Diesel Truck Advice

skyhighZJ said:
As much as I wanna say spend up for a mega cab G56 truck. (Slightly a Cummings fanboi)

I would say 8.1/allison 4 door and spend the money on gas and tires instead of high diesel repair bills.


FWIW I’m getting ready to drop $11k on a head gasket oopsie…… factor that into life fo sho….
Click to expand...

Yea, but turbo sounds....
 
JSJJ388 said:
Yea, but turbo sounds....
Click to expand...

You can add a turbo to a 6.0 :D

I'm a Cummins fanboy all day, but all 6k will get you is a big pile of shit. And like some people pointed out, repair bills ain't cheap. I just spent 8k on a trans rebuild myself.

My vote is also for a late 90s early 00s GM truck.

Duane
 
Man yall really know how to poop on a guy's parade.

Appreciate all the advice and will broaden my options to a gasser. Ngl, the 7.3 with the flat bed just feels right.
 
CLRracer said:
all 6k will get you is a big pile of shit.
Click to expand...
Truth
Where does reliability rank?

Higher than 4x4?

I bought a 8.1 Silverado after seeing the performance and reliability of several 1/2 mil mile 2wd long bed 4 door examples (the yard crew boys if you will)
Mine was 4x4 and pretty daggone nice but the yard crew boys towed their jeeps and totes their families all over. Even home from the ranch with 12" if snow on the ground

Another vote for a early 2000's 8.1

But be sure to get a long bed. The short beds have a peanut tank that doesn't allow more than 160 miles per tank

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but that budget is limiting your choices. And as Drew said...everyone is looking for that unicorn

Trouble is...unless it's a northern vehicle with road cancer, a visually poor vehicle is usually a sign it's not been maintained either. Not that rare unicorn of a perfect drivetrain and just cosmetic flaws.
 
Last edited:
CasterTroy said:
Truth
Where does reliability rank?

Higher than 4x4?

I bought a 8.1 Silverado after seeing the performance and reliability of several 1/2 mil mile 2wd long bed 4 door examples (the yard crew boys if you will)
Mine was 4x4 and pretty daggone nice but the yard crew boys towed their jeeps and totes their families all over. Even home from the ranch with 12" if snow on the ground

Another vote for a early 2000's 8.1

But be sure to get a long bed. The short beds have a peanut tank that doesn't allow more than 160 miles per tank

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but that budget is limiting your choices. And as Drew said...everyone is looking for that unicorn

Trouble is...unless it's a northern vehicle with road cancer, a visually poor vehicle is usually a sign it's not been maintained either. Not that rare unicorn of a perfect drivetrain and just cosmetic flaws.
Click to expand...
Yeah yea..... I hear yall. I'm looking at a 07 2500 longbed with 6.0 now. Would just need a flat bed for it. Reliability ranks pretty high.
 
JSJJ388 said:
Man yall really know how to poop on a guy's parade.

Appreciate all the advice and will broaden my options to a gasser. Ngl, the 7.3 with the flat bed just feels right.
Click to expand...

That flatbed 7.3 in WV probably has no rockers left. Plus it looks like a neglected POS, just my .02
 
Any truck on marketplace that is a good/great deal will be gone in a day if not hours in your price range. If it's been listed for a week or more, there is a reason it hasn't sold yet.
 
A few things in your price range to ponder:

atlanta.craigslist.org

2000 dodge ram 2500 diesel for sale by owner - Cumming, GA - craigslist

2000 Ram 2500 pickup 4WD, Cummins 5.9L, 343,745 miles, around 25,000 miles on rebuilt transmission, around 35,000 miles on rear end, automatic, runs well, new power steering pump, new brake boost...
atlanta.craigslist.org atlanta.craigslist.org
akroncanton.craigslist.org

2008 Ford f450 f250 ram 3500 Sierra 2500 4500 diesel for sale - Uniontown, OH - craigslist

2008 Ford F350 Lariat Crew Cab 6.4 V8 Turbo Diesel - Powerstroke Automatic 238,000 Miles Four wheel drive! Fresh trade in. Clean title. Excellent service history. No issues. No leaks. Good tires....
akroncanton.craigslist.org akroncanton.craigslist.org
atlanta.craigslist.org

2003 Dodge Ram 2500 for sale by owner - Red Oak, GA - craigslist

Runs Excellent Excellent Motor and Transmission 8" Inch Lift 5.7 V8 Hemi Motor 4 Wheel Drive Working A.C and Heat Clean Title No Rust New Tires All Around Contact Mo
atlanta.craigslist.org atlanta.craigslist.org
akroncanton.craigslist.org

2008 F450 ram 3500 Sierra 2500 Silverado 3500 for sale - Uniontown, OH - craigslist

2008 Ford F350 XL Super Duty 6.8 V10 Four wheel drive! Automatic 198,000 Miles! Clean title. Clean CARFAX. Two owner truck. Runs and drives great. Cold ac. Strong mechanical condition. Towing...
akroncanton.craigslist.org akroncanton.craigslist.org
norfolk.craigslist.org

2001 dodge ram 2500 diesel for sale by owner - Portsmouth, VA - craigslist

2001 Dodge 4x4 Cummins with 6spd manual transmission. Typical rust for age. No modifications to engine. Fass DRP 2 lift pump, frame mounted. 415k miles on the clock. Obo
norfolk.craigslist.org norfolk.craigslist.org
philadelphia.craigslist.org

2002 dodge ram 2500 diesel for sale by owner - Glen Mills, PA - craigslist

Up for sale is a 2002 Dodge ram cummins 24v SLT LARAMIE 4x4. The good: drivetrain is mechanically sound. Transmission, engine, rears, and transfer case all work. No vibrations, odd noises or any...
philadelphia.craigslist.org philadelphia.craigslist.org
tricities.craigslist.org

1995 dodge ram 2500 diesel for sale by owner - Hampton, TN - craigslist

Selling my ’95 Dodge 2500 with the legendary 12-valve Cummins diesel. It starts, runs, and drives, but it needs some work — including axle repairs and a few other mechanical odds and ends. Great...
tricities.craigslist.org tricities.craigslist.org
southjersey.craigslist.org

2001 Dodge Ram 2500 for sale - Lakewood, NJ - craigslist

2001 Dodge Ram 2500 ST 4dr Quad Cab ST Truck NICE Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 Pickup - V10 POWERFUL! Gooseneck Hitch! Exterior Color: Intense Blue Pearlcoat Interior Color: Agate VIN: 1B7KF23W81J518680 Stock...
southjersey.craigslist.org southjersey.craigslist.org
 
JSJJ388 said:
Click to expand...
It doesn't seem like you are actually looking at many "4 full door" options. Most don't consider the rear swing extended cab trucks, 4 doors. If you are looking for 4 sets of hinges, I get it, but I hated my reverse swing doors on my NBS Sierra (would prefer old style extended cab).

If extended cabs without rear swing doors is in the mix, an OBS Chevy with a 454 or a Gen2 V10 Ram would be on my list. I prefer the ride of a solid axle, so the Ram gets the nod between the two.
 
shelby27604 said:
It doesn't seem like you are actually looking at many "4 full door" options. Most don't consider the rear swing extended cab trucks, 4 doors. If you are looking for 4 sets of hinges, I get it, but I hated my reverse swing doors on my NBS Sierra (would prefer old style extended cab).

If extended cabs without rear swing doors is in the mix, an OBS Chevy with a 454 or a Gen2 V10 Ram would be on my list. I prefer the ride of a solid axle, so the Ram gets the nod between the two.
Click to expand...
Im looking at what I can find. That's why full doors is under preferred, not required. It will just haul me most of the time. But we want something that is able to hold all of us in the event our yukon goes down.
 
Lets back up a minute, your list:
Requirements-
10k lbs towing capacity How often are you realistically towing this?
Seat at least 5
At least 6' bed
Reliable and able to do maintenance and basic work at home How advanced are you able to go at home?

Preferred-
4x4 How preferred is this? What do you use now for towing and how often do you use the 4wd?
Diesel
Flat bed This can be done anytime with any truck.
4 full doors
Manual trans

Your budget is only $7k? Are you financing 7k or is that all the cash you have?
Will this truck be a daily driver? Or only around the farm truck?
How many miles do you estimate driving this truck each year?
 
I can say I've had 2 V10 fords and have personally put 150k on one of them (currently has almost 300k). They have been super reliable and done everything I've asked of them with VERY little troubles past regular maintenance. I can't recommend them enough. Worst comes to worst and one throws a rod, 1k junkyard motor and a weekend and your back in business.
 
Stuntman Autoworks said:
Lets back up a minute, your list:
Requirements-
10k lbs towing capacity How often are you realistically towing this?
Seat at least 5
At least 6' bed
Reliable and able to do maintenance and basic work at home How advanced are you able to go at home?

Preferred-
4x4 How preferred is this? What do you use now for towing and how often do you use the 4wd?
Diesel
Flat bed This can be done anytime with any truck.
4 full doors
Manual trans

Your budget is only $7k? Are you financing 7k or is that all the cash you have?
Will this truck be a daily driver? Or only around the farm truck?
How many miles do you estimate driving this truck each year?
Click to expand...

Throughout the year, won't tow 10k often. When cutting hay, a couple times a week.

Realistically I can do part swaps, basuc maintenance and anything short of computer work. I've swapped several engines, transmissions, and transfer cases ect. I've rebuilt a few motors, but im not set up for that.

I ordered my preferences high to low. 4x4 is a big one for me, but I've done without it for years now. My current tow options are a 78 C10 or our yukon. I've been stuck in the field several times doing a one wheel peel. The yukon is awd and that has been a big help.

A flat bed can be put on any truck, yes. Getting one that already has a flat bed would be a nice plus.

7k is cash. We don't do credit, and certainly not financing an old truck. I daily a company truck. This one will get driven mostly within an hour of the house. My Dakota gets less than 5k miles a year, this one will be intact ball park.




Appreciate the input.
 
Last edited:
JSJJ388 said:
Throughout the year, won't tow 10k often. When cutting hay, a couple times a week.

Realistically I can do part swaps, basuc maintenance and anything short of computer work. I've swapped several engines, transmissions, and transfer cases ect. I've rebuilt a few motors, but im not set up for that.

I ordered my preferences high to low. 4x4 is a big one for me, but I've done without it for years now. My current tow options are a 78 C10 or our yukon. I've been stuck in the field several times doing a one wheel peel. The yukon is awd and that has been a big help.

A flat bed can be put on any truck, yes. Getting one that already has a flat bed would be a nice plus.

7k is cash. We don't do credit, and certainly not financing an old truck. I daily a company truck. This one will get driven mostly within an hour of the house. My Dakota gets less than 5k miles a year, this one will be intact ball park.




Appreciate the input.
Click to expand...
With that info, I wouldn't even look at a diesel
You can get more truck for that 7k by sticking to looking for gas only, and any of the gas trucks listed so far will have no problem towing 10k lbs the few times it seems you will be towing per year. Even a 1500 will be plenty for you.
 
Stuntman Autoworks said:
With that info, I wouldn't even look at a diesel
You can get more truck for that 7k by sticking to looking for gas only, and any of the gas trucks listed so far will have no problem towing 10k lbs the few times it seems you will be towing per year. Even a 1500 will be plenty for you.
Click to expand...

Yea that's what im seeing. I've got my eye on a couple 6.0 cateye chevys.
 
Back
Top