Truck shopping 04-07 model years. Advice please.

[orange_jordy]

I am just starting to shop for a truck to replace my current 2006 Ford F150 supercrew. The truck has been unreliable for the last two years and the wife would like me to get rid of it so she feels more secure when we go out camping next summer. The thing is for us (and probably most folks) money is tight and we can't afford a monthly payment on a new truck so we decided to look at the previously owned market. I have only done some online browsing and not actually gone to look at anything yet. Our camper is the same one we have had for years(Gulfstream Amerilite 24RS, 7400 lb gvwr) and it meets our needs for now and the future so we have no plans to upgrade at this time, however we have talked about getting a truck that is large enough to comfortably step up to a larger camper without having to upgrade the truck. From the bit of reading I have done, I am looking at trucks in the 2004 to 2007 model years and I am looking at 3/4 ton and 1 ton both gas and diesel. The wife will not let me look at another Ford so I guess I am looking for information on Dodge and GM trucks from those model years. I am not biased toward one brand over the other, I am just looking for the best truck for my money. I have never owned or driven a diesel truck before so I don't know much except that in the years I am considering people seem to like the 5.9 Cummins and the Duramax LBZ. I know the 5.7 Hemi and 6.0 Vortec are strong gasoline engines as well. I will be using the truck as a daily driver to work(25 km each way on the freeway)as well as towing the camper during the summer. We mostly do shorter trips ,under 1000 km round trip, but we have discussed doing a couple of trips that would take us up to 6000 km total. If I could get some pointers or pros and cons from people that have owned or operated trucks in these years, it would be greatly appreciated.

[APT]

They get poor fuel economy until warmed up, say <5 minute run times. This also can increase wear on some of the components. They take longer to warm up than a gas engine say below freezing ambient temps. In addition there are some known design/manufacturing issues on the big 3 diesels in the 04-07 model year range.

All these things are already well documented in the gas vs. diesel thread. There are benefits to each. I have both. But there is no one right answer for every situation.

[Cummins12V98]

APT wrote:
GM 8.1L is a fantastic tow beast. It just gets poor fuel economy unloaded. If this is a dedicated TRV, that may be a good option. Otherwise, GM's 6.0L is underrated. GM has used it since 1999 I believe, making small changes over the last 15 years. It gets decent fuel economy towing and not, better than my 2003 F-150 (2V 5.4L). If you can get into a 2007.5+ 6.0L 6-spd trans, you will love it.

Diesels over the last 10-15 years also make great power. But they have limitations too. They do cost quite a bit more used and new.

Curious, what are the Diesel's "limitations" ?

[APT]

GM 8.1L is a fantastic tow beast. It just gets poor fuel economy unloaded. If this is a dedicated TV, that may be a good option. Otherwise, GM's 6.0L is underrated. GM has used it since 1999 I believe, making small changes over the last 15 years. It gets decent fuel economy towing and not, better than my 2003 F-150 (2V 5.4L). If you can get into a 2007.5+ 6.0L 6-spd trans, you will love it.

Diesels over the last 10-15 years also make great power. But they have limitations too. They do cost quite a bit more used and new.

[wnjj]

orange_jordy wrote:
What types of transmissions are available with the various trucks? I know the 04/05 GM trucks had a 5 speed Allison with the Duramax and a six speed in 06/07 but what about the Vortec? Just a four speed auto? I also know Dodge had a six speed manual transmission available but not sure what years or what the automatic alternative was. Four speed or five with the Hemi? Some of the listings I am finding online just say automatic in the transmission column and nothing specific as to the type of automatic. Thanks again for all the advice so far.

The GM 8.1L came with the Allison as well.

[Cummins12V98]

itguy08 wrote:

orange_jordy wrote:
My wife wants me to get a Duramax, but she has no experience with them, she is just partial to GM products over Dodge. She actually wanted me to get as many opinions as I could from the experienced members on RV.net.

Good advice. Short story on Dodge - "great" engine bolted to a horrible truck.

Really????

My 98 12 Valve 2500 4X4 380K original U joints, upper ball joint went bad at 300K, interior still looks new, doors close solid and don't rattle, paint is still shiny. Awesome truck, maybe I just got a good one!

[Engineer9860]

The GM 6.0L Vortec in the years you are looking at had the 4L80E auto, or the über rare NVG4500 5speed manual transmission.

My wife has a 2001 Chevy 2500HD with a 6.0L/4L80E/4.10. It is an awesome combination. It would be great for your trailer. I just changed it's oil at 96,000mi, and to this point all that has ever been done to this truck is a driver's side front wheel bearing.

[orange_jordy]

What types of transmissions are available with the various trucks? I know the 04/05 GM trucks had a 5 speed Allison with the Duramax and a six speed in 06/07 but what about the Vortec? Just a four speed auto? I also know Dodge had a six speed manual transmission available but not sure what years or what the automatic alternative was. Four speed or five with the Hemi? Some of the listings I am finding online just say automatic in the transmission column and nothing specific as to the type of automatic. Thanks again for all the advice so far.

[maxwell11]

another thing to check:

my 2000 model 2500 chevy had grease zerks at each wear point on the front end.
when I traded it off at 95K it still drove fine.

my 2005 dodge does not have grease zerks, so expect wear at around 100K-125K

I do not know if ford or Gm trucks still have grease zerks, but it can be big bucks, if you have to replace many front end parts.

my mechanic told me, not to worry, just bring it in at around 125K and he would make it right again, then he gave me a big******eating grin.

why would they make such a nice big heavy truck, then not install grease zerks on the front end wear points?

[wcjeep]

Fordlover wrote:

wcjeep wrote:
If you want an auto Cummins, highly recommend a 2006 or early 2007. An exhaust brake is a simple bolt on. The 2005 and earlier Auto transmission can take an exhaust brake with additional hard ware. All late 1998 and up manual transmission Cummins are capable of bolt on exhaust brake. Earlier Manuals need additional work.

The late 2007 Dodge came with a different engine.

Really? an exhaust brake for a 5K trailer?

I was on my phone. Didn't see what he was towing. An exhaust brake does allow the engine to warm up alot faster. Coming down a mountain pass I rarely use the vehicle service brakes. My brakes stay cold at all times. At 110k miles, my 2006 Dodge still has at least half the brake pad life remaining. This includes 6yrs as a commuter. I ride the exhaust brake as much as possible.

If the OP doesn't see alot of mountain passes then skipping the exhaust brake isn't a big deal.

[orange_jordy]

I'm back at work tomorrow for the first of seven straight days so I won't have time to really go drive anything for a while, but I have found a few trucks on autotrader.ca and some of the local dealer websites. Both Dodge and G.M. diesels in the 2004-2007 model years all seem to have 230000 to 300000km and are listed from low prices of around $15000 for high km low option models up to $35000 for some of the lower km upper trim levels. The gas engined trucks seem like they are lower km (125000 to 200000 km),mostly the lower end trims, and prices around $10000 to $20000. Looks like I have a lot to choose from.

[Fordlover]

wcjeep wrote:
If you want an auto Cummins, highly recommend a 2006 or early 2007. An exhaust brake is a simple bolt on. The 2005 and earlier Auto transmission can take an exhaust brake with additional hard ware. All late 1998 and up manual transmission Cummins are capable of bolt on exhaust brake. Earlier Manuals need additional work.

The late 2007 Dodge came with a different engine.

Really? an exhaust brake for a 5K trailer?

[Vanished]

ib516 wrote:
If you're looking at 04 to 07 GM and Dodge/Ram trucks, both gas and diesel, I have good news for you. You really can't make a bad choice. Any of those 4 (Dodge gas & diesel and GM gas & diesel) would serve you well.

I would base my decision on the actual truck you look at. No matter the brand, overall condition is key.

The diesels will:
- cost more up front (truck for truck)
- get better mpg loaded and empty
- perform better when loaded/hauling
- be more expensive to fix if they breakdown
- retain their value better (as you will see when you shop)

The gas engine trucks will:
- perform adequately when loaded with your ~7500# RV
- work better in Sask winters (heat up faster)
- will get worse mpg when empty or loaded
- be cheaper to repair if they breakdown
- be cheaper to buy

Up to you to decide what out of that list is important to you and shop accordingly. Around Western Canada, the HD trucks with gas engines are generally a bargain because most people want the diesel. Supply and demand.

x2

[ib516]

itguy08 wrote:

orange_jordy wrote:
My wife wants me to get a Duramax, but she has no experience with them, she is just partial to GM products over Dodge. She actually wanted me to get as many opinions as I could from the experienced members on RV.net.

Good advice. Short story on Dodge - "great" engine bolted to a horrible truck.

To the OP, ignore this troll.

If you click on his username and then click on "View Posts" you can see what kind of person he is. Rarely offers real advice, but rather, the majority of his posts are the same - all just brand bashing.

Unfortunately, some people exploit the anonymity of the internet to just "stir the pot". Up to you to sort outthese people from those of us here to offer you real advice and thoughts with the goal of actually helping you. I'll let his previous posts speak for themselves.

[ib516]

If you're looking at 04 to 07 GM and Dodge/Ram trucks, both gas and diesel, I have good news for you. You really can't make a bad choice. Any of those 4 (Dodge gas & diesel and GM gas & diesel) would serve you well.

I would base my decision on the actual truck you look at. No matter the brand, overall condition is key.

The diesels will:
- cost more up front (truck for truck)
- get better mpg loaded and empty
- perform better when loaded/hauling
- be more expensive to fix if they breakdown
- retain their value better (as you will see when you shop)

The gas engine trucks will:
- perform adequately when loaded with your ~7500# RV
- work better in Sask winters (heat up faster)
- will get worse mpg when empty or loaded
- be cheaper to repair if they breakdown
- be cheaper to buy

Up to you to decide what out of that list is important to you and shop accordingly. Around Western Canada, the HD trucks with gas engines are generally a bargain because most people want the diesel. Supply and demand.

[transamz9]

itguy08 wrote:

orange_jordy wrote:
My wife wants me to get a Duramax, but she has no experience with them, she is just partial to GM products over Dodge. She actually wanted me to get as many opinions as I could from the experienced members on RV.net.

Good advice. Short story on Dodge - "great" engine bolted to a horrible truck.

Please explain this for me. I can right you a book on all the HD trucks.