Would like honest suggestions about tow vehicle issues

PoorMansCat · Oct 13, 2013

ok, I didnt read all 13 pages so this may have already been covered...
Many of the Fords are great for your needs, IF it were me, I would look at the 6.4L Fords only. When you buy, either buy an extended warranaty or immediately spend the money for a complete delete system and you will have a very reliable truck.
Seems like on the GM offereings, the pre 08 engines are bext, EXCEPT for the 02-04 LB7 engines, steer clear of the LB7s.
On the Dodges, its almost impossible to find a clean 5.9L that isnt heavily modified or has 250K+ miles. The low mileage unmolested ones are fetching 30K+. The 6.7L Cummins is also a good offering, but the early ones, 07.5-08 models really needed to be "deleted" as well. After 08, the refinements were made and its now a great platform.
If you do not require a 4X4, the options and price open up significantly, especially with the Dodge.

handirifle · Oct 14, 2013

PoorMansCat said:
ok, I didnt read all 13 pages so this may have already been covered...
Many of the Fords are great for your needs, IF it were me, I would look at the 6.4L Fords only. When you buy, either buy an extended warranaty or immediately spend the money for a complete delete system and you will have a very reliable truck.
Seems like on the GM offereings, the pre 08 engines are bext, EXCEPT for the 02-04 LB7 engines, steer clear of the LB7s.
On the Dodges, its almost impossible to find a clean 5.9L that isnt heavily modified or has 250K+ miles. The low mileage unmolested ones are fetching 30K+. The 6.7L Cummins is also a good offering, but the early ones, 07.5-08 models really needed to be "deleted" as well. After 08, the refinements were made and its now a great platform.
If you do not require a 4X4, the options and price open up significantly, especially with the Dodge.

Poorman
You pretty well summed up most of the suggestions, but I have to ask what the "delete" is? If referring to smog equip, CA (where I live) does do smog checks, and I think they basically look to make sure all the cra is still in place. No tail pipe tests yet! So if "deleting" is removing that, I would be SOL.

I have done some reading on the 6.4 and its pretty impressive, except for the smog crap. Thanks for the feedback.

PoorMansCat · Oct 14, 2013

In that case, if you find a 6.4L Ford that you are interested in, just make sure it hasnt been modded, and just buy a good extended waranty that will cover the more common issues associated with that engine series.

handirifle · Oct 14, 2013

Did any of the 6.4s have the DEF? If so, what year did that start?

Diamondpilot · Oct 15, 2013

handirifle said:
Did any of the 6.4s have the DEF? If so, what year did that start?

They all had DEF. The 6.0 did not meet emissions so the 6.4 wit DEF was the short term answer.

Chris

Peacock · Oct 15, 2013

DPF?

The 6.7 has Diesel Emissions Fluid, but the 6.4 did not.

Diamondpilot · Oct 15, 2013

Peacock said:
DPF?

The 6.7 has Diesel Emissions Fluid, but the 6.4 did not.

Sorry you are right. DPF. Diesel particulate filter.

Chris

handirifle · Oct 15, 2013

Oh the DPF I can live with, in one condition or another, but I want to avoid the DEF. Thats another expense and PITA I can avoid.

Too bad about the 6.0s. Forund a nice looking 07 on CL for under 9k, with under 100k on it. The seller might not be telling the whole story either :thumbsup:.

Am on vacation in Ohio, at my sisters market, and one of the young ladies here proudly informed me she drives a 97 with the 12v Cummins. Word gets around I guess. There's one old timer here that has one with over 800K on it and wont sell till its over a million, he says.

PoorMansCat · Oct 15, 2013

yeah... the5.9l cummins of all years have a loyal following. There are some relatively low mileage 2wd Cummins in Texas. For a CR with about 100K, expect to pay between 14-18K depending on options.

JESSE1 · Oct 15, 2013

I have to add DEF to my '12 F-450 about every 4,000 miles. Depends on how much you are towing, heavy on the throttle, more DEF. When my DEF monitor shows below a 1/2, I add one 2.5 gallon jug of DEF and it fills it up. Not a problem. Since the 6.7 runs so good and has so much power, I'm not going to worry about removing emissions equipment. If you intend on keeping one a long time, it may pay to buy the longest extended warranty since these are very complicated engines. That goes for any of the manufacturers.