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

[roadhunter]

I had a 2004 as well and it got better mileage than my 07. I think they turned the power on the motor up on the last of the 5.9's (05-07) so that 04 is actually a really nice setup.

 

[rankrank1]

To the OP: Your budget, limited use, and even the year range you yourself are realistically targeting leads you to a 2500 chevy/or GMC with a 6.0 liter gasser IMOP.

While the 6.0 gasser of that era will never be known as a gas miser (it will like its fuel but will handle anything you plan to put behind it too). That said the 6.0 gasser is stone cold reliable...so much so that if I had to drive a low budget truck with lots of miles on it the 6.0 gasser it would be my #1 choice. Even if you do have a problem it is cheap and easy to fix. I know several guys that are private contractors whom their everyday work vehicle is an older 6.0 gasser with 250k or more on the odometer. (caperneters, plumbers, etc). These guys need their vehicle to be reliable as it is how they make their living and the 6.0 flat out does the job for them at a relative bargain price..

 

[Gunny]

I had an 03 1500HD with the 6.0. It does like the gasoline, but all in all, a very dependable, almost bulletproof, engine. Paired with the 4L80 transmission, it makes a very good hauler. About the only downside I could find while towing a 5th wheel camper was the low mpg coupled to a 26 gallon tank.
The only mechanical issue I had was a broken valve spring. Other than that, over 4 years nothing was spent on it except for fluids and filters

 

[postalnut25]

I have a 2004 Dodge Quad Cab Cummins 4x4 with the six-speed manual, an I would do the legitimate fuel milage calculations, and I would get in the 18-19 range unloaded in town, and 22-plus on the highway runs. However, the overhead console always read about 10 percent better. The power in it was incredible. I didn't chip it or mess with fuel or turbos or anything like that. All I did was a 5 inch exhaust and a Banks Ram air intake with the scoop under the bumper. It could break the rear end loose in 3rd gear when empty. The drawback is that they are over $20K still today.

I also have a 1995 regular cab Dodge with a V10 and five-speed manual. Using actual calculations, I can get right at 14MPG empty on the highway, and about 11MPG empty around town. It is very powerful, but still not in the class of a Cummins. However a V8 of the same era is dog compared to it.

For the OP, I would stick to something common and affordable like the 2500 Chevy V8. The Dodge and Ford V10s are strong, but the parts availability is worse and maintenance costs are much higher.

 

[jeepcj7]

i believe him.... 2wd 6 speed is a great truck for getting good fuel economy, dad had a 04 2wd auto cummins that would do 22-23 without any trouble, he now has a 96 PSD 2wd auto that will do 26 without any trouble, i have a 94 PSD 4x4, 5 speed that i have seen 24.8 out of once and routinely does 21.6-22.4.

Thanks for understanding - my over head actually shows 26.4 at the moment (I've seen it as high as 26.8). I didn't think that could be right so I hand calculated it at a recent fill up it came out to a hair over 25. For what its worth I probably have a light foot compared to most folks and that probably makes more difference than any thing.