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Joined: Oct 2009
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Looking into buying a diesel truck. I don’t have 60-70k to buy new, so I’ve been looking at low(ish) mile Ram and Chevy 3/4 ton models. I want to find something with 150,000 miles or less, and 20k (ish) is the top of the budget.

Given that, would you choose the Ram/Cummins or the Chevy/Duramax? Any particular model year to stick with or stay away from? (Based in cost, I’m probably looking at late 90’s to mid 2000 models)

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The second gen Duramax was cheaper to put injetors in.


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if you can find the 2nd generation 12 valve with those miles and still in good shape get it 93-98 1/2. mechanical no computer crap.


God bless Texas-----------------------
Old 300
I will remain what i am until the day I die- A HUNTER......Sitting Bull
Its not how you pick the booger..
but where you put it !!
Roger V Hunter
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Ram if one plans on getting out much.


1Minute
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I wish you luck. Buying a used diesel pickup is always a gamble.

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I’d be looking for a 2006-7 Duramax LBZ.

That’s not a knock on Dodge. I am just familiar with and confident in Duramax/Allison trucks, and an LBZ checks a lot of boxes.


"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated." Thomas Paine
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Find a Ford with the 7.3.


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Originally Posted by stxhunter
if you can find the 2nd generation 12 valve with those miles and still in good shape get it 93-98 1/2. mechanical no computer crap.


Actually second gen was 94 - 98 1/2 and come with the P7100 pump. They were one of the most dependable and longest lasting diesel trucks ever made IME. If the OP decides to go this route find one with a 5 speed of you want a low first gear. The Ford's with the 7.3 were rockstars as well but are spendy when injectors go out.


Good bullets properly placed always work, but not everyone knows what good bullets are, or can reliably place them in the field
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You want what you want, I get it, but for that kind of money you can buy a gas rig with a lot less miles. Later generation diesels have given up longevity and low maintenance costs for emission trade offs.


Well this is a fine pickle we're in, should'a listened to Joe McCarthy and George Orwell I guess.
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ELKiller: I bought my first Dodge and my first diesel 4x4 pickup truck NEW back in 1996. That truck has served me exceptionally well, been exceptionally dependable and gotten good mileage since day one.
I have 140,000 miles on it now and it now sits in my warm garage year round until I need it to go Hunting or fishing.
Never a wrench has been touched to that engine or its components.
It IS the 12 (twelve) valve model and with 5 speed manual transmission and puttering along I get 21 -22 miles to the gallon.
IF.... and that is a mighty big IF, you can find someone willing to sell their 1996 to 1998 Dodge Cummins extended cab diesel 4x4 with 5 speed transmission I highly recommend it!
I am hopeful this truck/engine lasts me the rest of my life.
Power, dependability and somewhat good mileage - if you find one - buy it.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

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Originally Posted by Trystan
Originally Posted by stxhunter
if you can find the 2nd generation 12 valve with those miles and still in good shape get it 93-98 1/2. mechanical no computer crap.


Actually second gen was 94 - 98 1/2 and come with the P7100 pump. They were one of the most dependable and longest lasting diesel trucks ever made IME. If the OP decides to go this route find one with a 5 speed of you want a low first gear. The Ford's with the 7.3 were rockstars as well but are spendy when injectors go out.

got my 97 about 5 yrs ago, had a 120000 on it, just now fixing to roll the odomiter over.


God bless Texas-----------------------
Old 300
I will remain what i am until the day I die- A HUNTER......Sitting Bull
Its not how you pick the booger..
but where you put it !!
Roger V Hunter
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Duramax all the way

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My 2013 duramax had the injection pump come a part internally 2 times in 120,000 miles. First time under warranty second time cost me $11,000 to fix. I’d do some research on model years with the Bosch cp4 injection pump and steer clear of them! It is a known problem that Chevy was happy to not own up to. Reason this life long Chevy guy bought a Cummins and I’ve been very happy I did.


Rick
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My 2004 has 195,000 on it. Runs like a champ. I bought a new 2018. I hope it lasts as long and is as trouble free.

I had the front end rebuilt, two water pumps, and the usual maintenance work in the 2004. It’s on the 3rd set of tires ( bout due for 4th set of Michelin’s). It’s the best truck I’ve owned

Guy at work has a 2004, it has 310, on it

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I had a 94 Dodge 1500 until it slung a rod @ 230K miles. I bought my 2002 Dodge / Cummins 4x4 immediately after that in March 2007 with about 100K miles. I just rolled over to 270K miles.

I had to have the transmission rebuilt @185K. ($2400)

Had to replace the injector pump and upgraded the lift pump last year...and fixed an oil leak while it was in the shop. ($3200)

I've replaced the wheel hubs about 6 times or so. Passenger side goes out 2 times for every driver hub. About $60-70 a piece and about an hour of labor.

Couple-three water pumps replaced and the radiator once.

Also had to replace the power steering pump and steering gear (not at the same time) a few years ago.

Constantly have to recharge the A/C...

My biggest gripe in all of it though...is the absolutely shi-t-t-t-t-y plastic Dodge used to build the interior of their 94-2002 generation trucks. The dashes are notorious for crumbling to nothing. Aftermarket replacements are available but it is a real pain in the azz. I've also had to replace the fold down cup holder, the dash bezel...and I am about to have to replace the glove box because one hinge cracked / crumbled.

They all have their problems. For every post (across various forums) you see of someone bragging that they've had 100K repair-free miles on truck ABC, there is another claim somewhere else that it is the crappiest, most troublesome piece of equipment ever designed and put into production.

The mechanical, second-gen Cummins as well as the 7.3L Fords are legendary. The second gen Cummins will have a lot of similar issues I pointed out above, minus the injector and lift pump. There is also a huge hotrod base and market for the second gen Cummins.

The 7.3s, good as they are, absolutely blow my mind to see what people are asking for them with 200K or even 300K...asking prices for a pristine 7.3 with only 100K are insane.

I'm eyeballing my next truck and hope to make a purchase this fall. I will be buying used but looking for a diesel 4x4 with less than 100K. I am not interested in any of the recent Fords and the frequency of issues I keep reading about on recent GMs has me cautious....when I pull the trigger, I'm probably going to end up with a Mega-Cab Cummins 4x4.

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You may argue but the numbers the last time I checked for the manufacturer's recommended mileage for engine rebuilds was 200,000 miles Duramax, 250,000 for the Powerstroke and 350,000 for the Cummins . The first couple of years of 6.7 Cummins had issues with the Bluetex, it's a regen with exotic cats. Deleted it helps the engine durability , fuel economy and of course power. The Dodge front end has to be keep at new specs with factory sized tires. Or modified. Avoid the manual Mercedes Benz G-56 tranny, it's POS.


You can hunt longer with wind at your back
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A 2006 Duramax 4x4 3500 required more maintenance than any truck I've ever owned. The GM was the best riding and most comfortable truck I've owned. But you can count on front end, steering, water pump and Ujoint problems. We do all our own wrench pulling and a Duramax is a night mare to work on. We have 3 older Ford diesel trucks and 2 Ram trucks a 11 and 13 year models diesels. Once we deleted the Ram trucks we've had no issues besides water pumps. Ram has a recall on the water pumps. There all good trucks but no more Duramax trucks for us, the front ends are to light duty for how we use a truck.


Life is good live it while you can.
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Like others have said, I think each generation has its own unique set of problems, whether Ford, Dodge or Chevrolet, so that is one thing to research and see if it has been addressed on the truck you plan to buy. Personally I prefer the 94 to 02 Dodges. I would not consider a Dodge truck newer than 2007 due to the emission equipment. I have a 96, two 02s and an 04. All things considered the 02s are the nicest. The interior on the 04 is not as nice as the 02s.

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If you plan on driving it off-road I'd ditch the Chevy/Ram idea and buy a Ford.


We(the farm) recently bought a '15 F350 with 150k easy miles.

Super cab XLT, $18,900.


Deleted it right off the bat.


$19k for a 5 year old CREAMPUFF F350...

No brainer.

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Stolen........


I am MAGA.
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