I have a TOW VEHICLE headache.

RedJeep wrote:

imadtchmn wrote:
I have a 98 chevy dually pulling 14,320 scaled pounds fully loaded. I have no problem staying up with trucks going uphill and love the way it handles. Do I rush. No. One thing no one has mentioned is rear end gearing. It's important. You want something in the 4:10 range.

I've had my 98 chevy 6.5 for 3 years now and still love it. I did some work to it since it was used and abused, but once done, I have no fear in taking it anywhere. Here are some of the stats for you.

Purchased $3500.00
pdm and mods $300.00
Right upper control arm assy. $65.00
Alignment $95.00
Idle shutoff switch $60.00

That's it. Sure beats the heck out of pricing a new truck and yes, all the labor is my own. Parts from ebay and the like. This truck was a construction vehicle in its prior life.

Original cost per the paperwork I found in the glovebox $53030.00. What a deal I got. :)

I agree. Good post and good advice. There is nothing wrong with a well cared for and moderately upgraded older truck.

Sure, as long as it's not a 6.5GM or 6.0 Ford. Yes you can get them to run right and be reliable but you better be a good mechanic and or have deep pockets, or get lucky.
The guy above is lucky if that's all that's done to the 6.5 or its real low miles.
Also, no fooling, they are not high power monster engines.
To the OP unless you're mechanically inclined then stay away from the older and less reliable diesels.