Truck Decision UPDATE: Decison Made (pending)

Desertboy wrote:

mike mck wrote:
I will start with general thoughts.
My son is a master tech and works on all brands. A few years ago I was looking to replace my 94 F350 7.3 IDI dually. Looked at all 3 brands. Sons advice from the start. Stay away from the Ford 6.0 and 6.4 too much risk involved. Might get a good one might not.
ford 7.3 Can't miss
Dodge 5.9 Can't miss
Chevy duramax Nice motor stay away from chipped motors.

Dodge diesel trucks.
Great engines and drive trains. As others have stated even ford puts em in the F650's. Interiors cheap and most were coming apart.
Chevys.
Just didn't find any I liked for various reasons. Son has worked on a few and the hi dollar tickets were always consumer abuse of some sort. Chipped to the point they over boost creating any number of problems or not having issues checked until they stop the motor. Once repaired the Duramax is a beast. His words not mine. Can you go wrong with an Allison trans?
Fords
I ended up with a 1999 F550 with the 7.3 power stroke with pickup bed. Already bullet proof from the factory. Paid $7K
Reason I bought it
Did I mention $7K for a clean F550. 7.3 powerstroke Last year available is 2003 I believe.
Payload. I carry a 4K LB camper and the truck does not even squat.
19.5 tire and wheels. I towed a M105A3 for a while but now just a 14 ft utility trailer with Rhino on it. I never have to calculate weights either payload or towing. No expensive suspension mods.
Truck had pulled horse and livestock trailers all its life for 2 different ranch owners here in AZ. I bought it with close to 200K miles. Am now at 248K. One thing that has not been discussed is the trans. At 244K I replaced mine with a ford Reman for $2600.00.
My mechanics advice on Fords. Just can't go wrong with the 7.3 powerstroke. 6.0 why take a chance, 6.4 why take a chance. 6.7 Nice motor similar to the duramax.
Well my 2 cents

Now that's some advice.

You betcha!

That's just what I was thinking too!

It's certainly comprehensive - with everything followed up upon with facts and figures.

Makes me glad I've got perhaps the best of all worlds; a one ton dually Ford with the 7.3 PSD, and a bulletproof transmission - all that is a complete joy to drive and own!