Breezejunky 0 #1 February 12, 2004 Looking to buy a 2002 diesel 3/4 ton truck. Anyone know much about them? I've heard different things like Dodge has the best engine but the tranny sucks, chev is the best ride, Ford is the toughest blah, blah,blah. I tow a 5th wheel RV and usually go fairly long distances. I want a reliable engine/tranny combination that will last. It's not my main vehicle so I'd like to just buy one good truck to last 10-15 years for winter driving and trailer towing. I'd like to hear from people with truck experience not just ones who are Chev/Ford/Dodge fanatics. Thanks Rhonda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brains 2 #2 February 12, 2004 I drive a 2001 Dodge 4X4 with the cummins. I love the power and torque of the engine. The tranny is starting to show signs of slippage and weakness at ~140K. It is an auto. I have heard that the newer high output cummins only comes with a standard tranny cause the auto won't handle it. I can pull my boat and travel trailer up and down hills (TX) with no problems what so ever. I get about 15 highway while pulling. No experience with chevy or ford diesels so i can't help you there. I do know that tspillers on here pulls a 5th wheel with his ford power stroke. Maybe you can get him to respond. Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Breezejunky 0 #3 February 12, 2004 I've heard the Cummins is great. It would be nice if there there was combination out there with the Cummins engine and a reliable transmission. I've had my fill of standard transmissions though I know they are more practical. I'll be using the truck for winter driving in Toronto traffic so I'd really prefer automatic. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brains 2 #4 February 12, 2004 The older automatics with a torque lock on the tranny are supposed to hold up pretty well to high hp and high torque that you get with aftermarket turbos and chips etc. I have a 50 hp chip in mine and i am looking to put 100hp injectors in it fairly soon along with a torque lock on the tranny. Hopefully it all holds together. Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tailwheel 0 #5 February 12, 2004 Be wary of the Dodge. My fleet had twelve and five had moderate to serious problems. The transmissions can be a weak area for Dodges and i've also heard that front end suspensions wear out faster on their trucks with the larger engine packages. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yardhippie 0 #6 February 12, 2004 I have a friend that works for a fiber optic cable company. He has owned all three. He claims to never own a ford again, b/c the brakes went out while towing, and fuel milage. Owned a 3/4 dodge and liked it but wanted the new chevy. Loves the new chevy, but now worried about the tranny cuz another friend of ours at hypertech got a hold of it and tweaked it... a lot. Oh, and doesnt like the mileage on it either. I owne a 98 one ton w/ a auto... and the tranny died at 88,000, but rode like a cadillac. And all I ever did to it was abuse it.Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brains 2 #7 February 12, 2004 QuoteBe wary of the Dodge. My fleet had twelve and five had moderate to serious problems. The transmissions can be a weak area for Dodges and i've also heard that front end suspensions wear out faster on their trucks with the larger engine packages. Oh thanks for the reminder about the front suspension No grease fittings on most of the front end and you can only buy the parts from dodge. Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aeromobile 0 #8 February 12, 2004 I've owned a 2000 F250 with a 7.3 engine for 2 years. I do not own a travel trailer, but I've towed a car trailer a couple times with no problem. The only discrepancy I've had was a minor, but difficult to get at oil leak. The warranty covered the repair. If you would like more questions answered about Ford diesel trucks, go to: http://www.thedieselstop.com/. Select 'forums' in the main menu. You'll be accustom to the layout since it works like DZ.com. I can't remember when Ford started using the 6.0 diesel but it may have been in 2002. You will see a subject title for 6.0 and 7.3 engines. Select one of your choice and start a thread. These owners are fanatics, but I've gotten some good information from them. A lot of diesel mechanic own them, and they are not bashful about giving people the information they need to fix their trucks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #9 February 12, 2004 I'm a pretty hard-core Chevy fan, HOWEVER, if I was going to buy a diesel to pull an RV, horsetrailer...whatever, I would buy a Ford. Ford has a stronger drivetrain and they generally cost less then a Dodge does. Oh, while you're buying a nice 3/4 ton, look at http://www.ranchhand.com Nothing looks better then a front end replacement, a rear bumper and a headache rack. --"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpinfarmer 0 #10 February 13, 2004 I bought a K2500hd Chevy about a year ago. Mine has a 6L gas but has plenty of power for what I do. Not the best milage but good power pulls a 20ft equipment trailer like nothing, and wagons with 8 ton of grain or fertilizer up hill and will hold comming back down. I also plow snow with it and it handles a 9ft plow great. I've never had a problem with a GM trany (knock on wood) and have abused them pretty bad. Plowed with several and always am pulling something trailer, wagons, machinery. As for the diesel I can't say much about a Chevy. I looked into one but couldn't justify the extra expense. You can get one with an Allison auto tranny and that would be great. I don't like Fords, never have. They just don't seem to have the comforts of a Chevy and they ride like a lumber wagon. Also the Ford is way to high off the ground, a friend has one and it's as high up as my six wheelers. I think Dodge's look nice but don't trust a Dodge. They always seem to have trouble with something and are just genneraly built cheeper. Sorry I got long winded on that. Hope that helped. Marc Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #11 February 13, 2004 QuoteOh thanks for the reminder about the front suspension No grease fittings on most of the front end and you can only buy the parts from dodge. Ok I have a 2003 Dodge 3/4 ton 4x4 with the Cummins HO engine. I would NOT own a truck with an automatic and the 6 speed manual in mine is SWEEET. I use it to tow my 25' boat and it has enough power to haul it up these passes out here at 60 to 70 MPH.. which causes some of the people in chevys and fords to stare as I pass them accelerating going up hill. I normally get about 20 to 21 MPG and about 17 when I am towing the boat. Before this one I had a 1996 Dodge 1 ton 4x4 with the Cummins. The front pins and u-joints I had replaced with aftermarket parts at about 125k due to wear, the new parts do have grease fittings and should last a very long time for whoever got my old truck when I traded it in. I have friends with fords and chevys and I get better mileage than any of them. I use a truck fairly hard and I have only bought 3 new ones in my life.. all of them have been DODGE. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobsled92 0 #12 February 13, 2004 AMAZON (Jeanne) has a new Dodge RAM Diesel that she puts to work. I bought my wife the Hemi '04 with 400+hp upgrade. (*she's good to ask. I don't know anything about diesel, nor do I drive it much)_______________________________ If I could be a Super Hero, I chose to be: "GRANT-A-CLAUS". and work 365 days a Year. http://www.hangout.no/speednews/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #13 February 13, 2004 Yup, like I said, if its a gas engine, I'm buying a Chevy. If its a diesel, I'm buying a Ford.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpinfarmer 0 #14 February 13, 2004 A good friend has a Ford diesel and has had trouble with the engine. It won't start without being pluged in if it's below 30 out. So when we go snowmobiling guess who gets to tow the trailer,me. Also our squad van at the fire co. is a Ford diesel and never sits out and starts hard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #15 February 13, 2004 QuoteA good friend has a Ford diesel and has had trouble with the engine. It won't start without being pluged in if it's below 30 out. That's the story with basically every diesel truck out there, though.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #16 February 13, 2004 QuoteThat's the story with basically every diesel truck out there, though. Not mine Dave.. I took it over east of the mountains in some COLD ASS shit last winter.. mucho below zero up in the high country and it started right up in the morning to continue our little long weekend jaunt to try out my new{at that time} RED 4x4 toy in the snow. Mine came with TWO big ass batteries. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpinfarmer 0 #17 February 13, 2004 The Dodges start good in most weather here. I don't know anyone with a new Chevy diesel though so I can't commant on that. A neighbor just ordered a Chevy with the 8L big block and Alison trany though I can't wait to try that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #18 February 13, 2004 Hmmm... Most of the diesels I've been around you had to plug in.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #19 February 13, 2004 QuoteA neighbor just ordered a Chevy with the 8L big block and Alison trany though I can't wait to try that. Holy crap thats cool. I bet it sounds freak'n SCARY...that would be fun to play with...by play I mean put about 12" of lift, 38" tires and go mudd'n.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brains 2 #20 February 13, 2004 QuoteHmmm... Most of the diesels I've been around you had to plug in. Mine HAS a plug but i don't have to plug it in. It starts just fine without it. I have been out at the ranch plenty of times with sub 30 temps and it fires right up a couple times even sub 20's Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #21 February 13, 2004 QuoteMost of the diesels I've been around you had to plug in. Changing the oil to a multiviscosity in the winter is very important. Up in Alaska in Fairbanks in the winter the vehicles.. diesel and gas HAVE to be plugged in they have heaters on the gear boxes.. the rear end punkins as well as block heaters. Diesels up there also have heaters to keep the diesel from jelling. there are formulations that will prevent that to some degree but here in the lower 48 very few places get cold enough to require plugging them in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpinfarmer 0 #22 February 13, 2004 They should start without heat till about 10 or so just make sure you have winter blend fuel. A gell up is know fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpinfarmer 0 #23 February 13, 2004 It might be more than 8L but I don't remember. They say that it doesn't burn anymore gas than a 6L like I've got. They arn't going to trick it any though it's for a cattle trailer and genneral farm use. They are anal though about how stuff looks so it won't get wrecked like most farm trucks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ncrowe 0 #24 February 14, 2004 I'm not a huge dodge fan but the cummins diesel is by and far the best diesel engine ever made, especially if you want slap some huge injectors and a nice fat hair dryer on it ( turbo ). The powerstroke is a pretty good diesel engine but its super expensive to mod. "Don't Mess Around With the Guy in Shades- Oh No!!! " Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #25 February 14, 2004 QuoteThe powerstroke is a pretty good diesel engine but its super expensive to mod. Yes and no. Banks has some noice upgrades that aren't too expesive. If you're willing to spend a few grand, Banks has some upgrades that will blow just about everything off the road. A Ford 3/4 ton diesel w/ a full Banks upgrade will blow a Mustang 5.0 off the line and keep going! All in all, just about no matter which diesel you drive, Banks makes an upgrade for it, which will blow your mind fucking away!--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
