Seriously toying with an idea: Cummins or Powerstroke

[akaFrankCastle]

No, it's not for the Bronco.

I've been hung up on the idea of a 3/4 ton or better for awhile now. Back when I bought my Tacoma, new F250s were 10k off of sticker, but I still couldn't stomach 45k for a truck. Looking at resale for my Taco, with only 18k miles, versus the average of 40K+ I have seen on dealer and private party ads I have seen lately, I am pretty sure I could net around 25k trade-in or private party sale price.

That being said, I'm on the verge of going in to the market for a used 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck. Right now I'm torn between a Cummins powered Dodge or a Powerstroke from Ford.

I don't expect to do a serious amount of towing with the truck, but I would like to be able to move Broncos about. I plan to pick up an 18' dovetail as well, if I get the truck. Also, in the event I have to move out of state for work (which there are no plans at the moment, but it is always a possibility), I'd like to be able to trailer the Bronco and the wife's 4runner, which would necessitate an upgrade to probably a 5th wheel trailer.

Dan, I know I read you owned a Cummins powered Dodge before. What did you like or not like about it?

Any other Cummins owners out there? I'd like to hear from the Powerstroke owners too. 6.0, 6.4, and 7.3 if we have them.

I'm leaning more towards the Powerstroke right now because it is Ford. But I also know the Cummins is a damn good motor too. I have issues with the interior quality in Dodges. I've ridden in several and things just feel cheap inside compared to a Ford. But I don't really need the space shuttle control center manufacturers seem to be building nowadays.

So, hit me up with your opinions.

[akaFrankCastle]

A 7.3 is easily accessible IMO based on the fact that '04 was the last year. '04's are selling at a pretty good price. If I decided to go with the 7.3 and an '04 or earlier truck, I'd likely go private party with both the Taco and the new purchase, simply because I don't know how a trade-in would go when the vehicle you are trading holds more value than the one being purchased. I don't like walking in to situations like that, so I'd have to get smart quick.

I did drive a 6.0 sitting on 37s during my last trip to the sandbox. Fun truck to drive and turned a lot of heads in an area where you only see Humvees. Was pretty fun to smoke the tires in front of a bunch of GIs sweating under a canopy waiting for a shuttle bus. Big cheers all around.

I really like the look of the later 250s, with the flatter noses on them. But I've also heard better things about 7.3s than 6.0s. 6.4s are a little daunting for me at this point seeing as they are fairly new to the market and bugs are probably still being worked out.

[777mechanic]

i've owned 4 powerstrokes , 2 excursion a f350 and a f250 . the difference in ride between the 350 and 250 are zero , the 3 7.3 i've owned have been flawless got over 125k and never touched them , that being said the 6.0 in my 03 was a pos spent more time in the dealer the out . but in 04 they changed the hp pump and fixed some head problems . i would not touch a 6.0 that someone has modded other than oil filter bypass , the motor aready runs like a rapped ape . now my current excursion is modded in every way i could short of putting in bigger injectors . if your going saturday to breakfast i'll see you there and we can talk more .

[Entourage]

I don't think you can go wrong with either truck. Personally, I would put a GMC or Chevy with a DuraMax/Allison at the top of the list. I am on my 4th GMC (all non-diesel) and love them. I come from a GM family and my Ford Bronco may be my only Ford. Sorry to throw more opinions at you.

It is exciting how your Toyota has kept its value - they are great trucks and yours is great looking aside from the need for a car wash :)

[777mechanic]

gmc uses a common rail fuel injection so you can add an extra cp3 fuel pump to those motors , the early 2000 where the best mileage . dodge uses the same and both will make incredible power for little money . my friend races a cumming in a ford truck .

[akaFrankCastle]

i've owned 4 powerstrokes , 2 excursion a f350 and a f250 . the difference in ride between the 350 and 250 are zero , the 3 7.3 i've owned have been flawless got over 125k and never touched them , that being said the 6.0 in my 03 was a pos spent more time in the dealer the out . but in 04 they changed the hp pump and fixed some head problems . i would not touch a 6.0 that someone has modded other than oil filter bypass , the motor aready runs like a rapped ape . now my current excursion is modded in every way i could short of putting in bigger injectors . if your going saturday to breakfast i'll see you there and we can talk more .

Take away from this is:
250 versus 350, no real difference in ride.
7.3, damn reliable.
6.0 only after 2004.
Don't buy a modded 6.0

[akaFrankCastle]

I don't think you can go wrong with either truck. Personally, I would put a GMC or Chevy with a DuraMax/Allison at the top of the list. I am on my 4th GMC (all non-diesel) and love them. I come from a GM family and my Ford Bronco may be my only Ford. Sorry to throw more opinions at you.

It is exciting how your Toyota has kept its value - they are great trucks and yours is great looking aside from the need for a car wash :)

GMCs and Chevys won't go on my list. Sorry. I just do not like the way they look or the feel of the interiors. My brother in law had a 1500 and it was okay. Most of my rentals over the last few years have been GM products (Yukons, Suburbans, etc) and were work not paying for them, I wouldn't have been driving them.

I'm not completely biased against GM. I do love most of their pre-1980 cars. Just never have been a fan of their trucks.

One great trick to maintaining the resale value on your car/truck: spend 6-7 months out of every year NOT driving it. Work has been great at keeping my mileage down.

I know it's dirty! The wife and I get our cars detailed a few times a year. We have this guy we go to. Same guy a lot of the dealerships around here go to. Does one helluva job. The '72 will be paying him a visit.

[akaFrankCastle]

my friend races a cumming in a ford truck .

I'd love to have a Cummins powered Ford. Especially an old 73-79 F250 4x4 Crew. Maybe once I get a Bronco "finished".

[freeheelbillie]

I am a Ford man myslef...not to mention Ford is still a private company!

If you're in the market for one and know what you want (new or used) let me know...my family is in the business. Although they are in Michigan the cost to ship is still a savings from time to time. http://www.tubbsbrothers.com/M_Default.aspx

[cmcdowell]

Here's my two cents.

Cummins is a great engine! But Ford Trucks are amazing!

Being a Ford guy, I go with the best overall truck and a powerstroke. I'm not sure if its new to this year or last, but I was sitting next to a new powerstroke at the gas station a while back and I could hardly hear it while it was running! They must have added some kind of turbo dampner to make it quiet. That was my only hangup with the powerstroke, the noise. A new F250 powerstroke with a crewcab and a lift is definitely on my list.

By the way, there's a lot of things on my list. Most of which are extremely expensive and highly unlikely. Just ask my wife. Lol.

[Jesus_man]

I own a 2002 F-350 PSD and it's been a GREAT truck. I've had some issues here and there, but still a great truck and does what I ask of it. I do wish it were 4-door tho since we've started a little family, but I'll hang on to it as long as I can. I love my 6spd manual tranny and I have had ZERO issues with it. The Auto that came behind the 7.3L is prone to issues, but can be solved with a stop in at BTS and $4000.00

From my experience the 6.0L is a crap-shoot whether you'll get a good one or not. I personally have heard more horror stories than good ones and would avoid ALL 6.0's. My Father-in-law and brother-in-law both of '05's, one modded and one stock. Both have given them a lot of fits. If I were forced to buy a 6.0L, I wouldn't look at anything older than '05.

I don't know much about the 6.4L's, but with the emission junk on it, I know they don't do well for MPG's. But you might find one with some factory warranty left on it.

I don't know much about Dodge other than the motor is good. I hear people say they love the motor, but hate what's wrapped around it.

Being a Ford man, if I were in your shoes, I'd try to find a well kept 7.3L.

One warning, once you go diesel and have a good experience, you won't go back!

J.D.

[Raptoracer24]

We had a 99 Powerstroke that never let us down and always ran strong. 2 years ago we bought an 05 F-250 Harley Edition that has been amazing. It has 110,000 miles and we haven't had a problem (knock on wood). It pulls a 10 or 12,000 pound toyhauler somewhat regularly in the summer and spring without problem. If you do go Powerstroke I'd go with a 6.0. The 7.3s are great motors but he 6.0s are just so much quieter and smoother. I'd also recommend staying away from the 04s because they had a lot of bugs but the 05s and 06s seem to run the best.

[akaFrankCastle]

I am a Ford man myslef...not to mention Ford is still a private company!

If you're in the market for one and know what you want (new or used) let me know...my family is in the business. Although they are in Michigan the cost to ship is still a savings from time to time. http://www.tubbsbrothers.com/M_Default.aspx

I'll certainly keep that in mind Billie. Thanks for the offer. I do have a checklist of things I want in the truck I buy (if I buy).
Black
4 door/Crew
Short bed
Less than 150k on the odometer
Running lights (I love the look of the truck with those on them. Reminds me of the old dent sides).
As few mods as possible
I'd prefer cloth on the interior, but the idea of leather with heated seats is very tempting. Grey/charcoal, not tan.
While I love manual transmissions, I'd probably have to go with an auto or teach the wife how to drive manual. She rarely drives the Taco now because she LOVES her 4runner, but occasionally we do have to trade out when I take the 4runner in for services and whatnot.

[akaFrankCastle]

Lots of great advice guys. Keep the ideas coming. I'm surprised there are no 6.4L owners. My old boss picked up a 6.4L F350 dually in '08 and he loves it, but in reality its more commuter truck than tow rig. But he's got more money than he knows what to do with so commuting in that hog is no sweat for him.

[Jesus_man]

What do you mean by running lights?

My truck has Automatic headlights (lariat) and if I leave them on Auto and pull the switch out (for fogs) the fog lights are on as long as the key is on. I don't know if they were intended for daytime running lamps or not, but they work as such.

Then there is that mod so that they stay on with your high beams.

J.D.

[akaFrankCastle]

Running lights = those eight or so amber lights on the roof

[Jesus_man]

Oh, those are clearance lights. Believe that came factory on the 1-tons, but can be added to any truck.

J.D.

[sbolt19]

Cummins is a great engine! But Ford Trucks are amazing!

What is funny about this statement is that the Cummins engine is probably the best diesel on the market, bar none & Ford has the best truck, less the engine. I have a friend in the car hauling business & he has owned all three major brands & he said that the power stroke is nothing compared to a cummins. Another buddy who is a livestock breeder has had all three and said that the only thing wrong with the Ford is the engine, the only thing wrong with the Dodge is everything wrapped around the engine & the only thing wrong with the Chevy is everything behind the bow tie.

[akaFrankCastle]

Trust me, I'm kicking myself in the pants for checking craigslist an hour too late about a year ago. 1997 F350 crew cab 4x4 with a 12V Cummins in it for like 6000. It went QUICK.

[akaFrankCastle]

The ideal truck would be a Ford body with a Cummins Engine and an Allison Transmission. I personally know the owners of Pro Chrysler so if you are serious in new or used I will give you Jeffs info. He is a great guy and wont BS you with a great deal. I would never pass on info on somebody I dont trust, are good people and the first 5 Start Dealer in the Country, and no I dont get any kick back.

Also they do the Cummins swap locally in my Hood.
http://www.destroked.com/

Whatever you go with you will enjoy owning a Diesel. I know I probably will always own one. It is nice to be able to haul and tow pretty much anything you want and dont have to worry about power and making it up the hills.

Once again, big thanks on all the potential referrals. The diesel purchase is a month or two down the road, at the earliest. I need to let vehicle purchase stuff cool down a bit at home before I add to the chaos by swapping out yet another ride.

Talked with a guy today at work who drives an '08 6.7L Cummins Dodge. Told me basically the same thing that has been echoed here. Truck will pull down a skyscraper but the fact that it is a Dodge is the only problem.

[cobshane]

dont bother with with the newer dodge. the newer engine design has many problems stick with the old on this. I havent seen many of the newer powerstrokes with to many problems. Plus they look mean. don't bother with the duraslack

[akaFrankCastle]

The ideal truck would be a Ford body with a Cummins Engine and an Allison Transmission. I personally know the owners of Pro Chrysler so if you are serious in new or used I will give you Jeffs info. He is a great guy and wont BS you with a great deal. I would never pass on info on somebody I dont trust, are good people and the first 5 Start Dealer in the Country, and no I dont get any kick back.

Also they do the Cummins swap locally in my Hood.
http://www.destroked.com/

Whatever you go with you will enjoy owning a Diesel. I know I probably will always own one. It is nice to be able to haul and tow pretty much anything you want and dont have to worry about power and making it up the hills.

24V Cummins (98k miles) hooked up to an Allison transmission on craigslist Pueblo.

Oh, the opportunities that slip by. But I've got a sweet Bronco!