Trucks (or engines) to stay away from advice needed

Good luck with a replacement. I think the hardest part is getting a good value on a used pickup. There is plenty of junk and people baling out of a failing rig.

I think there are plenty of choices in your price range and requirements. Maybe not in the north east part of the country.

It also help if you are not brand loyal, which I haven't heard you say.

I am a diesel fan. If I only used it as little as you are saying, I would buy gas. But I hear Mrs. may have upped the list to more than wood and plowing?

I have one of those 2004 dodge cummins that people were claiming were the ultimate. That is why I got it and plan to keep it for a long time. That might be in your budget if you can wait for the right situation, heavy on the might. Most are above that now. High miles are less of a problem with cummins, more with dodge. Get a manual if you can.

ironpony said:

it actually is ratings and build wise but they still listed it as a 2500. kind of a hidden package deal. From what I understand when you added the 6 speed that year, 2002, it automatically upgrade the rest, Cummins HO, transfer case, Dana 80,and springs.

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I didn't realize my 2002 6 speed with the extra springs was a 1 ton in hiding. Makes sense. Seriously, I don't think there is a pickup truck out there which is better all around. Sure, the new ones have more power but they are choked down with EPA junk. The common rail are alright till 2007.5. And neither Ford or Chevy even give you an option of a standard transmission these days. .

I love how the Duramax guy was bragging about his Chevy with 250k miles. Lol, that's not even middle aged for a 12/24v Cummins.

Check all the list of best engines ever manufactured - you will see one name come up again and again. There's a reason why Ford put the Cummins ISB in their F650/750 trucks for 15 years, they knew they couldn't handicap their class 6-7 trucks with the 6.0 like they did to their light duty truck owners.

Rarely do they have lemons anymore. I don't get the ford vs. Chevy vs dodge. They all have chit they're good for and stuff they're not. The fanboys get all excited for this stuff.

250k miles on an engine may not be much for the ENGINE. But that is still 250k on the rest of the truck. Gotta figure that in.

I picked up an 01 F250 super duty earlier this year, only 54K miles, 8' bed 4x4 ext cab V10 5 speed for just over 10K, not far from you actually. They can be had if you look hard.

Didn't want the fuss of a diesel for the <5K miles/year I drive my truck.

My advice for a used truck, no matter what brand, shop as far from New England or the rust belt as you can. The road salt & brine spray will eat them all.

If you can find one that is not rusted away - up through 94 F350 with the 7.3 non-power stroke IH diesel. I've got a 93, non-turbo, ZF-5 speed, straight front axel (I've heard to stay away from the F250's front axle) No speed demon but enough power to pull a flat bed full of wood and a trailer behind. Better mileage than my F150 with the 5.0. Simple diesel and maintenance not much more than a gasser (sure it uses 12 quarts oil vs 5.5) but the gassers just can't handle a load unless your talking big block with its 6-8mpg.

I just have read some of this and just have to post my thoughts on the subject. Used trucks are big money these days due to the price of new trucks. Basic Chevy extend cabs are selling for over thirty grand, K2500 with a Duramax and allison pushing 70K. I have worked in GM dealerships for twenty years and in never seen people put the kind of money into vehicles like they have in the past five or so years. If you can keep them from rotting out they will last a very long time! I have pulled heads off GM gen three v8's with over 200K and you can still see the hash marks in the cylinders, these things just don't wear out if you take care of them. If you live in the rust belt the best thing you can do for your vehicle is keep it in a garage when not in use. You can tell instantly from looking under a vehicle if it is garaged or not it literally is a night and day difference. Several people have posted here about how all this emissions crap bogs down the engine and they have no power. This is total crap, try and name one emission system that bogs down an engine. I bet you can't if you actually know how these systems work. There is so much mis-information in this thread it boggled the mind. One last thing to remember, there is always a reason someone is getting rid of a vehicle and very very few will actually tell you the correct reason.

muncybob said:

Had to revisit this thread. I've been "coaxing" the old F250 along up until now. Took it to the shop to have tailpipes bent(not stock exhaust) and just got the call I've been dreading. He said the frame is so bad the truck could snap in 1/2 anytime now He would not even trust it if it were just used to plow my lane...real bummer...moment of silence please.

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That was the exact issue that ended my '85 GMC K20. The frame broke at the steering box mount.

I could have welded it up but... it was thin everywhere else important too.

I went through this as well this year. I had a 99 v10 f350 for 16 years. It's not near as bad as the interwebz make it out. Never had any major complaints. The frame was the issue I'm actually surprised it passed inspection the last few years. I think waiting until a snow storm and showing up for an inspection with the underneath dripping snow helps

After looking at many 10-15 year old trucks most of the fords had frame rot and most of the gm trucks had rocker and cab corners that needed work. The dodges were just about gone from rust.

I ended up with a chevy 6.0 2500 hd crew cab that had been garaged and fluid filmed every year. It's got a 175k miles but even after a lot of new parts and tires and having a body shop fix the cab corners and rockers I'm into it for less than 10k. It should go another 100 to 150k miles without to much trouble.

And I just found a bigger idiot to buy my 99 for $3500! (It's insepcted till March and he needed a truck for the winter)

Bad on gas compared to what? My crew cab 4x4 V10 F250 turns in 13 mpg pretty steady (13.1, 13.2, etc) empty. That's 1-2 mpg worse than a 5.4 truck and several mpg better than the 460 it replaced (which it makes 80 hp more than). All three are hard on fuel while loaded, but the V10 outpulls the others handily. Maintenance costs are comparable and reasonably affordable compared to a modern diesel.

ironpony said:

those old straight sixes were bullet proof, remember the "leaning tower of power" in the Dodges? 225 slant six. Never seen one of those blow up.

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Still driving one of those [emoji4]

Fix yours I have a 96 3/4 ton dodge 12 valve cummins overhauled tranny at 335 k had rear end rebuilt at 360k have almost 370k on her best truck ever not telling you to get dodge just trying to say fix yours you know the truck how it runs how it works getting something else is nice but old girl like that will run forever.

Got to keep the truck frames coated with bar and chain oil to prevent rust. Use an air sprayer if you want but don't breathe the mist, put on a respirator. A few winters with bar and chain oil on the frame, brake lines (never replaced one) and underbody will turn you into a believer. A wise person once asked me if I have ever seen a rusty chainsaw chain.

I still own the 1999 ford ranger I bought new. Only the rocker panels are starting to go - now I put bar oil in them too. The frame is impressive, considering northeast daily driver conditions. The 3.0 liter vulcan v6 engine is weak but it has lasted an awful long time and runs as good as new. Overall the vehicle has been good enough for my 5 cord a year needs for the last 16 years.

The details:
1999 ford ranger 4X4
Home made headache rack with expanded metal protecting the entire rear window
manual 5 speed mazda trans, manual rugged ridge locking hubs - pulse vac hubs junked
"the Shiftster" Manual transfer case actuator - replaces the crappy transfer case shift motor
a/c system ripped out for extended engine life
aluminum rims discarded, steel rims installed
never needed a new clutch! but will soon
new HD rear springs and a front end redone at home
sorry no pic. not worth the look anyway.

Can't believe it took this long for someone to mention the 6.0 Powerstroke being a piece of crap. I'm a Ford guy, love my 08 6.4...but you couldn't give me a 6.0. I'm with you.

Get Wood said:

I can tell you what not to buy and that is a Ford 6.0 diesel. It was an expensive lesson for me. They put this junk in their trucks from 2003 to 2007.
I didn't do enough research but that is the last dollar Ford will ever get from me.

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If you are into Fords, check this link out....It should clear up a lot of the misconceptions about which "powerstroke" is the "best"...
I own a 2001 F550 and a 2003 F350, both with 7.3's. They are great truck/motors but, ride rough (solid front axle) and are prone to rust.



The Weimar

If it's a truck, it's prone to rust.

Hey Bad News, I agree with what you are saying but that is not exactly what I meant. I see you are from up here so you know what the salt and Mag Chloride does to the vehicles. I have had GM's my whole life and I have never seen a truck rust like a 1999 and up Ford Super duty. I went out one morning and it was like a thief had stolen the cab corners right off my F550. The bed on my F350 has no wheel wells or floor left in it... Never had a Chevy or GMC corrode like one of these trucks. I guess I meant "prone to disappear" not just rust.

The best bang for buck in used trucks imo is 80-97 F Series Trucks. Believe 87 was the last year for carbs so may as well go for 88 or up. There's tons of these things still out there on the roads as daily drivers. I see more 9th generation F series still out there than 10th.
They are hard on the gas but you already knew that with the 86.

hankjrfan said:

The best bang for buck in used trucks imo is 80-97 F Series Trucks. Believe 87 was the last year for carbs so may as well go for 88 or up. There's tons of these things still out there on the roads as daily drivers. I see more 9th generation F series still out there than 10th.
They are hard on the gas but you already knew that with the 86.

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Want to know how I know you don't live in the north east?

Mike Fromme said:

Want to know how I know you don't live in the north east?

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This is true lol