3rd Gen Engine and Drivetrain -> 2003-2007 5.9 liter Engine and drivetrain discussion only. PLEASE, NO HIGH PERFORMANCE DISCUSSION!

Help me decide.

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Old Nov 23, 2009 | 07:49 AM
  #1  
IZNAB's Avatar
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Help me decide.

Hey guys, give me your opinion, Especially from the guys that have sold their
diesel trucks and went to half ton gas. I have an 03 2500 4x4 SLT quad cab 122k miles. Has been a good truck. The only thing I have had to replace is water pump at 110k. Sold my toy hauler and 4wheelers over a year ago so no longer have a need for 3/4 ton diesel. The reason I am considering going to a gas truck is because of the expense to make repairs to a diesel. I have read alot of horror stories on this forum about having to change injectors, pumps, complete engines. Don't want to spend thousands on repairs for a commuter vehicle that gets used for taking my son to school and driving to work. Who here has sold their diesel, bought gas half ton and regretted it?
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Old Nov 23, 2009 | 10:26 AM
  #2  
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I think you are at the wrong site if you want people to tell you to get rid of your diesel. I have owned diesels off and on for the last 25 years, last year after returning from Germany I needed a truck and there were GREAT deals on new trucks so I bought a loaded 2008 Laramie Hemi, one of the reasons I didnt go with a diesel was that at the time D2 was 40c more than gas and I didnt want a 6.7 Needless to say, I owned the Hemi 9 months and was NEVER happy, I traded DOWN to my 04.5 CTD and absolutely LOVE it. I do get nervous everytime it shudders a bit because I'm sure it's a 3K fix...but when I ride in a gasser I just cant wait to get back into my truck.

If you sell it, dont give the thing away because I'll bet you will regret it if your a true diesel guy. Or go rent a 1/2 ton for a week and see how you like it, that might cure ya!
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Old Nov 23, 2009 | 10:34 AM
  #3  
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From: Live Oak Texas
My first question is, is your current truck paid for? If so keep it. Sounds like you drive fairly easy with no mods so you will get 500k miles out of that engine with just normal routine maint. Try that with any gasser!

Plus, most people come on forums like this because they have a problem that they need help either diagnosing or fixing. You will almost never hear someone on a forum like this start a thread and just say "My truck is perfect. No problems and 250k miles so far. Never replaced a thing." I would be willing to bet the number of trucks with no issues is 10 fold higher than trucks with issues.

So to keep me from rambling any longer I would say to just keep your awesome diesel truck and drive it for another 400k miles.
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Old Nov 23, 2009 | 03:23 PM
  #4  
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I would just say keep it because you aleady have it and the price on diesels have gone down to far plus any transaction includes a commision of some sort. If doing it from the start I would never have purchased this high dollar diesel if I didnt use it to haul. There is to much risky repairs vs a gas motor and a hugh initial investment. I currently have one of each and one feels just as cool as the other to drive and I think I actually prefer driving the gas motor truck just because it is lighter and more appropriate when not towing.
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Old Nov 23, 2009 | 07:28 PM
  #5  
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I may be selling my 5ver in the near future. If I do sell it, then my Dodge is going next. If I sell both, then I will get a new gmc 1500 crew cab with the 5.3 or 6.0.
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Old Nov 24, 2009 | 08:34 AM
  #6  
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I just stepped out of my Chevy 2500 HD with a 6.0 Gas engine. I lived with that truck for 5 years with about 9-10 mpg and it towed horrible. So I went back almost a year in age (albeit same 04 model year) to purchase this Dodge.

Although I have a few small issues to work through the 16 mpg avg over the past month is very cool. Plus I like the layout of the truck much better.
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Old Nov 24, 2009 | 08:50 AM
  #7  
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From: Calgary
Keep it.

You won't find another truck that gets the same mileage, and if you need to tow something you can. Lots of deisels get used as daily drivers.

Any truck can need a 3K repair. My buddies Tundra threw a rod through the block last weekend (yes, more that 3K!) He was cruising ay highway speed towing 2 quads on a small trailer and POW, done. Truck was never abused, well maintained and out of warranty.
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Old Nov 24, 2009 | 09:56 AM
  #8  
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From: Auburn, WA
Yeah, keep it if you still like the truck. Yeah, pump and injectors are more $ than a gasser, but the rest of the truck is about the same.
Besides, the Cummins/Dodge 2500 isn't any less relaible than any other truck.
My prev 05 F150 lost 3 or 4 injectors at 25k mi, warranty, my 08 F150 blown trans at 41k mi, warranty, another company F250, blown engine at 15k mi. One of my foreman's personal F150 blown engine at 70k mi, no warranty.
Nor bashing on Fords, although that's ok here! Point is it's a 50/50 crap shoot on what you're going to have to repair next. Consider what you have...paid off or close to paid off? Waht if you set aside $5k for repairs for the next few years? WOuld that be less of an expense than getting into a new truck?

Plus I love driving my (wifes) diesel after spending all week in the F150 gutless wonder. (It's a company truck so I can't complain about FREE!)
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Old Nov 24, 2009 | 12:43 PM
  #9  
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From: McKinney, TX
I agree with the others. Keep what you got and drive it daily.

A new vehicle is not an investment.....gasser or diesel.

If yours is paid for, drive it and keep on driving it. Save the difference in costs. Your truck should run a half-million or more miles.

..
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Old Nov 24, 2009 | 12:48 PM
  #10  
ssandlin's Avatar
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From: Del Rio, TX
Originally Posted by IZNAB
Hey guys, give me your opinion, Especially from the guys that have sold their diesel trucks and went to half ton gas. Who here has sold their diesel, bought gas half ton and regretted it?
I'll answer that question with a great big ME!

Had an 03 Ford 6.0, sold it at 46k miles and bought a new 05 F-150 in Sept of 2005. Traded it in and bought the truck in my sig in Feb 06 and have never looked back.

Good luck with your decision.
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Old Nov 25, 2009 | 07:48 AM
  #11  
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Thanks everyone. I think I am convinced to just keep it.
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Old Nov 25, 2009 | 09:00 PM
  #12  
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From: Gull Lake, SK
Just look after her and she'' look after you. and remember if you can't dodge it RAM it.
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Old Nov 26, 2009 | 10:28 AM
  #13  
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Another thing to think about is if you have good diesel mechanics around your area. I bought a Cummins because that's what I wanted (to heck with 'need' - ha!) and if it breaks I'll pay to get it fixed. What I worry about is where to take it - especially since the nearest factory authorized repair place is over 40 miles away (they closed both the Dodge dealerships in my area). Maybe it's no different trying to find a good gas engine mechanic - but I fear if mine ever needs work it'll be $150 to tow it right off the bat, and then they'll mess it up because they don't have any diesel experts. Still, I'm going to keep mine because that's what I want.
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Old Nov 26, 2009 | 12:19 PM
  #14  
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From: Between SC,TN,VA!!!
............ KEEP IT!!!!! I wish I would have kept my last 06 - 6spd.... She would have been paid for and I would have a reliable 5.9l Cummins. I bought my HEMI when Diesel was through the roof and gas was expensive. I thought that the Maintenance, Fuel, Tags, Taxes, would all be cheaper on the HEMI...... Now with E10 Fuels my mileage went from 17.5 average to 13.5 ......... If I could get rid of my HEMI and get another 5.9L Cummins I would in a Heart Beat. I got the everything is covered warranty with this new HEMI and I will have to drive her into the ground for what it cost..... As soon as she is paid for I will get another 5.9l Cummins Dodge..... KEEP IT!
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