Lookin for a new truck.

Hey guys.

Well I'm new here.. Lookin' for some info really.

My 6.0 blew an egr cooler along with some head gasket issues it looks like and I don't have the money to pay for it let alone want to deal with any more problems, so it looks like I'm gettin' rid of it.

So I want the most reliable diesel engine possible. I know a lot of guys are bias but here's what I need.. I need a truck that will be used as a daily driver. To campus and back, to work and back, every day, etc. Also will be pulling a bass boat 3 times a week Spring through Fall. MPG is not a huge concern, and I'm not concerned about who gets the most HP and torque and so on. I just need something reliable. I know engines are not perfect and eventually something will go wrong, but I don't want it to cost a fortune to fix. I'm looking for something in the $8 to $10k range. Seriously considering the 12 valve. But don't know a whole lot about the 24. Also looking at 7.3s. What should I do?

By the way, this is between Powerstroke and Cummins only.

What engine is best for me?  

i would say go with a cummins....im just not too fond of the 7.3.....but as for the 12v vs 24v thats a toss up there.....all respect a 12v would be cheaper but the 24 could be better if you want to tune it for mpg's or something even though you said you didn't like alot of people who ended with 700-800hp monsters....  

The 24V will be out of your price range, so we won't even talk about it.

The 7.3L will take some mild mods without concern and do what you want very well.

An early Dodge 12V (pre-'98.5) will also do what you want, but will allow more mods than the 7.3L will.

Both of these trucks will be perfectly suited for your needs, so you will need to identify your other wants and needs (creature comforts, future mods like tires/wheels, what you want it to do for you later in life) because both engines will last quite a while, and if the truck bodies were taken care of they will last almost as long.



Kris  
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 QC 5.9L - No Mods Yet
2008 Dodge Ram 3500 QC 6.7L - Titan Fuel Tank Owner

Well let's talk 24v. I might be willing to go up a tad. I found an '01 today for 13k and am trying to talk them down to 12. It has 90k miles but my concern is that it is an automatic. How much should I be concerned? I know the 5 speeds are hard to come by but the 24v itself is also hard to come by.

How much will the 24v take mod wise? I want a sharp looking truck with a decent interior. I want to run stacks with a mild tune. Maybe eventually some 35's. Lifts wouldn't be too big of a concern for me if I get a cummins. They sit fairly high stock.  

depends on where your at i have seen some 3rd gens on auto trader for that price. the 24v 2nd gen needs a lift pump mod. had one auto will never have another  
I burn more diesel and run more miles in a week the most of you people do in a month. ctds that have been used 97 3500, 98.5 3500, 98.5 3500,01 3500, 03 3500. those that are being used 06 3500, 07 3500. and yea these trucks earn their living

I dont know what to do. I've searched up and down for over a week and can't find a manual within 200 miles. I need a truck soon. I know people with autos who have never had a problem and I've also heard people say to stay away from them.  

Geographically, where are you?  Just a state name will suffice.  I'll check the dealer I've bought both my trucks from and see if they have anything.

Mild tunes on a 24V will net you some good gains, but like PBR said they will need a lift pump.

Unless it's been rode hard the auto is fine, especially for towing a boat and small to medium loads without any problems.

I don't recommend stacks if you're towing, unless you want your stuff covered in soot.



Kris  
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 QC 5.9L - No Mods Yet
2008 Dodge Ram 3500 QC 6.7L - Titan Fuel Tank Owner

Here's one for a little over 19k:

http://www.sundancedodge.com/used-inventory/2004-Dodge-Ram+2500/a3317d754046381e014e17059c810796.htm



Kris  
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 QC 5.9L - No Mods Yet
2008 Dodge Ram 3500 QC 6.7L - Titan Fuel Tank Owner

for 8 to 10 thousand  you could build the 6.0  fix it with head studs and egr cooler delete for under 8k  

Check out Racingjunk.com