Diesel truck please

[Martyn]

It's finally time for me to buy a diesel truck to haul a horse trailer. If you come across any well loved trucks that need a new home please let me know. I'm located in Northern California, but I'd travel for the right truck.

The truck will have double duties, pulling a horse trailer, and an expedition rig with FlipPac and fitted composite interior.

Ideally I would like a Dodge 2500, I like the Cummins engine, I may go for a Ford with the 7.3 liter engine if it's the right vehicle.

My criteria are:
Double or extended cab
Short bed
4X4
Tow package
$8000 or less ( I wish I had more but I still have to buy the horse trailer).

Ideal would be a truck and horse trailer combo.

 

[Metcalf]

I have seen some of the 03-04 dodge trucks going for less than 13K these days, but I don't know about 8K...that is a tall order.

If you could find one, you could get a 1998 dodge with the first year of the quad cab/shortbed AND the P-pump 12v Cummins with the NV4500. That would be a really nice truck to find.

I don't really think you can get a better engine than the Cummins, sadly the rest of the truck has to play catch up......

 

[chet]

I would go for a '96-97 ford f350 4 door. Last of the old body style and they had the powerstroke direct injection in them. The old idi 7.3's are nice but not if your going to tow a trailer S-L-O-W ! I agree with Metcalf on the dodgew/cummins thing. Love the engine not big ont he truck. We have had numerous dodge trucks with cummins in them over the years (work trucks) and the engines have never ever been a problem. All of my dads company trucks now are mid '90's Fords with diesel and either 2wd or 1 ton 4wd. Very easy to work on and find parts for.

A side note, all our trucks get used on gravel roads for servicing logging equipment or delivering workers. The '98 and newer Fords and Dodges changed the door style so it wraps down under the rocker, looks better but allows mud right into the door jamb and rusts everything out unless properly cleaned. I have been looking for a used '98 and newer F150 right now and Alot of them have this problem.

 

[Rot Box]

I have a black 01 CTD extended cab with 180K if you are interested. It is black with black leather and has all options. It has a hidden hich (goose neck ball), a hybrid turbo (for towing) and new Silent Armor E-rated Goodyears to name a few. I just replaced every moving part in the front end (with top of the line parts) as well. Meticulously maintained--great truck with a ton of usable power. I'm asking a little more than 8K though...

If you do go with a Ford I'd opt for the 97 and older F350's including the IDI's. With a turbo the IDI's are right there with the PSD's power wise and they are all mechanical which is really nice. If you choose Ford get the 5 speed and save yourself the headache :coffeedrink: I like the 99 and newer 7.3's as well but the older style body is easier to take offroad and feel good about it :elkgrin:

 

[1speed]

Cummins all the way! The Dodges do have other issues, but no more than any other domestic truck. I'll keep my eye out, I know you want to come to Fl anyway. :elkgrin:

 

[chasespeed]

For plain simple reliability, get a p-pumped cummins.... the VEs are pretty damn reliable too

Get ANY diesel with a manual. The 4R100 behind the 7.3s is by far, the best of the bunch when it comes to autos behind diesels.

BUT, for simple, reliability, get as much stuff mechanical on a truck as possible.. Even my CAD in my cummins has been converted to a cable operated disconnect.

Chase

 

[Metcalf]

The only real downfall to the VE pump cummins is the lift pump. If you replace it with a low pressure piston pump you are about as reliable as you could want.

Also, make sure to run something for a lubricant in the ULSD.

The P-pump can make MUCH more power than the VE, but if 300-350hp will do ya either one can make that much power all day long.

The 1st gen trucks are much more 70s than the 2nd gen trucks. You get a drivetrain that is all rebuildable and serviceable but you also get leaf springs, a very 70s comfortable cab, etc.

 

[Lumberjack]

Just a note on the 99 PSD, they whistled a lot, sounded cool but got real annoying while towing cross country, I think starting with 00' models on had a redesigned turbo, my 03 was a lot quieter then my 99'

Dennis

 

[chasespeed]

Just a note on the 99 PSD, they whistled a lot, sounded cool but got real annoying while towing cross country, I think starting with 00' models on had a redesigned turbo, my 03 was a lot quieter then my 99'

Dennis

Actually, you had a early 99 PSD... mine a mid year 99.... had the newer motor(turbo, and other changes), while still having the older suspension, steering, and brakes......

BUT, that slightly slower pitch wheel is a little better to help prevent surging in semi stock(chip, exhaust etc)....

Chase

 

[Mike S]

Martyn

I just completed a search for a Ford 7.3L F250/350 Super Duty - crew cab and short bed. I ended up buying a very clean 2001 F350 crew cab with short bed with 65K miles. The bad news is that every one I saw that I would care to own was priced between 14K and 22K. I paid at the top end of the scale, but the truck had the Lariat package with automatic, shift-on-the-fly, leather seats, nearly new Michelin m&s tires, 6 CD changer, etc., etc.

I think you should look for the basic 'work truck' with moderate miles at the price you have in mind. Or pay a bit more for some creature comforts.

An alternative would be 1999 7.3L TD, these seem to be less pricey.

M

 

[DEEZLPWR]

If you get a 98-02 ram 2500/3500 before you buy pressure test the lift pump into the vp44 injection pump to ensure that the lift hasnt gone out yet taking the vp with it. you will get a code such as i think 1693 i think it is or 1963, either way it is a companion code for the PECU which will show a 216 code and that means the pump is shot. I just replaced mine from throroughbred diesel and a raptor 150 lift pump, edge juice with attitude monitor. I love the set up and took about 5-6 hours to do it by myself. total repair just for parts $2500 i did the labor. Other than that, i get 395hp 800lb torque out of the new setup. Also dont run over 17~psi to the lift pump as it will reduce performance. Other than that with my 6 speed i love the thing, i have power everywhere and i get about 14-15 mpg city. havent taken it on long trip yet but the mpg on highway will be up there. I mainly run setting 1. And like the others said the lift pump is the weak point to the truck. Dont skimp on a lift pump. The stock should be putting out about 4-10psi to the injection pump. There is a pressure test valve that you can hook a gauge to and read it. Idle should be around 10, under load driving should be no less than 4, if it is less than 4 the diaphram in the vp will burst and the pump will need to be replaced.

 

[Mike S]

Martyn - quick report... I just ran the initial actual fuel mileage on my 2001 7.3 (3.73, automatic, posi, crew cab with stock size Michelins) and came up up with 18.45 MPG in mixed city/highway driving. With a little better breathing and a change to Syn lubricants, it might hit 20. It's already better than the Expedition, let alone the Landcruiser.

 

[deserteagle56]

Martyn:
Find yourself a late-model Ford F350 with a 6 liter diesel that has just blown up, pre-2005 with the leaf-spring front end and freewheeling hubs. There are plenty of them around - just check the Ford diesel forums. The owner will be highly P. O.'d and will sell you the truck cheap. Then find yourself a Cummins Ram that some poor stiff has rolled, probably because of "death wobble" caused by the lift and huge tires. Mate the Cummins and the Ford - or have someone do it for you. There are a couple companies around that specialize in doing just that. Then you will have, in most diesel-lovers minds, the ideal truck.
I much prefer the Ford bodies, but to me a truck is all about the engine. And, as someone said above, there ain't nothing like that 5.9 Cummins, especially when there is something heavy hooked to the back of the truck. That's why I drive a Ram.

 

[chasespeed]

Martyn:
Find yourself a late-model Ford F350 with a 6 liter diesel that has just blown up, pre-2005 with the leaf-spring front end and freewheeling hubs. There are plenty of them around - just check the Ford diesel forums. The owner will be highly P. O.'d and will sell you the truck cheap. Then find yourself a Cummins Ram that some poor stiff has rolled, probably because of "death wobble" caused by the lift and huge tires. Mate the Cummins and the Ford - or have someone do it for you. There are a couple companies around that specialize in doing just that. Then you will have, in most diesel-lovers minds, the ideal truck.
I much prefer the Ford bodies, but to me a truck is all about the engine. And, as someone said above, there ain't nothing like that 5.9 Cummins, especially when there is something heavy hooked to the back of the truck. That's why I drive a Ram.

I agree completely. I was going to drop this 12v into a S/D when this cab, or bed fell off(on 2nd bed already)....

Only problem, he is located in NorCal.. and Cali has miserable laws. I have a 12v swapped into my 01... either this year, or next, I think its going to HAVE to find its way into a an older diesel, either a CUCV blazer, or mililtary 1 1/4 ton....

Mass and Cali have the most obnoxious laws....

Chase