Notices

$15k to spend on a truck help

Old 11-14-2013, 11:04 AM
  #11  
Registered
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: marquette, mi
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

If your looking at 7.3's look for oil in coolant (common problem craked oil cooler) $1400.00
flashing OD lights- trans soenoid bank $1,100
slight trans shutter......torque converter, dont have the cost on that one yet, still waiting for the bill, but I'm shure it'll be $1000+
oil changes are $100.
02 f250 7.3 with 125,000 miles. I love it for mileage (18mpg unloaded),and towing power is great. and its my daily driver.

If your not dd'ing like whats been said before, older big block gassers are the way to go. I loved my 8.1/allision chevy, I'm missing it while I'm paying the bills on my 7.3, to get outta the shop.

With my current truck being in and out of the shop the last two weeks, has definately swayed me to buying an older big block gasser for a designated tow rig. I'm lucky my 7.3 made the 7 hour tow to chicago with boat for the winter before the trans issues stared.
halfgassed is offline  
Old 11-14-2013, 11:16 AM
  #12  
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
 
phughes69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: St. Clair Shores, MI
Posts: 2,040
Received 99 Likes on 53 Posts
Default

Mild Thunder has the right idea. I bought a 1996 Chevy C3500 dually with the 6.5 diesel and 4L80 trans. I originally used it for pulling my 28' enclosed car trailer or the boat around. I since sold the car trailer and use it just for the boat. The only down side to it is the truck is a 2wd, but I put a Detroit Locker in the rear and don't have a problem pulling my boat out of the water at the local ramps. If I were to do it again, I would get either the same style of truck (BBC 96-00 4WD dually crew cab) or get a 2001-2007 Chevy/GMC dually with the 496 engine. I have compared the MPG of the gas vs diesel and for the fuel cost difference it is a wash. I am leery of the Hemi, because everybody that has that engine says it is a fuel pig. It might get worse mileage than the boat. The 7.3 is a good engine, but I think you can find a GM that will do the same for less $$$$
phughes69 is offline  
Old 11-14-2013, 11:55 AM
  #13  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Hamilton, Ohio
Posts: 1,124
Received 13 Likes on 7 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by MILD THUNDER
Walk away.....
Don't walk RUN!!!!!
jmoore1225 is offline  
Old 11-14-2013, 12:02 PM
  #14  
VIP Member
VIP Member
 
VoodooRob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Cleveland Ohio
Posts: 1,993
Received 46 Likes on 23 Posts
Default

I have had many of the combinations of gas SRW, diesel SRW, diesel DRW, gas DRW all in the lower end price range. Best gas for me was the 8.1 496 and I had it in a 2001 2500 Suburban. Perfect for your short distance without hassle of diesel, MPGs are horrible on long hauls. That truck would do a burnout forever! Worst gas for me was Ford 460 in a 95 DRW 4dr long bed. Everything leaked, exhaust NEVER sealed even with new manifolds, trans sucked so did power steering. For longer hauling for decent $, I like Ford 7.3 Turbo Diesel. I currently have that set-up in an 01 Excursion and it really works well for the $ spent. If going diesel stay away from 6.0 Ford and from 6.4 Ford with a lot of miles, they are not all bad but the overall consensus is a lot of issues. The newer and more expensive Ford 6.7 Diesel and Chevy Duramax are great trucks, newer gas versions aren't bad either but they will be at the upper end of the $ scale.
VoodooRob is offline  
Old 11-14-2013, 12:42 PM
  #15  
Charter Member # 55
Charter Member
 
Griff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Omaha/LOTO
Posts: 19,516
Received 1,783 Likes on 884 Posts
Default

Chevy or GMC 2500HD with the 8100/allison. I have had 2 and they have been very good trucks.
Griff is offline  
Old 11-14-2013, 12:59 PM
  #16  
Registered
iTrader: (30)
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: hampstead nh
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

Just picked up a 03 2500 hd with the 8.1 and Allison
Hate the xtra cab but the price was right fla truck with 100k on it
$7.500 did nothing to it just the way you see it
Hauls my 38 top gun with ease. Mpg aren't great but the boat isn't much
Better
smokin' gun is offline  
Old 11-14-2013, 01:08 PM
  #17  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Newburgh, IN/Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
Received 21 Likes on 11 Posts
Default

Thanks for all the suggestions guys..my fear with the diesel was the potential repair bills whne they do occur and added to the fact i just dont drive the truck very much i was worried about it sitting. I think i will loof for Chevy/GMC with the 8.1/Allison Transmission set up.
bigredbaja is offline  
Old 11-14-2013, 01:21 PM
  #18  
Forum Regulator
VIP Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Sydwayz's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 23,820
Received 1,185 Likes on 515 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by smokin' gun
Just picked up a 03 2500 hd with the 8.1 and Allison
Hate the xtra cab but the price was right fla truck with 100k on it
$7.500 did nothing to it just the way you see it
Hauls my 38 top gun with ease. Mpg aren't great but the boat isn't much
Better
I don't need to tell you this, but you got a GREAT deal. That's easily a $10-12K truck.
Sydwayz is offline  
Old 11-14-2013, 01:49 PM
  #19  
Gold Member
Gold Member
 
seafordguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Seaford, VA
Posts: 4,905
Received 758 Likes on 348 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by jmoore1225
Don't walk RUN!!!!!
Lot of high mileage 6.4's that have had the proper reliability mods done and are very good trucks.

Was just reading a thread on the dieselstop (or powerstroke.org) about higher mileage 6.4's. Get the radiator fixed, do the deletes and have a wonderful truck. More high maintenance than a 7.3 - absolutely, but I love mine. My delete pipe is going on this weekend.
seafordguy is offline  
Old 11-14-2013, 01:51 PM
  #20  
Registered
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Northern, KY (Cincinnati) Lake St Clair, MI Norris Lake, TN
Posts: 1,130
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by ICDEDPPL
2 miles to the lake ( short trip), sits in the winter and summer, that screams gas truck, Diesels don`t like short trips or sitting idle.
Agreed. I had same situation. I pulled a 342 with a 2000 F350 4x4 DRW V10. Just sold it a few weeks ago. Well within your price range.
Baja_342 is offline  

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.