Opinions on older diesel trucks

[Gregster613]

Not so much rust, but finding a "cat eye" that hasnt been molested by a 16-20 year old kid named Bryce or Landon, is gonna be hard in FLa or S Georgia.

You got me on that one Paulsharvey, What is a "cat eye" and what are the 16-20 year olds doing to them?

 

[Hay Dude]

You got me on that one Paulsharvey, What is a "cat eye" and what are the 16-20 year olds doing to them?

A “cat eye” is an early 2000’s GM HD pickup design where the front headlights look like cats eyes.

They are very popular for hot rodding by the young guns because they came standard with a screamer V-8 Duramax diesel engine, overbuilt Allison automatic transmission, and an 11.5” rear axle. At the time, they were well ahead of Ford, who was still playing with a mickey mouse glorified car automatic transmission, a smaller 10.5” rear axle and the powerstroke diesel, which was limited in HP capability.

How’d I do, Paulsharvey?

 

[paulsharvey]

You got me on that one Paulsharvey, What is a "cat eye" and what are the 16-20 year olds doing to them?

The 03-06? maybe 07 Chevy, with the slanted head lights. It's extremely popular body style with young guys.

What are they doing, cool air intack, squat, cut the cats off, put a caddy grill on it, ect.

Funny thing, I had an 05, 2500HD, and when I had it, I had never heard it called a cat-eye. Also, at the time, I didn't actually like the head light look. Now, its very desirable.

Maybe in part, it was the last model of the Chevy trucks, before everything went to he'll for 10 years?

 

[JeepHead]

My 2004 F250 with the 6.0 had the head gaskets go at 78K miles. My FIL (he bought the truck new) had the engine bullet proofed at a cost of around $7500. He didn't drive it much and when I bought it off of him, the FICM had went bad due to him driving on weak batteries. I replaced the FICM with one that gave an addition 100HP. I worked that truck hard pulling heavy loads 6 days a week. I had to replace a few injectors which was a total PITA, and I also had to replace the ICP which was next to impossible to get out AND back in. Other than those issues, it was a good truck with plenty of power. I wouldn't ever own another diesel again unless I just had no other choice though.

 

[Hay Dude]

My 2004 F250 with the 6.0 had the head gaskets go at 78K miles. My FIL (he bought the truck new) had the engine bullet proofed at a cost of around $7500. He didn't drive it much and when I bought it off of him, the FICM had went bad due to him driving on weak batteries. I replaced the FICM with one that gave an addition 100HP. I worked that truck hard pulling heavy loads 6 days a week. I had to replace a few injectors which was a total PITA, and I also had to replace the ICP which was next to impossible to get out AND back in. Other than those issues, it was a good truck with plenty of power. I wouldn't ever own another diesel again unless I just had no other choice though.

Funny how one persons life experiences would make them say “never again” like that. I’m not criticizing your opinion, because a lot of Ford 6L owners have forever written off diesel engines, because the 6L was such a unreliable boat anchor.
My friend that had a 6L now will only buy gas engines, but he still talks about trying another diesel in the future. I’ve had nothing buy joy owning diesel trucks.

I’m actually keeping an open mind to diesel, gas or even electric. Times change, objects and people evolve. Just like communism has pretty much gone by the wayside because its a death cult, people may soon realize electric cars/trucks are better than combustion engines, but who knows. Only time will tell.

I was at an intersection yesterday and I had 3 Teslas around me. I was the lone combustion engine.

 

[JeepHead]

Funny how one persons life experiences would make them say “never again” like that. I’m not criticizing your opinion, because a lot of Ford 6L owners have forever written off diesel engines, because the 6L was such a unreliable boat anchor.
My friend that had a 6L now will only buy gas engines, but he still talks about trying another diesel in the future. I’ve had nothing buy joy owning diesel trucks.

I’m actually keeping an open mind to diesel, gas or even electric. Times change, objects and people evolve. Just like communism has pretty much gone by the wayside because its a death cult, people may soon realize electric cars/trucks are better than combustion engines, but who knows. Only time will tell.

I was at an intersection yesterday and I had 3 Teslas around me. I was the lone combustion engine.

I think there is a need for diesel engines but as of right now, I do not have one. I would rather not ever have to have one again. Gas engines can be great pulling machines. the Ford 7.3 Godzilla gasser is a beast of an engine and we run them in our F650's here. My favorite engine that Ford makes is the 6.2 which are extremely reliable. I have seem them go frequently 600K+ miles and even past a million miles with nothing but regular maintenance. Where I live, everyone , even teenage boys and yuppy dads who don't pull anything, wants a diesel. it's a silly fad for some weird reason.

Gas engines are easier to work on, cheaper to maintain, and cheaper to buy. I also think they sound much better than a diesel does too because I love the sound of a v8 gasser, and despise the sound of a turbo whining.

Yup, we all like what we like.

 

[Gregster613]

A “cat eye” is an early 2000’s GM HD pickup design where the front headlights look like cats eyes.

View attachment 3747153

They are very popular for hot rodding by the young guns because they came standard with a screamer V-8 Duramax diesel engine, overbuilt Allison automatic transmission, and an 11.5” rear axle. At the time, they were well ahead of Ford, who was still playing with a mickey mouse glorified car automatic transmission, a smaller 10.5” rear axle and the powerstroke diesel, which was limited in HP capability.

How’d I do, Paulsharvey?

Thanks for the exact and clear explanation Haydude! Now I get it. Paulsharvey, your explanation was factual and good also - Haydudes picture shows the hot rod side of it well tho. I'd never heard of the headlights being called cats eye is why I asked. Thanks to both of you. Greg

 

[4570Man]

I think there is a need for diesel engines but as of right now, I do not have one. I would rather not ever have to have one again. Gas engines can be great pulling machines. the Ford 7.3 Godzilla gasser is a beast of an engine and we run them in our F650's here. My favorite engine that Ford makes is the 6.2 which are extremely reliable. I have seem them go frequently 600K+ miles and even past a million miles with nothing but regular maintenance. Where I live, everyone , even teenage boys and yuppy dads who don't pull anything, wants a diesel. it's a silly fad for some weird reason.

Gas engines are easier to work on, cheaper to maintain, and cheaper to buy. I also think they sound much better than a diesel does too because I love the sound of a v8 gasser, and despise the sound of a turbo whining.

Yup, we all like what we like.

I would be inclined to agree but a Cummins far exceeds everything else with its engine braking capabilities at least when we’re comparing pickups without actual Jake brakes. Being able to hold a downhill grade without smoking the service brakes is nice.

 

[jyoutz]

I have a 2007 Dodge Ram with the 5.9 Cummins. Early year 2007 was the last availability of the pre-emissions 5.9. It’s as close as bullet-proof for an early 2000s diesel truck engine that you’ll find. The sweet spot for the 5.9 is 2003-2007. The prior 24 valve 5.9 had some issues, and the 2007+ 6.7 Cummins does have the emissions equipment.

 

[jyoutz]

I would be inclined to agree but a Cummins far exceeds everything else with its engine braking capabilities at least when we’re comparing pickups without actual Jake brakes. Being able to hold a downhill grade without smoking the service brakes is nice.

Also the longevity, durability and fuel economy of a diesel pulling trailers cannot be matched by a gasser motor.