Best Diesel regardless of make or year…

[Ron H]

So I’ve 3 trucks however I’m looking to add a 4th…
This next one will be pretty much towing/camping specific….
So far I’ve narrowed it down to 04 - 07 Duramax/ Allison…
I have 02-2500hd 8’box, 04-1500 sle 6’box, & 06- 2500HD 8’ box…all reg cabs,,

Are there others (regardless of year) that stand out,, I should consider…

So Some parameters ….
- Extended cab 6’ box (not interested in crew cab)…
- Must be 4x4…
- Automatic…
- Un molested (no lift, delete, mods …basically stock)..
- Min 3/4 ton…
- Deisel…

 

[HighSpeedLowDrag]

The duramax from those years was available with the zf-6 manual transmission which is my favorite light truck transmission ever built. Why would you prefer the automatic?

 

[lilduke]

Stock sucks.

 

[ABMax24]

You could narrow that down to an 06-07.5 Duramax, which gives you the LBZ Duramax. The earlier LB7 and LLY of 01-04.5 and 04.5-05 had a few more issues, not that it would stop me from buying a low mile unit if the price was right though.

Ford, I wouldn't touch a diesel older than '11, both the 6.0 and 6.4 had a plethora of issues.

I'm not a dodge guy, so someone else can comment on those.

 

[S.W.A.T.]

You could narrow that down to an 06-07.5 Duramax, which gives you the LBZ Duramax. The earlier LB7 and LLY of 01-04.5 and 04.5-05 had a few more issues, not that it would stop me from buying a low mile unit if the price was right though.

Ford, I wouldn't touch a diesel older than '11, both the 6.0 and 6.4 had a plethora of issues.

I'm not a dodge guy, so someone else can comment on those.

The Ford 6.0 and 6.4 didn't have issues until you juiced them up. I still drive my 6L now, something about that old diesel sound and smell that brings me back to a simpler time, lol. However that being said it's pretty hard to rule out the 6.7. Extremely powerful. My 2011 did awesome, very few issues, good mileage, towed and hauled like a dream even at 300,000+km, hoping to get that kind of quality of vehicle out of my 2019.

Can't speak for GM/Chevy, or newer dodges.

 

[Ron H]

There was, maybe still is a 6 speed Duramax of that 02-06 vintage on kijijij for a pretty descent price..
Seems a rare bird these days,,,
What kind of km’s are they getting out of em?
Back when standards were desirable for me at least it was Muncie m21 - 4speed,.
These days I live on cruise control ….
And the biggie when missus is driving she’s a dump the clutch, pin er kinda gal,,,She’s the one pushing a 10k crate engine for the short box GM, ,,, So when “clutch day” invariably comes I gotta wonder how big a hit is that?

 

[Teth-Air]

Owned these truck, all fully loaded models.

2001 Dodge 3500, with manual 6, noisy, poor headlights and braking, too much frame flex so windsield would crack easy. Great fuel economy. Still very fun to drive.

2005 Dodge 3500, with auto, Nice truck, big uprades over the 2001, good power, good fuel economy. One fuel pump warranty issue.

2008 GMC 3500 , with auto, fast in straight line but turning sucked. Made for old men as it was boring to drive after the Dodges. electrical issues, trans lines leak issue. Did not like the transmission tuning as would drop down gears hard at slow speeds making it feel rough and un-refined.

2010 Dodge 3500, with auto, Put a big chip on this one and pushed big power. Never had an issue with this one except front end wore too fast, good fuel economy. Worried about the light torque converter this year had, but no issues.

2015 Ram 3500, with new Asin auto, first DEF truck for me. Poor throttle response, low DEF usage, lower fuel economy over previous years. Started getting some codes around 100,000k. New owner had to delete and now it is still going strong with no issues, The Asin transmission has a good reputation but it does not feel as smooth as the 68RFE.

2018 Ram 3500, back to 68RFE auto for that smoother drive, lower price and less maintenance costs (as recommended in owners manual). At 200,000kms now and only a U-joint recently. High DEF usage but throttle response is much better and regens very little. These trucks are very nice now but the fuel economy could be better. 11 L/100 highway and average is 13.5 L/100 (I drive highway mostly)

So in a nutshell the newer trucks do offer much more luxury and gadgets but come at a price of fuel economy if you don't delete. I drive a fair bit so need to be comfortable. I still cannot understand how the manufacturers think a truck using more fuel is better for the environment.

Also after 2013, Dodge radically changed the front end steering and suspension design. They last more than twice as long now. (Maybe 3 times longer)
My early Dodge needed some minor front end work starting at 70,000kms and now my latest Ram is at 200,000kms and I just did a U-joint in the rear of the driveshaft.

 

[Ron H]

Stock sucks.

I get that, however this next one will have parked ins when we’re not camping/towing,,,
Never had diesel before, just looking for the least amount of adversity possible…

 

[lilduke]

Fair enough buy it, then mod it. Then youll know what you have

 

[Teth-Air]

I get that, however this next one will have parked ins when we’re not camping/towing,,,
Never had diesel before, just looking for the least amount of adversity possible…

Once you go to diesel for pulling, you will love it.

 

[tripster]

Disagree on 6l no issues stock. My 04 got 17k on 1st set head gaskets and another 20 on the 2nd set. Turbo at 40k then started dumping fuel in oil at 42k. Never had the fuel issue fixed traded in on 06 dodge 5.9 and ran it trouble free for 220 k and sold it.

 

[neilsleder]

The Ford 6.0 and 6.4 didn't have issues until you juiced them up. I still drive my 6L now, something about that old diesel sound and smell that brings me back to a simpler time, lol. However that being said it's pretty hard to rule out the 6.7. Extremely powerful. My 2011 did awesome, very few issues, good mileage, towed and hauled like a dream even at 300,000+km, hoping to get that kind of quality of vehicle out of my 2019.

Can't speak for GM/Chevy, or newer dodges.

I wouldn’t say that our 6.0 leakers and 6.4s were stock and still junk lol

 

[rknight111]

I had an 02 duramax, 140 km Injectors, 180 Km Head Gasket. Then got a 2008 F350 6.4 PS. Was a piece of crap, 1st motor at 28000K done, Then Power steering box at 40000K. 2nd motor at 70000 km, then EGR valve at 110 Km, Sold at 119 K, Motor again at 135K Just a piece of Garbage, Back to Duramax.

 

[dragonweld28]

2015 ram 3500 limited with 6.7 cumins. EFI live 45Hp tow tune (415hp and 880ft/lbs), deleted and coopers tranny tuning. Gets great milage empty with the 3.42 gears averaging around 10.4L/100 highway. Towing my toyhauler which is roughly 11,000lbs it get 19-19.5L/100. not adding DEF fluid sure is nice. With the 3.42 gearing i dont even use 6th gear. 120km/hr is right at 1800 RPM, tows so well. Actuator went at 230,000 km, the rad started leaking at 180,000 km. So far its been a very good truck but i do think the right ball joint needs to be replaced as the tire is wearing a bit funny.

 

[Trashy]

I get that, however this next one will have parked ins when we’re not camping/towing,,,
Never had diesel before, just looking for the least amount of adversity possible…

If your getting a diesel and parking it more than driving it. Your better off to stay with a gas pot. The money you'll save in the long run, is worth it.
Don't get me wrong........ I picked up an 08 Chev LTZ dually diesel, about 2 months ago and love having a diesel again. More so is pulling any trailer with a dually is superior to a single wheel.
Take your time to look, and search all of Alberta. Your next truck is out there

 

[S.W.A.T.]

I wouldn’t say that our 6.0 leakers and 6.4s were stock and still junk lol

Never had a issue with either of my 6L, still using one as a work/farm truck. My dad bought my 6.4 off me and it did awesome until he had the wrong guy try and tune it and dusted the motor. Still the 6.7 is far superior

 

[Travco28]

2011 6.7 f350 . I have 450000 klms on mine . Only bigger problem was Tranny valve body at 420000. . Friend of mine has 13 6.7 with 550000 plus and still never a motor or tranny problem . I have changed starter just last week , alternator around 350000. and had to do new tie rod ends at 400000.
Ill take that . Truck has never let me down . I will say , running a good fuel additive is important and in winter i will add a litter of ATF to fuel once a month . Old school trick to keep those injectors lubed and strong .

 

[sirkdev]

2011 6.7 f350 . I have 450000 klms on mine . Only bigger problem was Tranny valve body at 420000. . Friend of mine has 13 6.7 with 550000 plus and still never a motor or tranny problem . I have changed starter just last week , alternator around 350000. and had to do new tie rod ends at 400000.
Ill take that . Truck has never let me down . I will say , running a good fuel additive is important and in winter i will add a litter of ATF to fuel once a month . Old school trick to keep those injectors lubed and strong .

Are you deleted? Not sure about the ATF thing...

 

[bobsledder]

Never heard of the ATF thing before. Not sure I would do it because I read it on here. Got over 500,000 on one of my diesels and never had any issues. Only put diesel fuel in it.

 

[S.W.A.T.]

ATF thing was back in the day with mechanical pumps, sure wouldn't do it with newer technology.