Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives Which/why? Used Diesel 3/4s….

Phasers are either a thing of the past or they figured them out several years ago.

Ford 6.2 Gas Motor is extremely reliable. The newer models with the 10 speed trans are better than the older ones.

I found the 6.0 GM to be gutless, just my personal experience.

Currently have a Ram 2500 with the 6.4 Hemi. Knock on wood, it’s been reliable and has plenty of power. Don’t need a diesel. I sure love them but with fuel at 5.50 a gallon, and the expense of maintenance if something breaks, hard to justify.

I’d be curious on the new Ford 7.3 gas motor never drove it.

Between the 6.7 Ford or Cummins with 200,000 miles it’s a toss up. I like the Ford better and I’d be nervous to buy any used modern diesel.

For what it’s worth, I once said I’d never buy a 3/4 ton gasser.

Went and drove various Ford/Chevy 6.2/6.0 2500/3500 trucks today….2013-2019 models. Most were in ‘work truck’ configuration, crew cab, long bed, 4wd. The Chevrolets were hands down preferable for handling, smoothness, comfort, features, etc. just could not find a Ford there I actually liked to drive….and this place had 4-5 dozen. Wanted to like the Fords, but couldn’t. Didn’t want to like the Chevys….but I really did like them. No towing, just test drives. Really liked a 2019 Chevy 2500LT and a 2017 3500.

Yeah the work truck Fords are rough interior and comfort. I haven’t driven a newer GM 3/4 or 1 ton. My Ram is a Laramie and I thought it was more comfort than the Ford Lariat I drove. Probably also depends on how worn out the seat is.

I think some of the newer Ford HD are electric assist power steering which takes some getting used to as well. Probably just preference.

Fords ride like buckboards. Chevys ride like a couch. Dodge somewhere in the middle.

As far as interiors, man even the Tradesman/XL/WT trucks have a lot going on. At least compared to 20 some years ago. I’d be perfectly happy with a f250 7.3 crew 6.5 bed base model xl. I do like the idea of aftermarket leather though.

Had intended to consider the dodge w/6.4, but pickings are slim and keep hearing about their tow governing g on hills and such? Not sure it’s as inherently durable as the other 6.2/6.0 stuff?

I’ve had a 2006 duramax and loved it. Now I have a 2014 duramax and love this one also. The 06s only problem was a few glow plugs in 120k. The 2014 has had a few minor things all covered by Gmc.

Pre covid(2019) we bought a super clean extended cab 6.7 F350. Plain jane XLT, 165k miles, $19000.



Deleted it and 3 years later it is awesome as ever.

Sticking to gas…..any input on trusting reliability for the 6.4 Hemi vs the Chevy 6.0, vs towing, mileage, etc? My son is looking at ‘04-‘06.5 Chevy Duramax trucks, but I don’t think I have a true need for diesel OR something else to work on…..just occasional 2500/3500 tow capability and ease of maintenance/drive ability.

I doubt you would have much trouble with either. I'm 4 months/6000 miles into a used 2018 Chevrolet 2500HD with the 6.0/6L90/4.10 axle ratio now with 105K on the odometer. Truck does all that it needs to for me. I'm glad I bought it. My Dad is running a Ram 2500 with the 6.4 that he bought new in 2017. He's near 200K with it, and has not had any notable issues.

We haul much more than we tow by a wide margin. Usually 500 to 1500 pounds of steel/aluminum parts in wooden totes. You don't notice the load in a 3/4 ton pickup that was very noticeable in a 2003 half ton. I have towed a 7K travel trailer with the Silverado a few times this summer without much drama, and with a 14K tow rating, there shouldn't be any drama. My only gripe is with the factory brake controller. It some times requires the ignition to be cycled off/on to get it to wake up. There may be a Tekonsha P3 in the trucks future.

Overall I get 12mpg combined, but that's about what I expected, it's a 6500 pound truck. Payload is around 3K. It takes 6 quarts of 5w-30, and there is room under the hood to spare. Food for thought I guess.

Thanks. Im leaning toward and mostly looking at something similar to your truck, but wanted to at least try the newer (less than 7 yr old) Dodges, before I committed.

I've had the same 7.3L F250 SD for the last 21 years. I'd say my cost of ownership has been very low. Kept it stock, has 300K on the odometer did the maintenance, fixed stuff when it broke. Nothing major has failed on it, but I'm putting $10K+ into it as it was hit-n-run last March in Pueblo.

Nothing fancy as far as pickups go. Regular cab, 6 speed manual, long bed, upgraded XL model. However, it does everything I ask it to and some things I shouldn't.

Part of me would like to go old 7.3 or 5.9, but the $ is a lot newer truck, with nicer ride and features, these days…..folks want stupid $ for 20+ year old diesels with 300k on them…..just because no emissions? market? I’ve found 3-4 yr old gas burners for the same $ or less. I can’t work around that in my head for now.

What Sam said.
The Ford 6.7 is the best Diesel built in the 3/4 & 1 ton class pickups. It’ll pull circles around the Chevy and Dodges.

And while the 7.3 Ford Diesels ran a lot of miles, they didn’t have near the power.
And you couldn’t give me a 6.2 Ford Diesel.

Probably because they didn't make one.

You're correct about stupid prices on pickups. That's why I've kept my pickup for over 20 years. Every time I wanted something nicer/newer, I couldn't justify the price tag. I don't use that pickup for a DD and pretty much just pull with it. If I'm running about I drive a 05 CRV.

I also have an 06 Duramax, I got a deal on because of some rust in the rockers. Runs great but a little rust turned into a whole lot of rust. I just used it to pull a 30' travel trailer and a 3 horse slant, because it was a crew cab and the whole family would fit. Sold the TT and planned on parting with this pickup. It's paid off as well and upfront costs on a newer crew cab 1/2 make $5 diesel bearable.

Well, I literally couldn’t stand any of the 2012-2018 Fords I drove, so they’re pretty much crossed off the list. I’m pretty sure my ‘98 John Deere 5200 will pull circles around any of the Fords I drove, and it’d probably even drive better on the highway. LOL

I didn't know they made that one......

He split the difference between the 6.0l and 6.4l.

Honestly, I wouldn't pass a good deal up on a 6.0l if you find one. The issue I had when looking for a pre-DEF diesel pickup, all the 6.0l had tuners in them and all were "bulletproofed" wanting a premium for the pickups. I mainly was worried about what kind of tunes were being used.

My BIL has had a stock 09 6.4l for several years, other than it's a 12 MPG avg truck it has been a good one. My sister's FIL has an 08 6.4l that has been a lemon, until they deleted the EGR and DPF. My BIL's pickup is a highway hauler and my sister's FIL is a ranch truck with bale bed. So I'd say you have a 50/50 shot on a 6.4l, not good enough for me to look at them.

Sorry for my typo error. Meant to type 6.4 😬