Now that the Corvette is all but sold, I am looking for a new truck to replace my 02 F250 with a 7.3. I have pretty much made my mind up that I want a Dodge with a manual trans, I had a 96 Ram with a Cummins and loved it, but it was eaten by the tin worm. I have learned my lesson and a plane ticket is much cheaper than body work.
On the short list, all 4x4s.
97 XC/LB - best 12 valve, 5 speed trans, but crappy interior and not as nice of a daily driver. Plus no 3rd doors.
01.5-02 XC/SB - all the updates on this body style, 6 speed trans, best interior, but definitely pull a price premium. Would be fine with a long box or a short box, but really want the extended cab.
03-07 CC/SB - easy to find cheap, but seem to rust worse than the earlier ones. Any issues with these first year trucks? or should I look for 06-07? Preference between the 6.7 or 5.9? Would really like an 06 with a 5.9 as they are tunable with EFI Live which I already have. Seems the early 6.7s are cheaper than the last 5.9s.
I am capable of doing anything on these vehicles besides machine work, body work, or mounting and balancing tires. Any mechanical work does not scare me. Primary use is commuting to work, 25 miles each way. I do not have to pass emissions and an not opposed to EGR deletes/etc if they are needed to make a 6.7 run right.
Any words of advice?
In reply to 93gsxturbo:
6.7L is the c-series medium duty engine isn't it? If so, that would be my choice if I absolutely had to have a Cummins....I have an extreme dislike for the BT.
I'd go 03-up, much better front suspension (it isn't a barely beefed up 1/2 ton deal, it's made for 3/4 ton-up), better interior, better ride. On top of that, the DR body got a couple of engine improvements over the previous BR body that makes servicing them way easier, namely the newer iteration of the CP3 injection pump with the common rail, the power steering pump isn't hidden and driven off something else.
Between 5.9/6.7, they are splitting hairs in differences besides the obvious displacement. The only reason for the increase was the MPG/power robbing emissions devices, IMO. Now 6.7 specific, I'd have to make sure the PCM has the latest updates, as I never saw so many updates in my time working in the dealership. They were into BC/BD suffix revisions where they barely have anything beyond a AG or AH suffix. Yes, they start at A or AA and go through the alphabet. You should make sure the VGT works or its a 3k turbo, by itself, repair with a stupid special tool that sucks ass.
I'm sure there is more that I'm forgetting, but that's what I remember.
Is it possible to better-ify a 6.7 by reverting it back to pre DPF specs, for offroad use and show display only of course?
93gsxturbo wrote:
Is it possible to better-ify a 6.7 by reverting it back to pre DPF specs, for offroad use and show display only of course?
yes. you want to ensure el-turbo is not sticking.
Had an 05 5.9 dually and an identical 08 6.7 dually. The 08 is better in every way. Heavier all around and pulled big weight with less fuss, engine brake is awesome, I have the auto and it too is really good. Personally I would get the six speed auto. But then I have shifted millions of gears and I don't care to ever shift another one in a truck.
I did the deletes and it runs very well. Oh, and I have 265000 km on mine, with lots of heavy haul miles and I have not done the front end yet although my new tires are wearing a bit funny so it is time.
I don't understand why you would want that as a daily driver..
I don't know the alphabet codes - but my 2010 2500 is a much nicer place to spend time than my father in law's 2006 3500 - both manual trucks. I've towed clear across the country with both. NVH is way down and the interior is a lot friendlier. The lower noise levels make a big difference when you're racking up big miles in a day and the exhaust brake is fantastic coming down the big Colorado passes. The 6.7 with EGR/DPF deletes (otherwise stock, including both cats) pulls hard, no complaints there.
Here's the thing about the new VGT cummins trucks, they aren't happy being daily drivers. You need to get the VGT hot every time you drive it to ensure the trubo dosen't stick. Putting a load on it is exactly where it is happiest, running to costco for some TP.. not so happy. The EGR and DPF deletes help a great deal, but the most problems with these trucks will be those used as an empty daily.
Yeah, if you're going to DD something with a VGT (or any diesel with EGR and such, really), try to avoid short trips and don't drive it like a grandma.
I love my diesel F250 as a daily, it does everything I need it to. Sure I could get better MPGs with something smaller, but I love having a truck for house duty, camping, general nimrodery (garbage picking, junk hauling, car derping, etc) The preference of diesel over gas comes in resale. I can shop around and get a pretty nice diesel, run it for 2-3 years, and sell it for close to even money. IE my F250 - bought for $9800, put 60k miles on it, 1 set of tires, alternator, water pump, starter, batteries, front end, brakes being the only maintenance (I did it all myself so cheap cheap cheap) and its still worth $8500 or so. Cost of ownership over 4.5 years works out to like $700/year. Cant beat that with a stick.
Thanks for all the input, I am going to keep looking for a truck.
