In the Market for a F-350 Diesel

[126coupe]

Need to upgrade the tow vehicle. Looking for a Dually;
2004 or newer. Any year I should look out for?

Thanks for the advise

[kaisen]

You're sticking with Ford?

2003 and 2004 were the nadir for Ford diesel reliability with the 6.0L. Lots of issues.

2005 through 2007 was better, but still not as reliable as a same-year Duramax or Cummins.

2005 marked several changes to the Super Duties in addition to the motor

2008 was the "new" body (really just the front clip and dash) and the new 6.4L motor that had re-gen DPFE

All two wheel drives still use the antiquated twin I-beam front suspension like your 1992

In my opinion......

Strongly consider a 2006 or classic-2007 (VIN "D") Duramax Chev/GMC with the 6 speed Allison
Consider the new-body 2007-up if you are going fancy with leather (different dash)

Or the pre-2008 Cummins

I've owned all three, and still own (partnership) a 2007 GMC Classic (old-body) Duramax
There's a reason we've kept it when we'd normally have cycled through a couple more by now
Strong engine, great transmission, good fuel economy compared to newer ones

[fred cook]

I have a 2003 Ford 6.0 diesel Excursion with 140k miles that I have owned since 2005. It has performed flawlessly, gets 20-21 mpg on the interstate and about 16 mpg during in-town driving. The only work that has been required was to have the turbo cleaned of carbon build up on the exhaust vanes of the turbo. I have 6 friends/acquaintences that have diesel trucks, 3 being Fords and 3 being GMs. One of the Fords has 350k miles with no engine work. The other two Ford diesels have 150k and 185k respectively with no major work required. One of the GM diesel engines required replacement at just under 200k miles and both of the other two had to have heads replaced at less than 150k miles. I guess the main point is that you should get a PPI before buying any used diesel vehicle as repairs can be quite expensive. Also, some of the GM trucks from a few years ago used Izusu engines rather than a U.S. built engine. That might not be an issue now, but in the future will there be a parts availability problem? Just my .02 cents worth!

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by fred cook

Also, some of the GM trucks from a few years ago used Izusu engines rather than a U.S. built engine. That might not be an issue now, but in the future will there be a parts availability problem? Just my .02 cents worth!

GM co-developed the Duramax with Isuzu. Remember, GM owned controlling share of Isuzu. So ALL GM diesel trucks from 2001 until now are the GM/Isuzu 6.6L V8 known as Duramax. However, they have always been made right here in the good ol' USA .... in Morraine, Ohio. A plant GM has owned for decades. The DMAX alliance was dissolved when Isuzu was sold off, so now it is just GM.

It would be very atypical for a Duramax to need new heads, or even head gaskets. Lots of bad injectors, however.

Fred, I'm glad you've had good luck with your early Powerstroke 6.0, but it is just that -- luck. It's common for 2003s and 2004s to have head gasket/stud failure, EGR cooler failure, turbo failure, valve cover gasket leaks (leading to glow plug issues) and injector issues. Again, I'm glad that your personal anecdotal experience hasn't included them. Although I recall in a previous thread that you had EGR issues?

[fred cook]

Not EGR, just the turbo variable exhaust vanes carboned up causing a backfire in the exhaust. Since being cleaned it has run perfectly. While I am sure that GM builds a decent product, I've always had better service from Ford products.

[kaisen]

Fred, if you're going to give advice on cars, don't veil your political hatred for GM. Air it, and let people take your GM bashing perspective with a grain of salt. You also prefer Ford because they didn't take "your money" in a bailout. You've been vocal elsewhere, might as well say it here too.

[fred cook]

Yes,but not the issue here. I have owned about as many GM cars as I have Fords. Over the last 45 years or do, the Fords have generally been better vehicles. And, I don't "hate" GM for taking a bailout but I do appreciate the fact that Ford did not do so.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by fred cook

Yes,but not the issue here. I have owned about as many GM cars as I have Fords. Over the last 45 years or do, the Fords have generally been better vehicles. And, I don't "hate" GM for taking a bailout but I do appreciate the fact that Ford did not do so.

Oh really??

Girlfriend Needs a New Car

Personally, I would not buy a Government Motors vehicle or anything from Japan.

OK, who is going to buy GM?

Government Motors? I would not touch it on a bet! I really don't care if they stay in business or not.

Choose one

The silver car is just ugly...... no, make that fugly! I hope they build both of them. Maybe that would hurry up the day that Government Motors goes under for good!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/6052682-post9.html

Personally, I would not buy a Government Motors vehicle if they were two for a nickel!

[fred cook]

LOL, too bad you don't know the difference between hate and opinion. You must be a liberal at heart!

[kaisen]

Your "opinion" on General Motors ("Government Motors" in your articulate vernacular) is quite clear

If you're buying a truck, and not buying into the politics, Ford, GM, and Dodge all have made good diesel trucks. Some years are better than others, and from time to time different brands had an advantage over another. If you're looking at 2004 model year trucks, it is my professional opinion that the GM and Dodge diesel trucks are better bets.

[1990C4S]

I would follow Eric's recommendations on virtually any car related topics. I won't say anything beyond that.

[John Rogers]

I find it really amazing how a simple question can easily crumble into a mass of unmanageable gibberish? At any rate for getting a dually I have had one since 2004 or so and love it. I bought a Ford, year 2000 as it had the 7.3L engine and at the time was recommended by several Dodge owners? The 7.3 engine is stressed less than the 6.0 and when the 6.0 engines came out the Powerstroke forums were lit up with all the problems. I bought mine when it had 79,000 miles and the previous owner had died so it did not get used a lot. Carfax said all maintenance was done at a Ford truck center in TX and no wrecks. I installed a 4 inch SS exhaust, high flow air filter (got rid of that huge box) and an Edge programmer which gives me 18MPG around town in Econ mode. In Power mode it never works at all and could pull the toy hauler and race car (about 15,000 lbs loaded) up any hill easily. I installed a "Jake" brake and trans locker for downhill brake assist and so far the front brake pads are the ones that came on it.

The early ones have no cat and do not need any of that weird extra injection stuff and passes smog easily. Diesel stuff is finally being certified by CARB here in CA and for a long time they would not touch it.

Mine also came with a huge 5th wheel already mounted in the bed which was a bonus AND a CB radio which is handy on trips to PIR or Las Vegas. a 5th wheel trailer handles soooo much easier.

As for tires, they last about forever and mine are one size larger than original so the speedo is off a tad. Final thing to check is make sure that the "key" for the spare tire is included as they are serialized to the truck and you can not get the spare tire off without it as there is a built in lift type of system since they are a tad heavy!

I bought mine at one of the huge cars for sale credit union deals at Qualcomm stadium and was already preapproved for a loan. If you have that or the cash the dealer will discount pretty well. The dealer I used had not sold any trucks all weekend and was eager to get at least one sale and they wanted 28,500 for it and I paid 24,000 including tax, license, etc. They already had a Carfax which impressed me some.

[afterburn 549]

I would have a 6 cyl diesel B4 a V8. (and I do) Not because i love or hate dodge and Cummings..In fact I more or less dislike both !
I have been in the trucking industry for years...and no matter where you point you will find problems.
SO.I would rather fix a straight 6 then a V8. There is no need for such a configuration. You will not even find them in a real diesel semi unless you go back 40 years

[yetibone]

Once again, I am about to replace the EGR cooler tube on another, fine 6 liter Powerstroke, which is about a $1500 job if there's no hydrolock damage.


That's the second one in two months! So far this year on 6.0 PSDs' I've replaces three turbos, three lift pumps, 22 injectors between 4 trucks, and two FICMs', and a radiator. Also, I had a HPOS pump replacement, but the owner of the Excursion that needed it said he's try it himself because of the cost. None of those trucks have 200K miles on them yet.

I rarely see a D-max, or Cummins for repair.

[911boost]

Here we go again....

I too have had good "luck" with my 6.0L Powerstroke, where my friends have had all kinds of little random problems with their GM's.

To each their own, some people just like Ford better, some just like GM. If the rest of the Dodge wouldn't fall apart around the Cummins, I am sure more people would like them.

With that said, I'd look for a 6.4L Ford. There seems to be less internets experts telling you to stay away from them.

Just don't bring up the whole gas vs desiel thing, please........

Bill

[126coupe]

I will be hauling a 3400 pound Winston Cup Car, Golf cart, spares and tools in a 28' pace trailer (heavy) I am a Ford guy, have a gas 1992 Dually that has been great for 14 years, one tranny and that's it. I appreciate the info.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by 126coupe

I will be hauling a 3400 pound Winston Cup Car, Golf cart, spares and tools in a 28' pace trailer (heavy) I am a Ford guy, have a gas 1992 Dually that has been great for 14 years, one tranny and that's it. I appreciate the info.

Thanks for answering. If you're a Ford guy, you're a Ford guy. No harm there. Then my advice would be to find a 2003 7.3L and budget for a transmission (or find a six speed!) Or find a 2006 or 2007 and budget for the EGR delete and a turbo clean.

In terms of performance, the 6.0L's are great, and the 5speed TorqueShift is much more durable than the old 4R100 4speed auto.

For what it's worth, I had a 2007 6.0L Harley Crew Cab 4x4 that I sold when it had a little over 100K miles. I towed everything with that truck, cross country many times. No issues. It was a great truck. If I didn't also own a 2007 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Duramax that I could compare back to back, I would have loved it more.

[John Rogers]

Something I missed in my earlier post, a big tow load is a bit harder to manage as you already know. To help with traffic when I would have to drive in the L.A. are I installed a set of real truck air horns (with pull chain) and they have been invaluable in waking up drivers who can not seem to see a F350 dually with a 36 foot trailer! As a side benefit, they do use a compressor at 100# and have an air tank and an air hose as part of the kit so you can pump up tires on the trailer as needed!

[126coupe]

My current truck has an air horn, point well taken.

[kaisen]

Why is 2004ish the target?

How many miles are okay?

What price range is okay?

How does it need to be equipped? Reg/Super/Crew? 2wd/4wd? Base, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch?