Heavy Duty Truck Options?

[roo4u]

i love my 97' ford with 7.3 turbo. i dont think i would buy a new ford diesel though cuz the whole cab has to be lifted off to work on engine...dealer has a special lift for it...

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

If you get a used Dodge 24V more than likely the lift pump has already been replaced, maybe a couple of times. I may hold the record with 110,000 miles before mine went. I replaced it with a FASS HPFP which has a better reputation than the original Carter unit. I wouldn't let the lift pump problems keep me from buying one since there are now alternative units to put in it's place.

Again, if you are considering a Dodge check out TDR's website, you could spend a week researching everything available.

My truck has the 4:10 gears which are better for pulling, at the expense of a couple MPG.

I had one local cowboy tell me that at the rodeos he attends the majority of the trucks towing the horse trailers are Dodges. The older ones may not have the ride quality, or the creature comforts of the Ford's, and GM's , but they do have the Cummins which is one Hell of an engine. After owning this truck I am never going back to a gas powered truck.

See if there is someone that you know that would let you drive their truck for awhile to see how you like it.

[CowboyBob]

You can check out info on Dodges @ Diesel Truck Resources ,there's some good ones forsale in the classified,

[Chris B]

Thanks again guys. So far I have looked at a couple of trucks and have been doing a lot of research. So far I have looked at 2 dodges, both are the 24 valves with the 53 block..and they are cracked so I passed lol. But on monday I have an appointment to go and look at an 03 f250 4x4 with a 7.3 and a 6 speed. Hopefully this truck will be a winner. Again thanks to everybody.

Thanks,

Chris

Edited September 18, 2010 by welder5724

[Norwegian]

--Good luck with the search for the truck! I drive a F-250 7,3 2001 and I love it! It pulls anything! We buy and sell horses, and this truck it great for pulling heavy trailers!

If you are used to work on your own truck, F150, then stay with Ford. If you've learned to work on one brand, it's always easier to stay with it since a lot of stuff is the same on different models..

What I know about the competition, Chevy has had problems with diesel pumps, and Dodge trucks aren't always that comfortable. On the other hand, Chevrolets Allison gears is great, and so is the Cummings diesel.. And yes, Fords early models of the 6.0 might be a good thing to stay away from..

Maybe have a look at www.thedieselgarage.com?

Rik

[Chris B]

Thanks Rik, I have already signed up over there at thedieselgarage.com But theres just a bunch of stuff to read lol. and I have been trying to make a list on what to look at in a truck. With the research and everything I have done, along with a few test drives. I have to say I want a Dodge lol, I like the power of a cummins. But with everything I have looked up, I dont have a clue on how to test the lift pump on the 24 valves before I buy one. And as soon as I buy one its getting a F.A.S.S. replacement lol. Thanks for all of your help everyone.

Chris

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

A fuel pressure gage will tell you the status of the lift pump. That will be one of my next purchases. The Injector pump has a non self priming pump built in. The way I found out my lift pump was toast was after a fuel filter change. Once I broke the seal, the injector pump lost its prime, and the truck wouldn't start. I didn't go with the FASS system, just their HPFP since I don't have the problems that the FASS is supposed to cure. I strongly recommend looking at TDR1.com if you decide on a Dodge.

[Shorts]

If you're looking at Dodge 2500 Cummins for towing, look for an 04-05 w/ 6spd tranny. These years also get the best mileage out of the 3rd gen trucks.

I've got an '06 2500 48RE4x4 that I've been happy with as my daily driver, weekend workhorse.

The 12v truck are 94-98.5 -

The 24v trucks ran 98.5-02 (2nd generation) - these use the VP44and lift pump. These guys had trouble with the IP when the ULSD came out. There was just less lube for the pumps. You'll want to run an additive (SuperTech TCW3 is very effective for the cost). The heat under the hood also ended up killing the plastic control module for the electronics of the pumps too. Dad's '99 is on it's third IP and LP in 180k. Been a dang good truck aside from that (dad's a farm guy).

The common rails are 03-09 - these use the CP3 injection pump. They're less susceptible to the perils of not enough lube that the VP44 truck had. Some changes came in '06 in regards to HP numbers and cosmetics. Then 07.5 came the 6.7L in lieu of the 5.9L. The new 6.7L are suppose to have a crapload of power compared the 5.9L but that's if you get that DPF/emissions junk off the truck. The stuff just chokes the heck out of the engine and causes more problems than it solves for a Cummins owner. The 6.7 trucks have a better auto tranny than the5.9l trucks have in regards to gearing. Its a 6spd compared the 4spd.

All the duallys run 410 gearing. So if you end up with a DRW and manual tranny, you're going to have super low overall gearing.

Some forums you can check out:

www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/index.php

www.cumminsforum.com/forum/

I also echo the comments about extra fuel filtration on the diesel trucks. Getting contaminated fuel will, in the least net you terrible driveability and at the worse, melt down your pistons from a stuck injector. I'm planning to ad the GDP 2micron filter kit. The FASS is a good system and has been around a while. a good FW separator goes a LONG way in keeping these trucks on the road.

Edited September 20, 2010 by Shorts

[superchute]

well for the money I think going for a Pete or KW for the money i can have a big truck with big motor and better breaks for less money and built to do a days work. keeping my old 92 dogde for run around and geting big one to pull my trailer and haul cows and hay looking at 98 pete for under 20,000 and thinking that is the way for me to go if can find a duble over drive should get about 9-11 mpg

Russ

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

Not all duallies have 4:10's, I have driven 2 that had 3:55, and I believe 3:73 gears. I noticed that they turned a lot less RPM at freeway speeds, and checked the build tag. I almost went with the 3:55's for mileage, but elected to get the 4:10's instead. Glad I did.

As to VP44 pumps, your mileage will vary in terms of how long it lasts. My LP went 210,000, my brother's went 30,000. I am still on my original VP44 @ 216,000 miles. I miss quoted earlier on my lift pump, it wasn't 110,000 when it went out, it was 210,000 which was during this past winter.

The problem with the VP44's is that it is an electronic pump that relies on fuel pressure , and flow to lube it, and keep it cool. That is why you sometimes lose the IP when the LP goes out. So far mine seems to be fine, and I do not run any additives. The main complaint I have is with the APPS sensor that gives a dead pedal at times. One of the TDR members has a replacement that has good reviews.

Here in the desert I have yet to drain any water out of my fuel bowl.

On oil filters DO NOT USE FRAM FILTERS.

Geno's Garage has some pretty good deals on Cummins stuff.