Helllppppppp - with pick up truck!

[missmarple]

I am a newby. I want to start hauling my two horses, only on occasion, plan a gooseneck stock trailer. Not a lot of hauling. Looking for used diesel truck -
Now the truck (s):
I am trying to "learn up" but is there really a huge difference between a well maintained Ford F-350, 2002, ext cab, long bed (what I want and not a dually) 7.3 L powerstroke with a chip and say, a 2002 Dodge Ram 2500, same config, 5.9 L 24 valve cummins - both with low mileage and both about the same price???

I get so confused trying to determine which years, which engines, which powertrains, which which which

thank you all for any input.....

 

[pjm1]

I'd rather be cummin' than strokin'

In all honesty I am a cummins guy (put one in my 96 Chevy crew cab dually)
Never have liked a v-8 diesel a whole lot
But as always you will get responses on both sides
The cummins of that vintage had problems with the fuel transfer pump
The powerstroke has problems with the crankshaft sensor, glow plug solenoid, injector harnesses.

 

[jcs_in_ky]

With the cost of diesel these days and the additional cost to purchase a diesel you might want to consider a gas engine. I've got a 02 F350 with a V10 in it that tows a trailer nearly as well as a diesel. It doesn't have to warm up as long in the winter. When I was looking at buying it seemed that a diesel cost $3000 - $4000 more than a similar truck with a gas engine. If I towed all the time and long distances I think I'd still get a diesel but I tow on an average of 3 few times a month and usually only 20 - 85 miles per trip. It's worked out great for us, it's something you might want to consider.
John

 

[Rte66Charlie]

With the cost of diesel these days and the additional cost to purchase a diesel you might want to consider a gas engine. I've got a 02 F350 with a V10 in it that tows a trailer nearly as well as a diesel. It doesn't have to warm up as long in the winter. When I was looking at buying it seemed that a diesel cost $3000 - $4000 more than a similar truck with a gas engine. If I towed all the time and long distances I think I'd still get a diesel but I tow on an average of 3 few times a month and usually only 20 - 85 miles per trip. It's worked out great for us, it's something you might want to consider.
John

Nonsense - diesel is the way to go for your application - a gas rig pulling the kind of load you are talking about is a 8-12 mpg deal. Right now gas is about 50 cents a gallon less than diesel.

Pulling the same kind of load, a Cummins or the Power Stroke (which I am not a fan of) will get 33% better fuel mileage.............do the math.

With a light foot (which a lot of GUYS don't have), you can get significantly better mileage enough to justify the cost of the diesel.

Mind you now we are talking about you buying USED!!! Someone else has taken the "new" hit and you can buy a diesel waaaaaay cheaper than you could new!

Hope this helps!

 

[jcs_in_ky]

What you say is true about the mileage difference between gas and diesel. It just depends on if you are going to drive it enough to justify the extra expense up front. I know some guys in my area are switching to gas now because they say with the difference in fuel cost the diesel isn't worth it for them now. Another thing to consider is cost of ownership over the years. Rebuild cost of a diesel is more money but then it will go further than a gas engine without a rebuild so you'd have to work it out to see how it all works out. I'm not trying to steer you away from a diesel, just saying it's good to consider your options to see what works best for you. Right now I love my V10 powers F350 and for what I'm doing I wouldn't trade for anything else. In 3 or 4 years I'm going to start doing lots of towing on long cross country trips with a fairly heavy trailer and when I do that I'll probably end up with a diesel. That is if any of can afford to drive cross county in a few years with the way fuel prices are going! Like Rte66Charlie says thought whatever you get try to find a good used truck where someone else has already taken the huge depreciation hit on it.

 

[jdh123]

buy a cummins my 06 six speed gets 20-21 mpg empty and 14 towing 6 tons with plenty of power to spare.

 

[HOTFR8]

I'd rather be cummin' than strokin'

Now that I like.

 

[mattbal]

Check out this site.

http://www.thedieselstop.com/


I tow a 42ft goose neck, (2 cars) with a 97 F250 (single rear wheel) 7.3l it has a chip and an exhaust. you know the trailer is there when full, but it still goes good.

Its not a daily driver. and its only purpose is to tow

Mattbal

 

[kvom]

I have a truck similar to what you want. 7.3 is definitely a good engine, and F350 PSDs are plentiful. I would stick to trucks made after 1999 (engine change occured midway in the 1999 model year).

Although I have had a good experience with my truck, I wish I had bought one with 4wd.