I've made up my mind. I definately want a diesel 3/4 or 1 ton. I would perfer it be SRW 4x4 and ext cab... Anyways I have no clue what to look for in diesels. I guess you can say I'm a diesel n00b. Heres what I know soo far from talking to others, and you guys can inform me on the stuff I missed. Ok my buddy that is a diesel mech at a ford dealship says to stay away from the 7.3 Powerstoke, he says they are crap, and he can't keep them out of the shop. So that means nothing pre 99. I would perfer a cummins because I have not heard anything bad about them, other then the auto trannies suck. Now the chevy 3/4 tons with the 6.5td are they any good? I would like a duramax but that is a bit out of my price range. I'm looking to pay for this thing in cash, and not have another monthly payment. So the goal is to get a 95-99 3/4 ton 4x4 with a manual that is the best bang for the buck. I'm not biased what so ever so it doesn't bother me too much which brand, I just want something to tow my k5 with that can go over 55 mph. The old tow rig was a 94 3/4 chevy 4x4 with a 350 and 3.42 gears:doah: Please help me out thanks
i am a fan of the cummins, when i was looking i specifically wanted a 12v cummins 4x4 with a manual. The 12v is nice and cheap to operate and easy to do do-it-yourself power upgrades without a lot of $$$. Anything early 98 and older. I got my 97 for $12k. Friend had a 96 6.5 chevy and it ran ok but no hot rod by any means but would definately do the job and he got his for around $6K. One nice thing about it was the ride quality if that is a concern. Same friends truck got totalled last week and he is looking for a new tow rig. He needs a 4 door so the dodge is out so he has been looking at fords and so far the 94-97 vintage f350 seems to be a good choice and in the price range. Found a 95 in great shape for $9k and a 94 in ok shape for $8k. Hope that gives ya some insight-ish.
Yeah.. I'm not picky but would perfer the dodge or SD over the Chevy. My price range is up to 10k... The cheaper I can get it for the more money I can put into the K5 :thumb:
For one, talk only sports from now on with your diesel buddy. The 7.3 Powerstroke is one of the best engines ever put in a pickup. It runs, and runs, and runs, and runs.... My grandfather has a '95 with 310-320K on it, last time I saw the odometer. It makes good power and gets decent mileage. Your friend doesn't know what he is talking about. And....the 7.3 ran well into 2003, not only to 1999. I would look for a mid 90's to as late as you can afford Ford PSD or any Ram Cummins 1994 to as late as you can afford. As far as the Dodges, they all have their goods and bads. THe 12v is prefered by some, and is a more reliable powerplant, but the 24v is much more user friendly with making power and adjustability. The 24v also has better transmission options. Another thing is the truck itself, the later 2nd gen the better. 2001.5 is arguably the best year of the 2nd gens. I wouldn't be afraid of any of the autos in either the Ford or Dodge. Both do just fine for the most part. If and when it does blow, a built auto is the cats meow anyway. I would stay away from the later 90's GM 6.5's. The 6.5 is a good motor, darned good, but I just honestly think it can't compete against same vintage PSD and Cummins with power, reliability, and aftermarket support. I have a late 90's GM C3500 and I don't see that the truck itself is any better than the other two, if not inferior.
Sorry to be the one to break it to you, but your buddy's a moron. The 7.3 powerstroke is a great motor, always has been. They do have their quirks, but so does everything else. Honestly, i think the best "bang for the buck" trucks are the chevy's with the 6.5's, because everybody thinks the motor and suspension is crap. Dont get me wrong, the 6.5's have their fair share of issues, but most of them are small and easily fixable. Ive been plenty happy with mine, it has no problem at all towing 6000 pounds at 65 and still getting over 13 mpg on winter fuel. If you pick up a newer one with relatively low mileage, chances are the IP is still under warantee as well. I personally like the truck itself better than the ford or dodge as well, the interior is laid out perfect for me, and it is extremely comfortable. When i was shopping for trucks, comparable dodge and fords in comparable condition were 3-5K more than the chevy i bought, most of the fords in my price range were beat, same with the dodges.
RJF's Red Cummins and joez hit the nail right on the head! No offense,but your buddy does not know what he is talking about. Man you have a hard choice between the cummins and the 7.3 psd, either way your getting one of the best diesels ever to bless the pickup truck. good luck, whichever you decide make sure you check it out good. check the air filter intake tube for dust, the oil fill cap for blowby and if at all possible see if you can test drive it hooked to your trailer.
7.3L have problems, but so does every engine. none ar emajor $$ problems, 7.3L have tons of fail safes built in, so if most items do fail the truck will run and get you where you need to go. there are only a few common problems that kill these trucks dead on the roadsides, and they are usually cheap to fix, with the most 2 common things being an intermitant cam senosr that kills randomly, but will usually restart, and the fuel heater fuse will blow and kill the truck dead in its tracks. both cheap and easy to fix.
Soo what everyone is telling me is as long as its a diesel and not beat to hell go for it and I'll be happy, well atleast untill I can afford a New PSD or CTD
Well, yeah....basically.waytogo Joez is right, you can find some of those 6.5 trucks for a decent deal. But, arguably, the other two have better power plants, slightly better.
Yep, I think you will definitely be happy, but like earlier said, the 7.3 and the cummins would be the way to go and if you want the chevy, the 6.5 is the best choice imo. I think the 6.5 in the chevy is made by detroit, not sure . Take good care of your diesel and it will even better care of you.waytogo
Yeah the 6.5 is a detroit... but Looks like there are a few arround for a great price... I just can not be as picky, and take the auto over the manual.. what ya think.. http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=199608752&dealer_id=57699479&car_year=1993&model=CHEVC25&bkms=1144014365319&make3=DODGE&make2=FORDā©=en&isp=y&start_year=1991&engine=&certified=&fuel=Diesel&search_type=both&distance=300&model3=RAM25002WD&model2=F250&make=CHEV&color=&min_price=1&body_style=TRUCKS&drive=4+wheel+drive&max_mileage=&address=49006&advanced=y&end_year=1999&doors=&transmission=&max_price=6000&cardist=152
gutless wonder truck, thats a 7.3L naturally aspirated non powerstroke... i am near chicago and can sell you a 93 f350 2wd ex cab dually, XLT thats white with a 7.3L non powerstroke that has a turbo and a 5 speed for a little over that price.... WAY more power than that one wihtout a turbo
Ill sell you the truck in my sig...In great shape...and its an Arizona truck so it has absolutly NO RUST!!!! Pulls my Jeep around the mountains fine at 6000'+ elevation so your K5 in the flat lands of Illinois will be a piece of cake for it!! And it loves to cruise at 70+ w/ trailer
PM me a price but I'm looking at a 97 standard cab longbed 4x4 with a 12v cummins for a very good price.
Yeah I finally came to the conclusion that I drive too much for my job to use this truck. I also havent towed with it much in the last few months so its hard to justify making payments on it when it just sits. My fiance and I want to sell it...pay off the line of credit it is on...pay off our wedding and moving expenses and then buy a new LBZ D-Max at the end of the yearimp: . It saddens me to get rid of it after only a year b/c I really love the truck, but my situation isnt the same now as it was when I bought it.:doah: PM sent
