Budget tow vehicle

packpe89 wrote:
Wife is against the Ford as well, so that is really not an option :).
I've driven the duramax/Allison combo, love that transmission. Is it available on the 6.0 as well?

That's to bad, your wife just eliminated many good opportunities for you.

bmanning wrote:

packpe89 wrote:
Wife is against the Ford as well, so that is really not an option :).
I've driven the duramax/Allison combo, love that transmission. Is it available on the 6.0 as well?

The bad news: No, the Allison didn't come behind the 6.0L.

The good news: The Allison was paired to the 8.1L V8.

As mentioned they aren't easy to find, but if you come across an 01-07 8.1L/Allison GM pickup strongly consider it despite it's inherent thirst...you'll have just about as capable a gas-engine pickup as ever rolled off a factory assembly line.

Yes, if you can find one that was a pulling beast.

packpe89 wrote:
Wife is against the Ford as well, so that is really not an option :).
I've driven the duramax/Allison combo, love that transmission. Is it available on the 6.0 as well?

The bad news: No, the Allison didn't come behind the 6.0L.

The good news: The Allison was paired to the 8.1L V8.

As mentioned they aren't easy to find, but if you come across an 01-07 8.1L/Allison GM pickup strongly consider it despite it's inherent thirst...you'll have just about as capable a gas-engine pickup as ever rolled off a factory assembly line.

Wife is against the Ford as well, so that is really not an option :).
I've driven the duramax/Allison combo, love that transmission. Is it available on the 6.0 as well?

You can find a good TV for 10K. I sold my 2000 2500 GMC Sierra 6.0 a year ago. It had 120,000 miles and the first guy bought it. Sold it for 11K and he was happy and said it took him six months to find a nice TV.

I would look for a Chevy or GMC with the 8.1L big block. That will also get you the Allison automatic. I had a 2001 dually 8.1 and it was great: quiet, smooth, and powerful. It pulled almost as good as my '05 Duramax.
The 8.1 was available form '01 to '07.

when I was looking to upgrade my truck

I looked at all base model, the cheapest I found for a 4 door 3/4 ton with gas engine was a dodge,
it was a nice well keep used truck with lower miles, heavy frame, with gas engine, would have gotten poor mpg but all three makes in a heavy 3/4, 1 ton body rating with gas engine will get poor mileage.

just look around as see what is out there,
I finally bought a dodge diesel and have been pleased with it, but I paid a cost for the opportunity to burn that diesel fuel,

A 2005 or newer Ford F-250 CC is a good candidate. The V-10 is awesome but even a 5.4 with a 4.10 rear gear will work in your stated needs.

Ok, here is what I would do.

With a 10K budget you're going to be looking at older with a few miles on the clock.

Please don't discount Ford just because of your experience with their diesel engines. They have some of the worst diesel engines on the market.

The good news is they make some of the best gasoline, if not the best gasoline engines on the market to tow with. The V10 is a beast and VERY dependable. Most busses and gas RV's have the V10 and for very good reason; they are a great motor and a great truck.

I would look for a V10 Ford in good shape. They are out there.

Next I would look for a big block Chevy 8.1. Another great engine and truck combo. These will be a LOT more rare then the Ford V10 so it will be harder to find a good one.

In any event, good hunting. :)

Bmanning. Thanks. That is exactly the info I am looking for.