Pickup Truck Needed

JimMorrissey · Sep 2, 2006

What about the 5.8L gas engines of the mid/late 90s? I see a lot of them on the 3/4 tons.

Donnyj · Sep 2, 2006

Not much difference in gas mileage between the 5.8 and 7.5. If I had a choice between the 2 I would go with the 7.5. Just make sure you get the rear end gears that you need. 3:73 or 4:10 at least. A 7.5 with 4:10 gears will pull fine. I personally like the 5spd manual over the E4OD trans for pulling. 5.8 engines just always seemed to be underpowered, unless you find one with 4:10 gears. The 4:10 gears seems to help. As I said my choice would be the 7.5 or the 6.8.

morningwood · Sep 2, 2006

Sounds like you are a little hesitant about Dodge but you might wanna look for a older Dodge Cummins with the 12V motor ( if you can find one ). I have heard from multiple folks that those motors are bullet proof and they run forever without any issues. If you find one though it more than likely will be a hand shaker as Dodge is not known for producing very good automagic transmissions. In 03 they had to go to stricter diesel emissions so a pre-03 motor will not have all of the EPA crap ( more stuff to break ) that the newer ones have. I personally have a 06 Duramax so I am not a Dodge guy myself, just read alot before I bought my truck. One problem the 7.3's had is with cavitation of radiator fluid around the cylinders. I am not sure if that was ever fixed but to verify you might wanna make a pit stop over at dieselstop.org and check under there 7.3 section.

I personally bought a diesel because they maintain there value alot better and if you need to sell it in a pinch you should be able to alot easier. The mileage is better on a diesel but with the cost of diesel being fifty cents more a gallon I think it probably is a wash. Yes the maintenance costs are a little more but there are not too many gas motors that will make it 500k miles without a overhaul.

Just my 1.5 cents after taxes

Scott

JimMorrissey · Sep 2, 2006

So if one considered "average" maintenace and "average" use over a periord of say 100,000 miles......What kind of lifespan are we talking about? I know it's hard to say based on all kinds of variables, but maybe some ballpark would be helpful.

JimMorrissey · Sep 2, 2006

What is the possibility of using a 1/2 ton pickup with "airbag" leaf helpers to pull a 6x12 dump trailer? The trailer has electric brakes. I'd be pulling pretty heavy loads on relatively flat dirt trails (roads) and locally on paved roads. I figure 3/4 ton minimum, but thought I'd ask if it's a viable option. Maybe it'll work with the right gearing as mentioned earlier.

Robert_in_NY · Sep 2, 2006

We pull our dump trailer with any of the trucks, the F-150 can handle it fine you just have to use more smarts and not try to pull it like the F-250 diesel.

If you are really looking for a decent truck, try to find one with around 80k miles on it as you should be able to get another 60k miles easily. A 3/4 ton is built heavier then the half ton though so it can take more abuse. But if it only has 80k miles then it has plenty of life and if it was beat hard you will know for sure as the body will show it had a hard life. Most people who take care of the way their truck looks take care of the way it runs also. Good luck.

texbaylea · Sep 2, 2006

JImMorrisey
I would look for a 3/4 ton or better yet a single rear wheel 1 ton. The latter tend to be undervalued since most people are looking for duallies. This in my opinion is more for show than go. The 1 ton will have larger brakes better and gearing for towing. It will ride rougher but for your needs that should be no problem. I am partial to GM diesel trucks but there are good ones in each brand. I stay away from Dodge for reasons other than engines.

Vernon

JimMorrissey · Sep 2, 2006

Yeah, that makes sense for me. I have been looking at single axle 1 tons on and off. The problem I've found is that most of them are worked pretty hard. I'll just have to keep looking one that isn't beaten. I didn't know they had different brakes and gearing, I thought it was pretty much a matter of the suspension. I've never owned or reseached a PU before so all good info.

HGM · Sep 2, 2006

I would recomend an F-250, mid '90s('95 or newer) with the 5.8L or 7.3L in your price range.. If they have been maintained you wont regret either.. The 7.5L will get worse fuel economy(9-12mpg if you are lucky vs 13-15 on the 5.8L) and you will have to deal with exhaust manifold leaks(very common if the truck has been worked)... I have 160k on my 5.8L 4x4 and it will still run like a champ and pull anything I choose to hook it to(mine is a 150 though)..

One problem the 7.3's had is with cavitation of radiator fluid around the cylinders. I am not sure if that was ever fixed but to verify you might wanna make a pit stop over at dieselstop.org and check under there 7.3 section

This is a maintenance issue, if the additive was used its a non issue.. You need to take Diesel Stop with a grain of salt, there are allot of disgruntled people there..

The 6.0..... well nothing gets better fuel mileage than a 6.0...... stays in the shop or hooked to a tow truck

Most of the dealer techs, when asked honestly will admit that a large amount of issues are related back to customer abuse or lack of maintenance... Addmitantly, the 7.3L was much more resistant to such things and would be the better choice if available, but I would not hesitate to own a 6.0L if I was so inclined to spend that kind of money on a truck..

BTW, I totally agree with Robert and Tex's recomendations and reasons for a 3/4-1ton over a 1/2ton.