20K truck

[BPTS]

Originally Posted by kdauto

They are terribly unreliable for the most part. Cam phasers frequently have issues due to low oil pressure. Low oil pressure on a modern engine? Yep, they have premature wear concerns. I've seen way too many, they usually get junked at that point.

You left out blowing spark plugs out of the heads.

[kdauto]

Originally Posted by BPTS

You left out blowing spark plugs out of the heads.

Yeah on the older ones especially. I didn't even mention the absolutely horrible spark plug design that renders removal problematic.

[vroom_vroom]

Love my 6.2 Sierra and they are about that ‘10-‘13 you can find them in that price range just hard to find. Good dd manners and loves towing my camper that’s the same weight. I know I’ll rock the boat but the 5.3 needs a cam to be fun to drive if it means anything to you. Plus the 6.2 before ‘14 do not have the displacement on demand so no 4 cyl. Mode to mess up.

[vroom_vroom]

Originally Posted by kdauto

They are terribly unreliable for the most part. Cam phasers frequently have issues due to low oil pressure. Low oil pressure on a modern engine? Yep, they have premature wear concerns. I've seen way too many, they usually get junked at that point.

I will say I’m a Ford hater but I locked out the phasers and tuned a 05 5.4 and it made a surprising amount of low end torque. Not for the faint of heart however.

[Toby Dog]

In that price range I think history, mileage, and condition matter more than brand. One owner with no salt use locations in the past and decent service history.
A 2500 6.0 gas Chevy or a 3 valve V10 F250 would be my first looks. Both engines have good reliability history.
The early 5.7 Ram hemis were problematic if not kept up. Tundra would deserve a look but may limit your TT/5er choices.
BTW I drive an older Ram for the Cummins but have been surprised by the rest of the truck. Now on my third one.

[KD4UPL]

GM 2500 with the 6.0 gas engine. Yes, it's more than enough truck; that's a good thing. The GM 1500 with a 5.3 would be okay but I don't like the cylinder deactivation.
I've owned 2 GM 2500 6.0 trucks: a 2003 and a 2009. I had a total of $70 of engine repairs on them.

[bneukam]

1st Gen Tundra with the 4.7 2uzfe is also very reliable up to 500k miles. They also used it in the 2nd Gen before deleting it in 2009.