Wanted: New to me Truck

[kmboren]

So I am in the Market for a new to me used truck. I currently have a 96 extended cab dodge 2500 that use to be a V10 but I swapped in a 98.5 24 valve into. My Family is sitting at 6 people and on trips it gets a little snug. My Father in Law is interested in purchasing my truck so I am in the Market for a new to me truck. Criteria for a new truck is it must be a 4 door truck with a long bed. I have a Lance slide in camper that I will be putting in the back that's why I need the long bed, 4 doors to provide additional room for my family, and it must seat six so a front bench is a necessary. I would not mind a dually as I know it would be nicer for hauling the camper. I am most interested in a Chevy/GMC Duramax with the Allison or another Dodge with the 6 speed or a built automatic.

What are the things I need to be careful with or what to look for in the trucks listed above.

 

[kmboren]

Here are a few I am interested in.

https://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/2629869

https://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/2704120

https://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/2697662

https://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/2665561

 

[sawtooth4x4]

Don't buy an automatic dodge / ram truck unless you like replacing transmissions. I'd rather have to work on a motor than a transmission any day. That's why I have a ford. The transmission in mine has 205K on it. Its stock, the 5 speed auto.

There is a reason oil companies run F350 Fords. Built tough

I beat the poop out of my 2006 F350. I haul land rovers atleast once a week. I haven't had any issues with it since everything was deleted. I just run a Montana plate on it. No problems.:greg:

 

[sawtooth4x4]

And to let you know, I used to be a major Ford hater.

 

[kmboren]

Maybe so but I look at all the issues jeeper is having with his. I would have to find a sreaming deal on a clean one to sway me that way. I agree with dodges automatics. I had my current one built beforwe I did the swap and have been happy with it so far.

 

[TRD270]

I just run a Montana plate on it. No problems.:greg:

Which is also illegal, just sayin.

I ran an auto Dodge 24v for years, never had an issue. I also didn't turn the motor up to 15,000,000 hp, can't expect a tranny to hold up to that. Most people can't handle stock HP because they like having copious amounts of black smoke dump out the back because its cool. If you do that, you have to have an expectation the tranny is going to go boom unless you build it as well.

 

[I Lean]

I have a manual trans in my Ford, and I've never blown it up. I've also never had any of Jeeper's problems, but that's because I have a 7.3. You won't find one of those any newer than 14 years old though....and a stick shift isn't going to be as friendly to front-middle-seat passengers.

Mesha's 2012 6.7 F350 seems to be a really nice truck, but it also cost him 3x as much as my truck did.

Does your camper have the swing-out jacks to fit around dually fenders when loading?

 

[Gravy]

Easier to swap a built trans than a motor IMO... one day vs. one week (with a lift).

I agree that manual is going to stink for the front and center passenger.

Tedo had problems with the tie rods on his Dirtymax going out really often and he only had a leveling kit, but I think it's been pretty solid for him for like 250k miles.

 

[sawtooth4x4]

Yup, don't care as I've said a few hundred times. I have property up there, I can license it there or here.

Haters gonna hate. I also have permanent Montana plates on 3 vehicles down here. Once a vehicle is 10 years old, you can buy permanent plates. Never have to register it again. Its great.

Which is also illegal, just sayin.

I ran an auto Dodge 24v for years, never had an issue. I also didn't turn the motor up to 15,000,000 hp, can't expect a tranny to hold up to that. Most people can't handle stock HP because they like having copious amounts of black smoke dump out the back because its cool. If you do that, you have to have an expectation the tranny is going to go boom unless you build it as well.

 

[Houndoc]

We did not have a good experience with a 2005 Dodge 2500. Neverending front end issues.
Had great luck with a 2004 Duramax (sold it last year with 350K) and now have an 08.

 

[Pile of parts]

One thing to note about the Dodge years you're looking at is that they are not full doors. Bigger than the version you have (which I have too) but not as big as a Ford or Chevy. I think 2010 was the first year you could get the full door, unless you go megacab, which would leave you with a shortbed or expensive conversion.

 

[kmboren]

Does your camper have the swing-out jacks to fit around dually fenders when loading?

Yes it does. In Fact the people I bought it from had it on a dodge dually

 

[kmboren]

One thing to note about the Dodge years you're looking at is that they are not full doors. Bigger than the version you have (which I have too) but not as big as a Ford or Chevy. I think 2010 was the first year you could get the full door, unless you go megacab, which would leave you with a shortbed or expensive conversion.

I am aware of that but it will offer more room than my current set up. That is also why I am strongly looking at the Chevy or GMCs.

 

[kmboren]

We did not have a good experience with a 2005 Dodge 2500. Neverending front end issues.
Had great luck with a 2004 Duramax (sold it last year with 350K) and now have an 08.

I have always likedthe Duramaxs but never owned one. I have heard nothing but good things with the Allison tranys also. In 2006 they went to the 6 speed with a manual mode on the gear shifter. That sounds like a nice option. Problem is I live in Southern Utah and most of the trucks I am interested in are in Northern. Going to have to pick a weekend and come up.

 

[skippy]

I'll sell you a 2014 cummins

 

[kmboren]

For 20000 Grand. Sold. I can come up on Tuesday night/Wednesday and pick it up. I wish you still had your old truck. I would have picked that up from you. Timing just wasn't right for me.

 

[N-Smooth]

Friends don't let friends buy 6.0 fords. I'd rather get a trans built for a few grand (usually with warranty) than have to worry if my truck is going to blow up at random.

 

[kmboren]

So I am most likely selling my truck this week which gives me the green light to go forward with my plans. I have a few options that I am looking at. One is a 2004.5 Chevy dually. Guy is asking 17000 for it, It has around 195000 miles. I have also found a 2009 chevy 3500 HD long bed 4 door Not dually for the same price that is local and hopefully going to look at it today or tomorrow. It only has 25000 more miles on it around 218000. With it being a newer motor and truck but with more miles should I stay away from it or jump on it. Anything I should be concerned about with the 2009 duramax. There area also several 2007s that are in Utah county or SLC that are the same situation. I am still towing with the idea of a dodge 6 speed Manual but will agree that it would be hard to have a child there when attempting to shift.

 

[N-Smooth]

The only problem I have with the Dodge is the cab size, unless you get a mega can. That's why I got a newer truck. You've been dealing with an even smaller cab so maybe it won't be a big deal to you

 

[BCGPER]

I currently DD a 2015 Chev 2500 LTZ, and a Dodge 2500 Big Horn. Once you drive the GM, you'll hate the Dodge. It still shocks me how bad the Dodge rides, and the interior noise is horrible.