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.

[transamz9]

wintersun wrote:
A diesel engine is a poor choice for a daily driver. A truck with a gas engine and 4.10 gears and a 5-speed transmission will be fine for towing and cost less to operate overall. Some people get lucky with diesel pickups but when something breaks it is a great deal more expensive to repair. A set of injectors will set you back about $5,000 and if a head gasket blows the repairs can be double that amount.

Forget anectdotal reports by an owner of a truck. There are agencies that collect repair history on diesel trucks from owner and from diesel repair shops and none of the pre 2010 diesel have a track record on par with gas engines.

My current truck has a diesel engine but I did not get it to save money on fuel or to have a more reliable vehicle. The higher price for diesel negates a great deal of any savings from higher MPG and when you add in maintenance costs the difference disappears. For trips averaging less than 45 minutes duration or for towing less than 13,000 lbs. the gas engine is a wiser choice.

You must own a Ford on the '04-'09 model year. They would put a bad taste in anyone's mouth.

My truck was a DD for my wife for a couple years and she works 15 minutes from the house. She still was able to turn out 19-19.5 mpg hand calculated.

When my daughter was in high school she was in the marching band . I pulled one of the band trailers to every competition. When were gone usually for 12-16 hrs every Saturday so we always took our two Pugs with us. From the time I started the truck that day it never shut off until we got home that night. When I wasn't driving, the truck idled with the air on for the dogs. So it would idle for 8-10 hrs every time and we did this for 4 years. My truck is 9 years old in January and has been turned up for 5 of these years. I have never had to turn a wrench on the motor or transmission in this time frame. The only thing I have HAD to do is front brakes and oil changes. I change the oil every 10,000 miles and use filters either from Napa or Wally World like I've done on every vehicle I've owned.

[ohiopicker]

JIMNLIN wrote:
I would include the '03 Dodge/Cummins 305/555 HO. Same engine/tranny options as the '04. I have the NV5600 6 speed hand shifter.
I have just over 220k miles on my '03 HO. It still gets 12-12.5 mpg average pulling a 11200 lb 5er and 21-23 mpg on long trips running empty.
This truck has been flawless.

Cummins gives the '03-'07 5.9 HPCR engine a 7500/15000 mile oil change schedule.

X2 I had an '04 Ram/Cummins with the NV5600. Zero problems. Averaged just under 15 mpg towing my Laredo 27RL. Traded it on a 2013 Ram with automatic. (Wife wanted auto in case she had to drive.) The 2013 is a towing monster, but my experience with the '04 was that it was a terrific truck.

[brokeboater]

When I went out to buy a diesel truck to tow my fifth wheel I had it rated Ford first, GMC second with the Dodge rated a never every going to own a Chrysler product but I owed it to myself to look closely at all three. I came home with an '06 Dodge 3500 and have been very happy with it. I'd have to second the other person who said an '06 or early '06 Ram with the 5.9 Cummins. Of the 5.9 Cummins equipped Dodges, the '06 and '07 transmissions were the best. I've got 120,000 miles on it now, including 27,000 towing a 14,500# fifth wheel from Florida to Alaska and back, with not a problem.

I came close to a Duramax Allison GMC and think I would have been plenty happy with that truck also. Two big pluses in the Dodges favor, (at least with the 5.9), engine very easy to work on. Look under the hood of both. You can't hardly stick your hand into the engine compartment of the GMC, with the Dodge, wide open spaces. I installed my own gauges, exhaust brake and over sized transmission pan, plus do all my own maintenance. It's all very easy access. Plus the Dodge has a shorter wheel base making it a bit more maneuverable for a daily driver, but giving you less space in the back seat. Plus, the Dodge's tow ratings are not nearly as high as the GMC.

I may be partial to the Dodge now, but I don't think you can go wrong with either.

[Vroadracer]

I recently bought a 2007 GMC Classic crew cab long bed with the LBZ engine and a 6 speed Allison. It got 22mpg on the 800 mile trip home at 68mph. I tow a 15,000 5th wheel and it gets 10.5 to 12.2 mpg depending on the conditions. I usually tow about 60 mph as that is near the maximum rpm torque rating for the LBZ engine. You can set the cruise and the tow-haul and it keeps the speed up going up the hills. The engine has 50 more HP than my 2002 Duramax and a lot more torque. I am a happy camper with the LBZ engine package and the 6 speed Allison.
Vroadracer

[orange_jordy]

Just wanted to thank everyone who has replied. The information and advice you have given me helps a lot.

[jerem0621]

My list...IMHO..

Big Motors

Cummins Ram
V10 Ford
8.1 GM

Little Motors

Hemi Ram
6.0 GM
5.4 Ford

I would avoid the 6.0 Diesel... I don't care what the PO did to Bulletproof it. The Cummins was built right from the factory as was the other motors I listed. Duramax is not a bad choice either.. the injectors are scary though.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[Cummins12V98]

My 98 12Valve Cummins, fuel filter every 20K $18.98, oil filter every 5K $13.50, Oil $72.00, Oil type air filter $75 one time purchase.

That is my maintenance costs. Dirt cheap in my book! 380K later runs better than new!

[RedRocket204]

For someone who stated in their original post about not having money for a monthly truck payment, I would very seriously reconsider going with an out of warranty diesel. Sure, chances are you will get a trouble free diesel...but if you don't, as already mentioned, the repairs can be quite a bit more expensive than a gasoline model.

Do you feel lucky?

[orange_jordy]

Gasoline prices in our neck of the woods fluctuate constantly, today it jumped from $1.209 a liter to $1.259 a liter. Diesel has stayed around $1.189 since the beginning of summer. Living in Saskatchewan where our winters tend to be half the year and can get colder than -40, I am a bit concerned about the tendency for diesel engines to take longer to warm up, but I am planning to park it in my garage if it fits(my current truck does) The potential cost of repairs to any previously owned vehicle scares me a little, I put close to $10,000 in to fixing my current truck over the last two years. I thought it would be good after that, but it was back in the garage twice in the last month. All I can do is look at what is out there very carefully, have it checked by a mechanic, get a carfax if available, and hope I make a good decision.

[Norskeman]

rj0105 wrote:
either would be good trucks. When we experienced computer problems with our 03, we opted for the 07 classic LBZ 6 speed. Towed trailer nearly 9K last year and loved the experience. I would also suggest you drive each and make your mind up on how it feels

x2 - 2006 or 2007 Duramax/Allison - less emissions and 6 speed Allison tranny. Diesel will cost more but you will like the towing power.

[john_bet]

wintersun wrote:
A diesel engine is a poor choice for a daily driver. A truck with a gas engine and 4.10 gears and a 5-speed transmission will be fine for towing and cost less to operate overall. Some people get lucky with diesel pickups but when something breaks it is a great deal more expensive to repair. A set of injectors will set you back about $5,000 and if a head gasket blows the repairs can be double that amount.

Forget anectdotal reports by an owner of a truck. There are agencies that collect repair history on diesel trucks from owner and from diesel repair shops and none of the pre 2010 diesel have a track record on par with gas engines.

My current truck has a diesel engine but I did not get it to save money on fuel or to have a more reliable vehicle. The higher price for diesel negates a great deal of any savings from higher MPG and when you add in maintenance costs the difference disappears. For trips averaging less than 45 minutes duration or for towing less than 13,000 lbs. the gas engine is a wiser choice.

Nice argument, but it does not fly in my book. JMHO.

[wintersun]

A diesel engine is a poor choice for a daily driver. A truck with a gas engine and 4.10 gears and a 5-speed transmission will be fine for towing and cost less to operate overall. Some people get lucky with diesel pickups but when something breaks it is a great deal more expensive to repair. A set of injectors will set you back about $5,000 and if a head gasket blows the repairs can be double that amount.

Forget anectdotal reports by an owner of a truck. There are agencies that collect repair history on diesel trucks from owner and from diesel repair shops and none of the pre 2010 diesel have a track record on par with gas engines.

My current truck has a diesel engine but I did not get it to save money on fuel or to have a more reliable vehicle. The higher price for diesel negates a great deal of any savings from higher MPG and when you add in maintenance costs the difference disappears. For trips averaging less than 45 minutes duration or for towing less than 13,000 lbs. the gas engine is a wiser choice.

[bmanning]

JIMNLIN wrote:
I would include the '03 Dodge/Cummins 305/555 HO. Same engine/tranny options as the '04. I have the NV5600 6 speed hand shifter.
I have just over 220k miles on my '03 HO. It still gets 12-12.5 mpg average pulling a 11200 lb 5er and 21-23 mpg on long trips running empty.
This truck has been flawless.

Cummins gives the '03-'07 5.9 HPCR engine a 7500/15000 mile oil change schedule.

One of the best overall used trucks out there; plenty of power, simple, great fuel economy.

[transamz9]

APT wrote:
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.

It all depends on the brand you buy. Gas engines get poor fuel economy when cold also. Don't know much about the D-max but the Fords will warm up quickly, Cummins does not. 04-07 don't buy a Ford diesel.