New Truck or New Engine

Haven't in years but my father and I use to rebuild the old 69 Dodge 318 a number of times, mostly just the heads and exhaust valves.

Is it burning oil? Fuel mileage decreased recently? If not, odds are it is still going strong and doesn't need rebuilding. If so and it was my truck, I would probably tear the engine down for a top to bottom rebuild either myself or a trusted mechanic that routinely rebuilds engines. You may also want to discuss any upgrades for the engine that can increase performance while not increasing the wear and tear on the engine. While you have the engine out causing the AC to be discharged, I would also replace the heater core along with updating the heating unit doors with metal ones to ensure that isn't the next thing to go wrong.

I look a little different. By the time most gas engines are wore out, the rest of the pickup may be getting tired.
My last PU, a exhaust manifold broke. Could buy, but been on for 20 years, likely bolt would break. To get it out, pull head. Would a 302 with 250,000 miles be worth putting head back on? So I checked price of new engine options. Could go that way, but before I placed the order I thought about transmission. If I bought the engine I would be married to the pickup. Anything else goes wrong would have to fix.
Now, IMHO the only reason to consider a diesel powered pickup, with the extra long life, is if the manufacture would sell you another truck at a big discount, 15-20 years later, that would fit the engine.

7.3 diesel keep chugging.
One of these days I will update the trans to new torque converter and beefed up parts.

Thanks for the replies. For now, I was just curious if anyone had gone this route and I picked the TC Forum to ask the question as we put a significant 'load' on our trucks.

I understand the issues of repair/remanufactured/new in crate/rebuild vs other truck parts will still be old, etc.
and I have just started researching prices - I also know the relatively high cost of new trucks.
Am also perusing the RAM forums.

But, your responses have cut me to the quick, so ...
2005 RAM 2500 5.7 Hemi 320,000 miles no rust (no winters), few repairs over the years, still runs great although not as strong in the mountains, most miles with TC on maybe 35% hauling a 3000# trailer as well.

I was considering having a trusted mechanic evaluate and price a repair, rebuild, overhaul, crate engine, remanufactured engine, etc. - a 'relatively' cheap 'fix' would likely render the question moot.
And yes, this is definitely new truck price cost driven - but no, resale is not an issue.

klyross wrote:
So, anybody rebuilding or replacing engines in their TC hauling trucks as opposed to buying a new or low mileage used truck?

And to quote a local radio show....
“Random, random, random, random....”

Bonus points for anyone who can identify the station and radio show! Lol

What truck & engine do you have; some year engines are problematic....

With modern engines being so reliable, I think it's really become the outlier unless there is something special going on.

Back when 100k out of an engine was doing good, you often had a relatively new truck in good condition but the engine was shot. It made a lot of sense to rebuild/replace the motor...and it happened fairly regularly.

Now it's normal to get 200-250k miles out of motor (and most go to the junkyard with the engine still running) but that usually translates to 15-20yrs old, so bodies are rusted out, suspensions are worn out and the interior is faded and shabby, so it's a lot of money to have an old truck that's not worth much.

So is there something special about this truck to help justify the substantial cost to have an old truck?

Crate motors from the manufacturer can be around the same price, but come with with full warrantees and are all new. Much less labor involved so the cost evens out.

Its not my Truck Camper truck, but is my daily driver.
Ive got a 1997 f 150, that is in pretty good shape and is comfortable for me. The transmission went out and to replace it would cost just about as much as a 1997 f 150 would cost on Craigslist. To buy a new f150 is plenty of money. After taking plenty of time to think it through, for me spending the money for a new transmission was the right decision. Every thing cost about the same as a few new car payments and I am very comfortable with my old f 150. It was the right decision for me.
There is so many factors in making that kind of decision, it comes down to what is right for you.

there was a thread here about a year ago where someone broke down on road, got it towed home and put a new motor in truck. depends on what you got.