Rate You Truck's Reliability - Heavy Duty Diesels

donn0128 wrote:
Early 2007-1/2, 6.7L other than a few software updates, totally relible.

What Make??

There is no easy answer to truck choices.
New models are nice, but costly.
I had 7,3 diesels and even the engines were reliable, still sensors, alternators, washer tanks and other small stuff on aging truck did cost some money.
Bought 2007 with 6l knowing the engine is trouble, but paid 45% of KBB for it and I am DIY so I am fixing it myself.
So far after oil cooler exchange the truck gives me no trouble and delivers 16 mpg @70mph with camper shell, or 10 mpg with my big camper when going to Sierra.
Flatbed bed if few inches higher than regular bed, so when you have tall camper, that might be an issue.
My Fleetwood camper put on utility bed made 13' tall.

Hi Bill, same truck as just mentioned above (see profile) but just at 98K miles. I have had the camper you are describing for just a year now and probably have 4,000 miles hauling our Host camper around. No problems and the modifications done have been lower stable loads and Hell Wig rear anti-sway bar. Did a South West trip this spring through Arizona and most recently to the MT. Lassen area in N Calif. Milage is low teens and have seen single digits climbing hills. We do not tow. I love this pre-urea diesel motor but am considering something newer with more payload. Sold my 2006 2500 LBZ to get this truck.

See my review of my diesel fleet in the Arctic, in the tow rig section. This explains some of the weak points of the new crop of trucks, albeit in worse conditions than 99.9% of trucks will ever see.

You need to be specific on what model years you're looking for or are you looking for any model in the last 20 years that is the best. Huge differences from model to model.

Quick synopsis of the 2 most recent "modern" diesel pickups I've owned personally.
02 Dmax/Alli. Bought with 25kmi. Sold with about 120kmi. 1 nsbu switch and 1 window regulator were the only 2 minor repairs needed. Otherwise only maint items. Truck was daily driven and towed with a 90-150hp tune.
Current 07 5.9 G56 Cummins. Bought 1kmi, currently at 130kmi. Daily driven and tow moderate weights. Always running 100-150hp over stock.
Injectors 115kmi. Could have replaced 2, replaced all 6. $2300parts. Added better filtration at that time. Factory dmf clutch is weak. It lasted 40kmi. Next clutch lasted 80kmi. On my 3rd clutch. Both aftermarket. Not the trucks fault I got short life out of clutch #2. Hydro boost pump at 120kmi, vib damper, 120kmi. Steering box at 80kmi.
Good truck overall. Not as good as a few models IMO for $/mi for repairs, but better than a lot.

2004.5 Chevy 2500HD CC D/A LB 4X4 ordered new and revised as a 1 ton (airbags added, Rancho 9000 sdj shocks, and 265 tires vs the OEM 245's) for hauling our 11'4" Lance TC or our 12,800 lb loaded to travel Carriage Carrilite 5th wheel as that's all the truck has ever been used for. Nearly 170K on the odometer and never had any repairs needed or done and never been back to a dealer repair facility or other repair location for any reflashes or repairs to the driveline or truck other than having new front brake pads put on at just over 125K. Normal wear items! I did replace a couple burned out light bulbs over the years if that matters.

The trucks still tight with NO rattles, absolutely zero rust, drives and handles and looks just like new, no worn out seats or bad wear spots and very comfortable, and has never been garaged here in Michigan as it's too long anyway to be able to close the door. Gets great fuel mileage and is just another reason we keep driving it as it's before all the emission fuel wasting stuff was added. If it's not broke, why fix it or replace it?

100% reliable always since day one 11+ years ago!

First was an 06 F350 6.0 and was a POS. $5000 in repairs in one year and still didn't run right. Owned it 2 years and traded out to a 2008 GMC 3500 with a D/A and have had zero issues with 123000 miles on him. First owner was meticulous with maintenance as I am. Its a towing beast.

Got your IM, I'll just reply here... I'm about as bad as any Country music song - I'll never get rid of my dog or my truck. Thought about getting a new/bigger one, but wow, they're proud of new F450/550's. And the F450's do not offer any more GVW than an F350, just more GCVW/towing.

My truck has never left me stuck. The old trusty 7.3L with 80k miles on it. But i have done a lot to it to make it better suited for a huge camper, a lot of which I did only after I got my Eagle Cap.

I am not a fan of air bags, so I have just springs and Torklift StableLoads. Bags can leak or pop, so that's why. So pretty much like my sig says -- did Rancho 9000's, Roadmaster sway bars F&R. Dropped a Jasper MonsterBox tranny in years ago to avoid the factory's weakest link in the 7.3's. I run BFG All-Terrains but have been gicing serious thought to 19.5's.

Early 2007-1/2, 6.7L other than a few software updates, totally relible.

2011 GMC 3500 dually diesel here. 42K and zero problems. I get a steady 13 mpg (hand calculated) with the AF 1140 loaded. I'm not light on the pedal. This was the first year for the LML that uses diesel exhaust fluid.

Bill,
I had a 94 FORD F250 Supercab LB then a 2000 Ford F250 Supercab V-10 LB and now since 2012 a FORD F350 Supercab 6.7L diesel LB.
I have modified to my liking all three FORDs. The typical thing to do is Air bags and I have finally learned on my 2012 that I don't need to fuss with Air bags any more...I use the Timbren Suspension system...No affect unloaded and work great with a 3K plus load....and if you get them you don't need the HD version unless you go with a 4600 pound or more camper....However then you should have a dually truck. I also added the Hellwig Big Wig Anti Sway bars front and especially rear....The FORD camper special rear Stabilizer bar is a joke. I also added RANCHO 9000 HD adjustable shocks. I also added the Tork Lift Overload boosters...actually they are over kill on my F350. The 6.7 Liter diesel does not even know the camper is there except in high winds. The fuel mileage is far superior to the FORD V-10 especially once the Diesel is broke in. We like the Supercab over the extra cab as it allows an 8 foot bed vs a 6 or 7 foot bed. Hope this helps from a FORD lovers point of view.