Hello all this is my first real posting outside the intro. section. I am shopping for a used 2500 4x4 and would prefer a 6 spd manual, short box, quad cab. The only trucks locally with the manual are long beds. However there are 2 quad-cab short-beds with the automatic tranny. Both are 07's - one has the 5.9 and one has the 6.7. The auto trannys are different (4spd vs 6 spd). Both have identical features (basic SLT) otherwise. Odometers are nearly the same at about 50,000 miles and asking price also the same at $25,000.
My use will be daily driver/recreational (hunting, driving forest service roads, etc) with no real heavy towing (at this point in time limited to single axle trailer with firewood, etc but future may hold a 20-24ft camp trailer). I would of course like dependability and efficiency (so MPG matters).
Any thoughts on which would be the better rig and why are appreciated.
thanx

 

From what I have heard ( my neighbor is a horse trainer and hauls a lot....he has an 07 5.9) the 5.9 will yield better MPG. This is just he has told me as he has compared his truck with other trainers trucks.

 

I've had both the 5.9 w/4 speed and now the 6.7 w/6 speed auto. I prefer the 6.7 because of the transmission. Test drive them both, I think you'll agree that the new six speed is much smoother transmission which always seems to be in the right gear. I also like the integrated exhaust brake on the 6.7L turbo.

Fuel mileage has been 1-2 MPG lower on the 6.7L. The diesel particulate filter system on the 6.7L is a pain and can cause reliability issues because of excessive soot. I've had little problem with mine though. I've kept up with the latest ECM flashes and use the exhaust brake all the time.

 

wait to find what you want. if you want a manual short bed keep shopping buyers remorse is painfula nd expensive.

otherwise my opinion is get the 5.9 i remember way back in 1998 when everyone said get the 24v its the latest and greatest.......................................... .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ............................................ all those miles later my 98 12v was still more reliable even at 250k than any of the fleet 24v's we had. go figure i like tried and true and the 6.7 the jury is still out for me on the electronics ect especially if you dont tow heavy all the time the 6.7 is not a commuter clogged particulate filter ect comes to mind.

 

Drive both and see what you like better. For daily driver and little to light towing you will probably find the 5.9 to be the better truck. The 6.7 needs to be worked or it tends to have exhaust related issues. The 5.9 will get better fuel mileage and can be more than just a couple miles per gallon difference.

Some are actually getting decent fuel mileage from the 6.7 but I think most are in the mid teens range. Mine gets around 15 mpg empty. For towing I would stay with the 6.7 but for general use the 5.9 is likely to be the better choice.

I love my 6.7 and have not had any issues with it, now has 28K on the clock. It pulls great and the 6 speed auto/EB work very well together.

 

Like other have said, the 6.7 has to be worked in order to keep the DPF clear, and run correctly. They don't like puttering around town, if they still have all the emissions equipment on them.

I say go with a 5.9, but I would wait and get exactly what you want. If you want a 6spd, don't settle for an automatic (I did...) it will be well worth the wait to drive exactly what you want.

 

thanx for the input. Yes I am trying to hold out for a manual. I've driven both autos/engines now and the 6.7/6spd feels much better....as others have wished for - the 5.9 w/ the 6spd auto would be a great option. I'll just keep looking for now.
thanx again

 

No emission junk on the 5.9.

 

I'd look for an 06 or early 07 Megacab with the 5.9 and low miles - they can be found out there in the 25 - 27K range...

 

If you want a 6sp manual, hold out until you find a 5.9. If you're considering an auto trans, then I'd get the 6.7. The new transmissions are sweet. Maybe stay away from an '07 6.7. I have 2 friends now w/ '08 and '09's and neither of them tow much/at all and they've had no issues with the dpf clogging. Both are claiming about 17mpg (1 mega, 1 q/c) on winter fuel, which is only 1 mpg less than I'm getting with the 5.9/6speed.

 

thanx for even more input - good advice. I made a low-ball offer ($25,000) on a 06 megacab 5.9 w/ the manual tranny. 50,000 miles

 

dealer countered w/ $28,130 on the 5.9 megacab.....not quite where I want them to be. much depends on my trade-in value of course (08 Toyota Tacoma double cab 4x4 TRD Off-road w/ 10,000 miles)

 

Huh?

I must have an oddball 5.9 then, because it has "emission junk" on it, just not as much "emission junk" as a 6.7.

 

i work with some guys that have the 6.7 and our work trucks have that same motor with dpf on them, they are nothing but problems. the main thing is they are not supposed to be left idling for any length of time, the dpf will get clogged. one co-worker put on a straight exhaust system and got rid of all the issues, he has an '07 mega and is on his second turbo and third trip to dealer to clean out the dpf. plus his mileage went up 5 mpg after the swap, only downside is in 2010 they are supposed to start inspecting diesels and their exhaust. my '06 mega 4x4 gets 23 mpg on hwy and can idle all night long.

 

Hey wildbio - you could get this truck and be one of the coolest guys in your neighborhood by far!!!