Been doing a little posting about tow vehicles and have a question along with asking for suggestions. First, I'm looking at used and budget is around $25k. I'm looking for something around 100k and prefer Dodge or Chevy. Leaning towards Chevy because I've owned enough Dodge and tried of rebuilding transmissions. However if someone knows anything about the Dodge transmission that can prevent it from going bad then I wouldn't mind getting a Dodge. So my question is if I get a Chevy 2008 or newer with 100k should I expect to change injectors sooner than later or are they lasting longer? Another question, how hard is it to rebuild an injector and when you buy a rebuild kit for injectors will it rebuild all injectors or only one? Now with just these questions I'm sure I'm missing something so I also ask for suggestions on what to look for besides blow by however with that I'm still learning how to look for it so any pointers on how to find that would be nice also. This will be my first purchase of diesel and I would like a good experience I'm super excited about this but also very nervous.Thanks Chad

Any of the 6.7L Rams with the 68RFE automatics are nearly bulletproof as long as a PO did not add a tuner and run it to death. The 68RFE is as strong or stronger as the Allison with fewer warrenty problems. But since its your money, go buy what YOU like best.

For chevy-Try the forums at www.dieselplace.com look for the medium duty forum. Most of the folks who post on this forum use their trucks to tow heavy loads, many are transporters so they put lots of miles on their trucks. You'll get the answers you are looking for regarding the Duramax and Allison.

When I was shopping used trucks the issue I ran into was the Cummins and Duramax both held their value too well to be worth buying used. Basically I'd be trading $8-10k for 80k+ miles and several years of use, which wasn't worth it to me compared to buying new with a full warranty. My hope is that I keep this truck a long time.One option I considered but ultimately opted against was buying a used 6.0/6.4 Powerstroke and then spending a few thousand to bulletproof it. From what I found the Powerstrokes, especially pre-6.7, really depreciated a lot faster so the prices were lower. There's a reason for that of course but it's an option to consider.I guess one other thing to consider is the emissions stuff. On the earlier generation diesels they didn't seem to have things sorted out too well compared to the new ones, so there could be issues to deal with there unless you live in an area where have the option of deleting. Check out cumminsforum.com for some feedback from Ram owners.

IdaD wrote:When I was shopping used trucks the issue I ran into was the Cummins and Duramax both held their value too well to be worth buying used. Basically I'd be trading $8-10k for 80k+ miles and several years of use, which wasn't worth it to me compared to buying new with a full warranty. My hope is that I keep this truck a long time.One option I considered but ultimately opted against was buying a used 6.0/6.4 Powerstroke and then spending a few thousand to bulletproof it. From what I found the Powerstrokes, especially pre-6.7, really depreciated a lot faster so the prices were lower. There's a reason for that of course but it's an option to consider.I guess one other thing to consider is the emissions stuff. On the earlier generation diesels they didn't seem to have things sorted out too well compared to the new ones, so there could be issues to deal with there unless you live in an area where have the option of deleting. Check out cumminsforum.com for some feedback from Ram owners.I agree my son just bought a new 2015 Ram, traded in his 2008 Dodge Cummins that he paid 37K for , and they gave him 31K on trade in . He could of sold it outright for even more, but it worked out nearly as good on the sales tax .I too was looking at a year or two used truck, soon found out its well worth buying new, not enough deprecation to make it worth it.

When I was hunting for a used diesel, my mechanics mentioned that the vast majority of their diesel repair was focused on the emission stuff..so I went pre '07 ..no DEF either...so far, so good...

Guide To Buying a Diesel | Good Sam Community

donn0128
Explorer II
Aug 18, 2015
Any of the 6.7L Rams with the 68RFE automatics are nearly bulletproof as long as a PO did not add a tuner and run it to death. The 68RFE is as strong or stronger as the Allison with fewer warrenty problems. But since its your money, go buy what YOU like best.
the_bear_II
Explorer
Aug 18, 2015
For chevy-

Try the forums at www.dieselplace.com look for the medium duty forum. Most of the folks who post on this forum use their trucks to tow heavy loads, many are transporters so they put lots of miles on their trucks. You'll get the answers you are looking for regarding the Duramax and Allison.
IdaD
Explorer
Aug 18, 2015
When I was shopping used trucks the issue I ran into was the Cummins and Duramax both held their value too well to be worth buying used. Basically I'd be trading $8-10k for 80k+ miles and several years of use, which wasn't worth it to me compared to buying new with a full warranty. My hope is that I keep this truck a long time.

One option I considered but ultimately opted against was buying a used 6.0/6.4 Powerstroke and then spending a few thousand to bulletproof it. From what I found the Powerstrokes, especially pre-6.7, really depreciated a lot faster so the prices were lower. There's a reason for that of course but it's an option to consider.

I guess one other thing to consider is the emissions stuff. On the earlier generation diesels they didn't seem to have things sorted out too well compared to the new ones, so there could be issues to deal with there unless you live in an area where have the option of deleting.

Check out cumminsforum.com for some feedback from Ram owners.
cummins2014
Explorer
Aug 18, 2015
IdaD wrote:
When I was shopping used trucks the issue I ran into was the Cummins and Duramax both held their value too well to be worth buying used. Basically I'd be trading $8-10k for 80k+ miles and several years of use, which wasn't worth it to me compared to buying new with a full warranty. My hope is that I keep this truck a long time.

One option I considered but ultimately opted against was buying a used 6.0/6.4 Powerstroke and then spending a few thousand to bulletproof it. From what I found the Powerstrokes, especially pre-6.7, really depreciated a lot faster so the prices were lower. There's a reason for that of course but it's an option to consider.

I guess one other thing to consider is the emissions stuff. On the earlier generation diesels they didn't seem to have things sorted out too well compared to the new ones, so there could be issues to deal with there unless you live in an area where have the option of deleting.

Check out cumminsforum.com for some feedback from Ram owners.

I agree my son just bought a new 2015 Ram, traded in his 2008 Dodge Cummins that he paid 37K for , and they gave him 31K on trade in . He could of sold it outright for even more, but it worked out nearly as good on the sales tax .I too was looking at a year or two used truck, soon found out its well worth buying new, not enough deprecation to make it worth it.
YZ
Explorer
Aug 18, 2015
When I was hunting for a used diesel, my mechanics mentioned that the vast majority of their diesel repair was focused on the emission stuff..so I went pre '07 ..no DEF either...so far, so good...
boogie_4wheel
Explorer
Aug 18, 2015
$25k, 100k, Dodge or GM

It would be a 5.9L Cummins, or a LLY or LBZ Duramax. Whatever nice truck you find.

Don't be scared of the 48RE. Add a TransGo shift kit and drive. If you ended up with a 6.7L/68RFE combo, expect less fuel economy, but better towing (power and extra gears). The 68RFE is a very good transmission really, and the 48RE can be built to be super tough, it is just a sloppy unit when stock.

Each different year CR Cummins between '03-07 had their little differences and quirks. The '06+ have a different interior than the '03-05.
valhalla360
Navigator
Aug 18, 2015
Assuming you don't get a dud and you aren't abusing it, I would expect a $25k truck to just run. 100k miles isn't a lot and at that price point I would be looking for more like 50-80k miles.
spoon059
Explorer II
Aug 18, 2015
donn0128 wrote:
Any of the 6.7L Rams with the 68RFE automatics are nearly bulletproof as long as a PO did not add a tuner and run it to death. The 68RFE is as strong or stronger as the Allison with fewer warrenty problems. But since its your money, go buy what YOU like best.

From my experience, its going to be hard to find a 2008 or newer Ram 6.7 for $25K. Pre 2008 is the 5.9 Cummins, and those are hard to find too. People LOVE those engines and they don't come around too often. I have a DEF 6.7 Cummins in my Ram and LOVE it... but I had to pay for it. The 68RFE is a good transmission unless you start modding and adding a lot of torque and HP to it. A stock CTD and a properly cared for 68RFE will last a long time.

I'm not sure about GM diesels, can't give you any advice there. The Duramax/Allison combo are well known and respected. Unfortunately that means that it will also carry a higher price tag.

For Ford... if you can find a 6.0 or 6.4 for cheap (possible) and put about $5 or $6 grand into bulletproofing it, you might be able to get it done for $25 grand. I considered it, but my wife was too leery of the Navistar diesel issues after my friend had expensive problems with his 6.0. There are a LOT of people with 6.0 and 6.4 Fords that haven't had a single problem...
broark01
Explorer
Aug 18, 2015
Get a subscription to Diesel Power Magazine or any of the others and learn what to look for, what to expect, what to avoid and how to preempt potential failure. Draw your own conclusions regarding what you want.

As mentioned above, one of the things I would personally avoid (if I knew) is buying a diesel truck that has had a tuner put on it at some point in its life. Many late model used trucks that have had the DPF removed would need tuners to bypass this emission control system.

Then there is the current recall on FCA vehicles that you would need to consider.
shfd739
Explorer
Aug 19, 2015
Fwiw the ambulance service I work at has used 3500 Chevys for decades. My normal unit at work is a 2012 dura max 3500 and just turned 248k miles. Only major issues have been with the EGR coolers and DPFs plugging up. We tend to idle a lot more than usual Which causes it.

As much as I don't care for the GM trucks the duramax/Allison is probably the best motor/trans on the market. They've far outlasted and been more reliable than the dozen or so Fords that have passed thru attempt units in the last few years.