Buying used (250/2500), what to avoid (engine/trans known issues)

davrow · Jul 31, 2016

I'm not a truck guy, have never owned one. Now with the tractor and land I feel I need one, but cannot afford new. I'm thinking under 10 grand, probably year 2000-2007.

I need to pull about 9,000 lbs. (total incl trailer) but not often and not far.

1) Would a Ford F150/Dodge-Chevy 1500 do, or do I need to go 250/2500 (brand doesn't matter to me)
2) What should I avoid (I've seen reference to earlier 6.7 diesels having issues)
3) What constitutes too high of mileage (most are around 200,000 at this age/price)
4) At what age/mileage does turbo become a liability

example possibility locally: 2007 FORD F250 XTRA CAB DIESEL RUNS GREAT

Any advice appreciated. Thank you.

Bigfoot62 · Jul 31, 2016

davrow said:
I'm not a truck guy, have never owned one. . .

First of all, I would have to have more information to give you any useful advice, but I'll answer your questions in order, with what you gave me.
Will this be a daily driver, or just something to pull the tractor? ("not often and not far.")

1) Could a correctly equipped 1/2 ton do the job? In most cases, yes.
Would it be a good idea? Not in my humble opinion. A 4000# truck pulling a 9,000 load. The tail wags the dog.
The bigger the truck, the bigger the brakes and the heavier the suspension. I would recommend at least a 3/4 ton. (250, 2500)

2) If possible, buy a used truck from someone that you know. Chances are, if they haven't had major issues with the truck in the past 10-17 years, it'll be OK for a couple more. I'm a huge fan of Ford trucks, but not the 6.0 or the 6.4 diesels. (late '03-'10) The '07 in your link will be a 6.0 liter.
Again, you didn't say if this was going to be a daily driver or not. But, if you're not going to be using it much, a gas engine would be fine.

3)Good question. I've seen the Ford 7.3 with more than 500,000 miles and still running strong. More important to me than mileage is maintenance.

4)Really good question. If you get someone to tell you that, ask him to pick you some Lotto numbers. LOL

I've seen turbos go a million miles or more (CAT engine in my KW. Changed the turbo at 1,900,000) and I've known of them failing at 1300 miles. (friend of mine's brand new Dodge)

Deere Dude · Jul 31, 2016

I would definitely go with a 3/4 ton. Even if you don't pull that load that often, when you do you will be thankful and more at ease.

I have been a GMC guy most of the time and would stay away from the 3/4 and 1 ton pre-Duramax trucks. Those diesels seem to be pooches to me and had a hard time pulling 10,000 pounds at highway speed. Just for a few miles would be fine. They still are sturdy enough trucks though.

2000-2002 Duramax's have an issue with injectors so I would be careful with them, although I have one and never had the problem, yet. I have an 02 and can pull a 17,000 trailer like nothing. I never heard of anyone have trouble with turbos as long as after a good pull you give it time to coll, like a few minutes before you shut it down.

sikmusicfreak8 · Jul 31, 2016

Def stay away from 6.0 Fords. You don't need those kinds of problems in your life.

All trucks will have their own issues, but I am a Cummins guy. My 05 has 312K and counting, never an issue with the motor. Been a fantastic truck. It is always either pulling my 40ft toy hauler, or my gooseneck. Ive historically seen better luck with a Cummins by FAR, plenty of friends with 100's and 100's of thousands of trouble free miles.

Farmer2750 · Jul 31, 2016

In my opinion you would be happy with a Chevy 6.0 gas. If your not using it often or pulling really heavy then you would not justify the cost of a diesel. Then you could get a lower mile, and clean truck at a good price and not have much more maintenance than a car. That's my opinion for what it's worth

sikmusicfreak8 · Jul 31, 2016

6.0 Chevy carry about zero value, people give them away. So it's true, you could find a very clean low mileage truck for next to nothing. I'd still prefer diesel, but that's up to you. Better to have more truck than you need, then the other way around.

motownbrowne · Jul 31, 2016

I'm planning on replacing my farm truck in the next few years. I'll be buying a 2000-2007 Ford f250 or 350 4wd long bed with an extra cab. Definitely a 4wd model, hopefully a v10 gas, but I'd settle for the 5.4 V8. I won't drive the thing very much, but I want something with plenty of power. Purchase price and maintenance will be a lot less than a diesel. Just my personal thoughts on the matter.

dieselcrawler · Jul 31, 2016

Manual trans in a gasser superduty will do well for you. Auto trans issues in the diesel versions from 1999 to 2003, same trans in gassers. V10 if you don't care about fuel mileage and want nearly the same power as a diesel.

coobie · Aug 1, 2016

sikmusicfreak8 said:
6.0 Chevy carry about zero value, people give them away. So it's true, you could find a very clean low mileage truck for next to nothing. I'd still prefer diesel, but that's up to you. Better to have more truck than you need, then the other way around.

Thats funny about giving the 6.0 chevy gassers away,not around here they don,t.Nice truck IMHO and thats coming from a ford,dodge person.OP,I would try to find a good used 3/4 ton in a gasser model..

Turbys_1700 · Aug 1, 2016

coobie said:
Thats funny about giving the 6.0 chevy gassers away,not around here they don,t.Nice truck IMHO and thats coming from a ford,dodge person.OP,I would try to find a good used 3/4 ton in a gasser model..

They don't give them away around here either. I prefer Ford trucks too but I sold my F350 4x4 dually crew couple years ago because we quit camping and bought an 07 Chevy 2500 HD 4x4. It has the 6.0 gasser and does fine pulling a 14' covered trailer and a 20' equipment trailer. Not easy on gas though with 4.10's. Other than that I really like the truck. Friend of mine that is in the landscaping and mowing business just traded his 06 F350 in on a new Dodge due to issues with the engine. I owned the last of the 7.3's in my 03 and it was a great engine. If you are set on a Ford diesel get a 6.4 or a 6.7. It will be difficult to stay under your 10K budget. Duramaxes have their issues too with the LLY models and overheating. Diesels do out pull and out perform gassers but for now and my occasional pulling needs a gasser is OK.