HaldeMAN

Hello Everyone,

I just picked up a 302 Baja and my Escalade can barely tow it.

So, I am in the market to purchase a (used) diesel and being that I have never owned a diesel, I have no idea what to look for.

I'm looking to spend about $20k and it will need to tow my 30 foot Baja Boat (6,400 lbs dry) on a triple axle trailer.

What do you guys recommend?

Catmando

Any 3/4 ton diesel will tow it just fine. Find yourself a trustworthy diesel mechanic and take the one you want to him and let him look it over, run tests etc.

Dodge Cummins- longest life of all the diesels(400-500k before rebuild), best fuel mileage, easiest to work on, easiest to hot rod. If you look hard enough you might be able to find a 5.9 under 100k miles. The common rail(2003-) is the best motor IMO. The 2007 model year switched to the EPA-challenged 6.7 in mid-year so be sure you look at that motor for that year.

Brakes and transmissions are the negatives for Dodge.

Ford Powerstroke- 2003 was the last year for the great 7.3. 2004-2007 was the terrible 6.0. DO NOT BUY that motor! 2008-2010 was the 6.4, good power, twin turbo so no waiting for the turbo to spool up, does it right off idle. TERRIBLE fuel mileage, find one with a 3.73 or higher(lower number) rear axle if you can. The new 2011 6.7 should be a monster motor(390/735) but even a 3/4 ton will run $50k+.

GM Duramax-I don't know much about them except they get good fuel mileage, make good power(350/650) and have been improved almost every year since their first year in 2001. The new Dmax makes 395/765 so you see there is an hp/tq war with the Big Three.

Biggest negative is the IFS, not the best front suspension for towing but ok for your boat.

Catmando

Also Google the diesel forums and read up on them. The one I'm on is

www.cumminsforum.com My name there is Moparman

t500hps

A buddy bought a 2006 1 TON SRW 4-door PSD Lariat a couple months ago with 103,000 miles for $20K. Nice looking truck with no issues since he bought it. I agree the 6.0 motors were crap in 2003-04, but it seems they got things working better by 05-06 and if you drive them regularly and DON'T mod them, they seem to run fine (my 07 has).

Seems most of the 6.0 motor issues are turbo's sticking (from lack of use), and head bolts snapping causing numerous issues from added boost (programmers).

Too Stroked

I'll second the motion for a 7.3 liter Powerstroke. (We have 5 of them in the fleet.) They made them up until 2003 and they run forever. We have a 2003 with 186,000 on the clock and still going strong.) If you work them really hard (plowing & towing), transmissions can be somewhat of an issue, but generally speaking, they're work horses. Better yet, these would be in your price range.

The early 6.0 liter Powerstrokes were beyond awful and the later ones still had issues, just not as bad. (We have 3.) If you left them stock, you were much better off. Stay away from anything that's been modified. The Dodge Cummings is a good motor too.

Tow-N-One

Duramax/allison 07 or newer has 100,000 mile powertrain warranty (kinda nice)

7.3 PSD cant go wrong, and probly going to be in line with your price range.

cummins great motor, trans sux, get a manual trans if possible

just my .02

HaldeMAN

I am thinking about getting an 2002 E350 15 passenger Van. It would double as my tow vehicle and military transport lol (I am a youth adviser at my church).

I found one locally with 35k miles with the 7.3 in it. The question is, are the vans similar to the trucks...

Catmando

You're a lucky man to find an 8 year old diesel van with only 35k on it! Yes yes yes do it!! Call them NOW!

But I would caution you about those vans and their high center of gravity. So many rollovers and fatalities. I would strongly suggest lowering it six inches, which will also help keep the trailer level.

HaldeMAN

So I bought a 7.3... well two of them.

I started out with a 2001 Exd Cab which worked great, but 2x4 didn't help on the launch ramp... long story short I got towed out by a Chevy...

So, I stepped it up and picked up a 2003 CC with the 7.3 4x4 and I love it.

Thank you for all the help. The 2001 Exd cab is now for sale. if anyone is interested. Im asking $6,500.

Here is a link to me add: http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1904405248.html

Sydwayz

iTrader: (1)

Sorry you had to find this out the hard way. I blame this on some of the folks that post all kinds of crappy information here and elsewhere. There are dozens of folks that have posted that 2WD is fine for launch ramps. I bet you don't want to feel that (literal) sinking feeling again knowing you were not going to make it up the ramp.

"4x4 is priceless when you are slipping down the ramp backwards with no help in sight."