Question to those with diesels

[RU55ELL]

I have my 4runner up for sale and at first was looking at buying a Tacoma. The Cummins Rams have me interested though. My question is, since they are so heavy, do you find yourselves stuck a lot or hung up, etc? The Taco is much lighter but has a much lower hauling capacity. Thoughts on why I should get the Ram instead of the Taco?

 

[Big Silver]

I just took my Dodge 07 3500 long bed with Flip Pac out for its first, (with me) 4x4 day trip in the local desert mountains. Tight truns, off camber shelf road, steep climbs and decents. The jeep trail is in the El Paso Mtns. and is called Last Chance Canyon. I have taken my 2000 offroad pkg Dodge 1500 short bed throught the same route a couple of times before. Overall the heavy long bed had an easier time of it when it came to the hill climbs and decents. I crushed a rear hub cap on a boulder in the wash but the rock sliders did their job of keeping the boulders out of the sheat metal. I had very little problem with sliping on the steep grades or off camber grades. The heavy front end and low end torque made the hill climbs much easier than in the V8 powered 1500. Both trucks have 35" tires and minimal lift to clear them. The 3500 has far less articulation than the 1500 but I plan to work on this.

 

[IdaSHO]

I really depends upon how serious your off-road excursions need to get, and how TIGHT they get.

A full-size obviously isnt going to squeeze into many spots toyotas and jeeps are heading.

And a full-size diesel needs some seriously large tires to provide floatation on snow. They also get stuck in the sloppy stuff real easy too, due tot heir weight. My '96 Powerstroke weighs about 7k EMPTY. Fully packed and ready to roll we are sitting near 9k.

If these problems dont concern you, then make the jump. I know I love my 3/4 ton Powerstroke.

Awesome fuel mileage, and carries ANYTHING I want to haul. Not to mention it is a very well built truck, and is very comfy for long hauls.

 

[DEEZLPWR]

check out all the places ive been in my ram 2500. (the url in the signature.)

i only have problems in snow uphill, open diffs no chains...but who doesnt..?

 

[SunTzuNephew]

I've got 4 diesels .. an MBZ 300D, a 300SD, a 2002 Excursion, and a 2009 PSD F350....

I've never gotten any of them stuck. The last vehicle I got stuck was my (gas) Yukon

 

[RU55ELL]

Snow probably won't be a concern for me as I live in Southeast Texas. The biggest concern here is the mud, which I try my best to stay out of.

 

[huntsonora]

I have had a number of 4x4 vehicles that I have depended on to get me in and out of some nasty country. The truck I have now is perfect for me. It's a 94 Dodge 3/4 ton with a 12 valve Cummins.

I like this truck because of the simplicity, reliability and effeciency of the motor. I won't break any speed record getting where I'm going but I am very confident that with the equipment I carry with me I can get out of almost any jam.

The 12 valve will run forever if you tab the KDP and change the fluids religiously

I like being able to tow a house if I need to and still get 23mpg on the freeway when I'm not towing

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

I have a lightly lifted 2000 Super Duty on 33" tires. While it is great it is definitely a stretch to build it as a decent wheeler. I have taken it on some rough roads and some camping trips and it really has shined but it is a far cry from a reasonable overland vehicle in my opinion, and/or at this time it has me looking pretty far elsewhere for any off road use...

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

Get a 70 series Land Cruiser and you'll never look back! Well built, great fuel economy, very capable. A few members here have them like me (x2) Hltopper, etc. search the forum and you will fine 'em.