How about the seniors that buy "classic" cars and spend thousands doing hot rods (street rods, retro rods...) Of course, finding a decent engine guy is getting tougher by the day. Or, back in the day, dropping the oem for Cragars, adding a Holley double pumper?
Help me decide, 3 trucks I need to pick 1 from.
Tbone07
Member
Don't buy a Ram diesel unless it's a 2025. New ZF transmission and multiple engine upgrades make it way way better. ZF trans isn't exactly "new", it's just new to the Ram. Very proven transmission.
Have no experience with the others. But if the truck will be sitting quite a bit, I would look for a Ford with 7.3 gas, or Chevy with 6.6 gas. Lot of tow companies in our area using Ford 7.3 "Godzilla" motor with good results. Modern diesels don't like sitting around.
Have no experience with the others. But if the truck will be sitting quite a bit, I would look for a Ford with 7.3 gas, or Chevy with 6.6 gas. Lot of tow companies in our area using Ford 7.3 "Godzilla" motor with good results. Modern diesels don't like sitting around.
kneedeep
Veteran Member
There is a 24 F250 diesel 4WD with 50k miles on CL in Foley AL that Carmax offered them $40k. Bought new camper hauler that is in good shape.
They want the same $40k for it.
Your original choices are over priced.
They want the same $40k for it.
Your original choices are over priced.
Hay Dude
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Hogwash, bro.
Why is that? I own a 2020 Ram Cummins and it’s been excellent. If the ZF8 was so amazing, why didn’t the towing specs increase? I think its a good transmission, too. But for Ram to bring in a new transmission, and not increase towing, I know I am no longer considering a new one. I’ll wait for the 7.2L Cummins in ‘27.
New?
There’s a Secret Behind the Efficiency of Ram’s 8-Speed Transmission
And here’s what Ford, Chevy, and Toyota don’t want you to know about their 10-speeds
www.motorbiscuit.com
Your c&c truck has an Aisin 6 speed, doesn't it?
Fields_mj
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I'd put money on the fact that in the first 5 years of ownership, the money you spend repairing any of the new diesels on your list will be enough to buy your current F350, and who ever buys that F350 from you will still be running it up and down the road without a care in the world. If the body is in decent shape, I'd drive what you have until you can't. Not sure if you've done any mods to it, but I put a 7 position switch in mine and run it on the lowest setting and it drives a LOT better than it did stock. I've pulled an 8500 lb camper through TN with it, and it did fine. Going up the hills, I wasn't able to run 70mph, but I was able to outpace most of the semi traffic, and that was before I put the chip in it. If you haven't replaced the high pressure oil lines in it yet, go ahead and do that. They are a common failure point. Other that, keep a CPS sensor in your glove box, and maybe get the turbo rebuilt. As far as engine durability and longevity, I'd take your 7.3 over anything made post 2007 including everything on your list. Heck, I'd rebuild that 7.3 before I wasted my money on anything newer. Now, if your body is falling apart (like mine), and the the undercarriage is getting to the point that you're starting to question how long the frame is going to be able to hold up to to that 10k trailer, that's a different story. If I was in that boat, I'd start looking for another 7.3 out in Colorado, Wyoming, or the Dakotas, but that's just me.
If I absolutely HAD to have a newer truck, I'd be looking at a gas engine over a diesel, especially if I was only going to drive it a few times per year. For almost 20 years now, new diesel trucks really only make sense when you're towing heavy loads on a regular basis. Its not that every truck has major issues. Some never have any issues, but the odds are high, and there doesn't seem to be any in-betweens. People who run diesels tend to keep the ones that aren't broken which makes the used market a lot more risky than it used to be.
If I absolutely had to choose from one of the trucks on your list, I'd go with the Ram that has 300k on the clock, and I'd choose it specifically because the PO drove it enough to put 300k on it without giving up on it. I haven't stayed up on the Cummins engine, but last I checked they were still using the same block that they used in the 6BT (5.9), and Cummins offered to warrantee that engine for 500k when dodge started putting them in the Ram. Things have obviously changed since then and the EPA has royally effed up the diesel market, but the heart of the Cummins engine is still the most robust design on the market. I once asked one of their engineers why they ran so long. He said it was because Ford and Chevy use engines designed for 3/4 and 1 ton trucks meaning where as the 6BT was designed for industrial and agricultural industry where engines are normally run at wide open throttle for the entire duration of their lives, and in some of those applications you start the engine on day 1, and only shut it off to service it. Buying a diesel truck that's only a year or two old and has around 60k on the clock BEGS the question of why the PO isn't still driving it. Think about what they paid for those trucks new, and what they likely got on trade (or are trying to sell for now) and ask yourself why a person would take that big of a loss. The most likely and logical answer is that the trucks were money pits.
Just my 2 bits,
Mark
If I absolutely HAD to have a newer truck, I'd be looking at a gas engine over a diesel, especially if I was only going to drive it a few times per year. For almost 20 years now, new diesel trucks really only make sense when you're towing heavy loads on a regular basis. Its not that every truck has major issues. Some never have any issues, but the odds are high, and there doesn't seem to be any in-betweens. People who run diesels tend to keep the ones that aren't broken which makes the used market a lot more risky than it used to be.
If I absolutely had to choose from one of the trucks on your list, I'd go with the Ram that has 300k on the clock, and I'd choose it specifically because the PO drove it enough to put 300k on it without giving up on it. I haven't stayed up on the Cummins engine, but last I checked they were still using the same block that they used in the 6BT (5.9), and Cummins offered to warrantee that engine for 500k when dodge started putting them in the Ram. Things have obviously changed since then and the EPA has royally effed up the diesel market, but the heart of the Cummins engine is still the most robust design on the market. I once asked one of their engineers why they ran so long. He said it was because Ford and Chevy use engines designed for 3/4 and 1 ton trucks meaning where as the 6BT was designed for industrial and agricultural industry where engines are normally run at wide open throttle for the entire duration of their lives, and in some of those applications you start the engine on day 1, and only shut it off to service it. Buying a diesel truck that's only a year or two old and has around 60k on the clock BEGS the question of why the PO isn't still driving it. Think about what they paid for those trucks new, and what they likely got on trade (or are trying to sell for now) and ask yourself why a person would take that big of a loss. The most likely and logical answer is that the trucks were money pits.
Just my 2 bits,
Mark
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KEEPONWALKIN
New member
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If your original 2002 is in good shape bodywise, you would be a fool to trade DOWN to a newer truck. The money you are going to spend on a new one would be more wisely invested in your old one with money to spare. The 7.3 is tried and true. All the new diesels are garbage!! If you do not believe me, approach an engine rebuild shop and ask them if they would even bother rebuilding ANY of these newer diesels. All garbage, especially once the warranty is gone. Better the devil you know than........
paulsharvey
Super Member
... the new diesels are Not garbage, they however do have issues. At the same time, the older 6.6/5.9/7.3 are/where not perfect.
Yes, we probably all have seen 7.3L trucks that went 400k, but many didn't. We have also heard from people that had new diesels that required major repairs at 80k, but Many didn't.
With that, what the OP says, I dont see anything that mandates a new diesel; but if he wants one, any of the major brands are Likely to be fine, and provide a lifetime of good service.
Yes, we probably all have seen 7.3L trucks that went 400k, but many didn't. We have also heard from people that had new diesels that required major repairs at 80k, but Many didn't.
With that, what the OP says, I dont see anything that mandates a new diesel; but if he wants one, any of the major brands are Likely to be fine, and provide a lifetime of good service.
Torvy
Super Member
In most states and with most lenders, "new" requires previously untitled and no more that 6k miles. Many have even stricter rules. Some states just require that it is disclosed. No difference to some states if new/used. Lenders care because of longevity of the asset.
I'm guessing you either paid cash or had a used car rate (or the dealer fudge info to the lender).
I spent about 7 years investigating shady dealers. Some will do anything for a sale.
mike5511
Member
I would stay with whatever is pre-emissions. Or keep it under a warranty.
charlessenf
Gold Member
Well, for five trips per year over a six year period, your 56K would earn: "For example, if you invest $1,000, the calculation would be A = 1000(1 + 0.04/1)^(1*6), which equals approximately $1,265.33. This means you would earn about $265.33 in interest over 6 years."
So 6 times $256.33 or $14,858 - your minimum 'opportunity cost.' You might well do better (maybe earning 24K in six years) buying 56K worth of Home Depot in a DRIP with Etrade.
But, then, what do you drive to Mississippi and back to Ole Virginity?
Well, if you're carrying cargo on one leg and dead heading on the other you rent a one-way vehicle to suite the load on each leg. Some ridiculously fuel efficient tiny car to carry the driver(s) one way, and a suitably capacious Penske to haul the load and driver(s) in the other direction.
If, on the other hand, you're loaded in each direction, I would recommend booking two one way Penske's hoping to find trucks that had moved household furniture to Virginia for your trip south and booking one in Ole Miss that had just brought some family's furnishings down from the Ohio Valley or similar.
Since it's about a 12 hour run, you might need a two-day rental - but, if you're a couple hundred miles less . . . maybe you could pull it off in one day?
Your fuel costs will be about the same (less if you are only loaded on one leg, of course). But you won't have paid liability and collision and on and on for the 360 days the $56K pick was (in the weather?) gathering dust. You did not mention what it would cost to insure the 2024 250 - did you check? You did not indicate that you didn't have the purchase price on-hand in cash - were you planning on financing this truck?
If you finance the truck and do the calculations (including financing fees, and the required comprehensive , you may well discover the $56K truck will cost you way more than may moons of necessary rentals. There is no such thing as a Zero Interest Loans or free lunches. If you are convinced there are, forget the forgoing and best o'luck with the fancy PUT
Blue Mule
Platinum Member
I have a 2019 F-250 XLT CC 4x4 with the 6.7L diesel. It's at 105,000 miles now. It's had a rash of issues such as the common upper oil pan leaks, BCM replacement, steering wheel button replacement, steering intermediate shaft replacement, intercooler hose replacement, etc. I've gotten it to the point now where I really trust it BUT I had to pay a lot of $$$ to get rid of the DPF/SCR/EGR/CCV systems to get it here because that is the next stuff that fails on modern diesels and that stuff is PRICEY. So I went ahead and removed all that stuff. I also had a "disaster prevention kit" installed which prevents you from a $15k repair if the high pressure fuel pump fails.
Having said all that, the Powerstroke is probably the most dependable of the big 3 options. Cummins has had fits with the new roller rockers and EGR heating grids. The Duramax trucks (even in 2025) are getting full engine tear-downs at a higher rate than they should. So, while NONE of the modern diesels are super reliable, the Ford Powerstroke is the best.
Now... that brings me to my main point. 95% of guys would be much better served by avoiding diesel engines altogether. If you buy a 2023+ Ford Super Duty with the 7.3L gas engine and the 4.30 axle ratio it will pull anything the diesel will pull, maintenance will be far less expensive, and you won't have any $5k to $15k repairs coming up in the future. That is my suggestion... find a good Ram 6.4L truck with 4.10 axle or Ford 7.3L truck with 4.30 axle. You will be happy you did. AND your payload rating and usable GVWR will be greater for your trailer.
not2old
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When I got the quote for my truck last fall, it was made clear to me that there would be a $5000.00 discount if I did not take the cheap financing and paid cash.
4570Man
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Have you ever driven a truck that’s even less than a decade old? Because a 6.7 either one of them blows away a 7.3.
Sid Post
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Sort of in the same position as the OP of this thread.
I will be in a Ford with the Godzilla gas engine. I'm not waiting for an EV or turbo V-6 or whatever the next big thing will be.
With the Ford gas engine, I don't have to worry about DEF and other emissions problems. I also won't have to find a diesel mechanic to fix anything that breaks, or wait a month for my turn in the shop.
I will be in a Ford with the Godzilla gas engine. I'm not waiting for an EV or turbo V-6 or whatever the next big thing will be.
With the Ford gas engine, I don't have to worry about DEF and other emissions problems. I also won't have to find a diesel mechanic to fix anything that breaks, or wait a month for my turn in the shop.
Hay Dude
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I just did this on a recently purchased 2000 GMC with a sick radio. Bought a package from Crutchfield including the dash panel for under $500 and with their excellent support, installed it myself. Head unit was plug and play. Only PITA was the wiring for the backup camera. Now with Carplay and SIRI on board, my 25 year old truck has an up to date infocenter. Put maybe $3k into this beautiful truck and it looks and rides like new.
JRH02
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The wife and I were just talking about this yesterday. If a 2WD is all you need for towing on pavement she says a GM is about all one can buy off a lot, esp new. I don't know for sure but she says that if you look at a Dodge or Ford pickup in 2WD it will be a special order. If on hard top in that part of the country and you can stomach a GM that may be the hot setup.
I remember driving a 2WD Chevy 3/4T long box dually in the winter, in snow. That was one of the worst experiences in winter driving I can recall.
I remember driving a 2WD Chevy 3/4T long box dually in the winter, in snow. That was one of the worst experiences in winter driving I can recall.
