I have quite the decision to make, I need a truck to pull my travel trailer, about 3000 miles per year max. Here is what I have found in my price range:

A. 1995 Ford F250 PSD 4x4 super cab long bed 5spd 135k miles, 4.10 limmited slip

Price $8500

B. 1997 Dodge 2500 4x4 cummins club cab 4x4 long bed 5spd 119k miles 3.73 ls

Price $12000

For some reason, I cant find a 97 PSD in my price range that is not worn out or beat to heck! I love the PSD, but should I go for the Dodge because it has a Cummins with intercooler.

Anyone owned both of these and could help me decide.

 

Both would be reliable work vehicles, althought the PS is very slow.

 

What do you mean PS? If you mean PSD why would it be slow?

 

The Cummins is probably going to be a more reliable and longer lasting motor than the PSD, and it will also get better mileage. Both will have more than enough power to pull your trailer without any trouble. The Dodge has a better frontend and transfer case. The Ford lockout hubs are better than the CAD system in the Dodge. 4.10s are too low for a diesel pickup, so the Dodge has an advantage with 3.73s. The dodge 5-speed transmission has a habit of losing fifth gear, because the nut that holds the gear in place becomes loose. This is usually a fairly easy fix, and a pin can be put in place to prevent it from happening again. The Ford has a better body.

I have been looking for a Dodge just like you are looking at. Around here, it is hard to find a Dodge with that setup and mileage.

 

Its been nearly impossible here in utah to find this truck, this person has not listed the dodge yet, and I dont think he knows the real value, he is just going by blue book and trade in. I hope it works out, otherwise I will buy the PSD.

 

Either truck is a good choice, the PSD should last just as long as the Cummins. The Fords usually ride a little nicer and have better interior.
Check maintenance records and be sure to inspect them both thorourghly. And take them for a good long test drive, see if you can hook a trailer to them, see how each one pulls. That would be about the best way to determine which one you would like better.

 

The cummins will not pull better then the PSD. Espeically since the Ford has got a 4.10 rear. Ive got a 96 model which is pretty much identicial to the 95. Its great and modded it really moves out fast. The dodge will get a little better mileage though. I would say get the PSD, the truck is much better built then the dodge and the PSD will last at least as long as the Cummins.

 

Iwould go with the Cummins. My dad had one exactly like what you listed and it pulled a 28 foot goose neck trailer over half its life, had 300+ on it when he traded it, had to replace the clutch once and the 5th gear went out just like MJD said. Ran strong and unloaded got 19 MPG. Damn reliable truck.

 

I like the PSD, it was well taken care of, the only problem is that it has a visor, full legnth running boards and grab handles on the outside. Kinda hard to get over these, they are not my style.

 

Dont have much to offer as far as which truck to go with. I personally like Ford trucks the best - have driven both and the Ford seems like a better truck. The five speed backed, first generation strokes will move too. The Dodge, however, will have gobs of low end power. The old 12 valvers seem to have more "seat of the pants" low end torque than any other version of the ISB offered in Dodges. You will probably want to make sure the 4x4 works on the Dodge: as MJD said, the CAD on those tends to not work after many years/miles.

Also, unless it has an aftermarket gear set, I am pretty sure Dodge did not offer a 3.73 rearend it its trucks until the newest body style came out in 2003. The 94-2002 versions offered either a 3.55 or a 4.10. I may be mistaken about that, but it might be worth checkin out. Even with the low end grunt of the Cummins, 3.55's feel a little too "fast" for a heavy duty truck.

Good luck with your choice.

 

Well for $3500 and to have a Ford, take them off and sell them. Fords in that shape around here pull 12-14 grand still, its flippin amazing. I personally would say get the Ford, but I'm biased.

 

I am a Ford man too, but my dad always had the cummins. He had good luck and got good resale. Here are the trucks I am considering, all 4x4. This represents the price in Utah.

00 F250 crew v10 124k $11500
96 f350 crew 460 80k $10100
95 F250 ex cab PSD 135 k $ 9000
97 Dog club cab cummins 119k $12000
97 chev ex cab 6.5 turbo diesel 144k $9500

This is what they want, not what they will take.

 

The 3.55s are a perfect gear ratio for a diesel, but a little high for a gas engine. Dodge has discontinued the 3.55s for 3.73s, but they are lower than needed. 4.10s are just too slow for any diesel, considering that 3.55s will provide as much power as needed and the 4.10s will accomplish little more than causing the motor to run at a higher rpm at highway speeds.

 

3.55's will work fine in a diesel.....obviously or else they would not be offered. My only point was that on take off, you can tell a big difference between 4.10 gears and 3.55's. True that 3.55's will work just as well, I was just offering up my opinion. I have driven Dodges with both 3.55's and 4.10's and it just seems to me that the former of the two is almost too high for a truck with a manual transmission.

 

I agree that the 3.55s do not help takeoff with a 5-speed, because I have also noticed quite a difference when I drove either. Still, I think that it is better to get 3.55s and deal with more clutch wear. Just my opinion.