Beefing up half-ton for gooseneck

[Highbeam]

Thanks for the input everyone. After a lot of thinking about what was said here, I decided to purchase a second truck that is capable of doing what I need it to do. I hope to have something in the next two weeks, then I'll be trading my Ram in. Looking at a few local F-350's and F-250's between 2000-2005.

Again, I appreciate the responses here. I feel confident the Ram 1500 would have done the job, but I feel safe knowing a 3/4 or 1 ton will do it safely, within limits, and with extra to spare.

A lot of pretty important changes were made during those years for Ford. Are you looking at diesels? The 7.3 switched to a 6.0 liter engine in 2003 and the early 6.0 is not desirable. The later 7.3 engine from 99.5 to 2003 is the most desirable setup. The latest models of 6.0 engine were better and then they dumped the 6.0 for the 6.4 more recently.

I really like my 2000 model year 7.3.

 

[Negligence]

I found out about the 6L issues yesterday while looking up some Power Stroke info. Thank God for the Internet some times... and thanks for the heads-up.

I managed to find an '07 Ram 3500 that is nearly identical to mine. I will probably be putting an offer in tomorrow.

 

[Builder]

I found out about the 6L issues yesterday while looking up some Power Stroke info. Thank God for the Internet some times... and thanks for the heads-up.

I managed to find an '07 Ram 3500 that is nearly identical to mine. I will probably be putting an offer in tomorrow.

If it's a Cummins, especially a late model 5.9L Cummins, you'll really like that truck. The 5.9L was born to pull trailers.

 

[Highbeam]

I found out about the 6L issues yesterday while looking up some Power Stroke info. Thank God for the Internet some times... and thanks for the heads-up.

I managed to find an '07 Ram 3500 that is nearly identical to mine. I will probably be putting an offer in tomorrow.

Right about that time Dodge switched from the excellent 5.9 engine to a 6.7 liter engine with this awful diesel particulate filter. The other brands use this DPF too now. The cummins truck now gets much worse mileage. I would not want any of the latest model diesels with this filter. The 5.9 is far superior, give major cuts in price for the 6.7 model.

 

[Negligence]

Thought I would post an update here. I ended up buying an 08' F-350 XLT 6.4L diesel with a few extra goodies and very low mileage. Thanks for all the advice I received here, it helped convince the wife on this purchase Off to get the hitch installed...

 

[Diamondpilot]

You will love the Ford. I have never owned a 6.4 but have had 2 F-350's and 1 F-250 and they are tough trucks.

Chris

 

[slowzuki]

I'm sure this has been mentioned but old 1 ton's aren't the same as new one ton's. The braking capacity has come a long way, and while that old truck may have a Dana 60 front and rear, there is a wide variety in Dana 60's with respect to strenght and what brakes are fitted.

Also, many old 70's 1 ton's had fairly flimsy frames as flexy was ok back then. Truck weight has climbed over the years so you get more and more margin of safety over a trailer with failed brakes.

Bearings and seals have also improved where on the old trucks they had much shorter life when heavily loaded. Auto trannies are far better now as well although they cost a lot more to rebuild.

The ratings of a truck for payload and towing take far more into consideration than safety. The part life for warrantee claims etc are all factored in. Any 1 ton loaded to its max ratings always will start seeing failures before the warrantee is up. The manufacturer will pick a factor so they can claim the best specs without eating too much on warrantee claims.

 

[Builder]

You have to wonder why some manufacturers offer longer powertrain warranties than others

 

[Diamondpilot]

You have to wonder why some manufacturers offer longer powertrain warranties than others

To get market share. You have to admit Ford Diesels ruled the roost for a long time and the GM diesels of yesterday left a bad taste in a lot of mouths. When GM acquired Isuzu they were able to get a Diesel to compete. Now all they had to do was win buyers over, and a warranty was the best way.

Warranty lured me over but not for long. Yes it was good piece of mind but a constantly broken truck was not. 1 year later I was back where I started.

Chris

 

[Dargo]

... the GM diesels of yesterday left a bad taste in a lot of mouths.

Strangely enough, I really liked the '96 Chevy 1/2 ton with the 6.5 turbo diesel I had. I think I had some problem with the injector pump (?) or something like that, but it was covered under warranty. Otherwise the truck had very reasonable power for a half ton and I got respectable MPGs. At the time I frequently towed a trailer that weighed about 6k loaded and the truck pulled it wonderfully. I guess not everybody had the reliability out of their 6.5 GM diesel I did. I heard a lot of people complain about it but I loved the one I had; especially in the 1/2 ton truck. Since I drove it quite a bit I enjoyed the softer suspension of the 1/2 ton as compared to the ride of a 1 ton pickup I also had (that was the 1 ton Cummins powered dually Dodge I had forever).