Hello to all and thank you for looking and responding....

This is actually a pretty serious post...... I am finally in a position to buy a HD truck and I have been sent in a "tailspin" by friends, dealers etc......

I am in the market for a nice used 2000 to 2003 HD truck. One Ton Dual rear wheel. I have already been through the Chevy 6.5 nightmare (I dont really want to talk about that.....) So I have decided on either a Ford or Dodge as a replacement as a "Heavy Hauler". The truck will be used primarily for day to day driving but will have the occasional (once every 2 months) 17,500 lb. pull for up to 600 miles (a large fifth wheel). It is possible there would be additional pulls in between, and probably not as heavy.

I realize both trucks have their ups and downs........ This is why I am having a hard time making a well advised decision.

The truck must be an Auto... (I'm shifted out...). That puts me in a bind. Especially in the Dodge... The 47RE is in need of some pretty serious mods to make it decent.... (ATS Colorado). Not to mention all the lift pump problems associated with the VP44.

Does anyone have any serious input on what to look for in a Ford.....? Especailly in regards to pulling a load?

Specifically what to look for when buying a used PSD with 120,000 miles or less....

Thanks in advance!!

AJ

 

Moved to proper forum.

 

So I take it this is the proper forum????

anyway, the ford auto has its downfalls, but with proper care and a few mods the tranny can last as long as the motor.

A sonix vavle and tricumulator spring will help the tranny live, a healther oil cooler to keep temps down, and maybe a deeper pan, thats about it for the tranny.

don't get a 6.0, the '03s were bad, alot a problems.

a properly equiped 7.3 will pull almost anything you want. a few aftermarket gauges and you should be good to go, I have had no major problems with either of mine.

The cummings is just as good of a motor, I just dont like the truck around it.


Diesel Rod

 

i've heard a lot of what dieselrod says on the dodge... great motor.. lousy truck.. you will find everyone in this forum is biased against the dodge... so i will simply tell you about my mule... 02 psd srw sd sb 7.3 auto 3.73 gears.. stock except for bigger tires and i deactivated the wastegate... she'll get some stuff soon... i pull a 10k 5ver a dozen or so times a year, and she has no problems pulling it... so i asume that if you get a dually with some 4.11's you should have absolutely no probs pulling your load.. only bad thing about these trucks are the stock ball joints... sealed design... junk..! replace them with quality aftermarkets that can be greased and no more problems.. lots of info in this forum on mods... lots of good info... lots of good people... best of luck to you... let us know how you do..!

 

the dash is cracked plastic junk...seats are junk....dashlights replaced 3 times...roof flaps in the wind (whopping sound)...rattles and squeeks from the door panels..(cant keep anything in the pockets)...BUT I LOVE THAT PSD HOWLING LIKE A WILD ANIMAL!!!..THANK GAWD FOR FARMERS! International Harvestor Diesels ROCK!