Tractor hauler

tracto-man · Jan 3, 2017

Looking at trucks for a tractor hauler. Not sure how practical a diesel would be, as it would also get used for short 10 15 min trips fairly often. Looking at the older cheaper ones. Saw this '97 K2500 6.5 diesel. Needs a tranny. Any estimates on what that's gonna cost? Figure a diesel with 146,000 miles should have quite a bit of life left, so maybe worth putting a trans into? I'm a die hard dodge guy, and love the cummins, but just looking around at what's affordable for now.
1997 Chevy duramax

JD Seller · Jan 3, 2017

Well first off it is NOT a Duromax Diesel. It is a 6.5 which is a hopped up 6.2 liter motor. They are not the worst but they sure are not the best either. Then add in the bad transmission and your not looking at any kind of a "deal". The transmission can easily be $2500 on these installed. My son has two of them for farm trucks. He messes with them all of the time. They nickel and dime you a lot.

crawlerjohn · Jan 3, 2017

Look it over underneath. Those chevys like to rust the frame in front of the rear spring hangers. John

Thomas(AB) · Jan 3, 2017

I bought a tractor hauler last year too, my poor tacoma was tired of hauling way more than i should have been (MM U comes to mind). I found a lower milage '89 f250 4x4, 5speed with the 7.3idi. Had no rust, but needed brakes, the speedometer fixed and the second fuel tank replaced. A/C even works in it. Tracked down a 24' goose neck to use with it if my carhauler wasnt enough and have had great success. Used it all summer back and forth to work-all of 5 miles. Averaged 15-18mpg all summer. Did a 10 hour round trip to pick up a Oliver Super 88 Dieael, close to 8500lbs to tow back,it did ok 12mpg with A/C on and averageing 55mph. The old diesels may not be quick but they are reliable.

huntingreen2day2 · Jan 4, 2017

I had a 6.5 in a 96 1 ton crew cab. Not much power at all. Fuel milage was not great either.

ASEguy · Jan 4, 2017

I haven't heard a lot of good about those either. I hear they leak a lot, mainly oil. Duramax diesels came out in 2001 I believe. A $300.00 tranny is a hope shot from a salvage yard. I agree with JD Seller about the truck. I'd pass. If you can't afford much, I would get a gas engine with a manual trans for pulling. Older big engines were pretty reliable and simpler to repair.

2underage · Jan 4, 2017

I just got rid of my 2011 Ford 350 diesel. It was a good truck but I see no advantage of a diesel over a gas today. Repairs on a diesel engine are out of line in my opinion but that may just be me.

I replaced the Ford with a Ram 3500 at about half the price of the diesel. Time will tell if I made a bad decision. Have not hauled anything with it yet because I do not like to run my vehicles in the winter because of the salty slush that can get into everything on both the truck and trailer. If I have to haul something in the winter I wait until it is very cold so no slush can form and the bottom of my vehicles don't come in contact with the salt.

To each his own I guess but I would never buy an old diesel that I intended to use to haul a trailer any distance. I am sure that some have had great luck with them and all I can say is good for you! Happy farming.

Mike M · Jan 4, 2017

Stick with your Dodges you will be farther ahead in the long run !

tractorsam · Jan 4, 2017

I've recently gone from having diesels back to a gas truck. It seems with a diesel whatever you save in fuel you'll make up for in parts and repair. So, either is expensive, it's just whether you want to make large lump sum payments on diesel parts or pay a little more for fuel. Not really helpful but good luck. Sam

cumminspuller · Jan 4, 2017

Stick with your dodges. You will be much better off in the long run. I'd rather have a 350 or a 454 over a 6.5 any day.

BarnyardEngineering · Jan 4, 2017

I agree. The 6.5L Detroit diesel is a hobby engine.

Diesels were not always the towing beasts that they are today. The horsepower/torque wars did not start until about 2002. Prior to that, big block gassers were still the power leaders. If you wanted to to heavy you got a big block gas engine.

I would also recommend staying away from Ford IDI diesels. These are also anemic smoke makers.

If your goal is to roll coal and make noise, that's one thing. To tow heavy you need something that's labeled Duramax, Powerstroke, or Cummins Turbo.

Just stay away from the 6.0L and 6.4L Powerstrokes. There are a lot of good deals on them these days, for a reason.

Bryce Frazier · Jan 4, 2017

I wouldn't even think about touching that thing. My 454 would eat it alive, get the same fuel economy, and about 1/3rd the cost to work on! Stick with a Cummins, or get into the 2002 + diesel years like others have said.

rrlund · Jan 4, 2017

Get a gas with fuel injection and electronic ignition. I think I'm finally gonna take the insurance off my diesel that I've had for over 25 years. They're just not necessary anymore with the improvements in gas engine technology.

hadley · Jan 4, 2017

(quoted from post at 11:41:45 01/04/17) Get a gas with fuel injection and electronic ignition. I think I'm finally gonna take the insurance off my diesel that I've had for over 25 years. They're just not necessary anymore with the improvements in gas engine technology.

After 12 years and two different powerstroke diesels I just bought a brand new ford superduty with 6.2 gas for all the reasons mentioned above including emissions and reliability.

DoubleR · Jan 4, 2017

I thought I was the only one who thinks like you. I won't haul anything in the winter unless the roads are clear of salt and slush unless I absolutely have to. Then I wash everything off when I'm done. I plan my hauling accordingly in conjunction with the weather.

I agree with the others. IF Your not making a living and hauling everyday get a gasser. Especially if your buying used and looking for something cheap.

hadley · Jan 4, 2017

BTW Mine sit in the garage in the winter as well. Only come out if I absolutely have to or when really cold and dry roads as was said. Because of this got a pretty high trade on each of the last 2 as dealer even said he couldn't believe the shape because of not being in salt in winter. Bought my latest a 2016 in september and haven't hit 1000 miles on it yet as I dry a car to work everyday.

rrlund · Jan 4, 2017

You've got that right. My 85 Ford 6.9 couldn't beat a fat boy on a bicycle. What a pig! It actually seems to gain power when I start to let off the throttle. Go from second gear to third with a load behind and it falls right on its face. Unless you really have it wound up,good chance you'll have to shift back down.

flhr62 · Jan 4, 2017

I have a Power Stroke with 225,000 miles and a Cummins with 104,000 miles. When should I start expecting to pay these high price repair bills. So far all I have done is change fluids and filters. They do hold a little more oil than a gasser.

oldtanker · Jan 4, 2017

(quoted from post at 09:25:51 01/04/17) I have a Power Stroke with 225,000 miles and a Cummins with 104,000 miles. When should I start expecting to pay these high price repair bills. So far all I have done is change fluids and filters. They do hold a little more oil than a gasser.

Thing is you fail to mention year model. My SIL, a BIL and 2 nephews have owned or currently own diesels. One nephew paid big money to replace the injectors in his. BIL sold his cheap for the same reason. The other nephew has dumped a lot of money in his. My SIL has almost 300K on his and it's been great. All of them were 2000 or newer. On top of that my SIL's brother has his near new diesel at the dealer yet again for warranty work on the engine, again. That one is a RAM. My SIL has an F350. My BIL's was a Chevy Duramax. Seems like every now and then a good one slips through but the newer ones seem to be the problem. My BIL and one nephew are driving gas trucks now.

For the OP. If you are looking in the late 80's and 90's range don't pass up on a Ford with the 460 V8. Cheap to maintain, lots of power and I know it's hard to believe not too bad of fuel mileage provided it's not geared wrong. The diesels and big block gassers provided the power and torque that allowed better gearing for mileage. Friend of mine when he bought his first new truck in the early 90's ordered it. He wanted a diesel but had never owned one. So he wanted an F250, manual and 4:10 gearing. Then spent years complaining about the mileage. One of my SILs bought a used one set up the same way. The 460 or the diesels set up the same way with gearing in the 3:55 or a bit steeper have plenty of pulling power and get decent mileage. I owned an older carb equipped 460 with a pre lockup non overdrive auto. 3:73 gearing IIRC. It would pull anything and got 13 unloaded at 75. 11 loaded heavy pulling a trailer to boot. A friend has a 96 F250, 460, E4OD tranny, fuel injected. He claims 18 unloaded. Having fuel injection and the OD tranny I can believe that.

Rick

tracto-man · Jan 4, 2017

Kinda my thoughts as well, just dont know much about the diesels at all. A 2002 duramax in great condition with 260,000 miles and a plow slipped by me for $2800. Probably will go with a gasser. One issue I have is I don't know how to drive a manual. Maybe I should work on that? Thanks everyone for the advice! I'll keep an eye out over the next couple months

flhr62 · Jan 4, 2017

(quoted from post at 14:04:55 01/04/17)

(quoted from post at 09:25:51 01/04/17) I have a Power Stroke with 225,000 miles and a Cummins with 104,000 miles. When should I start expecting to pay these high price repair bills. So far all I have done is change fluids and filters. They do hold a little more oil than a gasser.

Click to expand...

Thing is you fail to mention year model. My SIL, a BIL and 2 nephews have owned or currently own diesels. One nephew paid big money to replace the injectors in his. BIL sold his cheap for the same reason. The other nephew has dumped a lot of money in his. My SIL has almost 300K on his and it's been great. All of them were 2000 or newer. On top of that my SIL's brother has his near new diesel at the dealer yet again for warranty work on the engine, again. That one is a RAM. My SIL has an F350. My BIL's was a Chevy Duramax. Seems like every now and then a good one slips through but the newer ones seem to be the problem. My BIL and one nephew are driving gas trucks now.

For the OP. If you are looking in the late 80's and 90's range don't pass up on a Ford with the 460 V8. Cheap to maintain, lots of power and I know it's hard to believe not too bad of fuel mileage provided it's not geared wrong. The diesels and big block gassers provided the power and torque that allowed better gearing for mileage. Friend of mine when he bought his first new truck in the early 90's ordered it. He wanted a diesel but had never owned one. So he wanted an F250, manual and 4:10 gearing. Then spent years complaining about the mileage. One of my SILs bought a used one set up the same way. The 460 or the diesels set up the same way with gearing in the 3:55 or a bit steeper have plenty of pulling power and get decent mileage. I owned an older carb equipped 460 with a pre lockup non overdrive auto. 3:73 gearing IIRC. It would pull anything and got 13 unloaded at 75. 11 loaded heavy pulling a trailer to boot. A friend has a 96 F250, 460, E4OD tranny, fuel injected. He claims 18 unloaded. Having fuel injection and the OD tranny I can believe that.

Rick

1999 F350 7.3 SRW LBCC 6 speed manual 4x4 2007 Ram 2500 5.9 SBCC Auto 4x4

BarnyardEngineering · Jan 4, 2017

1999 F350 7.3 SRW LBCC 6 speed manual 4x4 2007 Ram 2500 5.9 SBCC Auto 4x4

The powertrain in that 99 Ford is as bulletproof as they come.

The 2007 is the last pre-emissions Cummins, worth its weight in gold especially if you keep it looking good.

Most of the problems came along with the new emissions requirements that took effect during 2007.

1206SWMO · Jan 4, 2017

My 1991 Ford F-350 dually with a 7.3 IDI and 5 speed was gutless..
12-14 MPG empty,9-11 MPG pulling an empty 25 ft gooseneck.,and
6-7 MPG pulling a loaded 25 ft gooseneck....I was often in 4th gear
as it wouldn't pull it in 5th gear..

Mashbox · Jan 4, 2017

I had a 1997 K1500 with the 6.5 turbo diesel engine. Loved the truck but it was not made for heavy hauling. I averaged 20MPG which I was happy with but the first three months I had the truck it was in the shop more than on the road. Problems with the injector pump and lift pump. I had the truck for 6 years and averaged replacing the module on the injector pump once a year. Cheaper than replacing the entire pump which is all the dealer would do.

Scott 730 · Jan 4, 2017

I would take a look for a GM with the 8.1L. I love mine.

SmokeEater2 · Jan 4, 2017

(quoted from post at 08:02:12 01/04/17)

(quoted from post at 11:41:45 01/04/17) Get a gas with fuel injection and electronic ignition. I think I'm finally gonna take the insurance off my diesel that I've had for over 25 years. They're just not necessary anymore with the improvements in gas engine technology.

Click to expand...

After 12 years and two different powerstroke diesels I just bought a brand new ford superduty with 6.2 gas for all the reasons mentioned above including emissions and reliability.

I just bought a new F250 with the 6.2 for most of the same reasons.

I don't regret it a bit because the 6.2 has more than enough power to tow any of the machinery I own and any I'm likely to buy as well.

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