy a truck like that again. But it has been the best truck I have ever owned.. and to this day, I still love driving it. And I know I will miss it when it is gone.

gilbertmsg · Oct 16, 2011

Get the diesel, you only go around once. The economy needs your money and you won't be disappointed when you need your twice yearly pulls. Love my 08 dodge (6.7) and will never go back to a gasser. The low rmp torque and sound of even the newer diesels makes driving a pleasure.

Eddie