Starting to think about a newer truck

[hrcarver]

Current one ton is a 89' chevy 3500 with a gas 350. Never liked it much, but never used it much for towing, so it did OK. The one ton is almost as much truck as my current half ton.

Starting to tow more often, and the one ton truck is 20+ years old now. Getting about ready to upgrade.

So... I hear so much about problems with what seems like every motor that has ever come out.

Any known problems to look out for? Mostly looking at used trucks, the 6.0 ford diesels, or ford 6.4(2005-2008). Had a 6.5 in a 3/4 ton chevy and didn't care much for that one at all. The duramax's any better?

I'm not getting a dodge, dont try to talk me into it. Other than that I appreciate any nuggets yall have picked up along the way.

 

[WH401]

Well if you won't get a Dodge then I hope your honestly not dumb enough to get a 6.0 Ford.

If you like GM then stick with the Duramax, it's been a pretty decent engine for most people.

 

[hrcarver]

the 6.4 ford's been good to folks?

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have had 2 6.0's and never had a issue. The only year Dmax I would consider owning would be the 06 and early 07 pre dpf. I had nothing but problems with a earlier gen Dmax.

I really hate to say it but if I were you I would probably get a gas 3/4 ton. Both the Ford V-10 and GM 6.0 will be a big improvement from what you currently have.

Chris

 

[hrcarver]

.....dpf? I thought about the gm 6.0 gas. Still considering it, but it is hard to find a chevy truck with a extended or crew cab with a short flat bed box. I've seen dozens of fords like that.

 

[WH401]

.....dpf? I thought about the gm 6.0 gas. Still considering it, but it is hard to find a chevy truck with a extended or crew cab with a short flat bed box. I've seen dozens of fords like that.

Diesel Particulate Filter. After Jan. 1, 2007, on road diesel vehicles sold and manufactured in the U.S. were required to meet a certain emissions standard. One way they achieved that standard was by mounting a DPF inline on the exhaust system to catch exhaust soot that was produced from the engine. Once the DPF had caught so much soot the truck would go through what they call "regeneration", where the exhaust gas temp's get so high that it cleanly burns the soot out of the DPF. The downside to all this is that the mileage on "emissions compliant" diesel's has sucked, until now, since both Ford and Gm have implemented the use of DEF, or "diesel exhaust fluid". It's urea that is injected into the exhaust stream and the manufacturer no longer has to heavily tune the engine to run clean. They can now tune it better for mileage, longevity, and other things, while not having to worry so much about the emissions because the urea neutralizes the harmful chemicals that are produced from the combustion of diesel fuel.

 

[tulenutn2o]

I have a problem with buying a new vehicle, paying thousands extra for diesel and trans and then having yet another additive that I must use. Add up the expenses of ownership carefully before choosing diesel unless you can swing a killer deal. I'm a big diesel fan until just recently. Now not so much.

 

[scoutcub]

The earlier 6.0's had some issues but well sorted out by 2005. I've got a 06 6.0 dually with 54K and have done some extreme towing with no problems. Last year before the change, good year to get.
Good luck huntin!

 

[newbury]

the 6.4 ford's been good to folks?

I thought I had read some minor problems about 6.4's and thus hesitated to put them on my potential "buy a bargain" radar. However CL prices had dropped enough they were coming within striking distance.

For reference a good price for a decent 2002-2003 7.3 dually seems to be about $12K and up to $20K. I'm seeing 6.4's for a little over $20K. I was thinking I needed to readjust my "target zone"

I've just ran across some issues on a diesel truck forum that have PERMANENTLY removed them from consideration.

One main issue seems to be radiator coolant and cavitation issues.

So it seems that the 6.4's are also problematic.

 

[hrcarver]

I'm now looking mostly into gas trucks, the gm 6.0 w/4.10 rear or maybe the new ford 6.2. If I can put a pallet of fertilizer in the back and haul 11k on the tagalong, I'm happy.

The 4.10 seems to be a rare option, anyone know a reason for that? Mileage shouldn't take that much of a hit, should it?