I will settle for a 1 ton, only to get the cummins I really don't want to back down from the 4X4 as some of the places they break equipment I will need 4wd to get there (and a winch)
bart
P.S. in a Dodge I want either 2nd or 3rd generation body not the 1st.

 

The main problem I know of with the Dodge 4x4s is on the early models the bar that held the front end in alin was weak. There were aftermarket bars made that fixed the problem. I believe Dodge resolved that issue fairly quickly. The 1 tom 4x4 I know run a Dana 70 rear axle. Can't get any better than that IMO. I don't think the Dodge is as nice a ride as the Ford but you want a work truck not a Cadilliac. I have never heard anyone complain about their Dodges. Remember I'm around RVers every day. I can't say that about FORD. We have a some close friends from Western Nevada that came to visit us last fall in Bullhead. They own an 05 or 06 F250 4x4 The first year they had it in 10 shops in 8 states. They said it was a nightmare that first year. 3 turbos, 2 injector pumps, & the list was 2 pages long. They pull a 32' 5th wheel. They aren't the only ones either. The Dodge problems I have heard of mainly is a bad injector on these new 5.9/6.7 Cummins. But I haven't heard of one before 100,000 miles YET.

 

Well I didn't realize this post was about which truck to choose lol..........a Ford not to overlook is the 7.3 Diesel. It has proven itself over time again and again.....a million school buses and garbage trucks are just the start. The only drawback of the 7.3 Powerstroke is the transmission they are mated with. But with only about $300 bucks of improvements.....it is a GREAT transmission! Research BTS Valve body on here for info on that! I notice the Fords that Craig are mentioning are newer ones with the 6.0L Powerstroke. That motor is riddled with problems....BAD ones. Enough to scare people away from Ford forever! But if you can find a nicely maintained 7.3L.....you can't go wrong! I hate to see you buy a Dodge, due to the injector problem....although the Cummins is awesome, the Dodge part is where the problems lie. I just couldn't stand by and watch Ford get bashed with no response lol......there's my .02 cents

 

have you considered an F450 or 550....if you are gonna carry the weight needed for tools and parts...it may be a worthwhile investment.

PS how did the Mesa run work out for you?

 

F450 or F550 are my first choice, all I have found have been junk. the one in mesa was a disaster.
Any connections where you work? do you know anyone in the wholesale market? that seems to be where anything under 15 to 20 thousand goes.
see post 11 about the mesa trip.

 

Travis,

I like Ford trucks the best, but I don't like their diesels. I have been very outspoken about DIESELS in FORD TRUCKS. As a former Ford Certified Tech you couldn't give me a Ford diesel or IH diesel. The 7.3 is the one I'm referring to. They are fine for the average guy or gal running around & pulling a trailer. The 7.3 is the one UPS, Fed X, the City of Bullhead, Nye, Co Nevada & I could go on, to go to Mercedes, Cummins, & even the Duramax which I class in the same as Power Strokes. JUNK for severe service use. A Ford with a V10 can't be beat as a truck. If you could get a Mercedes or Cummins in a Ford then I would say There is no better truck ever made.

Craig

 

ahh...i must have missed post #11 somehow

i can ask at work, but we deal mainly with cars and light trucks

unfortunately, trucks designed for what you want have already been used hard and put away wet

you might consider the international truck and find a used body to put on it

a lot of older tow trucks can be converted easily enough

it may be a little harder to find a 4x4 that way, but you'll have a great winch!

Mark

 

http://www.commercialtrucktrader.com...0-RAM-91740091

everything you want except the utility body! and only 70k

Mark

 

that is a great deal just out of my budget I would like to stay under $10,000 so I don't have payments .
Bart

 

www.destroked.com You made referral to the 05 or 06 Diesel.....which is 6.0L I'm on my 2nd 7.3L and wouldn't trade it for a V10 for ANYTHING That link I posted should make your dreams come true Craig

 

I almost bought a 80s F250 4x4 that had a cummins in it. But it just wasn't to be. The 7.3 is fine for what most people use them for. Very expensive to fix they had a lot of trouble with the wiring in the valve covers in certain years that was a $1200 fix per cover. If V8 diesels were the way to go highway line trucks would use then instead of I-6s. Even Cat use to call there 3208s throw away engines. The bigger industrial diesels like in locomotives use V16s But they are massive engines. Detroit made a V16-149 for that type of use. The biggest I saw was a Fairbanks Morse I-6 that was about 25' long stood over 6' high for power generating. The pistons were like 2' across it turned a screaming 500 RPMs.
Anyway I know a bunch of guys that like IH diesels in the Fords & they work fine for most, Your just talking to a old retired Ford mechanic who has no use for them, & will never own one himself.

 

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/car/611049060.html

only $1000!!

 

a few mods and she's ready to roll.

 

i spent an hour or so searching everywhere i could think of, i found 4x4s, i found service trucks, walk in service vans, but no 4x4 service trucks in your price range

 

I can tell you most of the mines in Northern Nevada use 2wd Ford F700s, Freightliners, etc. I know my wife worked for Le Tourneau they make the worlds largest front end loaders 53 yard buckets. They are powered by 4- 300 HP wheel motors. They bought a new Freightliner last year with a Mercedes diesel. The mechanics loved it. But everything is 2wd.
Bart I believe if you want a 4x4 your going to have to buy that then get a Utility bed. You should see how much they want for that Dodge I traded to Prescott Honda for the bed. That is a covered Utility box all the locks worked on the box & camper doors.
Just a thought.