Used truck purchase

I am thinking of buying a crew cab 4x4 1500hd or 2500hd or f250 or a dodge 2500 and not sure what to buy or what engine,v8,v10 or deisel. My price range is 8-12k which is from years 1997 to 2002 give or take. So who has what and how many miles and what problems have you had. I have had a 95 k1500 ext cab since 01 so i'm pretty comfy in gm but the fords seem to be a lot cheaper, a buddy at work said it was cause they made so many in those years, idk. The dodges are all over the place and most highly moded and miles on the deisels are all up there at or over 200k. We pull a two horse w/dresser with our suburban with the 5.3 and it just screems every time you go up a hill or get a head wind. Any info will be appreciated.

what

I guess it depends on your needs

Going to be used for hauling fire wood,pulling horse trailer on 8hr treks cross the country and driving 100 mile round trips to work in the snow.

so you want something 4wd low miles, with good dependability. I was looking for a truck myself but your not gonna find much in your price range unless you got the cash on hand and private owner. Anything at a dealership would be a down payment.

Not scared of high miles on a gas engine but don't have any experience with the deisels. I would prefer a deisel cause of the torque and most likely won't be purchasing from a dealer due to price. There are several locally and in our trader papers imn my price range just not sure what problems are inherant with specific brands and models.

dodge 2500 cummins diesel , done deal

/Thread

I agree, get a cummins ram and be done with it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by croslod

I would prefer a deisel cause of the torque

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I had a 2001 2500HD CC/SWB 2WD 8.1/Allison. Because of family circumstances ( don't ask because it was ridiculous what I was forced to do), I bought an 07 F250SD CC/SWB 4WD 6.0L.

Both rigs towed a 10K lb 28' enclosed trailer.

The HD was FAR superior in every aspect.

The HD handled the trailer a LOT better. I could tow at 80mph without worries. The trailer pushed the SD all over the road at that speed, even with a WD hitch. I took it to a local RV shop and had everything weighed and adjusted without much improvement. The conclusion is the SD's 4WD suspension has more travel and a softer spring rate.

Loaded, both platforms got the same fuel mileage. Unloaded, combined, the 8.1 got 13mpg and the 6.0 get 16mpg.

But the real kick in the head is fuel prices. Diesel is $.40/gallon higher. And because of the low sulfur requirements mandated a couple years ago, I have to run an additive to keep the fuel system happy.

When it comes time to change the oil ... the HD took 6 qts with a filter. The SD needs 16 quarts! And the recommended change intervals are the same.

8.1 HDs are CHEAP these days. There were some issues with the 8.1 using oil and mine did ... about a quart every 2500 miles. But that's still 9 quarts ahead!

Think long and hard before buying a diesel. Look at every aspect.

Good Luck ...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ss~zoso~ss

dodge 2500 cummins diesel , done deal

/Thread

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by gd1996

I agree, get a cummins ram and be done with it.

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:yup: but get the 6-speed for better towing and reliability...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 02ultraZ

:yup: but get the 6-speed for better towing and reliability...

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Get a GM with an Duramax or an older 7.3 Furd.

06 and 07 6.0s had FINALLY worked out the issues. There was a head redesign implemented for the 06 model year.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ss~zoso~ss

dodge 2500 cummins diesel , done deal

/Thread

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My buddy, whose Dad owns a construction business, has an '08 Dodge Cummins, and is on his third engine.

They all have problems, just hope you don't get a lemon.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mitchntx

I had a 2001 2500HD CC/SWB 2WD 8.1/Allison. Because of family circumstances ( don't ask because it was ridiculous what I was forced to do), I bought an 07 F250SD CC/SWB 4WD 6.0L.

Both rigs towed a 10K lb 28' enclosed trailer.

The HD was FAR superior in every aspect.

The HD handled the trailer a LOT better. I could tow at 80mph without worries. The trailer pushed the SD all over the road at that speed, even with a WD hitch. I took it to a local RV shop and had everything weighed and adjusted without much improvement. The conclusion is the SD's 4WD suspension has more travel and a softer spring rate.

Loaded, both platforms got the same fuel mileage. Unloaded, combined, the 8.1 got 13mpg and the 6.0 get 16mpg.

But the real kick in the head is fuel prices. Diesel is $.40/gallon higher. And because of the low sulfur requirements mandated a couple years ago, I have to run an additive to keep the fuel system happy.

When it comes time to change the oil ... the HD took 6 qts with a filter. The SD needs 16 quarts! And the recommended change intervals are the same.

8.1 HDs are CHEAP these days. There were some issues with the 8.1 using oil and mine did ... about a quart every 2500 miles. But that's still 9 quarts ahead!

Think long and hard before buying a diesel. Look at every aspect.

Good Luck ...

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You couldn't give me an 8.1 HD - there's a reason they don't use them any longer.

The increase in fuel mileage for any of the 3 diesels more than makes up for running any 3 with a gas engine, including oil changes.

I guarantee your cost per mile will be much less with a diesel. Do the math.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FasstChevys

I guarantee your cost per mile will be much less with a diesel. Do the math.

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OK ... let's do "the math" ...

Given 1000 miles per month combined driving and based upon my real world experience with an 8.1 gas vs 6.0 diesel

8.1 ...

1000 miles per month at 13mpg -- 77 gallons @ $2.50/gal -- $192.50 fuel cost
After 3000 miles, 6 qts of M1 and filter is about $60

So fuel and and oil change is $637.50 per quarter or $2550/yr.



6.0 ...

1000 miles per month at 18mpg -- 56 gallons @ $2.75/gal -- $154 fuel cost
After 3000 miles, 4 gallons of Rotella and the filter is about $95

So fuel and oil change is $557 per quarter or 2228/yr


Oh, but there is more ...

The purchase price for a diesel powered truck is easily $20K more, new. In the year model the OP is looking at, it's probably more like $7K when comparing an 8.1 to a diesel. But let's use $5K because of a bad economy.

So the difference in maintenance cost is about $300/year.

It will take a person ~16 years of service to make up the difference in lower maintenance cost/increased fuel economy.


When I've had this debate elsewhere, the fact that resale value off-sets that difference. To a degree, I can see that.

So lets factor that in ...


Today's $5K premium is deprecitaed to $3K in 3 years.


Today you spend $5k more and in three years you get $3k of it back making the increased cost only $2K over the three years of ownership.

8.1 over 3 years ... ~$7650 maintenace/fuel
Diesel over 3 years ... ~$6684 maintenance/fuel PLUS the $2,000 for the privilege of owning a diesel.


Math done. And I didn't even include the $5 a tank for the additive.


I won't get into the hassle of handling 30lbs of carbon black oil every 3 months ...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GTP231

Get a GM with an Duramax or an older 7.3 Furd.

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I am a chevy guy at heart, if i had the $$$ i would buy a fully loaded duramax and swap in a cummins and a six speed. On another note i hate that the new Duras don't come in manual...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by croslod

I am thinking of buying a crew cab 4x4 1500hd or 2500hd or f250 or a dodge 2500 and not sure what to buy or what engine,v8,v10 or deisel. My price range is 8-12k which is from years 1997 to 2002 give or take. So who has what and how many miles and what problems have you had. I have had a 95 k1500 ext cab since 01 so i'm pretty comfy in gm but the fords seem to be a lot cheaper, a buddy at work said it was cause they made so many in those years, idk. The dodges are all over the place and most highly moded and miles on the deisels are all up there at or over 200k. We pull a two horse w/dresser with our suburban with the 5.3 and it just screems every time you go up a hill or get a head wind. Any info will be appreciated.

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1992-94 Full size chevy blazer
/thread

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ss~zoso~ss

dodge 2500 cummins diesel , done deal

/Thread

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full size blazer>cummins diesel

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mitchntx

OK ... let's do "the math" ...

Given 1000 miles per month combined driving and based upon my real world experience with an 8.1 gas vs 6.0 diesel

8.1 ...

1000 miles per month at 13mpg -- 77 gallons @ $2.50/gal -- $192.50 fuel cost
After 3000 miles, 6 qts of M1 and filter is about $60

So fuel and and oil change is $637.50 per quarter or $2550/yr.



6.0 ...

1000 miles per month at 18mpg -- 56 gallons @ $2.75/gal -- $154 fuel cost
After 3000 miles, 4 gallons of Rotella and the filter is about $95

So fuel and oil change is $557 per quarter or 2228/yr


Oh, but there is more ...

The purchase price for a diesel powered truck is easily $20K more, new. In the year model the OP is looking at, it's probably more like $7K when comparing an 8.1 to a diesel. But let's use $5K because of a bad economy.

So the difference in maintenance cost is about $300/year.

It will take a person ~16 years of service to make up the difference in lower maintenance cost/increased fuel economy.


When I've had this debate elsewhere, the fact that resale value off-sets that difference. To a degree, I can see that.

So lets factor that in ...


Today's $5K premium is deprecitaed to $3K in 3 years.


Today you spend $5k more and in three years you get $3k of it back making the increased cost only $2K over the three years of ownership.

8.1 over 3 years ... ~$7650 maintenace/fuel
Diesel over 3 years ... ~$6684 maintenance/fuel PLUS the $2,000 for the privilege of owning a diesel.


Math done.

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I personally haven't seen or heard of an 8.1 getting 13mpg. However, I will take your word for it. Maybe the reason is because I personally have never seen a 2wd 8.1 3/4ton HD. The majority of pickups here are 4x4(1/2, 3/4 or 1 ton), and if they are 2wd, they are not usually 3/4 ton HD - which brings me to this:

I don't think you're comparing apples to apples since your previous post referenced this statement: "I had a 2001 2500HD CC/SWB 2WD 8.1/Allison. Because of family circumstances ( don't ask because it was ridiculous what I was forced to do), I bought an 07 F250SD CC/SWB 4WD 6.0L."

To be fair, you should be comparing a 4x4 3/4 ton 8.1 HD, to a 4x4 3/4 ton Duramax HD(or a F250 diesel 4x4 for that matter).

4x4 3/4 ton 8.1 HD's do NOT get 13mpg, especially pulling the type of enclosed trailer you've mentioned. If you are LUCKY, you'll get 8 to 9 mpg with the 8.1, compared to 16 or better with a Duramax...........

This isn't even mentioning the aftermarket chips available on the market today that are offered to diesels. You can't honestly tell me that there's a chip on the market for a gasoline engine that even comes close to comparing with the mileage/power efficiencies of a diesel. They don't exist.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mitchntx

OK ... let's do "the math" ...

Given 1000 miles per month combined driving and based upon my real world experience with an 8.1 gas vs 6.0 diesel

8.1 ...

1000 miles per month at 13mpg -- 77 gallons @ $2.50/gal -- $192.50 fuel cost
After 3000 miles, 6 qts of M1 and filter is about $60

So fuel and and oil change is $637.50 per quarter or $2550/yr.



6.0 ...

1000 miles per month at 18mpg -- 56 gallons @ $2.75/gal -- $154 fuel cost
After 3000 miles, 4 gallons of Rotella and the filter is about $95

So fuel and oil change is $557 per quarter or 2228/yr


Oh, but there is more ...

The purchase price for a diesel powered truck is easily $20K more, new. In the year model the OP is looking at, it's probably more like $7K when comparing an 8.1 to a diesel. But let's use $5K because of a bad economy.

So the difference in maintenance cost is about $300/year.

It will take a person ~16 years of service to make up the difference in lower maintenance cost/increased fuel economy.


When I've had this debate elsewhere, the fact that resale value off-sets that difference. To a degree, I can see that.

So lets factor that in ...


Today's $5K premium is deprecitaed to $3K in 3 years.


Today you spend $5k more and in three years you get $3k of it back making the increased cost only $2K over the three years of ownership.

8.1 over 3 years ... ~$7650 maintenace/fuel
Diesel over 3 years ... ~$6684 maintenance/fuel PLUS the $2,000 for the privilege of owning a diesel.


Math done. And I didn't even include the $5 a tank for the additive.


I won't get into the hassle of handling 30lbs of carbon black oil every 3 months ...

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incorrect

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Murder after Midnight

full size blazer>cummins diesel

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and incorrect..