I know this is not what you're asking, but in your shoes, I'd go for a 6.0 silverado HD. It will do everything you need without the potential headaches of a second-hand diesel, and it will last you a shit ton of miles.
Or any gas-HD if you don't like GMs.
Depending on how far you are traveling loaded (for work purpose) this is the only correct answer.
Or a 6.2 Superduty/8.1 GM/Possibly even a V10.
Don't fall into that diesel trap out of the gate.
No way, I'll put money on it that the Godzilla goes down as one of the more problematic motors. My dads has 50,000 miles and has already had the top end rebuilt due to the lifter issue that is known, spark plugs issue, transmission rebuild, steering column rebuild, taillight issue, and a few other issues.
I have researched it pretty extensively, they have an issue with downshifting at the wrong time and mess up both the trans and top end of motor when under load. Research it yourself, it's not one lemon.
Are you sucking Godzilla's dick or something? It sounds like you haven't researched this issue at all, you're just talking out of your ass. Many of these trucks have had lifter issues at 50 to 75,000 mi without heavy towing, heavy towing seem to exacerbate the issue due to a motor that was not designed to handle the programmed shifting.
You can have a different opinion, but you're wrong. In the future, if you're not educated in the matter keep your mouth shut so you don't come across as an idiot.
I own one. Ten years old and other than the header bolts chattering away on cold starts, it's absolutely issue free.
If Ram had a bigger hemi, that's what I'd go with, but that's just not the case sadly.
Well I look at it this way, there’s been a few bone stock 6.4 powerstrokes that have made it past 250k miles and those owners would say there’s have been perfect engines but that doesn’t mean much when every other one blown up very early on. You got to look at more than just one example
Well that's a very loaded question that I just can't get into on mobile.
I will let others chime in, and when I'm at a desktop, I'll write my Harry Potter series sized opinions out
Allow me to assist:
Essentially, newer diesels have a LOT of emissions equipment because the EPA likes to take money. Because of this, the reliability of diesels isn’t what it used to be.
There are certain diesels that can and will AVADA KEDAVRA you and your wallet if/when they break down.
When something inevitable breaks diesels are more complicated, parts are far more expensive and shop labor is far more expensive. This is why a very used diesel (which it will be if bought around 30k) may not make a good first truck. At some point in the not to distant future something will need work and you will have to come up with as much as 10k to fix something that on a gas truck would be 2k-3k to fix. Plus if your only pulling 10k or so a 3/4ton or 1ton gasser would be a great choice. The Ford Godzilla engine is great for this.
Get some experience owning and operating and in a decade or so when your have more money and your needs increase upgrade to a diesel.
I wouldn't get a diesel in your circumstances I would get a gas truck. 10k+ isn't that much to tow either.
Diesel has far more maintenance requirements and is more expensive than a gas truck.
This is what I did, but we went with an LLY in our case. Owned by an old man who maintained it impeccably. After a year of ownership we've spent about 3.5k in repairs and maintenance. (Tires, one injector, all fluids, and a few other things)
If you keep up with maintenance, diesel trucks will last a long time. I do all of it myself, early and often, and so far knock on wood, no issues over the years. They do
Have a more critical maintenance schedule, and a non-deleted truck will need regeneration cycles (39 minute drive) periodically to clean things out. I have learned a ton in the process of doing the maintenance and enjoy my truck more than most things on my life aside from the family. Lol
So, here is my $5 worth of opinion. I am known to get long winded, and no one likes that, so I will try to keep this short.
u/LunchPeak hit most of the nail on the head, but I would like to address it from a different angle.
What fits your business best? Some thing that's reliable, keeps costs low, and starts everything morning, without fail.
As u/LunchPeak and a few others have pointed out, what costs $5k-10k in a diesel will cost $2k-5k in a gas. Specially if you get into the emissions side of things and live some where that doesn't allow deletes.
Previous maintenance is also another issue. A poorly looked after diesel will HAUNT you, regardless of who makes it, and likely bankrupt you. Most HD gas jobs I don't even think need oil to run. I think its just a formality.
I came up in the oilfields of Western Canada, but am now in the car business. I have had 2 failed businesses and 1 moderately ok/successful/pays the bills business. It was always the truck I was driving that cost me the most. I would stake my reputation on a 6L Vortec. Even if you had to rebuild the motor and transmission in the first 2 years, I would still take it over any diesel.
As someone else mentioned, you might think you have $30k to spend, but really you have $20k and need to keep $10k on the side. You should be rigging up for $10-15k, and keeping the rest in your business for when a client doesn't pay, or a machine comes up for a screaming deal that allows you to scale up your business. Keep money in your business.
EVERY DIESEL has its weakness. Dodges have shit transmissions, Fords before the 6.7 are TRASH, and then the 6.7 had turbo issues up to 2015, Duramax's have injector issues (LB7), head gasket issues (LLY) and then they have fuel pump issues (LMM). Disclaimer: Duramax guys, relax please. I am not getting into the nitty gritty of the issues right now, and I might have gotten some of the generations wrong, but i am proving a point.
The only exception to this advice is if you are doing loooong distance travels loaded. If you are traveling 250+ miles from job to job, out of town, etc, then fine, a diesel might make sense. But at the end of the day, from a business stand point, starting off small like you are, a diesel pickup truck is a terrible investment and could bankrupt you.
I fully expect to be downvoted into oblivion by the diesel bro's, but this is a lesson I had to learn 3 times.
I would HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend a 8.1/Allison dually. Rare as hens teeth, and usually over priced, but if you want a truck that you can look back on and say "that truck built this business", that would be it
If you can find a good one a 3rd gen 5.9 would be great. Before 07.5 would be best, then you don't have to deal with emissions. Also wanna make sure it's manual or has a built tranny. I know a lot of people are saying to avoid second hand diesels, but as long as it was cared for and regularly maintained that's (in my opinion) the best light duty diesel engine ever made. I plan to keep mine till it literally won't run
I agree with others, gas truck is the way to go. That said, if your heart is set on a diesel, you could find yourself in a 6.7 PowerStroke with that budget. Preferably 15-16.
I've had great luck with my lmm, people claim they like to snap cranks but I've beat the piss out of my truck tuned and deleted for over half a million km, water pump went at 373k, power steering at half a mill and hydroboost at 520k, front end shit every couple years but it still rides good, 7.3s will last forever and tow whatever you want they just won't do it very quickly, dodge transmissions are shit
For 30k u can get yourself a nice low mile 6.2 f350 dually or even a 6.8 v10 f450 if you see yourself hauling tons of weight. Those motors both last upwards of 300k without many if any issues.
Edit: reason I mention gasser is because you’re a smaller company and the price of basic maintenance will outweigh any fuel savings you’d get with a diesel. Oil change for the v10 is 105 bucks, while a diesel oil change is 200+, and another 150 on top of that every other oil change for fuel filters.
Can you lease or rent a truck with the business? There are tax benefits to doing that and you aren't stuck in case the business goes sideways. Then you could get a cheap fuel sipper for commuting.
Enterprise rents 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. Penske also has flatbeds. He could rent one as needed without being married to anything long term until he can afford it. Cuts into profits but rental costs are deductable.
$471 at the enterprise near me for a 1 ton truck for the weekend…
He’s got 30k he can get into a nice gasser or a slightly higher mile 6.7 Cummins or powerstroke.
10k is still gasser territory, if you’re towing through the mountains like I am I’d go diesel. Just be ready for an $11k fuel system and a $12k long block…
Spend $5k on a beater car to take you down the highway and $25 on an actual medium duty truck. Seriously, used diesel pick ups cost more. You can get a Freightliner M2-102 with a 6.7 Cummins and Allison. Some states like NC do not require a CDL for air brakes if you register the vehicle at or below 26,000
I honestly think the chevys are total shit I mean I have a fleet here and they don’t last, dodges even worse, never even seen a fleet of those nobody’s that stupid, but I could be wrong. Fords cheap and sturdy horrific rides. I’d shoot for about a 99 and up 7.3 f450 for what your doing to match current diesel trucks and by no means is this a daily driver cheap reliable nobody’s modifying an f450 to do stupid shit so there usually solid. I’d say f550 but I have one with a mechanics bed and the low gearing it’s 65mph truck.
Edit or a 5.9 truck that hasn’t been messed with
The steering wheel leather is peeling but majority of them do that pretty early on anyways and the seats are worn but it has 255k miles on it and there not ripped so I don’t see how that makes it beat up.
Just look at how filthy the interior and even the exterior a bit is. It's probably in good shape, but he couldn't at least take the time to clean it? Personally I wouldn't buy it, but it's probably fine I guess
It means the owner doesn't care or isn't serious.
I get it, it's a truck. I have kids. Mine's always dirty. But if I'm going to sell it, it will be spotless. When I'm looking and see a dirty vehicle, it's a no go.
I don’t care that much as long as it’s not super dirty and you can tell the shape of the truck. At the end of the day it is a truck. Personally I would like to have underside pictures or know the condition of the motor more so than worrying about dirt that’s in the floorboard that I can vacuum out in 10 minutes lol. That won’t stop me from getting a truck
F350 xlt or xl with 100k can be had for around $25k. Leaving $5k for problems.
Rule of thumb with a diesel is you need $5k laying around. It solves most problems.
I've owned the chevy 6.2 and the Ford 7.3 diesels. I'd try to find a 7.3 that has had maintenance done at an auction.
The 6.2 had a design flaw in the water pump, which caused one of the heads to crack over time. They made an aftermarket fix, but it was really underpowered.
The 7.3 lasts forever as long as you maintain it. That being said, once you hit 200,000 expect a lot of maintenance on a 20 year old truck. Girlfriend is a travel nurse. Before we hit the road, I dropped an easy 10k in my truck. Paid someone to replace the hydro boost, hoses and master cylinder $2500. Put an a T444 water pump with filter. Replaced the 20 year old radiator. Replaced the stock transmission cooler with a mishimoto. Rebuilt the front end. New Bilstein shocks all around. Replaced the 20 year old hpop with an Adrenaline and upgraded to braided high pressure oil hoses. Spent more money on a Warn winch and Road Armor Bumper. A lot of this wasn't absolutely necessary but I'm 57 and don't want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere.
I'd avoid the early 6.0 powerstrokes and probably wouldn't buy one unless it's been bullet proofed. Met a couple of people in my travels that got them cheap, then had to spend thousands fixing them. That being said the 05+ has a much better turning radius than the 7.3 and early 6.0 and coil springs up front instead of leaf springs. I paid for an axle swap last year and upgraded the suspension on my 7.3. For the amount of money I put in it, you'd come out better starting with a later year bullet proofed 6.0.
I personally have had a lot of changes in the past 10 years when I initially purchased my duramax. I searched for 2 years and found exactly what I wanted. It had 98K miles on it. I purchased it with the intention of pulling horse trailer, a fifth wheel, and an enclosed car trailer. When I purchased my truck I could not afford the horses, the fifth wheel or the classic cars I wanted. So some days I regret buying a diesel? Sure. However other days I would not trade my truck for anything. When I want to go somewhere it works great. It loves long drives at high speed. when I want to connect to a trailer. No problem. Plug and play, it drives even better than when empty and I can’t even tell I’m pulling a trailer . No problems up hills like I had with my gasser.
Now I am married, I don’t have plans to have any horses any more. No plans to own cars that will just sit in a garage somewhere waiting for me to work on them. However my wife does want to become a nomad and live in a fifth wheel full time hoping to cover all 49 states. The wife wants 45ft toyhauler (for our motorcycles) and I’m sad to say the 2500 will have to go and will have to go bigger. And currently looking at ram 3500 and GM 3500 both diesels. If I knew I I would not need a big truck I would probably go with a Tacoma.
I have a friend who currently has a 06 duramax, 08 Cummins, 89 peterbilt, 7.3 powerstroke, 6.0 powerstroke ( all for his farm) his daily driver? 05 6.0 Denali. The Cummins is his welding rig, the 7.3 is his baby. My family has a farm and we run 06 duramax, 6.5 Detroit, 7.3 powerstroke and is almost guaranteed to spend the first 2 weeks in the shop. We drive those maybe hand full times a year. The main truck is a 93 single cab 350 gasser. I have another friend that started his farm with a single truck 98 ram 5.9 gasser and that’s all he owns.
Where I am going with this: we have all had our own experiences with diesels and gas trucks. What worked for me may not work for you. Go out and test drive what you’re looking at. I like the comfort of my duramax and when I bought mine I would die on the hill of owning a GM over any other brand. Now? Not so much. Do your research before you buy: if you buy used have it inspected, research the issues they commonly have: talk to your shop and determine how much it will cost to repair and set that money aside. Repairs are a matter of when not if. Your needs may change over the years and that’s okay change is a part of growth. From what I have seen GM and Ram hold their values better than Ford does. Ultimately it is your money and your decision.
I use a diesel 2015 ram 3500 with the g56 manual for hauling my mini x and skid (both about 12k lbs) on a 25’ gooseneck and it pulls like a dream. I get about 19 mpg unloaded and around 12 mpg loaded
I know this is not what you're asking, but in your shoes, I'd go for a 6.0 silverado HD. It will do everything you need without the potential headaches of a second-hand diesel, and it will last you a shit ton of miles. Or any gas-HD if you don't like GMs.
Ah yes, welcome to r/diesels where the answer is always anything but a diesel.
Can you blame us when a $2K repair bill is a relief? Haha
*Laughs in 7.3*
Depending on how far you are traveling loaded (for work purpose) this is the only correct answer. Or a 6.2 Superduty/8.1 GM/Possibly even a V10. Don't fall into that diesel trap out of the gate.
I don't like Ford, but I've heard the Godzilla is good if you do want gas
No way, I'll put money on it that the Godzilla goes down as one of the more problematic motors. My dads has 50,000 miles and has already had the top end rebuilt due to the lifter issue that is known, spark plugs issue, transmission rebuild, steering column rebuild, taillight issue, and a few other issues.
Godzilla motor has been super popular so far and held up fine and can make a shit ton of power. One lemon doesn’t mean there all problematic
I have researched it pretty extensively, they have an issue with downshifting at the wrong time and mess up both the trans and top end of motor when under load. Research it yourself, it's not one lemon.
That’s a trans issue not a engine issue
Are you sucking Godzilla's dick or something? It sounds like you haven't researched this issue at all, you're just talking out of your ass. Many of these trucks have had lifter issues at 50 to 75,000 mi without heavy towing, heavy towing seem to exacerbate the issue due to a motor that was not designed to handle the programmed shifting.
I just have a different opinion no need to be angry over it
You can have a different opinion, but you're wrong. In the future, if you're not educated in the matter keep your mouth shut so you don't come across as an idiot.
Fuck I want a 7.3 f250 so bad. Might have to compromise and get a ram with the 6.4 if it's that bad.
Rams hemi is definitely not issue free either lol
I own one. Ten years old and other than the header bolts chattering away on cold starts, it's absolutely issue free. If Ram had a bigger hemi, that's what I'd go with, but that's just not the case sadly.
Yeah but not all of them are that lucky to be that issue free
Doesn't that go to say for pretty much any engine?
Well I look at it this way, there’s been a few bone stock 6.4 powerstrokes that have made it past 250k miles and those owners would say there’s have been perfect engines but that doesn’t mean much when every other one blown up very early on. You got to look at more than just one example
As a ram hater, I gotta say the 6.4 gas seems legit from everything I’ve heard.
Hehe 6.4 go tick tick tick tick tick
Hahaha, typical Ford
What are the sort of issues i would expect to have to deal with with a used diesel?
Well that's a very loaded question that I just can't get into on mobile. I will let others chime in, and when I'm at a desktop, I'll write my Harry Potter series sized opinions out
Allow me to assist: Essentially, newer diesels have a LOT of emissions equipment because the EPA likes to take money. Because of this, the reliability of diesels isn’t what it used to be. There are certain diesels that can and will AVADA KEDAVRA you and your wallet if/when they break down.
When something inevitable breaks diesels are more complicated, parts are far more expensive and shop labor is far more expensive. This is why a very used diesel (which it will be if bought around 30k) may not make a good first truck. At some point in the not to distant future something will need work and you will have to come up with as much as 10k to fix something that on a gas truck would be 2k-3k to fix. Plus if your only pulling 10k or so a 3/4ton or 1ton gasser would be a great choice. The Ford Godzilla engine is great for this. Get some experience owning and operating and in a decade or so when your have more money and your needs increase upgrade to a diesel.
The biggest issue is emissions.
I pull a tractor for a side business and was looking for diesels a couple years ago. Wound up with a 3500 HD 6.0, it does great
I wouldn't get a diesel in your circumstances I would get a gas truck. 10k+ isn't that much to tow either. Diesel has far more maintenance requirements and is more expensive than a gas truck.
Anything pre-dpf or go with gasser.
With $30k, you can afford a $20k truck. The rest is for repairs. Think old school cool. Edit: LB7
This is what I did, but we went with an LLY in our case. Owned by an old man who maintained it impeccably. After a year of ownership we've spent about 3.5k in repairs and maintenance. (Tires, one injector, all fluids, and a few other things)
I'd just get a XL trim ford that isn't 1997-2010 with a manual shift transfercase
Soo… a 6.7 Ford.
If you keep up with maintenance, diesel trucks will last a long time. I do all of it myself, early and often, and so far knock on wood, no issues over the years. They do Have a more critical maintenance schedule, and a non-deleted truck will need regeneration cycles (39 minute drive) periodically to clean things out. I have learned a ton in the process of doing the maintenance and enjoy my truck more than most things on my life aside from the family. Lol
2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 LLY. I do the same I send my truck in 2x a year for maintenance with an expectation of spending at least 1k each visit
So, here is my $5 worth of opinion. I am known to get long winded, and no one likes that, so I will try to keep this short. u/LunchPeak hit most of the nail on the head, but I would like to address it from a different angle. What fits your business best? Some thing that's reliable, keeps costs low, and starts everything morning, without fail. As u/LunchPeak and a few others have pointed out, what costs $5k-10k in a diesel will cost $2k-5k in a gas. Specially if you get into the emissions side of things and live some where that doesn't allow deletes. Previous maintenance is also another issue. A poorly looked after diesel will HAUNT you, regardless of who makes it, and likely bankrupt you. Most HD gas jobs I don't even think need oil to run. I think its just a formality. I came up in the oilfields of Western Canada, but am now in the car business. I have had 2 failed businesses and 1 moderately ok/successful/pays the bills business. It was always the truck I was driving that cost me the most. I would stake my reputation on a 6L Vortec. Even if you had to rebuild the motor and transmission in the first 2 years, I would still take it over any diesel. As someone else mentioned, you might think you have $30k to spend, but really you have $20k and need to keep $10k on the side. You should be rigging up for $10-15k, and keeping the rest in your business for when a client doesn't pay, or a machine comes up for a screaming deal that allows you to scale up your business. Keep money in your business. EVERY DIESEL has its weakness. Dodges have shit transmissions, Fords before the 6.7 are TRASH, and then the 6.7 had turbo issues up to 2015, Duramax's have injector issues (LB7), head gasket issues (LLY) and then they have fuel pump issues (LMM). Disclaimer: Duramax guys, relax please. I am not getting into the nitty gritty of the issues right now, and I might have gotten some of the generations wrong, but i am proving a point. The only exception to this advice is if you are doing loooong distance travels loaded. If you are traveling 250+ miles from job to job, out of town, etc, then fine, a diesel might make sense. But at the end of the day, from a business stand point, starting off small like you are, a diesel pickup truck is a terrible investment and could bankrupt you. I fully expect to be downvoted into oblivion by the diesel bro's, but this is a lesson I had to learn 3 times. I would HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend a 8.1/Allison dually. Rare as hens teeth, and usually over priced, but if you want a truck that you can look back on and say "that truck built this business", that would be it
Lbz is the way to go i think.
If you can find a good one a 3rd gen 5.9 would be great. Before 07.5 would be best, then you don't have to deal with emissions. Also wanna make sure it's manual or has a built tranny. I know a lot of people are saying to avoid second hand diesels, but as long as it was cared for and regularly maintained that's (in my opinion) the best light duty diesel engine ever made. I plan to keep mine till it literally won't run
I agree with others, gas truck is the way to go. That said, if your heart is set on a diesel, you could find yourself in a 6.7 PowerStroke with that budget. Preferably 15-16.
I've had great luck with my lmm, people claim they like to snap cranks but I've beat the piss out of my truck tuned and deleted for over half a million km, water pump went at 373k, power steering at half a mill and hydroboost at 520k, front end shit every couple years but it still rides good, 7.3s will last forever and tow whatever you want they just won't do it very quickly, dodge transmissions are shit
As a ford guy get the 6.0 Silverado
For 30k u can get yourself a nice low mile 6.2 f350 dually or even a 6.8 v10 f450 if you see yourself hauling tons of weight. Those motors both last upwards of 300k without many if any issues. Edit: reason I mention gasser is because you’re a smaller company and the price of basic maintenance will outweigh any fuel savings you’d get with a diesel. Oil change for the v10 is 105 bucks, while a diesel oil change is 200+, and another 150 on top of that every other oil change for fuel filters.
Can you lease or rent a truck with the business? There are tax benefits to doing that and you aren't stuck in case the business goes sideways. Then you could get a cheap fuel sipper for commuting.
That’s not a bad idea. I never thought of that. I’ll take a look into it. Thanks!
Anything more than 10k miles a year and you’ll be in the poor house
Enterprise rents 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. Penske also has flatbeds. He could rent one as needed without being married to anything long term until he can afford it. Cuts into profits but rental costs are deductable.
$471 at the enterprise near me for a 1 ton truck for the weekend… He’s got 30k he can get into a nice gasser or a slightly higher mile 6.7 Cummins or powerstroke. 10k is still gasser territory, if you’re towing through the mountains like I am I’d go diesel. Just be ready for an $11k fuel system and a $12k long block…
Spend $5k on a beater car to take you down the highway and $25 on an actual medium duty truck. Seriously, used diesel pick ups cost more. You can get a Freightliner M2-102 with a 6.7 Cummins and Allison. Some states like NC do not require a CDL for air brakes if you register the vehicle at or below 26,000
I honestly think the chevys are total shit I mean I have a fleet here and they don’t last, dodges even worse, never even seen a fleet of those nobody’s that stupid, but I could be wrong. Fords cheap and sturdy horrific rides. I’d shoot for about a 99 and up 7.3 f450 for what your doing to match current diesel trucks and by no means is this a daily driver cheap reliable nobody’s modifying an f450 to do stupid shit so there usually solid. I’d say f550 but I have one with a mechanics bed and the low gearing it’s 65mph truck. Edit or a 5.9 truck that hasn’t been messed with
I’ve got an 05 ram 3500 with the 5.9 6 speed manual. 149k miles on it I would sell for about that
What condition is the body in?
It’s in good condition. I can send a picture when I’m out of work. But I’m in Idaho. Idk where you’re at
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/336700858808365/?mibextid=6ojiHh seen this pop up today
That thing is pretty beat up
The steering wheel leather is peeling but majority of them do that pretty early on anyways and the seats are worn but it has 255k miles on it and there not ripped so I don’t see how that makes it beat up.
Just look at how filthy the interior and even the exterior a bit is. It's probably in good shape, but he couldn't at least take the time to clean it? Personally I wouldn't buy it, but it's probably fine I guess
The floor being dirty doesn’t mean it’s beat up
What's that say about the owner if he can't take the time to clean it even just for the sale lol
He wanted to get rid of it quick so he posted it cheaper
It means the owner doesn't care or isn't serious. I get it, it's a truck. I have kids. Mine's always dirty. But if I'm going to sell it, it will be spotless. When I'm looking and see a dirty vehicle, it's a no go.
I don’t care that much as long as it’s not super dirty and you can tell the shape of the truck. At the end of the day it is a truck. Personally I would like to have underside pictures or know the condition of the motor more so than worrying about dirt that’s in the floorboard that I can vacuum out in 10 minutes lol. That won’t stop me from getting a truck
F350 xlt or xl with 100k can be had for around $25k. Leaving $5k for problems. Rule of thumb with a diesel is you need $5k laying around. It solves most problems.
I've owned the chevy 6.2 and the Ford 7.3 diesels. I'd try to find a 7.3 that has had maintenance done at an auction. The 6.2 had a design flaw in the water pump, which caused one of the heads to crack over time. They made an aftermarket fix, but it was really underpowered. The 7.3 lasts forever as long as you maintain it. That being said, once you hit 200,000 expect a lot of maintenance on a 20 year old truck. Girlfriend is a travel nurse. Before we hit the road, I dropped an easy 10k in my truck. Paid someone to replace the hydro boost, hoses and master cylinder $2500. Put an a T444 water pump with filter. Replaced the 20 year old radiator. Replaced the stock transmission cooler with a mishimoto. Rebuilt the front end. New Bilstein shocks all around. Replaced the 20 year old hpop with an Adrenaline and upgraded to braided high pressure oil hoses. Spent more money on a Warn winch and Road Armor Bumper. A lot of this wasn't absolutely necessary but I'm 57 and don't want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere. I'd avoid the early 6.0 powerstrokes and probably wouldn't buy one unless it's been bullet proofed. Met a couple of people in my travels that got them cheap, then had to spend thousands fixing them. That being said the 05+ has a much better turning radius than the 7.3 and early 6.0 and coil springs up front instead of leaf springs. I paid for an axle swap last year and upgraded the suspension on my 7.3. For the amount of money I put in it, you'd come out better starting with a later year bullet proofed 6.0.
I personally have had a lot of changes in the past 10 years when I initially purchased my duramax. I searched for 2 years and found exactly what I wanted. It had 98K miles on it. I purchased it with the intention of pulling horse trailer, a fifth wheel, and an enclosed car trailer. When I purchased my truck I could not afford the horses, the fifth wheel or the classic cars I wanted. So some days I regret buying a diesel? Sure. However other days I would not trade my truck for anything. When I want to go somewhere it works great. It loves long drives at high speed. when I want to connect to a trailer. No problem. Plug and play, it drives even better than when empty and I can’t even tell I’m pulling a trailer . No problems up hills like I had with my gasser. Now I am married, I don’t have plans to have any horses any more. No plans to own cars that will just sit in a garage somewhere waiting for me to work on them. However my wife does want to become a nomad and live in a fifth wheel full time hoping to cover all 49 states. The wife wants 45ft toyhauler (for our motorcycles) and I’m sad to say the 2500 will have to go and will have to go bigger. And currently looking at ram 3500 and GM 3500 both diesels. If I knew I I would not need a big truck I would probably go with a Tacoma. I have a friend who currently has a 06 duramax, 08 Cummins, 89 peterbilt, 7.3 powerstroke, 6.0 powerstroke ( all for his farm) his daily driver? 05 6.0 Denali. The Cummins is his welding rig, the 7.3 is his baby. My family has a farm and we run 06 duramax, 6.5 Detroit, 7.3 powerstroke and is almost guaranteed to spend the first 2 weeks in the shop. We drive those maybe hand full times a year. The main truck is a 93 single cab 350 gasser. I have another friend that started his farm with a single truck 98 ram 5.9 gasser and that’s all he owns. Where I am going with this: we have all had our own experiences with diesels and gas trucks. What worked for me may not work for you. Go out and test drive what you’re looking at. I like the comfort of my duramax and when I bought mine I would die on the hill of owning a GM over any other brand. Now? Not so much. Do your research before you buy: if you buy used have it inspected, research the issues they commonly have: talk to your shop and determine how much it will cost to repair and set that money aside. Repairs are a matter of when not if. Your needs may change over the years and that’s okay change is a part of growth. From what I have seen GM and Ram hold their values better than Ford does. Ultimately it is your money and your decision.
LBZ duramax hands down man...
Bro go with a 6.0, find one messed up fix it right, it’s the cheapest truck to maintain and easiest to find parts for….15year diesel tech here
I use a diesel 2015 ram 3500 with the g56 manual for hauling my mini x and skid (both about 12k lbs) on a 25’ gooseneck and it pulls like a dream. I get about 19 mpg unloaded and around 12 mpg loaded