Diesel Truck Recommendations?

[Two Checks]

Stay away from 99 Ford Diesel p/u's with the automatic. The bean counters used the F150 tranny with mods and it doesn't last. They burn up in about 30k miles. Ford replaced them as they broke with new units, modified even more. A friend has one in a F550 and it caught fire from overheating. He was pulling a 44' race ca trailer when it went south.
The dealer replaced it, added two fan assisted coolers and did a bunch more updates, no charge.
He was told change fluid religiously every THREE THOUSAND miles. It has no power unles it's chipped. Then theshifts are crisp, the turbo makes boost and the shift points are higher and the engine pulls after a shift rather than falling on its face. WARNING-don't do a big change when chipping it, the tranny can't take much.
Mileage is good now, 17 when pulling.
Ford wanted to use Allison trannys in 2000 but they wouldn't fit-plus a GM unit wouldn't look good.
Since replacement (and constant fluid changes) it has worked pretty well. Changing fluid that often works okay for him because he doesn't use it for long trips.

[Scud]

any 3/4 ton truck will put that Toyota to shame pulling that trailer and gear (in the photo).  I think you are severely overweight and on the borderline of safety.

I prefer a diesel but a gas 3/4 ton (or 1500HD) would be a huge and much safer upgrade.  The brakes, transmission, suspension are so much better for towing and controlling your load.

It's just a 19 foot toy hauler, and I have calculated that I am under the Toyota's towing-limit, although not by much. But to your point:  on that trip, a friend asked me to put two more motorcycles in. I refused due to weight. Obviously, my bikes go in first, and everything else gets sacrificed to stay under-weight... 

I have a good brake controller for the trailer brakes and the Tundra pulls it all surprisingly well. However, I know I'm near the limits and I like having a bigger safety margin... hence the upcoming decision.

While we're at it - I like the front bench seats so I can sometimes accommodate six people.

[Scud]

Update - it took me a while to get everything together and find the right truck. But thanks to input here and from some friends, I managed to find a 1997 Ford F250 with the 7.3L diesel and 4WD. It turned over 136,000 today on the way from Boise, ID (where I bought it this morning) to Salt Lake City (where I have some business this week). I get to take it home to San Diego Friday. Drives great.



The major upgrades:
Gear Vendors under/over drive - which effectively turns it into an 8-speed transmission with gear-splitting and a double-overdrive top gear. At 70 MPH its turning about 2000 rPM - then with the Gear Vendors activated, it drops to about 1500 RPM at the same speed. They claim a 15-20% increase in fuel efficiency when not towing.

Exhaust Brake and torque-lock (aka Jake Brake)  Good for slowing on major downhill grades.  Saves the mechanical brakes and increases stopping performance.

Air-adjustable rear suspension and onboard air compressor.

Tranny cooler, extra gauges, a few other bits... including a recent Amsoil service. Apparently Amsoil can go something like 20,000 miles between oil changes... I need to learn more about that.

All for $13,000 - I'm stoked.

Needs: tires soon, stereo upgrade, spray-in bed liner, hooks for motorcycle tie-downs, carpet (seats are good). All fun stuff to do.

Oh - did I mention that as a 1997 model it is exempt from smog certification in California?     That means there could be some fatter intake and exhaust pipes in its future.

[LowRyter]

Nice truck.  Looks like a great deal

[Scud]

Thanks. This truck would probably have been listed for a higher price where I live. So I get to save money, combine it with business travel, and have an adventure.

I had never heard of the Gear Vendors thing before.  Take a look:  https://www.gearvendors.com/f2wd4s.html

[charlie b]

I have towed our little fifth wheel with both a Tundra (4.7L engine) and the Dodge Cummins.  The Tundra was right at it's upper limits and it did very well, even on long 6% grades.  But, the diesel acted like the trailer wasn't there.  Of course the trailer is about half the rated towing weight of the diesel so it should do that well.

When towing the choice is clear, get the diesel.

BUT....how much do you tow?  It would be a waste of money to get a diesel so you can tow a trailer a few times a year.  Especially when you say you might commute with it.  The thermostat on mine doesn't even open up until it's gone about 5 miles, 10 miles in cold (below freezing) weather (if you live where it gets cold, make sure you have a block heater).

My 'limit' on gas vs diesel is how much you tow.  Over 10k miles a year, then get a diesel.  5-10k then look at a gasser.  Less than 5k and you're wasting your money on the diesel.

FYI, a normal service on my truck runs about $200.  Takes a bunch of oil to fill the pan.  Filters are expensive too.

If you are stuck on a diesel, visit the rv.net forum.  There are long discussions over which years of which truck to stay away from.  If interested there are also LOOONG discussions on gas vs diesel.

[Doppelgaenger]

Just for fun, check out this channel. If you're interested in diesels at all it's extremely informative, especially his FUBAR videos.

https://www.youtube.com/user/powerstrokehelp

[Kev m]

Update - it took me a while to get everything together and find the right truck. But thanks to input here and from some friends, I managed to find a 1997 Ford F250 with the 7.3L diesel and 4WD. It turned over 136,000 today on the way from Boise, ID (where I bought it this morning) to Salt Lake City (where I have some business this week). I get to take it home to San Diego Friday. Drives great.



The major upgrades:
Gear Vendors under/over drive - which effectively turns it into an 8-speed transmission with gear-splitting and a double-overdrive top gear. At 70 MPH its turning about 2000 rPM - then with the Gear Vendors activated, it drops to about 1500 RPM at the same speed. They claim a 15-20% increase in fuel efficiency when not towing.

Exhaust Brake and torque-lock (aka Jake Brake)  Good for slowing on major downhill grades.  Saves the mechanical brakes and increases stopping performance.

Air-adjustable rear suspension and onboard air compressor.

Tranny cooler, extra gauges, a few other bits... including a recent Amsoil service. Apparently Amsoil can go something like 20,000 miles between oil changes... I need to learn more about that.

All for $13,000 - I'm stoked.

Needs: tires soon, stereo upgrade, spray-in bed liner, hooks for motorcycle tie-downs, carpet (seats are good). All fun stuff to do.

Oh - did I mention that as a 1997 model it is exempt from smog certification in California?     That means there could be some fatter intake and exhaust pipes in its future.

Sweet!

Enjoy!