$15k to spend on a truck help
 

just looking for input here...Option one is a 2001 F250 7.3l diesel 4 x 4 with 113,000 miles very nice truck and should i ever upgrade to a 32/35 it will handle the job. Have not found option two yet but for the the same money i can come up to a 2005 Ram 1500 5.7l gas 4x4 and they are out there with 75,000 to 90,000 miles for that money. I pull a Sunsation 288 and the truck is not a daily driver it sits at the lake in the summer and i pull two miles to the ramp, sits in my garage in the winter and is driven usually just in bad wather. I maybe pull to a couple region poker runs each summer but nothing mroe that 3 hours away. I like the diesel but keep thinking i could get a newer truck with the gas engine. What would yo do?

The diesel has a new transmission and ball joints which i guess are wear items around 100k miles.

I was in a similar situation. Started looking at older used trucks. The idea of a high mileage older diesel, and the repair costs if something goes wrong, scared me too much. I too really only use my truck to tow the boat around, and I do local trips mainly with an occasional longer trip. After searching and searching used trucks, I found a lot of the older trucks to be beat to crap. I wanted a dually, so started looking at 96-00 Chevy's with the 454 Vortec engine. Sort of a modern old school truck. Parts are cheap, repairs are easy, and pulls my 38 no problem. I found this truck down in Kentucky, rust free. The underside looks like a 2 year old truck. Had 85k miles when I bought it. I paid 6,000. Probably have 8 into it now, as I immediately put new rubber, brakes, and some other maintainance into it to get it up for road trips. Im very happy with it, and would tow my boat anywhere with it. Gas mileage isn't stellar, 13mpg hwy empty, and 7-8 towing my 38, but its not my daily driver. And in the grand scheme of things, the trucks fuel consumption is minute compared to the boats fuel consumption!

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.

You can't go wrong owning a low mileage 7.3L PSD.

That said, you could also look into an 8.1L Vortec GM gasser. They are full of grunt, and will tow whatever you have in your aforementioned upgrade plans.
The "big block" gas options from Ford and Dodge (V-10s) do not have the greatest reputation compared to the 8.1L GM. If you get it in a 2500/3500 truck, it comes mated to the Allison transmission which is probably the best part of the package; same transmission that backs the Duramax.

I am in the same situation. What do you guys think with an 08 Ford Diesel 245k miles.

Walk away.....

A Chevy Avalanche 2500 will do the trick along with a Suburban/Yukon 2500. The 8.1 was available from 2000-2006. They pull 12,000 lbs no problem. That said the Ford 7.3 is a pretty good engine ( really a International engine).. Avoid the Ford 6.0 and 6.4 diesels with high mileage.

Older Duramax is OK as long as the injectors were serviced.

I know some people think I don't know what I am talking about, so this advice is FREEEEEE and worth every penny.....

Wannabe

When I buy a vehicle, I'll go search the for sale sites (eBay, AutoTrader, CraigsList) for vehicles with 20K, 50K, and maybe more miles than the vehicle I'm looking at; just to see what's out there and still running. I might even go drive one or two; and pay specific attention to what has been rebuilt/replaced. A quick search on AutoTrader lists a 2008 6.4L in Georgia for sale with 290K miles on it and it looks great. But with that kind of mileage, realize the all the electronics have a ton of "working hours" on them as well; not to mention suspension other expensive parts. I'd go back in years and lower in mileage if it were me.

Personally, I would not buy that truck. It's the first year for an engine they only kept for 3 model years and the fuel mileage is/was horrible. I'd by an 07 6.0L PSD with heads redone and studs before I bought that truck.

Nice low mileage 7.3s can be had all day long for 15k and you certainly won't be disappointed with towing and milage. Look for a 2000. Has the larger injectors and turbo of the '00+ and still has the forged rods of the pre '01 trucks. Either way they're all great motors under 500hp which doesn't sound like you're worried about.

There are some deals on 2500 and 3500 srw HEMI trucks also. We had a 2500 hemi 6 speed that could tow anything. Even our 51' 20,000lb trailer way easier then expected. The manual sure woke her up but you would be fine with an auto. Just agreeing that a newer low mileage gas truck would be nice to own.

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.

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 $$$$

Don't walk RUN!!!!!

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.

Chevy or GMC 2500HD with the 8100/allison. I have had 2 and they have been very good trucks.

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

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.

I don't need to tell you this, but you got a GREAT deal. That's easily a $10-12K truck.

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.

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.

Best State to buy a used pick up in IMHO is Texas
Plenty to choose from and well optioned with mostly hwy miles.
Gas/diesels plus annual State inspection...:coolcowboy:

Irony defined. People usually buy a new diesel because they're supposed to be reliable for a long time.

I don`t miss the school bus sound of my 7.3l but I do miss the gas mileage unloaded and the bigger gas tank.

The 8.1l is quiet, trans shifts great but horrible gas mileage makes me almost not wanna own it, maybe 4.5 mpg around town towing and 6-7mpg highway and why Chevy only put a 26 gallon tank in a 3500 Dually I`ll never know. One trip to my favorite launch and back and I`m running on fumes getting home..
Sure lacks the Diesel TQ too , my 7.3l hardly ever downshifted, the 8.1L downshifts often..

I am pulling a pretty heavy old school resin bucket thou...

your not soppose to stomp on it at every stop sign or light and towing at 90 mph is no better :party-smiley-004:

when it comes time for tires put 235 85 16's or do you have 17's? any thats good for like 3-4 mpg..those 225 75's eat up a;ot of fuel..

We bought a TX truck before we picked up the 35'. '03 Crew Cab Dually Duramax. Other than the injector risk, this has been a pretty good purchase at $12.5. Had some hail damage at time of purchase, but only had 120k on the clock and was used to pull a horse trailer. It was extremely clean underneath (only dust). It is a Western Hauler ediition, so it is well equipped inside and out. Get's good fuel mileage while towing.

It's current purpose in life is only to pull the boat, so the hail damage to hood and roof doesn't bother me - maybe I'll fix it one day ...maybe I won't.

My last thought is that I wouldn't have one of these for a daily driver - the ride is very stiff when unloaded. The newer models may have improved in that area?

I love my 03 F250 7.3. 212k miles runs like a champ. 7.3s are good, 6.4s not so much, and 6.0s RUN.

I picked this 06 2500hd GMC 6.0 Gas with 79k on it for bout 18K. Truck pulls great and handles my 32 Fountain with ease. The only draw back is mpg when pulling long distance. Took the rig to Lake Cumberland PR and sucked some fuel down going thru the hills of KY. But this is not a daily driver and primarily pulls the boat or the sleds in the winter. I personally think that the GM trucks have a little nicer feel inside when on a long haul.

http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/a...98102768_n.jpg

What kind of REAL miles per gallon are you diesel guys getting towing ? Im not talking what the BS meter shows, but actually hand calculated? My 2004 6.0L Ford with a tuner, turbo back exhaust, 3.73 gears, got 8.5-9 pulling my 40 Formula. Empty on the hwy it got 16-17. My current gasser with 4.10's gets 13 hwy empty, and 7-8 towing my boat.

Around here at the moment, 87 octane is 3.09 a gallon. Diesel is 3.79. Strictly towing, on a 300 mile trip, the my gas truck would cost 4 dollars less in fuel over my old 6.0L. Empty, the 6.0L would be cheaper to run fuel wise.

joe,,coming back from florida with my formula i got 12 mpg going down i got 14 mpg..no fuel in boat approx 11.000 lbs..2004 dodge 2500 swr auto trans cummins,,banks programmer and exhaust..truck had 150 k on it

Sounds about right. My buddy has an 04 5.9 dodge and gets about that towing his 30FT

ok so the next project,,lets stuff a cummins in your chebby...lol will need to lift the body 3'' tho so the oil pan can clear the front diff..

Hell no. Im quite happy with the Vortec 454. Smooth as butter and quiet as a mouse! Plus that baby gots new intake gaskets, new LS1 injectors, new distributor, wires, plugs, belts, hoses, starter, coolant, and a Blackbear ECM tune. Edelbrock stainless headers on the shelf waiting to go on. I think I have under 500 in all that. lol

Empty manning 45ft steel trailer running 80-85 from KS to FL my 2011 chevrolet 3500 CCSB got 15 hand figured. Loaded with boat on the way home we saw 10 flat. Same speeds. Empty the truck gets 17. H&S programmer and rest is stock

I love mine when its running, never drove anything quite like it. But they are just ticking time bombs, radiators, HPFP, rockers, rocker bridges, EGR, pistons cracking, injectors. Me personnaly a spun main, new reman w/ less than 8k miles on the clock now believe I have a wrist pin issue. Anything over 100K on a 64 needs a new HPFP or you"ll soon be replacing all 8 injectors & everything fuel related from metal in the lines when HPFP goes.

Yep, very good price. I got $7000 (real $$ after a cash deal was already made) on trade on my 2001 2500HD CC with 140k and 4k worth of hail damage 3 years ago when I traded it on my 2007 with the same package.

As much as i really want the F250 7.3 i found i think everyone has convinced me to go the gas route, i found a nice GMC 2500 w 6.0 thats in my price range the 8.1's seem to be really hard to find. Its rated at 10,000 lbs towing and i will never go bigger than a 32/35 so it should handle the job. now if i can just sell my F150!

Hold out for a 8.1L if possible. The 6.0L has the piston slap issues, and it also does not come with the Allison Transmission.

The 6.0L gasser will do OK, but it lacks in the passing gear and climbing a grade ability. They were primarily placed in fleet trucks, well loaded with utility beds and the like but do not tow much.

There are WAY too many variables to talk about fuel mileage. How many of us drive a "stock" truck? My last stock truck was a 1989, and I modified that one too before I sold it.

Tires, gears, wheels, brakes, mirrors, bug shields, windshield visors, cap/tonneau/open-bed, srw/drw, 2WD or 4x4, lift or lowered...
ALL drastically affects fuel mileage; and that's before we get on the scale to weigh the boat.

I have a 2004 with the 8.1L and the Allison Transmission. My GM dealer didn't even realize the 8.1L and Allison tranny were put together until about the fourth time I brought the truck in. Goes to show a little bit of incompetence on the research and history end on there part, but also lead me to believe they haven't seen very many coming in for repairs either. I currently have 100k KM (Canadian, so roughly 60,000 miles?) on the truck and for pulling the boat I love it. It is a little bit stiff in the rear end and tends to bounce around when no load is on it as well.

I also let tire pressure out, the truck came stock with I believe (quoting the top of my head) 75 psi in the front and 70 in the the rear (dually) and at around 50 and 45 psi respectively it is a much more mild mannered truck with out a load and feels even better with my boat. I have very minor tongue weight with the trailer, less then 400 pounds. I dropped the psi as I was burning the center out of the tires at roughly 20,000 km.

Good call Kings11. I forgot about tire pressure, which also affects fuel mileage.

Lucky Strike stated years ago they run 65 front and 60 rear on their dually, and when I had stock wheels/tires I was running the same. I switched to some Goodyear tires which were WAY too soft for a dually application and had to pump up the front tires to avoid feeling like I was driving on wet spaghetti.

I am now running 19.5 G-rated tires, and I think I am running them in the 50-60 psi range, but I have not checked them in a while.

I had an 8.1L in my Avalanche 2500 which comes with the M32 transmission in that platform, NOT the Allison. My transmission had issues at brand new, but warranty fixed it up.