Hi Guys,
I'm new here to the forums. My name is Dil Brandow. I currently have a 97 brand F 250 diesel that I'm selling. I know I said the F word,,,,sorry. Anyway I'm looking at used diesel dually's and I'll be towing an enclosed trailer with a race car.
What is the best year to look for ?

Is there anything I need to be aware of ?

I've never looked at Dodge before so please give me the 101 course on the 3500's Thanks Dil

 

i like 98.5-02 but they have a vp so youll have to replace it more than likely with a new one so put it in the budget
but
on the flip side we recently bought a 03 2wd dually with 500k and all i did was put a transgo kit in the tranny and a holley pusher pump....we have had no probs yet for 10k
good luk hunting

 

Every year has its plus's and minus's, but you can't go wrong with any of them as long as it has a Cummins under the hood.
I would look for a clean, low mileage one that has not been modified in any way, shape, or form.
Modify it any way you like, but at least you will know what has been done to it.
The 03&04's supposedly get the best fuel mileage. The 05's supposedly respond best to electronics. I personally wouldn't trade my 06 for anything else.

 

04.5 to 05 are good ones to look at. Lots of upgrades for them aka SMARTY. Welcome to the real trucks and to this site. Also start hidding your wallet from these guys. They will make you you go broke if you get the BOMBING BUG....

 

I would say go for 05-07 simply because you are guaranteed the HO version of the cummins. 03-04 had both HO and SO. Welcome to the forum.

 

stay away from 98.5 to 2002... lift pump/VP44 issues

it's not usual to hear about folks who's gone thru 2 lift pumps along with VP44 in 120k miles... it's also not unusual to hear of folks with 24v going 300k+ with zero issues..

lots of 24v folks running FASS & tracking with a fuel pressure gauge..

also watch out for 53 block on 98.5-2002 ....

if one has the choice... much safer to go with any 12v or 2003- CR cummins

 

I prefer my 03 over any of my other trucks. buy a stick and budget a clutch or buy and auto and budget a tranny.

 

I would recommend the 2006-2007 with the 5.9 CTD. By this point, all the software/hardware bugs that are going to be fixed, have been fixed. The only issue I have had with mine is the HVAC blend door breaking. Other than that, no problems. Truck runs very strong, love it! Right now, with the gas prices the way they are, you can get a really good deal on a Ram CTD.

 

numbers favor auto trucks vs stick... someone please correct me.. isn't it 20 to 1?

wanted a stick, but settled for an auto.. can't complain too much, pulled 20k+ loads with no problems on stock tranny. don't like how stock TC slips all the time, until lockup occurs.

already budgeted for a triple disc TC, but stock TC keeps hanging in there. Goerends told me how you keep your TC healthy is to let off fuel right when lockup engages. after lockup, then full throttle.

no plans on bumping HP past 400hp... so no tranny is planned. only a triple disc TC.

changing to a stick would be ONLY reason ... I'd consider selling my 97 CTD.... then it would only occur after I purchased another low miles 97 CTD 4x4 stick.

 

If your towing a decent load, don't even look at an auto unless you want to replace the tranny, it's not if it's going to go, it's WHEN. You might get lucky and get past 120k miles on it, but if your adding power and towing a lot, it's going to take it out a lot quicker. Clutch is much cheaper...

 

Thanks for all of the replies. I have no problem buying a diesel truck with close to or around 100,000 miles on it. I'd like to stay with a newer year but whatever I can get for around the $15,000 mark. I know the Ford guys are really not happy with all of the engine changes/ different engines and they really don't seem to like the 6.0 offered in all of the newer trucks. My 97 is listed as 225 hp and I added a downpipe and an edge chip @ 60hp 90lbft of torque. That is plenty of tow power for me and I can pull most grades with my load at 65mph. So 350 hp or better Cummins would be perfect.

It sounds like the Cummins is the way to go and would definitely go that way.2003 or newer. So what is the issue with the automatic tranny and what years do I need to stay away from ? I'll be towing about 10,000lbs average.

 

if you are thinking newer CR ... check this thread out for best year CR
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=215423

 

u cant go wrong with an 07-08 6.7, best ctd yet............

 

When looking for a CTD truck I was looking at 04 to early 07 with less than 50K miles. I preferred the updated interior in the 06+ trucks over the 04-05. Everything I looked at has the HO 325/610 motor. I decided on an auto over the stick for my city commuting duties daily. I towed 9K with my 06 for the first time last month, it did a superb job. Mine is only single rear wheel.

I've seen some nice 05-06 dually trucks in the $15-$18K range lately. Most were right around 100K miles, some were lower.