Help me decide, 3 trucks I need to pick 1 from.

[Hay Dude]

Well, I’ve had DEF freeze several times.

That’s an owner/operator issue. Can’t blame the truck that DEF freezes. All 2012 and up diesel trucks have similar DEF tanks, pumps and heaters.

For the Ram/Cummins fans, the new ones with emissions are not the trucks you’re familiar with. I bought a new one in 2020, and traded it last year for a Ford diesel instead. In the 4 years, and 80,000 miles, it never made it from one oil change to the next without having warranty work needed, about 3/4’s of that was emissions related. I think at the end I was at 6 or 7 DEF pumps, two tanks, the lines for it, an injector and the controller/module was changed out or reprogrammed (maybe both?, trying to forget.) It also had an intercooler replaced, some alternator issue, and body issues with fit and waterleaks.

To the OP, myself for what you’re describing, I’d either redo your current truck if you like the basics of what you have, or look at the Ford godzilla in either a 3/4 or one ton single rear wheel.

That’s other worldly. 7 DEF pumps? That has to be a world record.
Can’t say any of that happened on my 2020.
So far on mine: (1) DEF sensor (truck still ran fine, gauge wouldn’t work), front wheel spindle (I submerged truck in 2’ of water trying to escape a flood).
And I work my truck hard as heck.

By far best truck I ever owned and as of now would buy another in 2027, when the 7.2L Cummins hits, unless Ford or GM fix their issues.

 

[Hay Dude]

I think what is in your favor is you are working your truck pulling heavy loads often rather than just getting two bags of chips at the grocery store.

These diesel’s need to work enough to get fully warm to avoid issues and you do that and that’s how they’re supposed to be run.

And there is the problem. Everyone wants a diesel truck just to pull their jet skis or look tough.
Its a free country and you can spend your money wherever you want, but don’t complain about modern diesel truck problems because your truck sits for months or never gets used for its’ intended use.

 

[Hay Dude]

Or buy an older 6.7L diesel that's been deleted. Then no worry about DEF.
I too only drove my F250 6.7L about 7K / yr. Ended up selling it a few months ago. Came to terms that I don't need a truck and if do I'll just rent one.

Which sounds great until you live in a state that inspects the trucks emissions system. Once it’s discovered you tampered with it, you’re not going to pass inspection. Or worse, if you get DOT’d while towing, they will park you and fine you.

Unless you live in a state with no emissions inspection, I highly suggest you disregard deleting anything. Then there’s the possibility you devalue your truck to a buyer when you sell, unless it’s a buyer looking to take the risk of driving a truck that has federally mandated emissions that have been removed.

 

[tradosaurus]

Which sounds great until you live in a state that inspects the trucks emissions system. Once it’s discovered you tampered with it, you’re not going to pass inspection. Or worse, if you get DOT’d while towing, they will park you and fine you.

Unless you live in a state with no emissions inspection, I highly suggest you disregard deleting anything. Then there’s the possibility you devalue your truck to a buyer when you sell, unless it’s a buyer looking to take the risk of driving a truck that has federally mandated emissions that have been removed.

Relax. We are under a new regime!
The OP could paint his deleted truck army green and automatically get a military waiver for emission equipment.

 

[jyoutz]

Relax. We are under a new regime!
The OP could paint his deleted truck army green and automatically get a military waiver for emission equipment.

Regime is irrelevant if you trade in your truck to a dealer. They won’t touch a deleted truck. And many shops won’t work on them so be prepared to do all mechanics yourself.

 

[deserteagle71]

And there is the problem. Everyone wants a diesel truck just to pull their jet skis or look tough.
Its a free country and you can spend your money wherever you want, but don’t complain about modern diesel truck problems because your truck sits for months or never gets used for its’ intended use.

^This!

I see so much of that around here. Young mine workers making $100,000+ a year, driving diesel pickups (mostly Ram and Ford) with monster lifts and tires, because they can. Not because they need that kind of power. I can usually hear the Rams coming from a half mile away because removing the muffler and cat and running a straight pipe seems to be the thing to do these days.

 

[newbury]

^This!

I see so much of that around here. Young mine workers making $100,000+ a year, driving diesel pickups (mostly Ram and Ford) with monster lifts and tires, because they can. Not because they need that kind of power. I can usually hear the Rams coming from a half mile away because removing the muffler and cat and running a straight pipe seems to be the thing to do these days.

But how is that much different from us seniors? I remember one of my friends spending about 5K on a Boss Mustang in 1969, on a salary of about $10K /year. This in a state where the TOP speed limit is 50 mph.

 

[Hay Dude]

But how is that much different from us seniors? I remember one of my friends spending about 5K on a Boss Mustang in 1969, on a salary of about $10K /year. This in a state where the TOP speed limit is 50 mph.

It’s different because we are referring to people spending 100K on a diesel truck, using it for nothing other than what a car or SUV could do, then complaining on the internet about DEF/DPF failures.
Buying a muscle car is fine. It won’t ruin itself by sitting or being used as a grocery getter.

 

[Hay Dude]

Back in early 2020’s, buddy of mine dug my Ram and wanted one. He had the money. Went to same dealer I bought mine from.
In an unusual act of courage, the salesman said to my buddy “I don’t want to sell you a diesel truck”. My buddy actually respected that.
The salesman listened to my buddy tell him what he would do with it (short trips, no heavy towing) and told him he’d be much better off in a gas truck.

 

[paulsharvey]

Back in early 2020’s, buddy of mine dug my Ram and wanted one. He had the money. Went to same dealer I bought mine from.
In an unusual act of courage, the salesman said to my buddy “I don’t want to sell you a diesel truck”. My buddy actually respected that.
The salesman listened to my buddy tell him what he would do with it (short trips, no heavy towing) and told him he’d be much better off in a gas truck.

TBN is part of the problem too; recent thread, guy needs a trailer to move a 1900# subcompact tractor with his jeep. Over half of the posts told him to get a 10,000# trailer and a 3/4 ton truck