Ok so here is the decision. 2000 crew cab with 290000 or 01 duramax with161000 the ford is more wore. Powerlocks don't work ect but its a 5k price difference between the 2 trucks. Before the get a dodge starts. I have one and loved it. I'm just rebuilding it after my old girl wrecked it and insurance didn't cover it. And I had some funscr trouble 3 years back so I'm getting this truck to build credit only. So giving what each truck is. Solid axle vs indepentant. Reliability and so on. What would you guys chose?

 

dmax. less miles, rides better. I had an 02 dmax and loved that truck. deer killed it though

 

I have no doubts in the dmax. But about how long does the engine last? Don't see many high mileage ones out there

 

get another Dodge...seriously even if your building another you can't go wrong with 2 of them. Besides if your looking at trucks with that many miles you might as well get the one with the engine that you know is proven at those miles.

 

D-Max

 

I'd go with the Duramax.

 

Weren't there more issues with the early Duramaxes?

Gotta say, if it were a choice between any Duramax and a 6.no or a 6.4 I would say Duramax, but the 7.3 was a good engine.

Do they drive somewhat comparable?

 

buddy of mine just spent 1700 on his new front end...

gotta love that IFS....

Shot it all to hell at 130k. (2002 and he is a pavement princess)

if all else is equal...and it is a 7.3 ford, I say and it hurts to say...FORD.

 

ha Cant find a dodge. Even the local dodge dealership handles less than perfect credit and they have nothing would want ( plenty of hemis just dont want one) unless it was in a charger, but none of them either ha ha. Im thinking duramax. Both do drive the same, the ford has some noises im not sure about. Duramax drove pretty well actually I did enjoy the ride, drove fine, Tires look good what do you look for in the bad front end?

Also im looking for a crew cab. had one before i had to sell it LOVED IT. But they are not cheap enough yet

 

I wouldn't hesitate to get the DMax over a 300,000mi Ford.
'01's had 2 known issues. Injectors, big widespread problem, even though I never had problems with my '02 DMax. Warranty is up on 01's, so check whether they've been replaced. If never done, then it's a good one and lots of people get over 200k mi on injectors, and any diesel you buy with those kind of miles could need fuel system work. If they've been replaced once recently, even better. If they've been replaced a couple times or more, run away from it.
Other issue was blowing head gaskets, but not very many compared to injectors. If it's not bad at 160k mi, I wouldn't worry about it.
Check all the usual stuff, front end components, trans condition/fluid, filter changed regularly. And consider that in the sale price.
Get the DMax.

 

Dmax= better MPGs better ride more reliable
Ford has a good chassis but what good is it if its in the shop with the CAB off the frame all the time?

 

Ok so here's how its turned out. The dealer with the ford had me approved for that truck. Couldn't believe a bank would do that. My credit is poor. Like I said its why I'm buying. Not a need for the truck. Just to build credit. The other one had a 03 dmax come in today. Came out couldn't get me approved for them. They had too high miles. Turns out I could only get approved for 05 and newer. So now I'm looking at 16k trucks instead of 11 to 13. Ended up finding a 05 ram hemi 1500 for 14900 with 40000 mi . They tried pushing a Gmc 1500 with 77k for 15900. Both are equiped same. So ill know in the am if I'm the owner of a new hemi. I don't mind. My wife can have it this winter then ill sell it.

 

My dealer is sitting on 100 Dodge trucks right now, most with diesels and the majority of those are the 6.7L .... it looks like everyone bailed on Dodge when they thought that Chrysler was gonna fold.


Kris

 

Where's this at? Around here you can't hardly find a diesel on the lot. 09's are gone, '10's coming in soon? I dunno, just what I heard from a couple guys looking for new trucks. Haven't been thru a dealer's parking lot in a few years and intend to keep it that way!

 

Ford if it's a 7.3
If not Dmax....