Best 3/4 or one ton options

I can’t afford to buy new and don’t even want to consider the new ones because of price. Looking for a good used truck. I’m not sure if I am going diesel or gas. I don’t really need diesel but the plan is to get a camper at some point so the pulling would be nice. I know they have their own issues. If I was looking for a mid 00’s what’s my best value out there? Trying to spend is the 15-18k range but I can adjust if needed.

I’ll start by saying I’m clearly biased. I’ve got a 2012 F250 and I can’t think of one bad thing say about it. And that’s after 280k miles. I’ve never had a single problem with it. The 6.7 is a great motor. Transmission has been great. The rear locker has helped me more than once. Great trucks. And at the upper end of your budget you’re getting close to what a higher mileage truck would cost.

I have f250 2012 6.7 diesel 107500 miles it has been to the dealer for the tubro and engine and def problems at lest 7 times my next truck will be
gas. I had a ram 5.9 diesel before that that never been to the shop I dont think it is ford fault I think all the new trucks with def have big problems get a gas motor.

jimgb is correct. 280,000 without having to at least have the DPF cleaned or replaced is unusual. If you don’t want to delete your diesel.... I would not want it after about 150,000 miles.

if I went diesel I would probably be looking higher mileage anyways. Chances are pretty good it will be deleted at that point anyways. I dont need the diesel just need the better towing or I would just get a half ton.

Drive a F-250 with a 6.2 gas motor. You might be surprised. Mileage is not as good as a diesel but then gas is cheaper.

I spent months looking for a truck to replace my dually that I no longer needed. Finally settled on an 01 F250 4x4 w/the 7.3 that was taken care of. Spent under 9k cash and am happy with it. I don't care if it gets dirty or used hard for the price compared to new it's a bargain.

I drive a '15 2500HD that hasn't had a single hiccup but then again it's low miles. If I had to do it again, today, I would be getting a new F250. My brother has a new model F450 and I kick myself every time I sit in it. That said, you mentioned you want used. I don't think you can go wrong with GM (GMC/Chevy) or Ford.

I wish I could say that I e owned a truck that made it past 65,000 mikes without needing major work, but I can’t. I guess I’m just hard on trucks. My current Ram made it to 100,000 before needing wheel bearings and having to get rid of the emissions junk.

Hopefully she will see 200,000 or more. I just can’t see any vehicle made now days going 280,000 without repairs

Maybe I’ve gotten lucky, I don’t know. I personally don’t know anyone that drives their truck more than I do. But I also don’t know anybody that takes better care of their truck than me either. Aside from air filters, nobody has touched my truck but the dealership. Other than oil changes, all other services have been done well before the manual suggested. Would probably make me sick to add it all up. But seeing that I drive 5k per month that’s what I figured I needed to do. I guess it’s paid off. When I sell my truck in a month or 2 I’ve got a stack of receipts probably 2 inches thick that anybody can look through. This truck has been perfect.

Quit buying Dodge. I’m no Truck snob but I’m on my eighth GM 2500HD gasoline in the last 18 years. I abuse the sht out them and Haul way too much weight in the long bed. I usually get 150K out of them before I have transmission problems. The last one I just traded went 215 before I got rid of it with no problems at all.

I have no personal experience with the Dodge but I remember when Dynagy switched to the Dodge 1 tons for mechanic tool trucks. It only took 2 years for them to get back to the Fords after all of the problems they had.

Last three were 1) 2004 Chevy 2500 HD, 2) 2008 Ford F-250, 3) 2012 Ford F-150. All 3 had major issues between 60,000-65,000 miles.

The current truck will support 4,200 pounds in the bed and be happy doing it

Some people could f-up a mother’s love when it comes to vehicles. My FIL has had 4 trucks in the 8 years I’ve known him think the most miles he has ever put on one is 70k every single one has had some kind of motor issue when sold and it includes all makes but gm and Toyota.

If it were my decision & money I'd be buying a Ford.

In your price range -

All of the Duramax are good engines, The 2006 to mid year 2007 Duramax LBZ was the best IMO, before the LMM took over.
The eighth place in the VIN # D = LBZ.
They all have front end problems, pretty much fixed permanently for a couple hundred dollars or less.

Avoid 1998.5 - very early 2002 Cummins with the “53” block casting.
Not all of them had the 53 block (Brazilian TUPY), any other block is fine.
Avoid the early 6.7l diesel 2007 - 2009.
Several of these with low miles have been showing up, I'd avoid the 53 block & early 6.7l no matter how cheap they are.

Avoid the 6.0 & 6.4 psd Fords. I'm not a fan of the v10.
7.3l & 6.7l diesel and the 6.2l gas engine are rock solid.

You'd have to try hard to screw up any of the newer pickups within 300,000 miles.
Sure they all have lemons,"Monday or Friday" builds, everyone can tell all sorts of horror stories about any of them.

Of course when you use a diesel pickup like a commuter vehicle / family truckster expect low mileage problems.
Diesels like strain, they're designed to work, putting around empty/unloaded the majority of the time is more detrimental to longevity & reliability than working them hard every day.

The manufacturer recommended service intervals are maximums (think not to exceed). No such thing as over maintained.

Realistically there is no 'best option for 3/4 or 1 ton pickups".
They're all good, if used & maintained correctly.

280,000 on a ram then tranny

so your saying a diesel that has been under load for 100k is going to perform better than a truck that was driven under identical conditions but unloaded?


Trucks are not living...."working them out" isn't going to make them stronger or longer lasting.


I bought a 2002 7.3 with 165k miles on it. Drove pretty much like it was new, the previous owner lived a few towns over and had a 60 mile commute one way to work, all highway miles. the trucks I drove with gooseneck hitches...not so much. family member has a 2001 with over 500k on the odometer. All highway miles and rarely carries a load. truck still runs great.

Everyone can tell all sorts of anecdotal stories about any of them.

I base my comments on 40 years of experience and meticulous records kept of my own vehicles used in transportation/trucking.
3/4 ton up to OTR truck/tractors.
A few of my friends also have small fleets worked every day & also keep good records, ( some with Dodge some with GM some with Fords) & OTR tractors, none of them have these low mileage issues that seem prominent with the commuter vehicle family truckster type.

In my opinion you'd have to try hard to screw up any of the newer pickups within 300,000 miles when used within their designed parameters & maintained properly.
Many folks do everything they can to screw them up prematurely, then complain about whatever brand they screwed up.


I see no point in responding to your attempt at putting words in my mouth. Beyond silly.

Your wrong sir. Getting 300,000 miles from a DFP without a cleaning or replacement would be the RARE exception period. Just plain misinformation typed above!

No such thing as a DFP.

If you meant DPF, then I & most anyone in the industry would consider that part of basic routine maintenance with newer Diesel engines.

I have said repetitively,,, when maintained properly.

No misinformation, you obviously don't understand what constitutes basic routine maintenance.
As much as it sucks to deal with, diesel emissions is part of normal maintenance now days.

I’ve been a mechanic for many years.... again. Your wrong.

And Im sorry Mr English teacher sir. Yes it’s DPF, not DFP (diesel particulate filter) for those who do not know.

I certainly do not nor will I ever consider the DPF “basic routine maintenance”

Lefty, by his theory an engine rebuild is basic routine maintenance if done at 300,000 miles

No English teacher here, your lack of attention to detail & reading comprehension isn't reflective on my statements of routine maintenance.

DPF maintenance/service is explained & covered in the ‘Diesel engine supplement’ that Ford supplies as part of / supplement to the owners manual of every diesel pickup sold since DPF’s started being used on them.

Ford and other major manufacturers consider DPF's service items that require maintenance at variable intervals.

I understand you are a friendly helpful experienced mechanic that has & does help folks all the time.

Im not trying to be rude or disrespectful here at all,
Seriously all you have to do is read what is printed in black & white and included with newer vehicles that use DPF's to understand the manufacturers consider them service items that require periodic maintenance.

I believe in 2016 or 17 they/at least Ford stopped using the separate 'Diesel engine supplement' booklet & included it into the owners manual.
In the newest examples I think this info can be found in the owners manual;
In Fuel and Refueling section.
starting on page 199 through 204, under Emissions control system - Diesel

Then in,
Scheduled maintenance.
Page 584.

Not at all, I'd be extremely disappointed if any of the newer Diesel engines I own needed a rebuild at 300,000 miles.
I wouldn't be disappointed if it needed the dpf removed & cleaned at 300,000.

Reading comprehension LMAO!!

I give up.

Your right and the majority of the rest of the free world is wrong.

Some good info here, thanks all.

Diesel
Particle
Filter——— it’s a filter, it has a maintenance schedule per the MFG

I have only had one DPF need maintance under 150k that’s the earliest I’ve had out of 3 DPF equipped trucks.(that truck was also pre-DEF)
Biggest weak link on all new Deisels is the DEF pump.

Never been a light duty deisel truck on the market not need maintance to 300k, with that said the newer ones as a whole will make it closer to that number.

Even the old 12v Cummins needed new injectors at 150-190k

Yes, reading comprehension, " if maintained properly "

All you have to do is be able to read/comprehend an owners manual or service manual, is that too hard...

DPF - diesel particulate filter,,, all filters require maintenance, all filters have a specified service life, all filters have manufacturer recommended service intervals.
Servicing filters (replacing, cleaning, etc) is part of normal routine maintenance on every vehicle I am aware of.

Or call any Ford, Dodge, GM dealer & talk to the service manager, or call any Freightliner, Mack, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Volvo dealer service manager or any Detroit diesel, Cat, Cummins service manager and ask if DPF cleaning is considered routine maintenance.

Or call any one of the hundreds of shops that specialize in only cleaning DPF's. There are dozens around DFW alone.

Many full service truck stops all over the country offer DPF cleaning, it is a big industry, has been for quite some time.

Here is a copy & paste directly out of a 2017 owners manual page 584

" Scheduled Maintenance
Diesel Particulate Filter
The filter may need to be removed for ash cleaning at approximately 120000 miles (192000 kilometers) or greater (actual mileage can vary greatly depending upon engine and vehicle operating conditions) and replaced with a new or remanufactured (ash cleaned) part. The filter may need to be replaced at approximately 250000 miles (400000 kilometers) depending upon engine and vehicle operating conditions. In both cases, the engine control system sets a service light (wrench icon) to inform you to bring your vehicle to the dealer for service. If there are any issues with the oxidation catalyst or particulate filter system, a service light (wrench or engine icon) sets by the engine control system to inform you to bring your vehicle into a dealer for service. "


Like I said, there is a more thorough explanation on pages 199 ~ 204.

If you use a diesel pickup as designed you'll rarely see an active regen occur, the passive regen takes care of most of the particulates and your DPF will last substantially longer without needing to be removed for cleaning.

I thought you weren't trying to be rude or disrespectful?

That's alright, we probably grew up in two different eras...those mean different things to different people.

I'm a 12 valve fan. Some old timers I know also love them. Guy I know has one in his Suburban. Mines got 245k on the clock and I'd drive her anywhere. She's a 3/4 ton loaded with tools, larger than normal tires and I still get 17 mph. My wife's 2wd GMC Yukon doesn't get but 15mph. The 5.9 cummins motor is hard to beat!

Well my old 7.3 better get to needing something. It’s at 293k. 1 starter, 3 water pumps, 3 alternators, 1 IPC sensor. I guess the sensor counts. It’s was under $100 on Amazon.

Yes I know there’s always exceptions but I love the ol truck like a hog loves slop.

Sounds like its already needed lots of things, you don't want it to need any more.

I don’t consider starters, alternators, and water pumps relevant. You’re right though, if those things are an issue then one should definitely buy a new truck ever couple of years.