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Diesel truck info.

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
260
I know some of you guys have had a plethora of trucks over the years. I'm looking at either a F-250 Super Crew or Dodge 2500 Mega Cab in diesel. What engines, years should I avoid or look at. Beside the obvious things like stacks through the bed and tugga truck hitches what things should I look for when making sure some coal rolling jackass hasn't beat the shit out of it.

I drive 100 miles a day commuting to work and put about 30k a year on a vehicle. Resale is a big one. I'm looking for something I can put 90k miles on and sell it without taking it in the shorts on depreciation. That rules out new trucks and gas trucks. Fuel economy isn't a big factor as my caddy only gets 19 mpg as it is. Thanks.
 

Quantum673

Black Hat Cajun
Supporting Member
Between those two choices I would lean towards the Dodge. The both have their pros and cons. Ford has one of the nicest interiors IMO. Dodge seems to be the more reliable just from what I have read and heard from people that own them. Resale on the Dodge seems to be a little stronger. Biggest thing I would look for is does it have a programmer on it and if so which one. Can probably weed out the coal rollers that way. Biggest thing I have found over the years is that they all have known issues no matter what you choose. I can go back and look at specific years and known issues from another forum I follow and try to list them out for you. Will try to look tonight.

Of course I lean towards the Duramax. 😎

 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
If I was to do it over again, I think I'd buy a duramax...in a Denali. Leave it stock. Drive it till it got 200,000 miles and trade it for another one with 50-60,000 miles.

Ford resale has never been a strong point for them. Neither is fuel mileage.

I've been driving the mega cab for over 4 years. Loaded 06' with the 5.9 Cummins. "The Dodge truck to have" it's still a Dodge and I fight front end problems, electrical problems, transmission problems. Sure it holds its value and does what I want it to, but the truck is much happier being worked. It hates daily driving my ass back and forth to work.

I've been looking at half ton truck because of this...ones that'll hold retail and still tow a 10,000 trailer. I've narrowed it down to two. Tundra or a GM with the 6.2...I've been talking about selling my Mega since I bought the damn thing, if/when I do, I'll be going back to a gas motor. Maintaining a HD diesel truck for daily driving just isn't practical for me. That resale is no savings. I also understand that a lot of the problems with my truck, I created. Because I wanted it fast at one point...so I made it fast. It's basically stock now and I'm looking for reliability out of it. It's no longer fun to drive...like I said, if I was to do it again, I'd be sitting in a Denali. The comfort features are unmatched, it holds value very well, and they seem to be much happier daily driving. But if I could find a 6.2 gasser for under $30...I think I'd finally get rid of my mistress (that's what my wife calls my Mega, lol).
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
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Thanks guys. I realize they'll have their own certain amount of wrench turning required but at this point I wouldn't drive a GM if they gave it to me. I've been a long time loyal GM fan but enough is enough. I've owned my Caddy for 3 years now and driven it for about 85k miles... From 65k miles to 154K I've replaced all 4 wheel hub bearing assemblies, starter, alternator, shift linkage bushing, rear bushings, needs a PS pump as it's cooking fluid, and the low pressure safety tripped on the AC compressor the other day requiring me to fill it, which means it has an AC leak. Granted it's a sport sedan and pay to play applies, but I would expect things like sway bar and steering bushings, shocks etc. Not bolt on accessories that don't last more than 120k. Especially out of a car that had a 62K MSRP.

Don't even get me started on the piece of shit they call a chevy colorado that I own whose transmission and 4x4 went out pre 200k miles. Or the 2002 z28 with more problems that a crack whore in Antarctica.

Other trucks and manufacturers may have just as many quality problems. But at least I won't still be cussing GM with a hatred in my soul while I'm turning a wrench.

[video=youtube;zSBsq6HBBzw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSBsq6HBBzw[/video]
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
260
[video=youtube;1gq7J71VsDM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gq7J71VsDM[/video]
 

Milo

Tatonka guide.
8,184
157
What about the dodge 1500 with the deisel engine? Heard they do well on mileage and will probably hold some value
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
Why diesel?

Nissan is doing a half ton Cummins now also. I wouldn't say either the Ram or the Nissan have been out long enough to be proven.
 

MK111

"Happy Hunting Grounds in the Sky"
Supporting Member
6,551
66
SW Ohio
With 8 yrs of diesel experience I would say increased upkeep and repairs will just about wipe out the resale value difference.
Having seen over the last 15-20 yrs of gunshow dealers with Dodge pickups or vans almost everyone of them tore up auto tranmissions several times each.
And they pulled small 12-14 ft trailers or no trailers at all.
If I won one free I would sell it the next day and buy a Ford as I never seen a Ford trans go out.
 

jagermeister

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
18,060
223
Ohio

5Cent

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
12,291
212
North Central Ohio
LOL, those videos are great!!!

Out of the choices you listed, I would go with a dodge, unless it was a 7.3L ford. If going with a dodge, I would find something 2013+. Then I would not buy that, but find a 2012+ Duramax.

Run from the Ford 6.0, 6.4, and 6.7's. If you thought maintenance on the caddy was expensive, how about a cab-off design for any type of marginal under the hood work on the Ford. Sure a deleted version will help, but now it's been tinkered with pretty good.

What I don't see is why you need a 3/4ton + diesel truck for commuting mileage. If you won't be towing/working the truck, you are just killing it slowly. They need and liked to be worked. Anything newer than 2011 has emissions equipment requiring DEF. Buy a prius you prick, I hear yotas keep their value:smiley_clap:
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
I guess my question would be, does the higher resale value outweigh the maintenance costs of a diesel truck? I've always been told they are more expensive to maintain. Pricier parts, more oil, higher insurance rate, etc?

Not for what I use it for. It also cost you more at the pump.
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
260
I guess my question would be, does the higher resale value outweigh the maintenance costs of a diesel truck? I've always been told they are more expensive to maintain. Pricier parts, more oil, higher insurance rate, etc?

The study I linked earlier goes into great detail on this. It includes TCO for (Depreciation, fuel, repairs, fees and taxes, insurance, maintenance.


Diesel vehicles in the medium size pickup segment have a mixed picture of TCOin the three year timeframe. The Chevrolet Silverado 2500 saves the owner an estimated $3,673more than the owner of the gas powered version of the vehicle and the GMC Sierra 2500 owner saves $2,720, while the Dodge Ram 2500 diesel owner saves only $67 more than the owner of the gas powered version. TheFord F-250 diesel owner pays an estimated $1,395 more than the owner of the gas powered version.

TCO.JPG
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
260
LOL, those videos are great!!!

Out of the choices you listed, I would go with a dodge, unless it was a 7.3L ford. If going with a dodge, I would find something 2013+. Then I would not buy that, but find a 2012+ Duramax.

Run from the Ford 6.0, 6.4, and 6.7's. If you thought maintenance on the caddy was expensive, how about a cab-off design for any type of marginal under the hood work on the Ford. Sure a deleted version will help, but now it's been tinkered with pretty good.

What I don't see is why you need a 3/4ton + diesel truck for commuting mileage. If you won't be towing/working the truck, you are just killing it slowly. They need and liked to be worked. Anything newer than 2011 has emissions equipment requiring DEF. Buy a prius you prick, I hear yotas keep their value:smiley_clap:

Not just for commuting though. Every time I borrow something from my FIL it seems like I'm also borrowing one of his trucks to pull his big ass trailers. Granted he has three trucks and as he says "I can only drive one at a time" it still bugs me. I don't mind borrowing his tractor, quads, forklift, or trailer etc, but I don't like borrowing vehicles. Add in the room for the kid and future kids. I also do a 100 mile daily commute on a 2 lane state route, with the risk of a 60 mph+ head on accident I want the transfer of energy to be in my favor. Just a whole host of things.

Here's a pic he sent me recently. all 69 & 70 Chevelle frames.

output.jpg