Help with a new (to me) truck

[acefuture]

Everyone's favorite time! When they can barf their opinion on the internet! And what a better topic than trucks (we get it yours is better than the other guys).

I've had my 09 F150 for close to 7 years now and 180,000 miles. It's been a great truck and I really would rather not get rid of it, but the toys are getting bigger and my truck is getting more sad towing them. So now the hunt for a 3/4 diesel. I've grown up a ford dude, grandpa is a ford owner, dad is a ford owner, I've owned one chevy truck and fords ever since. So naturally I started looking for Fords. I REALLY don't want to pay current new truck prices so I'm looking in the sub $40k category which doesn't get you much in today's market, so I may wait a year or so til I pull the trigger. So now time for research. Where I currently am:

02-03 7.3L F250 - Last years of the 7.3, and relatively lower miles than OBS 7.3s

15-17 6.7L F250 - This would be my first pick but anything under 100k miles is going for close to $70k - not happening

What I don't know anything about: Chevy and Dodge. I know Dmax owners are die hards, and I know Cummins guys are die hards. But what years, motor/trans combos, interiors, etc are your favorite in a real world application? I've watched infinity youtube videos and honestly they just make me more confused or want to buy a 30 year old 24v with 600k miles on it and see how much longer it'll last. 

Opinions, GO!

 

[Lord of the Dunes]

I have a 2002 Duramax and my friend has a 2003 Duramax. He needed a 2nd truck and when he asked me what I recommend, I told him to check out the Fords with the 6.7L engine. He bought a used F450 with the 6.7 and he's very happy with it except for the fuel economy. That's a function of his gearing which is pretty low because he bought the F450.

I'd recommend looking for a used F350 and search out of state for good deals. What we're seeing in CA and AZ isn't universal all over. There are still people who are trying to unload their dad's truck for a reasonably low price, maybe they want a quick sale, etc. 

 

[Realbadlarry]

You should be able to find a 2015 Ford for less than 70k... did you try out of state?  My friend has found a couple out of state for pretty good deals.

 

[Cookie]

I had been waiting for prices to fall for 18 months, I just bit the bullet.  I got tried of waiting.  Out of state is a great idea, try Utah.

 

[acefuture]

I've done only a small amount of looking outside of my 500 mile circle. I didn't look too much because I'm not married to the 6.7 Ford at the moment. Wanted to do my due diligence before spending countless hours searching. But i'll start looking aroud.

Fuel economy really isn't a worry of mine at the moment. Would be nice to get more, but my truck currently gets 9mpg city and 7mpg towing (i know it's garbage, needs new tires, alignment, ball joints, injectors etc), so anything is better. My office is a mile from my office so I could ride a bike if I wanted to. 

 

[Sausage450r]

Duramax is easier to work on in the 04.5-07 years. I had an 04.5 was good but the ball joints and pitman idler arms dont like lifts, the wiring harness basically fell apart on mine at 70k miles. 

Best year for dodge is 06 last year of 5.9 2 less cylinders to buy parts for. Fairly weak tranny. 

I have a 7.3 (01) and a bullet proofed 6.0 (04) love both of them. Both have been real reliable

i would also consider a 6.0 or 8.1l 2500hd (chevy gas)

 

[dariusld]

How long is the market going to be like this? One year, two years?

 

[THD]

Here is an example of what is available up here: Ehttps://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/viewDetailsFilterViewInventoryListing.action?zip=97392&fuelTypes=6&showNegotiable=true&sortDir=ASC&sourceContext=carGurusHomePageModel&distance=500&sortType=DEAL_SCORE&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity=d343Maybe these are in your budget and worth a trip to buy?

I had 2 6.7's and loved them. Relatively limited issues, mostly electrical gremlins. Never had a drive train issue and both trucks primarily towed heavy loads for thousands of miles. Fuel mileage was not bad either, up to 22 mph on the freeway, mid teens in town, and 9 - 10 mpg towing a 41' toyhauler. One was a F250 and the other was a F350 srw.

Edit to say the link did not show what filters I selected. I searched diesel only and it shows gas trucks. There are 6.7's up here in the 40k-50k range with fairly low miles.

 

[acefuture]

Duramax is easier to work on in the 04.5-07 years. I had an 04.5 was good but the ball joints and pitman idler arms dont like lifts, the wiring harness basically fell apart on mine at 70k miles. 

Best year for dodge is 06 last year of 5.9 2 less cylinders to buy parts for. Fairly weak tranny. 

I have a 7.3 (01) and a bullet proofed 6.0 (04) love both of them. Both have been real reliable

i would also consider a 6.0 or 8.1l 2500hd (chevy gas)

Steering clear of the 6.0 and 6.4 for the only reason that I don't trust anyone to do aftermarket work to a truck other than myself. And other than wheels, tires, and a level, i'd really rather just have a stock truck. So hopefully can find an unmolested truck owned by an older gentleman who took care of it. But that's a tall order really

How long is the market going to be like this? One year, two years?

Who knows at this point. I'm really not in a rush, i'll continue to drive my truck. But i'm definitely starting to focus on this

 

[Lord of the Dunes]

You never know what will pop up. My parents bought a moho and about 2 yrs later, my stepdad died. I lived in HI, so I had a friend of mine sell it on commission for my mom and he got $21k for a 2 yr old rig they paid $79k for. They only drove it to Vegas and back to San Diego about 4 times and never put water in the tanks, never used the toilet, never even wore shoes in it. Still had the styrofoam in the microwave and plastic on the stove and carpet. They drove it like a car.

All you need is one deal like that. Just be patient. Try Autotempest, it's just like Searchtempest, you can search for exactly what you want as far away as you specify.

 

[acefuture]

You never know what will pop up. My parents bought a moho and about 2 yrs later, my stepdad died. I lived in HI, so I had a friend of mine sell it on commission for my mom and he got $21k for a 2 yr old rig they paid $79k for. They only drove it to Vegas and back to San Diego about 4 times and never put water in the tanks, never used the toilet, never even wore shoes in it. Still had the styrofoam in the microwave and plastic on the stove and carpet. They drove it like a car.

All you need is one deal like that. Just be patient. Try Autotempest, it's just like Searchtempest, you can search for exactly what you want as far away as you specify.

Never heard of autotempest but I use searchtempest all the time. Ill check it out. Thanks!

 

[tjZ06]

When it comes to D'max you either want the '06-early '07 ("cat-eye" body style, not the new body '07.5) or you want a '11+.  The '06-early '07 are the LBZ with a 6-speed Allison, prior to '06 it was a '05 speed which was a little weaker in some areas, and various different versions of the D'max (LB7, LLY).  People love the LBZ because it got a power bump, has a cat but no DPF, and like I said got the 6-speed.  '07.5-10 were the LMM which *would* be another great Duramax, but it got a DPF and I'm not a fan of the regen strategy (injecting fuel on the exhaust stroke).  '11+ is the LML, which saw an upgrade to the 6-speed Allison, a completely new frame (even though the cab and bed look nearly identical to the LMM generation, inside and out), bigger brakes, beefier suspension/steering components, etc.  The downside of a LML is it did add DEF, but at least it has a sane regen strategy (9th injector in the downpipe, low pressure).  The L5P came around in '17 and got a good power bump, but those are going to be spendy trucks.

-TJ

 

[ANGRYBUTTCRACK]

How long is the market going to be like this? One year, two years?

The market is never going back.. it's inflation and its baked in the cake. As a matter of fact (or my opinion), inflation will continue to drive up dollars, but don't think because you buy a toy/truck/TH for lets say $25k and sell it in a year for $30k that you've made $5k.. you haven't.. the spending power of that $30k a year later will be the same (or less) than the spending power of the $25k you 'invested.'

I bit the bullet and recently paid 'market' for a new toy box and new RZR. I will be able to sell them for more $$ in 1-5 years, but again, the purchasing power of what I get would not get me anything 'better' and I'd make no real (spendable) profit. 

If I sell my '08 D-Max 3500, paid $36k in 2009, 36k miles (now 85k miles).. what could I get.. $50k (cause of the low miles)..?.. but then to replace it I'd be spending the same or more for the same vehicle right?...

Bottom line (slightly off subject).. if you are on salary or hourly, you should DEMAND at least a 10% raise per year in this environment.. if you don't, you're LOSING purchasing power in this insane market.. Average household spend is up $4k in the last year.. for buying the same stuff... 

Rant over.

abc

 

[acefuture]

When it comes to D'max you either want the '06-early '07 ("cat-eye" body style, not the new body '07.5) or you want a '11+.  The '06-early '07 are the LBZ with a 6-speed Allison, prior to '06 it was a '05 speed which was a little weaker in some areas, and various different versions of the D'max (LB7, LLY).  People love the LBZ because it got a power bump, has a cat but no DPF, and like I said got the 6-speed.  '07.5-10 were the LMM which *would* be another great Duramax, but it got a DPF and I'm not a fan of the regen strategy (injecting fuel on the exhaust stroke).  '11+ is the LML, which saw an upgrade to the 6-speed Allison, a completely new frame (even though the cab and bed look nearly identical to the LMM generation, inside and out), bigger brakes, beefier suspension/steering components, etc.  The downside of a LML is it did add DEF, but at least it has a sane regen strategy (9th injector in the downpipe, low pressure).  The L5P came around in '17 and got a good power bump, but those are going to be spendy trucks.

-TJ

Really good info TJ, thank you. I'll look around for an '11+ Dmax as well.

The market is never going back.. it's inflation and its baked in the cake. As a matter of fact (or my opinion), inflation will continue to drive up dollars, but don't think because you buy a toy/truck/TH for lets say $25k and sell it in a year for $30k that you've made $5k.. you haven't.. the spending power of that $30k a year later will be the same (or less) than the spending power of the $25k you 'invested.'

I bit the bullet and recently paid 'market' for a new toy box and new RZR. I will be able to sell them for more $$ in 1-5 years, but again, the purchasing power of what I get would not get me anything 'better' and I'd make no real (spendable) profit. 

If I sell my '08 D-Max 3500, paid $36k in 2009, 36k miles (now 85k miles).. what could I get.. $50k (cause of the low miles)..?.. but then to replace it I'd be spending the same or more for the same vehicle right?...

Bottom line (slightly off subject).. if you are on salary or hourly, you should DEMAND at least a 10% raise per year in this environment.. if you don't, you're LOSING purchasing power in this insane market.. Average household spend is up $4k in the last year.. for buying the same stuff... 

Rant over.

abc

Yea, not too much to add to that. Doesn't apply to my truck currently. I bought it for $25k in 2014, and would be lucky to get $16k for it now. But i've also put well over 100k miles on it.

 

[ANGRYBUTTCRACK]

The market is never going back.. it's inflation and its baked in the cake. As a matter of fact (or my opinion), inflation will continue to drive up dollars, but don't think because you buy a toy/truck/TH for lets say $25k and sell it in a year for $30k that you've made $5k.. you haven't.. the spending power of that $30k a year later will be the same (or less) than the spending power of the $25k you 'invested.'

I bit the bullet and recently paid 'market' for a new toy box and new RZR. I will be able to sell them for more $$ in 1-5 years, but again, the purchasing power of what I get would not get me anything 'better' and I'd make no real (spendable) profit. 

If I sell my '08 D-Max 3500, paid $36k in 2009, 36k miles (now 85k miles).. what could I get.. $50k (cause of the low miles)..?.. but then to replace it I'd be spending the same or more for the same vehicle right?...

Bottom line (slightly off subject).. if you are on salary or hourly, you should DEMAND at least a 10% raise per year in this environment.. if you don't, you're LOSING purchasing power in this insane market.. Average household spend is up $4k in the last year.. for buying the same stuff... 

Rant over.

abc

PS. OK so maybe my example of my D-Max wasn't good, cause this is my EXACT truck.. EXACT miles.. etc.. LT model. Only thing is I have an aftermarket 62 gallon tank, bed slider and train horn (maybe $2k of add ons).. Same miles (within 1k) for $31k.. Shoot,.. drive to MI and get this GEM!

PS. OK so maybe my example of my D-Max wasn't good, cause this is my EXACT truck.. EXACT miles.. etc.. LT model 60/40 seat (6 seater) with NO GADGETs.. power windows and door locks, even the seats are manual.. If you don't care about gadgets this is a GREAT deal, although I agree '06 or earlier is even a better truck/motor. Only thing is I have an aftermarket 62 gallon tank, bed slider and train horn (maybe $2k of add ons).. Same miles (within 3k) for $31k.. Shoot,.. drive to MI and get this GEM!

https://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/silverado-3500hd/2008/vin/1GCJK33698F144655/?national=true&radius=6000

 

[Kraut_n_Rice]

PS. OK so maybe my example of my D-Max wasn't good, cause this is my EXACT truck.. EXACT miles.. etc.. LT model 60/40 seat (6 seater) with NO GADGETs.. power windows and door locks, even the seats are manual.. If you don't care about gadgets this is a GREAT deal, although I agree '06 or earlier is even a better truck/motor. Only thing is I have an aftermarket 62 gallon tank, bed slider and train horn (maybe $2k of add ons).. Same miles (within 3k) for $31k.. Shoot,.. drive to MI and get this GEM!

https://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/silverado-3500hd/2008/vin/1GCJK33698F144655/?national=true&radius=6000

10 years in salt. No thanks.

 

[ANGRYBUTTCRACK]

Born in raised in OC.. 15 miles from the beach.. forgot about salt.. yeah .. it DESTROYS vehicles.

abc

PS. OK so mine would be worth more..  :rofl:

 

[Big_Daddy_Jp]

I had a 2001 F250 with the 7.3. I loved the truck and would pull any grade at 40mph no matter how heavy my trailer was. The trans is a weak link in that truck. My 2001 D-max got better fuel mileage and pulled circles around the 7.3. Pulled any grade at a minimum of 10mph faster than the 7.3. Just info on 2 trucks on the lower end of the spending scale.

 

[Bobalos]

If your looking at a a dodge the 05 to 07 is the best.  07 was a 1/2 year and imo the best of them all (if you get the early 5.9)

Finding one that does not have a bunch of miles is tough.  I have a 99 with 250k and my biggest concern is the PCM.  There are no good options if it dies.  In fact they are Uber hard to find.