So, im looking for a 4wd diesel service truck to work out of. I was really wanting a 7.3. looks like that aint happening. Im not against a dodge all together, i know cummins is going to be the answer. But i had a dodge truck once and just really didnt like the feel of it. Im not spending $50000, so anything in the last ten years is out. What was a good diesel motor in the late 90s to early 2000s? Thats what my budget is going to allow right now.

7.3 or 5.9 Cummins is gonna be hard to beat in those years. Unless you just really need a diesel and 6.0 gas burner is a great engine. How much weight you plan on pulling?

I would go dodge , my second choice would be a lb7 or lly dura max that’s the best 2 options and the lb7 is the best motor the put in the Chevrolet aside from the early injector issues

No more than 10000lb. My dump trailer with my tractor in it. Might haul a load now and then that weighs a little more than my tractor. Shouldnt ever get over 10000lb much. Pulling it with a f250 5.8 right now. It pulls it ok, dont stop the best. Fuel milage sux. Im spending $200+ on gas every week.

Put a 3126 Cat in that f2titty and let her eat

Lbz 06-07.5 Gm or 7.3 Ford.

You got one on hand?

I wouldn’t rule out a dump truck or flat bed. Like a Chevy c70. Gas is expensive but maintenance on a diesel is a lot more if something goes wrong. The people saying LBZ have deep pockets. They are stupid high.

07 chevrolet 3500 with 6.6 duramax. 200000 miles . $13000. What say ye? It is a service truck

I might have ya a truck. It’s running on seven cylinders and smokes a little bit but it will still roll around

Youre the only reason im not on my way to buy that duramax right now. I wont be able to afford to work on it if it breaks. Kinda got me gunshy

I have a 99 7.3L and had to have the trans rebuilt at 125k. I used a guy in Flowery Branch, GA that builds upgraded 4R100s. Keep in mind that the 4R100 in the 7.3L will probably fry itself if you tow heavy quite a bit. Something to think about.

Im thinking i might be better off running this 5.8 in the ground and buying another one. I could buy 3 or 4 of them for what johndeere5036 said it would cost to fix his duramax. I might just be too cheap to get in the diesel game.

Walker you could swing it, i never been around anybody that every time they opened thier wallet they had to wait 3 minutes to let those dead presidents eyes adjust to the light, what you gonna do have a armored truck take you to your gravesite

$200 a week sounds like a bargain compared to 10k for each engine repair

Man if you could find a good truck body..you can stick a dang 12 valve in about anything..they dont need nothin but fuel and air….my cousins daily driver is a beautiful lowish mileage 2009 f350 srw crew cab..loaded out…has a mid 90’s intercooled 12 valve cummins swapped in it that has been turned up to about 300hp…ive tried to get it from him but he want sell it..that truck will out live about everythkng on the road and looks just as good.

2005 been thinking about selling since I sold our camper.

I only have tow people close to me who over owned diesel trucks for a period of time. They both had to come out of pocket $11-12k for new engines. Neither of them are idiots.

Diesels have me spooked. I’m of the mind modern diesels are just not built for consumers past warranty periods.

Low sulfur diesel fuel, and emissions standards have really hurt all diesel engines from a power and durability standpoint.