Getting ready to buy a Diesel - suggestions?

russ0943

russ0943

yehaw x10
Joined
Mar 28, 2007
Location
Valdese, NC
I am looking at getting a 99 F250 with the 7.3L turbo diesel.

What should I look into when buying a diesel? Any comments or suggestions? I've always owned gas but am familiar with the fundamentals of a diesel..just not sure what to look for and what problem areas I need to check on.
 
Look for one that doesn't say "FORD"...
 
thats not true.
I certainly prefer a Cummins, but IMHO the PSD are 2nd in line and its a lloooooooong way back to #3.

The 7.3s are good motors I puts 425k on my 98....
Ford had issues with those autos, if it is auto and hasnt been replaced plan on $1500 soon.
 
When I was on crack and briefly considering a PSD, I read that the '99.5's were more desirable than the '99's.
 
chevy and dodge has just as many problems with their transmissions. In my dad's transmission shop all we basically do is ford chevy and dodge trucks, a little FWD stuff spinkled in and a little import stuff

We usually get $3200 to rebuild the 4r100 trans in the 250's and such , but its built way better than stock. One of our customers has been driving his 250 pulling a fifth wheel horse trailer and a jake brake for 2 years on the trans
 
You may want to hit up some of the diesel forums for specific info on the brand you're looking for. As you can see, the standard my cock is bigger than yours brand argument seems to override the general what to look for threads.

Thedieselstop.com is a good Ford site. I seem to remember a couple of Dodge forums being posted in the Tow Rig forum here as well. Once you get past the brand choice, as Rich indicated there are going to be things to look for in each model. Hitting the brand specific forums should be able to help you with that info.

Jeff
 
Rich said:
When I was on crack and briefly considering a PSD, I read that the '99.5's were more desirable than the '99's.
Click to expand...

The 99.5s are the new body style.
AFAIK the motors are no different.
 
SkyHiK5 said:
The 99.5s are the new body style.
AFAIK the motors are no different.
Click to expand...

'99 is the new style also... Something with the turbo was different, and possibly some other things.

Go have some coffee.. :flipoff2:
 
i like all three. what are we towing here? 6k? 10k? 12k? i am only ever going to tow 6k or so. any of those trucks will handle that just fine.

i actually prefer the ford i think. reason being that i like the interior so much better. the engine is more than sufficient, and i prefer the look of the ford. yeah, all pretty boy reasons. i just hate the interior of the dodge.
 
I also hate the Dodge interior and ride.
But damn, the repair parts are cheap.

I have personally passed on 2 good PSD deals in the last few months.

I wish I could find a Ford body, with a Cummins/Allison and GM interior.
 
My dodge is a POS with a nice motor and trans....It's an 01 and the dash cracked up so badly on it I just had to replace it to keep from losing things down in it. I've had to adjust the doors, the windows, it shakes some going down the road (who knows could be tires, but they're new) and it just feels sorta "work truck" like inside. I've owned a few PSDs and had engine problems (injectors, cam sensors) that were crazy expensive to fix, not to mention a couple of auto trannys that took a dump. They were nice inside but the drivetrain blew. Don't know about Chevys..but I know that Allison tranny ain't as bulletproof as they would have you believe. I bought a dodge CTD/6speed because it's used to tow with not really daily driven, that's what cars are for.
 
I often tow a 17ft ski boat. Will soon tow a trailer with a jeep on it (likely long distances. Anything short and I will just drive the jeep). My 03 F150 5.4L did fine with the boat but I once flat towed a wagoneer and it gave it one hell of a workout. I have had excellent luck with my 3 previous ford trucks so I plan to stick with the brand.

While Dodge makes a good truck, it just has never been a consideration of mine. I will say that I prefer the Ford over a Chevy because of the interior, and ride quality. Chevy's seem too spongy in the suspension. Ford rides a little rougher but to me that feels like it is more durable/capable for how I plan to use it. I dunno. I'm stepping up to the 250 for the obvious power/towing reasons. I use my truck nonstop.
 
Ive always said that dodge doesnt know how to make a good truck but they know how to pick a motor, and i drive a dodge.

Of course watch out for the automatics in any make, they are all crap unless its a allison but then you have to watch out for the early duramax engine blocks, they are known to crack due to heat issues.

Also look at how much repair costs are on each vehicle before you buy. If you plan on any uprgrades (injectors, turbo, ect.) look at those prices too.
For example: Cummins aftermarket injectors-$500 (estimate)
Ford Injectors (around the same horspower)-$1500 (estimate)

Cummins are all around cheaper to maintain and upgrade compared to ford and chevy, plus you get the great sound of a inline 6 and not the gas V8 sound. Oh and remember that the cummins is a 5.9l putting out as much power and torque as a 6.6l and a 7.3l V8. If you buy a Ford stay with the 7.3l, dont buy a 6.0l or a 6.4l they are crap.

Now as far as problems with the trucks themselves:
Dodge has a few problems. The trackbars are a early wear item, unit bearing front axle, and the CAD front axle are all problem areas. Also the interior is ( dash, plastic parts, ect) arent up to par with the other makes.

I only know of one ford problem in there front axles the bearing are becoming an early wear item. There may be others if anyone knows chime in.

Chevys are pretty good that i know of, i just learned about a transfer case problem they have, something inside the transfer case causes a rub in the case which eventually rubs a hole in the case and causes a leak and most of the time the dealer is not fixing it right.

Im not trying to talk you out of a Ford just trying to give you some info on the big three makes that might help you make a decision hopefully some others will throw out some more info and not just talk crap.

With that being said i have a '95 Dodge Cummins and i love the truck (even with the little problems). I would suggest anyone looking to buy a diesel to strongly look at the dodge, they are a good workhorse, mine is a testimate to that.
 
my buddy just bought a 07 2500 ctd 4 door long bed 4x4. I've rode in it. It's nice, real nice. I kinda felt like i was in a dump truck cause the dash was so high. I told my buddy if the air bag was to come out it wouldve went over my head. But the torque and power was great. We pulled a trailer with 12 yards of hardwood mulch with no problem, even on take off it got up and went. Then i had to get back in my 94 302. wow what a difference.
 
toyota231 said:
Ive always said that dodge doesnt know how to make a good truck but they know how to pick a motor, and i drive a dodge.
Of course watch out for the automatics in any make, they are all crap unless its a allison but then you have to watch out for the early duramax engine blocks, they are known to crack due to heat issues.
Also look at how much repair costs are on each vehicle before you buy. If you plan on any uprgrades (injectors, turbo, ect.) look at those prices too.
For example: Cummins aftermarket injectors-$500 (estimate)
Ford Injectors (around the same horspower)-$1500 (estimate)
Cummins are all around cheaper to maintain and upgrade compared to ford and chevy, plus you get the great sound of a inline 6 and not the gas V8 sound. Oh and remember that the cummins is a 5.9l putting out as much power and torque as a 6.6l and a 7.3l V8. If you buy a Ford stay with the 7.3l, dont buy a 6.0l or a 6.4l they are crap.
Now as far as problems with the trucks themselves:
Dodge has a few problems. The trackbars are a early wear item, unit bearing front axle, and the CAD front axle are all problem areas. Also the interior is ( dash, plastic parts, ect) arent up to par with the other makes.
I only know of one ford problem in there front axles the bearing are becoming an early wear item. There may be others if anyone knows chime in.
Chevys are pretty good that i know of, i just learned about a transfer case problem they have, something inside the transfer case causes a rub in the case which eventually rubs a hole in the case and causes a leak and most of the time the dealer is not fixing it right.
Im not trying to talk you out of a Ford just trying to give you some info on the big three makes that might help you make a decision hopefully some others will throw out some more info and not just talk crap.
With that being said i have a '95 Dodge Cummins and i love the truck (even with the little problems). I would suggest anyone looking to buy a diesel to strongly look at the dodge, they are a good workhorse, mine is a testimate to that.
Click to expand...
THanks! All good info. I've basically decided on a 2000 F250 7.3L Super Duty Turbo Diesel, 123k, trans has been rebuilt by keith hawthorne ford with an ATS shift kit and TCI torque converter. Crew cab. Drives excellent, I've had about 1hr 45min of road time in it over the past few days. I put it through the paces and all checks out fine. Paint is a 9 of 10 with the exception of a small dent in the tailgate and another in the rear corner. New ball joints up front. New midship bearing. Guy is hard pressed for money and was laid off a month ago. Wanted $17.500. I'm paying $14k cash. I have paperwork for most of the stuff done. Clean title and history. I'll post a pic in a sec.
Towing history involves trailering two 4wheelers to WV. Thats nothing for a truck like this.
p4kh4om2xV6nh7ynXzVPskQuYhQE.jpg
 
What is the deal with ULSD? I've read that it is a good idea to add a lubricant to each tank to prevent Oring leakage on the fuel rail.

Also, what should I go ahead and replace on the fuel system? Filter...what else.

I've also read that there is a bypass line that you can add to connect the two fuel rails to prevent the back cylinders from pressure loss. Anyone know more about this?

Thnx guys.
 
whatever you do just dont buy a chevy. if you are going to get a ford def get one with the 7.3 or a later model with the 6.0, like between 05 and 07, or get a dodge. chevy's are no good period. they are too crampt and they have ifs which blows. i am hoping that since i am getting a bass boat soon that i will also be getting a truck to tow it with and really looking to get a dodge but there are some fords that i would love to have since they are my favorite, but they are also a little more expensive
 
russ0943 said:
What is the deal with ULSD? I've read that it is a good idea to add a lubricant to each tank to prevent Oring leakage on the fuel rail.
Also, what should I go ahead and replace on the fuel system? Filter...what else.
I've also read that there is a bypass line that you can add to connect the two fuel rails to prevent the back cylinders from pressure loss. Anyone know more about this?
Thnx guys.
Click to expand...
As far as ULSD ive heard mixed emotions on it. Some say it will run fine with no problems, others say it doesnt have the lubricants in it that older trucks need. Just to be on the safe side i add a quart of auto tranny fluid every tank or two, but any type of additive should help. I just run tranny fluid cause its cheaper than the other additives.

Now im not sure on the bypass line. I have heard a little about that on the fords and chevys and i think it has more to do with the modified trucks (i.e lots of fuel), supposidly the fuel rails starve for fuel on the top end. Again im not too sure on this and maybe somebody can help a little more, but i would check with some of the big companys like TST performance or BD powerto see if they offer that bypass line and see what they have to say about it.
 
russ0943 said:
What is the deal with ULSD? I've read that it is a good idea to add a lubricant to each tank to prevent Oring leakage on the fuel rail.
Click to expand...

just buy , not ULSD...plenty of truck stops still selling it...

what was suggested to me from somebody that lost their pump after three tanks of ULSD was put a bottle of 2-cycle oil in each tank...it's meant to burn out, and will lubricate while it's in their...

Greg
 
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