Diesel trucks

With diesel engines it is not that a rod fails but rather the injectors or the head gasket or some other critical part. There are certain Ford engines that I would avoid regardless of the mileage and with certain GM Duramax models (5 different ones over the past 11 years) there are known problems and if you get one that has had the problem fixed at the seller's expense then they can be a good buy.

I would go more by types of problems common to a specific model year and make and then buy a truck from the original owner and verify the work that has been done on the truck. I would put more stock on a engine that has had a new head gasket or new set of injectors installed over the same engine in a truck with fewer miles on the odometer but where these repairs have not been done.

Repairs on diesel engines can cost a magnitude more than those usually needed on gas engines and it pays to be wary.

Spend $20 on a DIY oil sample kit. Best money you will spend looking for a used truck and the only real way to know how the engine is performing. For a diesel engine it can tell you right off the bat if there are current fuel/injector problems along with engine wear or contamination (poor air filter). Just like people get blood work done (CBC).

Question is too vague for a meaningful answer. Plenty of vehicles look great in pics, but what do they really look like up close? I'd rather have a 3 yr. old truck with 300k miles on it than a 20 yr. old truck with the same miles. Just a lot less daily wear and tear and aging.

The design life isn't really any more than the new gas trucks.

tinner12002 wrote:
I think 100K to 150K would be my top limit just because of items mentioned also...brakes, tranny, elecs, computer components and fuel del components. Plus I would want some kind of proof that mechs were maintained esp oil changes. I've heard comments made to the effect that they knew they were going to trade in before warranty was up so why change fluids!

That was my thought when we were looking. It seems every one I found in that mileage range was beat to heck!!
When I found the truck that was in great shape it had 234,000 miles. Without a doubt the best of the lot we had looked at. The fact it was a 5speed made the trans less of an issue.
I did need to replace the clutch, after I installed a Power Puck (50 hp and 150# torque). I took a test tow with the 5er, and while accelerating up a 6.5% grade to 60+ mph, I hit 5th, and put a little foot in it and spun the clutch. Not really an issue with the truck, just a bit too much power with the chip.

I think 100K to 150K would be my top limit just because of items mentioned also...brakes, tranny, elecs, computer components and fuel del components. Plus I would want some kind of proof that mechs were maintained esp oil changes. I've heard comments made to the effect that they knew they were going to trade in before warranty was up so why change fluids!

rhagfo wrote:

majorgator wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

majorgator wrote:
I wouldn't hesitate to buy a mid-to-late 90's high mile F2/350 with the 7.3. I wouldn't buy a Chevy diesel of same time period, not until the Duramax came out. Dodge of that period is good too, but their interiors failed quickly and nastily during that time.

I think the OP's question has been answered well at this point, so now its just a matter of semantics. Its been said that engines are good, but the rest of the truck is the problem (shocks, u joints, ball joints, bushings, tranny, etc.). Well, for the most part, these are minor maintenance items. If you come across a truck that needs all this at once, then walk away be cause the owner hasn't been maintaining it. However, if it only needs a few of these things, then show interest.

I find that statement interesting! I had a 1988 F250 that the seat material was worn out at 148,000 miles. I traded it on our 2001 Ram 2500 with 234,000 miles and the seat was in much better shape. I did just recently at about 270,000 miles have it "rebuilt for about $170.

The statement references Dodge's that were made mid-to-late 90's, as I said. This is primarily the 1st generation of the new design. Yes, those interiors were terrible quality...primarily the dash and trim. My parents owned a 1997 model Ram and I owned a 1996 model, so I speak from experience of such vehicles down here in the blistering FL sun. FWIW, the seats were just fine, but the rest of the interior was terrible. I've seen many, many more just like it. I've even seen the new Dodge's (up too about 2005 or so) with similar interior issues. Also FWIW, my current 1996 F350 with nearly 270K miles has an immaculate interior, with the only problem being that the driver's seat WAS similar to yours. I paid $85 at our local automotive interior folks to have it restuffed and spruced up about a year ago.

Ho yes Florida sun and Dodge/Ram Dashboards! :S That for sure is not a good combination.
I live in the PNW, no Salt, No Sun, No Problems!:B

I lied, we do get some sun in the summer, but not like Florida.

I will tell you this, I would rather have a dash pad crack instead if the instruments in the dash stop working. All the GM products I owned and was around in the nineties up til here a few years ago had instrument problems problem. I have a 2007 at work that has gremlins in the dash. GM body control modules are a PIA.

majorgator wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

majorgator wrote:
I wouldn't hesitate to buy a mid-to-late 90's high mile F2/350 with the 7.3. I wouldn't buy a Chevy diesel of same time period, not until the Duramax came out. Dodge of that period is good too, but their interiors failed quickly and nastily during that time.

I think the OP's question has been answered well at this point, so now its just a matter of semantics. Its been said that engines are good, but the rest of the truck is the problem (shocks, u joints, ball joints, bushings, tranny, etc.). Well, for the most part, these are minor maintenance items. If you come across a truck that needs all this at once, then walk away be cause the owner hasn't been maintaining it. However, if it only needs a few of these things, then show interest.

I find that statement interesting! I had a 1988 F250 that the seat material was worn out at 148,000 miles. I traded it on our 2001 Ram 2500 with 234,000 miles and the seat was in much better shape. I did just recently at about 270,000 miles have it "rebuilt for about $170.

The statement references Dodge's that were made mid-to-late 90's, as I said. This is primarily the 1st generation of the new design. Yes, those interiors were terrible quality...primarily the dash and trim. My parents owned a 1997 model Ram and I owned a 1996 model, so I speak from experience of such vehicles down here in the blistering FL sun. FWIW, the seats were just fine, but the rest of the interior was terrible. I've seen many, many more just like it. I've even seen the new Dodge's (up too about 2005 or so) with similar interior issues. Also FWIW, my current 1996 F350 with nearly 270K miles has an immaculate interior, with the only problem being that the driver's seat WAS similar to yours. I paid $85 at our local automotive interior folks to have it restuffed and spruced up about a year ago.

Ho yes Florida sun and Dodge/Ram Dashboards! :S That for sure is not a good combination.
I live in the PNW, no Salt, No Sun, No Problems!:B

I lied, we do get some sun in the summer, but not like Florida.

rhagfo wrote:

majorgator wrote:
I wouldn't hesitate to buy a mid-to-late 90's high mile F2/350 with the 7.3. I wouldn't buy a Chevy diesel of same time period, not until the Duramax came out. Dodge of that period is good too, but their interiors failed quickly and nastily during that time.

I think the OP's question has been answered well at this point, so now its just a matter of semantics. Its been said that engines are good, but the rest of the truck is the problem (shocks, u joints, ball joints, bushings, tranny, etc.). Well, for the most part, these are minor maintenance items. If you come across a truck that needs all this at once, then walk away be cause the owner hasn't been maintaining it. However, if it only needs a few of these things, then show interest.

I find that statement interesting! I had a 1988 F250 that the seat material was worn out at 148,000 miles. I traded it on our 2001 Ram 2500 with 234,000 miles and the seat was in much better shape. I did just recently at about 270,000 miles have it "rebuilt for about $170.

The statement references Dodge's that were made mid-to-late 90's, as I said. This is primarily the 1st generation of the new design. Yes, those interiors were terrible quality...primarily the dash and trim. My parents owned a 1997 model Ram and I owned a 1996 model, so I speak from experience of such vehicles down here in the blistering FL sun. FWIW, the seats were just fine, but the rest of the interior was terrible. I've seen many, many more just like it. I've even seen the new Dodge's (up too about 2005 or so) with similar interior issues. Also FWIW, my current 1996 F350 with nearly 270K miles has an immaculate interior, with the only problem being that the driver's seat WAS similar to yours. I paid $85 at our local automotive interior folks to have it restuffed and spruced up about a year ago.

majorgator wrote:
I wouldn't hesitate to buy a mid-to-late 90's high mile F2/350 with the 7.3. I wouldn't buy a Chevy diesel of same time period, not until the Duramax came out. Dodge of that period is good too, but their interiors failed quickly and nastily during that time.

I think the OP's question has been answered well at this point, so now its just a matter of semantics. Its been said that engines are good, but the rest of the truck is the problem (shocks, u joints, ball joints, bushings, tranny, etc.). Well, for the most part, these are minor maintenance items. If you come across a truck that needs all this at once, then walk away be cause the owner hasn't been maintaining it. However, if it only needs a few of these things, then show interest.

I find that statement interesting! I had a 1988 F250 that the seat material was worn out at 148,000 miles. I traded it on our 2001 Ram 2500 with 234,000 miles and the seat was in much better shape. I did just recently at about 270,000 miles have it "rebuilt for about $170.

This is the seat BEFORE rebuild, you can see the terrible shape it is in!!!



This is the AFTER picture the left side has been re-padded and the bad side panel replaced.