Used Truck Options?

[kmboren]

So I am thinking about getting a Truck in the next month or two. I have been looking around and think I have narrowed it down to a Dodge diesel or a Chevy/GMC diesel. I am wanting to know the goods and bads about both of these. I am going for a 4 door that seats 6. Thinking about spending between up to 17-18,000 on one. This will be the most I have ever spent on a vehicle so It is a big purchase for me.

It seems that the dodges automatics tend to go out as I have seen and heard of several that have been replace the at 150,000 or so. So if I go Dodge I will be most likely looking for a stick.

I have heard lots of good things with the Chevys and the Allison Transmissions. It seems that all that are for sale are automatics. Anyone hear anything bad with these and them going out as frequently as the dodges? Did Chevy make the Allison with a stick.

Any years I need to stay away from or problems to look for when I am looking?

It will be used as a tow rig and just general use truck. Will be towing my jeep on trailer and maybe a future purchase of a camper on the back.


Thanks in advance.

 

[notajeep]

No, chevy never made the Allison with a stick.

 

[Coco]

Dodge with a manual, OR a dodge with a BUILT auto.

Autos were horrible in the dodge.

 

[Tonkaman]

In the Chevy world that price would buy you a great truck. You will likely be buying an LB7 model engine (years 01-04) a great engine without all the emissions crap of the later years. One thing to keep in mind is that the injectors will go bad eventually and it's several thousand bucks to fix so try to find one that's already been done. The Allison transmission is bulletproof as long as the engine is fairly stock. Once you add 100 or more horsepower the trans will start to limp unless it gets a heavy duty rebuild. I have this model of truck and absolutely love it! Any other questions and I'll be glad to help

 

[neagtea]

Chevy/GMC, late 2006 or early 07 before the body change. These have a LBZ with 6 speed the only emissions I know of is the filter/converter I don't know I took mine off. I have to install it every other year to pass the visual. A nice way to go. May be a little more than your range unless you look for cloth and not fully loaded. A lot of them only are set up for 5 as they have buckets.
I like dodge if it is a mega or the newer one with the not small back seat.
Just .02$

 

[Toad]

The dodge back seat is horrible. It is very small. Not a problem for kids though. Yes the d-max was available with a manual when first introduced. Very rare. I have seen one.
Have you considered a 7.3 superduty?

 

[JL Rockies]

The Dodge is a Dodge... that should give one pause. A 2007 Duramax is more desirable than a 2008-up due to complexity of emissions.

 

[STAG]

My last truck was a 2002 gmc duramax w/ 130k mi on it and I sold it for $16,900, great truck but I wanted the newer body style so I got a new body style (2007) yes the duramax was available with a 6 speed manual if you bought it as a cab&chassis truck only. I would highly reccomend a duramax, if you can get one 2004 or newer because that's when they fixed the leaky injector problem. If you get one 2001-2003 try to see if it has had the injectors fixed/replaced. If you can't find a record on it check the oil to see if it smells like diesel fuel at all. If it does you will probably end up needing to change the injectors to the 2004+ style.

That being said a cummins w/ a manual is a reliable drivetrain, but the truck is not for me, because they are noisy, smokey, and I hate the rest of the truck that surrounds the engine. The only dodge I would buy would be the newest body style but you aren't going to find one of those in your price range.

 

[kmboren]

The dodge back seat is horrible. It is very small. Not a problem for kids though. Yes the d-max was available with a manual when first introduced. Very rare. I have seen one.
Have you considered a 7.3 superduty?

I have heard the 7.3 automatics are terrible also. How well do the manuals hold up in them. What years did they stop making the 7.3 superduty? What is the rear seat room in those compared to others.
Is the back seat small even with the quad cab? I know the mega cabs are bigger obviously. Do the d-maxs have a larger back seat in a quad cab than the dodges standard quad cab.

 

[jeeper]

I have heard the 7.3 automatics are terrible also. How well do the manuals hold up in them. What years did they stop making the 7.3 superduty? What is the rear seat room in those compared to others.
Is the back seat small even with the quad cab? I know the mega cabs are bigger obviously. Do the d-maxs have a larger back seat in a quad cab than the dodges standard quad cab.

The chev/ford back seats are both great (ford is bigger I believe) The back seat of a 4 door dodge is not much greater than an extended cab truck. They are fairly uncomfortable for an adult.

 

[Tonkaman]

My last truck was a 2002 gmc duramax w/ 130k mi on it and I sold it for $16,900, great truck but I wanted the newer body style so I got a new body style (2007) yes the duramax was available with a 6 speed manual if you bought it as a cab&chassis truck only. I would highly reccomend a duramax, if you can get one 2004 or newer because that's when they fixed the leaky injector problem. If you get one 2001-2003 try to see if it has had the injectors fixed/replaced. If you can't find a record on it check the oil to see if it smells like diesel fuel at all. If it does you will probably end up needing to change the injectors to the 2004+ style.

That being said a cummins w/ a manual is a reliable drivetrain, but the truck is not for me, because they are noisy, smokey, and I hate the rest of the truck that surrounds the engine. The only dodge I would buy would be the newest body style but you aren't going to find one of those in your price range.

The LB7 engines were made '01-04, LLY '04.5-05, LBZ '06-07. Each have their own qualities but check the vin to be sure which one you are getting

 

[kmboren]

The chev/ford back seats are both great (ford is bigger I believe) The back seat of a 4 door dodge is not much greater than an extended cab truck. They are fairly uncomfortable for an adult.

Thanks, I am 6'7" and my wife is 5'10" so leg room is important for us. My kids are still young and small but that wont last forever and I plan on keeping this truck for a long time.

 

[kmboren]

The LB7 engines were made '01-04, LLY '04.5-05, LBZ '06-07. Each have their own qualities but check the vin to be sure which one you are getting

So check for injectors on 01-04. Anything to really check on the LLY 04.5-05? It looks like the 06-07 is out of my price range.

 

[Chevycrew]

I recently saw a duramax with a stick for sale, ext cab, shortbox, rebuilt title tho for about 17k, i think it was on ksl somewhere.

 

[Tonkaman]

So check for injectors on 01-04. Anything to really check on the LLY 04.5-05? It looks like the 06-07 is out of my price range.

Personally I would avoid the LLY. That's the first time they did emissions and it didn't go so smooth. The engines have a tendency to overheat when hauling and they get several MPG less than the LB7. That explains why they only used that engine for a year and a half. You can upgrade parts to make it better but for a stock truck an LB7 will out perform all day long. Remember the 01 interior is different from all other years, same with much of the 02 interior parts. Id try for 03 or 04 personally, it's a new body and better interior

 

[Tacoma]

No, chevy never made the Allison with a stick.

Whaddya mean? There are tons of manual automatics


heh

 

[notajeep]

Whaddya mean? There are tons of manual automatics


heh

Touche....

 

[kmboren]

My last truck was a 2002 gmc duramax w/ 130k mi on it and I sold it for $16,900, great truck but I wanted the newer body style so I got a new body style (2007) yes the duramax was available with a 6 speed manual if you bought it as a cab&chassis truck only. I would highly reccomend a duramax, if you can get one 2004 or newer because that's when they fixed the leaky injector problem. If you get one 2001-2003 try to see if it has had the injectors fixed/replaced. If you can't find a record on it check the oil to see if it smells like diesel fuel at all. If it does you will probably end up needing to change the injectors to the 2004+ style.

Around how many miles do the injectors have before they need to be replaced. Also I am trying to find one with decent miles but how many miles is too many miles on the duramaxs?

 

[mbryson]

If you are interested in a 2004 Cummins with a six month trans rebuild, fresh front axle parts (ball joints, axle joints, unit bearings, brakes, etc.) and some Corbeau seats, I know where you could strike a deal on one of those. My dad just sold his 2005 with just under 100k on it for $22k. Sold it in a day. My truck has 162k

 

[STAG]

I replaced my '02's injectors @ 120k I had the dealership do all 8 for the cost of $2,200. You're safe to buy high mile duramaxes, I'd buy anything less than 200k miles, a taken care of duramax can easily do 300k+