Diesel Truck

[Oopslala]

My 1/2 can manage my camper right now, but I just found out my dads getting a new fifth wheel and giving me his.  Huge upgrade, big slide out and so much more space than my current 21 footer but it's 25 feet and 7k roughly so I have to get a new ( to me) truck to do anything with that camper.

Luckily I'll be in Arizona all winter so I could find some good deals on trucks, but I'm on limited funds and my only job is antler shed hunting so I won't be able to get a payment plan with that source of unguaranteed income.  I could pay 6k down on one but that'd leave me nervous with a smaller safety net.

Any suggestions on going about getting a diesel?

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

A lot of people here think buying any diesel is a bad idea.  Plus, there are a bunch of bad diesel engines out there, especially in Fords.  Some of the GM and Dodge diesels seem to be ok.  This particular thread is worth a read, if you haven't seen it:

https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-Diesel-engines-in-a-van
https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-Diesel-engines-in-a-van
https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-Diesel-engines-in-a-van

 

[Almost There]

It's very nice that your Dad is willing to just give you his old camper BUT does he realize that you're going to have to go into debt most likely to be able to tow it.

Sometimes it IS wise to look a gift horse in the mouth and say 'no thanks, you're going to cost me big time'!!

OTOH, will selling the camper you've got net you enough to be clear and free on the new to you tow vehicle?

I chose not to go with diesel because, while I am knowledgeable about how a gas engine works and can pretty much figure out what is wrong and what's not with them, I would be completely at the mercy of a mechanic on a diesel...it's not a position I like to be in. That's aside from the higher maintenance cost issue.

I'm no help with picking out a diesel, sorry!

 

[ArtW]

older 2 valve Cummins in a Dodge, only diesel I'd consider, and they're dear, now

 

[Oopslala]

Interesting read. I know that the camper will be about 8,250-8500 loaded up and I will not upgrade to anything larger because I just don't need that being alone.

That being said, is it feasible to think about a gas 3/4 or 1 ton can pull it comfortably? I plan on shed hunting to make most of my money so it must be able to handle dirt roads and all that jazz to get there.

Also, do they put Allison transmissions in gas trucks as well? I'm pretty much set on Chevy or dodge, at least that's what my brain tells me thus far.

 

[Oopslala]

I plan on getting a new truck as soon as possible regardless of the camper he's letting me have, I can't keep using this 1/2 in the foreseeable future. It gets the job done, barely. I plan on doing this for years to come so a bigger truck is a must regardless of camper.

From reading that thread posted I'm pretty much already swayed to gas instead of diesel. My mechanical skills are minimal but I plan to do all the preventative maintenance myself as I do now.

The parts and maintenance is also very important for things I'll have to have paid to do.

 

[Gunny]

I gave my daughter my truck camper and sold my truck when I first got ill. She bought (with my money) a 2001 Dodge Cummings. She has had it checked stem to stern by a friend of mine who works for Cummings and it's been a good engine. Art W is correct, if you can find a decent older Cummings they get the best mileage, are cheaper to work on and pull great.

 

[highdesertranger]

the older mechanical diesels are super simple. the newer computer controlled diesels are super complicated and expensive. the only good Ford diesel is the 7.3/6.9. stay far away from the rest. I personally would only considered a mechanical diesel. my 2 cents. highdesertranger

 

[Baloo]

the older mechanical diesels are super simple. the newer computer controlled diesels are super complicated and expensive. the only good Ford diesel is the 7.3/6.9. stay far away from the rest. I personally would only considered a mechanical diesel. my 2 cents. highdesertranger

I second that notion! Mechanical diesels are stupid simple and easy to diagnose and repair. Almost all issues can be attributed to bad fuel, bad fuel filter or water in fuel.


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[wayne49]

How far back in model years to get a mechanical diesel, Ford or Cummins?

 

[Baloo]

I had a 1991 ford E350 (the old ambo chassis) that I personally put over 180k miles on it. It was the old 7.3 IDI (indirect injection) standyne rotary injection pump model. Other than two starters and a set of glow plugs, it was extremely dependable. Always got me where I was headed and never had to have it towed. Amazingly that was bolted up to a E4OD tranny which also performed perfectly. When I finally swapped chassis the E350 has 284k on the clock and still drove like the day in bought her. If it was not for rust and my need for a huge truck I would still have it.

I believe Cummings was mechanical up until 1998. It is commonly called the "12 valve" or 6BT. Dynamite engines! More torque that you will ever need and there were so many made between commercial, marine, agricultural and Dodge trucks that parts are readily available.

I always preferred the F250/350 body in the early 90's over the Dodge, but that is a personal opinion. I am also biased to diesels because I have owned several and work on them. I would recommend one because if taken care of, it will last forever. You will not find a gasoline engine that can pull worth a duck that will go the long distance like a diesel. If you could, don't you think semi's and commercial equipment would still be gasoline powered...


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[Travelmonkey]

I'm not following why you need a new truck. Is your dad giving you a 5th wheel or travel trailer? If travel trailer @ 7000lbs, surely a Silverado can tow it right?

 

[Oopslala]

He's giving me 7k dry fifth wheel. There's not a chance my 1/2 ton 5.3L can tow it. My truck struggles quite a bit with my 5k trailer right now.

I'll clarify on the struggling, it can barely do the mountains and I don't want the stress of that on myself or the truck long term so I want a larger engine and better transmission as soon as possible, thus a bigger truck.

 

[wagoneer]

From what I know first generation and 2nd generation cummins are single rail 12 valve configuration, I got lucky with a 2nd Gen. 1995 3/4ton under 100k Mi. for 7K cash, with a 1993 slide in 1340 Lb dry. very clean full power and a pleasure to drive, the only change I would make is a newer pop-up
with modern appliances, lighter better. Correct me if I am wrong but up to 1998 it was the same motor but with a primitive computer?
The Ford 7.3 up to 2004.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Years and details at:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cummins_B_Series_engine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cummins_B_Series_engine
[url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Harvester_IDI]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Harvester_IDI[/url]
[url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Harvester_IDI][/url]
[url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Harvester_IDI][/url]

 

[29chico]

How much mechanical work do you do yourself on vehicles?  Is 4x4 needed?  How much can you realistically spend on a vehicle to replace your current one?

 

[wagoneer]

How much mechanical work do you do yourself on vehicles?  Is 4x4 needed?  How much can you realistically spend on a vehicle to replace your current one?

The brain wants to do it but the body holds me back, probably most of it minus pulling the motor/transmission, someone stole my cherry picker 10 years ago probably did me a favor lol. belts gaskets brakes hoses pumps alternators starters, i am an officially retired street mechanic. learned out of need having not much money in my early years, much like a lot of the "Mottly Crew" we have here. vice grips,roll of wire, hammer and 10 in one screwdriver never be without. I am sure I am leaving a few things out like?

 

[Oopslala]

I'll only do the basic stuff, brakes, rotors, oil etc. I can't do any engine work at this point but I'd be interested to learn what I can.

As for price range realistically I can't buy one until next fall, but the range will be 15-20k.

 

[wagoneer]

Thats a bit high if you ask me you can buy a 12 valve cummins for under 6k with 200k plus miles I have seen them with my own computer.
I love the early 7.3 but not in a van unless you have smallish hands just too hard to wrench for my big pawz.

 

[wayne49]

The F series have a spacious engine compartment with a long hood. The oil filter is on the top to the side of the engine. Still not as great as a F100 with the six.

The E series have a tiny hood for access about 12" across the top. The back of the engine is accessible by clearing the driver's area removing the cup holders, pulling, lifting and rotating the dog house cover out of the way. Then your are looking only at the turbo and the bell housing. Sucks. Reaching anything in between those access points is a yoga exercise for the wrist and elbow.