Which F250 should I Get?

[Jshopes81]

Originally Posted by deserteagle5

^ Agree with everything Dave said.

I lucked out some years ago and found an early 2004 Dodge/Cummins dually with the NV5600 in it, with only 53,000 miles on it. Love this truck and it will last me the rest of my life! Just put 1450 additional miles on it, to Utah and back, towing my Jeep on a trailer and it just made me smile the way that thing would roll over all the 8,000 ft elevation passes I had to cross - and pulled down 15.6 mpg overall to boot. Diesel being 10 - 15 cents a gallon cheaper than regular gas made the drive just that much sweeter!

I probably would have looked a little harder at a 5.9 truck if i didnt need a full crew cab, that quad cab just doesnt cut it when your 11yo is 5'10. Instead i have a 6leaker that ive done a few really minor things to and it does pretty well with 17k behind it. Its not 1100ftlbs, but aside from 1 injector, a radiator, and a water pump i really cant complain. The rad and water pump both made 170k, which is the best ive gotten from anything.

[Dave Pelletier]

Originally Posted by deserteagle5

^ Agree with everything Dave said.

I lucked out some years ago and found an early 2004 Dodge/Cummins dually with the NV5600 in it, with only 53,000 miles on it. Love this truck and it will last me the rest of my life! Just put 1450 additional miles on it, to Utah and back, towing my Jeep on a trailer and it just made me smile the way that thing would roll over all the 8,000 ft elevation passes I had to cross - and pulled down 15.6 mpg overall to boot. Diesel being 10 - 15 cents a gallon cheaper than regular gas made the drive just that much sweeter!

I consider the '03 - early '04 Cummins Ram HO with the NV5600 to be the high water mark for diesel trucks - I have two of them at the moment and would buy 3-4 more if I could find low mileage ones in decent shape. I convinced my buddy Mark and my cousin Russ to by '03's when I did and they both still have them to this day. I had a 2001.5 I bought new but stupidly got the standard output with the 47RE......If I would have gone for the 6spd, I'd still have it. That said, the Gen3 trucks have better steering, better brakes and the QC is much nicer.

I keep looking at new trucks and have come close to purchasing a new F350 with the 7.3 gasser but then I wonder why I'd want to spend $60k+ for a truck with less power that gets worse mileage? ....maybe I'll cave one day.....but that '03 isn't leaving!


Dave

[tuffr2]

You guys are talking trucks without all the new electronics, mainly rear camera. Also these trucks are rust buckets with a lot of bad unknown history. Loose steering and a lot of rattles.

[Dave Pelletier]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

You guys are talking trucks without all the new electronics, mainly rear camera. Also these trucks are rust buckets with a lot of bad unknown history. Loose steering and a lot of rattles.

I know you like the new stuff, but decent trucks of that vintage are out there. My truck has no rust, doesn't rattle, steers perfectly and has original paint (except for the tailgate I had to replace due to an oops) .....Oh and I added a backup camera with bluetooth sound and phone about 10 years ago.

I take care of my stuff; there is no reason a 20 year old truck can't be in as good a shape as a 2 year old one. .....in fact, I've restored several classic cars to far better than new condition. Once you get to 50,000 miles, all vehicles start to need wear items replaced regardless of the year of manufacture.


Dave

[Dave Pelletier]

excuse the dirt; didn't have time to wax it!

[Jshopes81]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

You guys are talking trucks without all the new electronics, mainly rear camera. Also these trucks are rust buckets with a lot of bad unknown history. Loose steering and a lot of rattles.

I need to get a backup camera ordered to go with the kenwood head unit thats in my 03. Cant decide if i want to go 3rd brake light mount or plate mount. Dont forget 99-16 super dutys only got cosmetic changes to the cabs and not much in the way of frame changes either. All the changes were bolt on.

[tuffr2]

Don't forget new engines in 2011. That was the biggest improvment IMHO along with some additional features like rear camera, not sure when heated/ventilated seats were introduced by my 2011 F-150 5.0 litre had them, and built in sway control. Not sure when bluetooth was introduced but I think a few years after 2011.

By 2017 you had bluetooth, blindspot indicators, new frame, new aluminum body, improved engines and I think crazy features on the top trim lines like fancy pants running boards that came out when you open the door then tucked under the truck when moving. I think massaging seats too in 2017. When top tier trim level trucks where $75,000.

To me 2011 was a big year for all trucks.
2017 was a big year for Ford. 2019 for Ram and 2020 for GM.

[Dave Pelletier]

The new stuff is both better and far worse depending on your metrics for determining such things. 😉. I do get it; I have a 2021 Land Rover Sport HST and a 2020 BMW Z4 M40i in the garage.....but my 2003 Ram isn't going anywhere and even if I do get a new truck, I'm keeping it. It's the last of its kind and is hard to beat, even today.

[CecilD]

Originally Posted by Dave Pelletier

The new stuff is both better and far worse depending on your metrics for determining such things. 😉. I do get it; I have a 2021 Land Rover Sport HST and a 2020 BMW Z4 M40i in the garage.....but my 2003 Ram isn't going anywhere and even if I do get a new truck, I'm keeping it. It's the last of its kind and is hard to beat, even today.

I'm also on the the pre-emissions Cummins bandwagon. My 2004.5 Ram tracks true, has no rust, paint shines and the leather is excellent. Bought it 7 years ago with 62k and now has 105k. With 325/600 all it does is get me safely wherever I want to go without drama or incident. An added bonus is its penchant for going up in value. I see no reason why it won't be my last truck.

[BrokeDown]

Originally Posted by BeachPilot74

Hey all,
I am getting ready to upgrade to a bigger TV

If I upgraded to a bigger TV, I might consider an F450. Keep Your Daydream (youtube channel) sold me on the benefits. https://youtu.be/jFM5zkB2gqA

Here are a few of the reasons.
Bigger fuel tank is standard
Wider front axel means a much better turning radius
Not much more expensive.

-B

[deserteagle5]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

You guys are talking trucks without all the new electronics, mainly rear camera. Also these trucks are rust buckets with a lot of bad unknown history. Loose steering and a lot of rattles.

Aftermarket rear-view cameras are cheap and easy to install. Rust buckets? This is Nevada. I defy you to find any rust on any of my rigs. Current humidity is 6%. Things petrify around here, they don't rot or rust. Check out a couple of my finds out here in the desert, abandoned so many years ago....

[tuffr2]

Ever hear of the 'Rust Belt'. It is a real thing.
There are other parts of the country were rust is a problem.

[Jshopes81]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Ever hear of the 'Rust Belt'. It is a real thing.
There are other parts of the country were rust is a problem.

I know all about it and its the reason i wont buy anything near home. No way would i buy a pa vehicle

[tuffr2]

I agree Pennsylvania with all the hills, roads that are not straight, salt on the roads in winter, humidity at 75% to 90% with a long chilly wet season in November is not kind to vehicles. I was in Pittsburgh last year I do not remember hitting a pot hole. That was a 1st as the roads used to be covered with pot holes.

I remember frozen salty ice stuck to the fender wells that I would knock off with my boot. Exchast systems would last 4 years.

If you want a older truck Nevada, Arizona, and Southern California would be a great place to buy. Here is a 1997 vehicle with zero rust.