Diesel Truck, Miles??

[plasma800]

I've been kicking around the idea of buying a work / tow truck.

Wanting a diesel dually

Chevy or Ford, but I'm looking for a clean used one under 20k.

So I'm seeing a bunch with say 165k miles, 125k miles - over 100k miles

So for you diesel owners out there - how do these trucks sit with this many miles on them? Is this a "stay away from" or a "heck that's nothing to a diesel truck" situation?

[bamaboy473]

I've had three diesel Ford Excursions for pulling my boats. Great cult-following trucks, easy to work on, miles on one were 220K and it ran the same as the ones I had with 100-150K.

If you go with Fords, the 7.3L was much preferred over the later 6.0. Price about $10,000, add $500 for when you replace the front seat skins. 7.3L engines also came in F250 and F350 models

[plasma800]

Originally Posted by bamaboy473

I've had three diesel Ford Excursions for pulling my boats. Great cult-following trucks, easy to work on, miles on one were 220K and it ran the same as the ones I had with 100-150K.

If you go with Fords, the 7.3L was much preferred over the later 6.0. Price about $10,000, add $500 for when you replace the front seat skins. 7.3L engines also came in F250 and F350 models

NOW you're talking. I would love to pick something up in the 10k range. It doesn't have to be pretty, just tough. I have seen a few with the 7.3L and am leaning towards the F350 (even though I've been a die hard chevy fan all of my life - with 3 Camaro's, 1 Corvette, 1 GMC Pickup, 1 Chevy Pickup and 1 1970 Chevelle SS 454 (what a brute!) )

I would like to tow a boat, anything else I might want to, and I would like to be able to put a Truck Camper on it if I want.

[chief02]

Buy a Cummins and pull for 300k miles or more. Yea I'm a Dodge fan. Dodge Cummins turbo diesels out number the others on the road 4:1 for towing in the 1 ton category. I get 9-14 mpg towing a 13k lb fiver and 18-21 not towing. I have 120k miles on her. We are full timers so many of those miles are towing.

[bamaboy473]

Those big, heavy, trucks with a heavy engines were hard on front ends, so have a front-end guy check that during your PPI.

If you get a work truck that hauled trailers alot, the trannies were about ready for building at 150K or so. Check fluid color and shifting, and it's easy to tell.

I never had a problem, but never towed a whole lot.


That's all to look for on those guys.

[bamaboy473]

Here's one to look at to see if you like them:
2003 Ford F350 Lariat 4WD 7.3l Power Stroke Crew Cab


Oh, to check engine for blow-by, loosen the oil fill cap and start the engine up. If the cap doesn't blow off the tube, and stays nice and easy, you're OK.

http://www.powerstroke.org/forum/99-...heck-blow.html

Lots of trucks had chips put in them. I have no opinion either way about that, because some were for tire-smokin', and some were used to get better mileage or towing shift points.

[Cummins12V98]

Best all around truck in your price range would be a 2002 RAM Dually HO with the 6 speed stick. If maintained I would not hesitate at 300K. Throw in a set of Bosch RV 275 injectors and would really be impressive. Recently bought a 98 12V 2wd for commuting. Gets 22-23mpg. Bought it with 313K runs strong.

Cummins = medium duty.

GM/Ford = light duty.

[bamaboy473]

I've heard good things about Cummins in trucks. It's the truck body and interior that most reporters have had problems with.

If Cummins gets that kind of MPG, then it's on a whole 'nuther level. 7.3L real world MPG was about 16 flat, and maybe 11 towing a 28' boat.

[38Chevy454]

Originally Posted by bamaboy473

I've heard good things about Cummins in trucks. It's the truck body and interior that most reporters have had problems with.

If Cummins gets that kind of MPG, then it's on a whole 'nuther level. 7.3L real world MPG was about 16 flat, and maybe 11 towing a 28' boat.

The Dodge truck is the weak link, not the engine. Trans can be a gamble, auto do tend to need a rebuild if lot of hard use. Manual is the best. Dodge front suspension (ball joints, tie rod ends) wear out. 4wd is better than 2wd for front suspension. Trick to any diesel mpg is keep the rpms down and let the engine use low end torque. Depending on gearing, that may or may not be good for traffic.

Powerstroke 7.3 are good engines, the auto trans is the weak link again on them. Manual is good, but not as coomon on Ford vs Dodge. For any auto and towing, get the biggest trans cooler installed, heat is what kills them and the diesels are high torque engines and therefore make heat in the trans. Just to make sure you know, the 7.3 powerstroke is not the same as the previous 6.9 and 7.3 pre-Powerstroke, called the IDI (indrect injection). 1994 is last of the IDI, mid year switch to the Powerstroke.

[bamaboy473]

Maybe all Ford Excursion Diesels come from the factory with tranny coolers, because all three of mine had one, and never a tranny glitch.

I preferred 2WD because the boat ramp was easy, and MPG were better, along with fewer R&M costs if something were to happen at those higher miles, and lighter front end, too

To the OP, you can find a good truck for way less than $20K

[Kewl]

I recently purchased a 06 f350 dually with 68000 for under 15k, but I would say that was an exception. Truck is great. Plenty of power and comforts. I found my from a private seller. Look in your local ad program and do some searching.

[timetogo]

I wouldn't buy a used Ford or GM. Just don't like them.

[mike.t]

Buy that 03' f-350 c/c 4x4. OK deal. Don't plan on it being your daily driver.That's a lot of truck to Tow a boat or go to the market/Homedepot/Lowes ect. Last two are OK if your picking up material for the job site. MHO

[mike.t]

Originally Posted by Kewl

I recently purchased a 06 f350 dually with 68000 for under 15k, but I would say that was an exception. Truck is great. Plenty of power and comforts. I found my from a private seller. Look in your local ad program and do some searching.

Does that have the 6.0 ?