Looking to buy my first full-size...

[Beanmachine7000]

The ranger is officially commissioned to trash duty only now that she's at 205k miles. I'm in search of a diesel truck now. I'm looking at a '98 24v Dodge 2500, '00 F-350, and an '04 & '05 F-350s... It will mostly be a DD, but I plan on finding a fixer upper boat (28-32' range) this winter to pull. I know the early Dodge and Ford will be almost dead nuts reliable (motor wise) and the 6.0 strokes have a good bit more power but have also shown more problems... I guess my questions are, are the Dodge front end and trans problems really as prolific as they seem, and is the extra power from the 6.0 worth the possible reliability problems?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2

 

[02RangerXLT]

If you're going to go with the 6.0... I've heard they need to be worked to keep them running right, not just DD stuff.

We have a 6.0 at work... its a 2006 F350 CC Dually 2wd with a dumb bed on it... has a good amount of power for pulling but the EGR has been getting clogged and it throws a code if you get to pulling too hard in the hills... not something that should be happening at 80,000 miles... I'd remove emissions (if you're in a state that doesnt check for that) on whatever you get.

We own a 2000 F350 with a 7.3 and we've never had any problems... After the 7.3 it kinda went down hill.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Yea the only work it will really be doing is pulling the boat (quite literally) maybe a mile to the Marina every weekend... maybe 20 miles once a month to go camping during the hottest months... I thought about getting a 1/2 ton because the sshort distance I'd be towing but I've towed 5500lbs behind a F-250 LD one summer and I'd rather have more than enough than just enough...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2

 

[6.2]

If you get the 6.0 there are fix kits that address the shortcomings of the engine.
After that it's one if the best diesels of its time. Big power and sound awesome.

 

[Jraymer360]

IDK Whats different about the 2nd gen rams vs. the 3rds..but my dads dodge has 175k and reverse just went out on the auto. pretty good compared to everyone saying they go out quick. front end has only really needed regular work for 175k and u-joints. u-joints like to go out quick in those...

his is an 04 But so far it's been a good truck...especially for the beating i put on it when i drive it.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I really hate the upside down look of the front end but I would pass over all mentioned and get a 6.4 truck... if I couldn't get a 6.7.

Last wednesday I was going to a tractor pull running 58mph with the cruise on up a steep hill and a '11+ F-350 pulled around, accelerated and passed me like I was standing still. I would have been impressed even if he didn't have a 13,000lb IH 1256 pulling tractor on a gooseneck. Quiet (didn't hear the engine at all) and no smoke but it did say Powerstroke on the side so I assume it was probably stock or close to it.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

My buddies dad has a 6.4 he uses to pull his boat and quite literally you barely know its back there. I don't really want to spend over $20k on a truck and don't want to go newer than 2006 though...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Stangman92]

I have an '01 ram. Its a POS! lol, sorry but the dash boards are known for cracking to hell, and the automatic transmissions are garbage. Ive rebuilt mine 2 times in 85,000 miles. If your really set on one get the manual transmission they are reliable. Other than the auto trans issues they are very good trucks.

 

[MoToRNecK]

yeah I truely love my 01 24v cummins. The auto trans are a misfortunate mistake for dodge but if you can find one with a manual or just plan on rebuilding the trans right away. i found my 2001 ram 2500 for 4700 dollars bought it from the original owner. First thing that went out was trans on him he had dropped around 5 k into the trans at 100k miles was his construction truck and it went another 175k before needing to rebuilt again. Its not to shabby but they are def a weak point when hauling. the u joints in the front can be replaced in your sleep they arent that big of an issue. I run 4.10 gears in mine on 35s and can pull 13k no problem and all i have modified is edge chip, 4 inch exhaust and bhaf upgrade. so if you can find one at a halfway decent price it doesnt hurt as much to put a little money into it to make it what you want.

 

[AngryLepercon]

I have an 08 f-250 with the 6.4. Recommend if getting a diesel (newer) spend 1000 to 1500 and delete the DPF and get a decent tuner. I love my 6.4. 100k miles with no problems. Emissions deleted since 71k since the warranty quit. Pulled a 35ft camper no issues and even a skidloader for work while their 6.0's were in the shop. Also can't beat the interior of the 08+ superdutys

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2