Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Yet Another Truck Thread

I’m thinkin’ hard about a truck purchase. The majority of miles will likely be on the highway. A new job I am interviewing for in the oil fields will have me making 8-10 hour road trips on a regular basis. I also may be hotshotting from time to time, but that is not definite, although I am sure I will be asked to transport equipment from time-to-time. I need a truck that is off road capable and I also plan to use the truck for camping/hunting/general off-roading as well.

I am thinking about a diesel, since I love diesels. The 1997 -2002 Ford F250 7.3 would be great, but finding one with under 100K miles is nearly impossible and a good one could easily fetch ~25K+. The newer 6.0 and 6.4 are not an option since they suck. The new(er) ~2012 6.7 Powerstrokes are a bit too expensive and I’m leery of Powerstrokes due to the 6.0 and 6.4 debacles, but I understand that the new 6.7 is a good diesel engine.

I have always liked Ford trucks. My last one was a ’77 Supercab that had a built 400 and it was a great, incredibly fast truck and it lasted for 330K+ miles – until it caught on fire. I have driven a ’99 F250 with the V10 extensively, but the V10 was a complete dog and the truck had multiple small, annoying problems, not to mention the horrible mileage. The Ford F150 with the 5.0 was under consideration, but they don’t seem to last very long. I have a friend that just blew a well-maintained engine on one + I don't really want an aluminum truck.

I am not a Chevy guy at all.

The Cummins is far and away the best fargin’ diesel motor out there, it’s just unfortunate it’s wrapped in a Dodge/RAM.

So, with a budget of around 30K I’m leaning towards a Laramie RAM 2500 4x4 6.7 Cummins with 50-80K miles.

Good choice – yea or nay? And why?

If I purchase such a truck and delete the EGR and delete the DPF/DEF, what kind of (unloaded) mileage can I expect on the highway?

Thanks for any input.

Not too sure you’re going to get a DEF equipped truck (2013 or newer) for your $30k with those miles, that hasn’t been through the wringer. My ‘14 with 100k miles (Laramie 4X4 Crew Cab) is still worth around $40k in my locale. Maybe they’re cheaper in Texas, I don’t really know. Anyhow, deleting the DEF trucks doesn’t yield much in the way of mileage improvement, you’ll essentially save the fuel blown out of the exhaust wasted on regens, and not much else. My truck, which may or may not have been deleted for reliability reasons gets anywhere from 20-25 mpg highway, depending on terrain and speed. Hand calculated. The truck says I get about 1-2 mpg more than actual. 75mph on cruise is usually good for 20-22mpg. The 4th gens have tall gears, but seem more sensitive to hilly terrain and load than the 3rd gens, as far as fuel mileage. Towing yields 11-15, again depending on what I’m pulling. Best tow vehicle I’ve had by a fair margin.

The 2014+ Ram chassis is decent, the suspension seems to hold out better than earlier models. Plus you can fold out the tow mirrors and roll coal .

My dad just got rid of his 11’ F250 with the 6.7. He bought it in 2013 with 32k on it and it was right around 80k when he sold it. He had no problems with it and it was totally stock, DEF and EGR still intact. It got 17mpg unloaded on the highway and 11-13 pulling. Really good truck but he was leary of keeping it too long and having an issue that would end up costing him $5k in the shop. So he sold it for exactly what he gave for it in 2013, $35k and bought a brand new gasser. He’s liking it so far though he’s still adjusting to the way it pulls since it has to rev unlike the diesel.

The place I’m working is a fab shop, rig welding service, and hotshot service. We work the piss out of the trucks and as we wear them out they’re replacing everything with 6.7 Powerstrokes. We have a F350, F450, and an F550, all cab and chassis 4x4s with big flatbeds for our hotshot rigs. They all pull big 30’ or 40’ goosenecks or one of the 24’ deck overs. Other than beating the front ends out of alignment on oilfield service roads they seem to be very trouble free. The lowest mileage rig of the bunch has 194,000 on it. We also have regular cab F350 4x4 diesels with welding beds, they give no trouble either.

The Ram 3500 with the 6.7 is mechanically decent, it has had a tranny put in it, but the typical Dodge interior. Knobs and stuff constantly coming off the dash, steering wheel peeling, and an inferior AC. We also have a 2011 Duramax, huge POS. It was in the shop Friday with oil running out of everywhere, not sure what the mechanic found but he had it back up and running by Monday. Then the entire dash just quit Monday afternoon, all the gauges frozen in place, not sure what’s going on there. We have a 3/4 ton Titan with the Cummins too. It has been plagued with cooling system issues, water pumps, radiator, heater core. Plus it’s hideously ugly if you ask me.

So like Badger says, I don’t know how good a 6.7 Superduty or RAM Cummins you’re going to find for $30k, especially 4x4. I certainly wouldn’t be looking for a half ton for serious hotshot work. But I wouldn’t overlook any of the 3/4 or 1 ton gassers. I think all the big three have a pretty solid medium sized V8 these days and you’ll be able to get a nicer truck in your budget.

Well, you've seen my truck at Armijo Springs and I told you where I got it and what I paid .

It is a RAM 2500 Crewcab short bed 2016 Outdoorsman with Cummins 6.7 diesel. It is 4x4 and a great hauler.

It had 40,000 miles on it when I bought it in 2017. Thus I do think that you could find a nice, clean low mileage RAM like it, possibly a little older though, within your budget.

Folks tell me that these trucks are easily good for well over 200,000 miles if you take care of them.

Personally, I am very enthusiastic about the RAM with 6.7 Cummins over other alternatives. The DEF fluid lasts through several tank loads of diesel and isn't too expensive, so I wouldn't mess with it.

The only downside of the Cummins engine are weight, mileage (though better on the highway) and noise from the outside. Inside, it is quite acceptable.

I especially like the 2500 over the 3500 as the 2500 has coil springs for a smoother ride instead of leaf springs. That is perhaps the only difference allowing the 3500 to haul heavier loads.

We have not had any of the maintenance issues mentioned about RAMs by others.

Norm

If you want a Ford, though these engines are not my first choices, do not discount the 6.0 and 6.4. If you do not live in one of the “socialist states”, where you are prohibited from engine/emissions modifications.....there are things that can be done for them. Exhaust deletes, EGR delete, performance chipping, and maybe a few other things I can’t remember. The actual engine is actually a pretty good unit....the biggest issues are the government mandated emissions crap, that create problems with the engine!

That said, we went with the Dodge Ram with a Cummins....which my wife hates. Right after our purchase, she was complaining about the truck to a friend. The friend asked why we bought it, my wife’s response, “ We bought a Cummins....it came with a Dodge”! memtb

I sure hope you don't get the Dodge Cummins that I traded in on my Ford.

The Dodge Service Dept couldn't fix it after numerous trips to the shop... while under warranty still.

To be fair, it was the govt mandated emissions crap that kept messing up. More time in the shop than out.

12 valve

If you are not a Chevy guy, I can’t help you.

There’s also the question of year-end deduction(s) for the truck. I haven’t looked into this yet, but I know that a large percentage of a new truck (~95%) is tax deductible over a period of 4 years, but I’m not sure about a used truck; however, I think a used truck may qualify for a Section 179 deduction, but I have to look into this.

*****

badger: I know my $30K budget is overly optimistic. I’ve seen good, relatively low mileage RAM 2500 4x4 6.7 Cummins in the 32-37K range, but I should be able to negotiate a few thousand off the asking price. I’ve also seen these trucks in the high 40K range, but these are beyond my means at the moment. I realize that I will probably need to increase my budget slightly.

Stormin_Norman: Good to know, I will take a look at the 2014 RAMs. I know the suspension on the older Dodge/RAMs was horrid. I once was driving a ~2010 3500 with a loaded gooseneck on the highway in a rainstorm and the suspension was so incredibly awful, I was certain I was going to die.

TheKid: I really like the Ford F250 6.7, but I much prefer the Cummins motor. I also have the same dreadful feeling your Father had about getting stuck with a $5K+ repair at some point with a Ford. I believe the Ford is a better truck than the RAM (i.e. better suspension, higher-grade interior components, electronics, “screwed” together better, etc.) but I am overly cautious due to all the horror stories I’ve read and heard about with Ford’s previous generations. It is good to know that the 6.7 Fords that you are using in your shop are reliable and have given you no problems – especially with the 194K being the lowest mileage. The diesels certainly also hold their value well, though selling one with such high mileage would be difficult. The hotshot work I mentioned is definitely not the priority – more likely I will simply be asked to transport equipment occasionally. I will take a look at the RAM 2500 6.4 Hemi as well, but I’d really prefer the diesel since the 6.4 gets such terrible gas mileage.

Anjin: Yes indeed. Your truck is a beauty. You obviously got an incredible deal on that ’16 Outdoorsman – such a great deal that anyone would be hard-pressed to duplicate it – even a year later. Even finding a nice, similar 2014 with low mileage nearer my budget is no easy task. I do plan on calling your contact, but I want to wait a bit until I am ready to pull the trigger.

memtb: Yep, the Powerstroke is not my first choice either. I appreciate your comment regarding the 6.0 and 6.4 engines, but I am not willing to take the chance. EPA regulations are far more harmful than they are beneficial: from ethanol to mileage and “pollution” standards, the EPA has caused manufacturers to scramble to meet the regs., which result in lighter vehicles that are not nearly as crash-worthy to all kinds of emission-related problems, etc. The EPA needs to be abolished. I do understand your wife’s comment. The Cummins is an awesome motor, it’s just the truck that’s wrapped around it that’s the problem.

rockinbbar: I hope not. I also hope to avoid such a situation, which makes my decision much more difficult.

stxhunter: Yep. I want a 12 valve P pump. The ideal situation would be to purchase a 1978 Ford F250 and put a built 12 valve P pump mated to an Allison into it. I just don’t have the time or upfront cash to do that at the moment. Just the Cummins/Allison conversion would be upwards of $12-15K.

dale06: Good information. Thanks for your input.

That's one of those things that sounds absolutely awesome. Until you put it on the interstate for 10 or 12 hours. Or drive it a lot on surface streets. Or tow a real load with the outdated suspension and frame. Or a hundred other scenarios. My first truck was a '76 F150 which I loved. Always thought I'd want another one...until I drove one again.

SockPuppet: Thanks for ruining my dream.

I guess there's always a Toyota Tundra. Fun...

Doesn't Nissan advertise some form of Cummins engine in their Titan now?

Yes, but do some research on those engines, they are made in China and are absolutely terrible. I wouldn't touch one with a 10 foot pole.

Yes, it’s the “light duty” V8 that Cummins developed quite a few years ago. Chrysler had dibs on it because of their relationship with Cummins, but they subsequently went with the VM Motori V6 Italian diesel for their half ton trucks. Word was the Cummins V8 didn’t meet Chrysler’s fuel economy and durability standards, and Chrysler’s then new owner, Fiat, made the VM Motori engine a shoo-in.

"I haven’t looked into this yet, but I know that a large percentage of a new truck (~95%) is tax deductible over a period of 4 years, but I’m not sure about a used truck"

You need to talk to an income tax expert. I don't know the current tax law but when I bought my 2005 Dodge diesel in December of 2005 my income tax lady deducted the whole cost of my truck from my taxable income for 2005 even though I had only paid $10,000 down and financed the balance for 5 years. I didn't get audited so I guess IRS was ok with the full deduction. By the way 100,000 miles on a diesel truck means it's just broken in good.

Any opinions on the 2015-2016 RAM 1500 w/ the 5.7 Hemi? I know I'd be sacrificing some mileage, but I'd be a bit under my budget. I don't know much about the Hemi engines and how long they last - I would think 150K would probably be lucky. The Motori V6 diesel in the RAM 1500 seems to be a good engine, but the mileage is only marginally better (by 2-3 mpg) than the 6.7 Cummins in the 2500.

Diesel is a definitely a better choice for longevity/durability and mileage.

the hemi engines are definitely good for over 200 K plus

lots of reports around 20 mpg highway for the 1500 5.7 , of course mileage will suffer if you are running hard on the interstate

heard reports of fuel mileage in the upper 20s for the light duty Ram diesel , but some mechanical issues too

they will use quite a bit less fuel than a 3/4 ton cummins

Man we sure have different experience there.

I had an 2012 5.7 Hemi. It got around 11mpg in mixed driving. 14 on the highway with a tailwind was the best it ever did... once or twice.

Traded it in on a diesel Cummins and it consistently got over 20mpg in mixed driving.

mileage results vary widely according to driver , road , and weather conditions

for example , a test of a 1500 Hemi......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=13&v=I5d_Bp3gD-o

another example , Ive got an old 97 12 valve Dodge , 17 mpg is about all you will see under mixed conditions and warm weather , best it ever did was 23 @ 65 mph on a steady trip , light wind and flat terrain


more speed would drop it down pretty fast