How Old A Used 3/4 or 1 Ton Diesel Pick Up Would You Buy

[jonp]

The thread on buying a truck got me thinking of this as I'm looking around. Found one several years old with 150,000 on it but it is pre Def.

[rancher1913]

i would not own one of the def models. i am restoring a 78 chevy from the ground up, will have a brand new old truck. still have my 2000 f350 with 140k on it. have a 87 chevy with a 454 to restore next

[Handloader109]

Had a f250, sold it with right at 200k miles, no issues, 97 model powerstroke turbo. My brother has a 95 I think, pre turbo and he uses it a good bit. No rust on body, engine runs, should be no problem. With the turbo you have a bit more maintenance

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[Nobade]

I have a 1988 GMC with the 6.2 in it. Not the most powerful but super simple and easy to keep it going. I wouldn't touch any of the new DEF trucks unless I had the money to get rid of all that.

[HWooldridge]

My son does a lot of heavy hauling (mostly cattle) and he always preferred a Dodge 12v or 24v before DEF. He is currently driving a company truck which is a Ford 2019, with DEF. It is a great puller and runs down the road faster than you’d want to go but I doubt he could afford diesel and DEF if the company weren’t paying for it.

I have a 1997 F250 Super Duty with the old 460 v8 and it will do most anything a diesel will, except I pay through the nose for gasoline. Best I can hope for is 12 mpg with no load and it goes down from there but it’s reliable.

[ascast]

what is DEF ? Currently driving a 99 GMC, have a 88 that wont start, Much preferred my "84 Chevy with NO electronic baloney.

[HWooldridge]

what is DEF ? Currently driving a 99 GMC, have a 88 that wont start, Much preferred my "84 Chevy with NO electronic baloney.

Diesel Exhaust Fluid - the newer diesel engines won’t run without it. I think it’s high urea content, which makes combustion hotter and burns up more emissions.

[Hannibal]

Mid 90s is about as old a truck as I personally will consider. I prefer fuel injection on gas engines and turbos on diesels and I find the road noise too high and the ride quality too low on anything older than that. Yes, it is very difficult to find something that old that isn't high mileage and beaten to death and an extensive servicing including changing all fluids in everything along with resealing the air conditioning is a necessity. More trouble than most are willing to go through.

[GregLaROCHE]

I bought a F150 used in the mid eighties. Dove it to over 300K. My son still uses it sometimes to go to the dump. Six cylinder 300 CID. Only problem I can remember is it had that dieseling problem often when you turned it off. Can’t give any advice on trucks, everything has changed so much but before I would have always recommend a six cylinder Ford. You couldn’t kill those things.

[scattershot]

I just sold a 2000 F 250 Superduty with the 7.3 L engine. 135K miles on the clock, and still ran strong. If you can find a 7.3, jump on it. It’s probably the best engine Ford ever put in a truck. Try to avoid early 2000s. Ford was experimenting with engines then, and they were all pretty much problematic.

[HWooldridge]

I missed a really clean Dodge a few years ago. It was a ‘92 12v, 2wd regular cab, long bed. An older man had bought it new and not driven it much - he passed away and his son put it out there for $4000. I think it had about 60k miles. Somebody snapped it up a few days after the listing - you snooze, you lose…

[rbuck351]

About 7 years ago I bought a 98 3500 Dodge Cummins dually with 160,000 miles for $7000. It came with a Fisher plow, an Edge programmer, a guage package, a built tranny , fifth wheel hitch and 4" exhaust. It was a mechanic special as it had tranny issues. The tranny issue turned out to be a ten cent resister needed as part of the tranny build. It gets around 17mpg empty and 13-14 mpg pulling a 10,000lb trailer.

I like the truck but had I not been able to fix it's issues myself, I would not get an older diesel. It now has about 220,000 miles and I have had to replace the torque converter and the injection pump at about $1,000 each.

[jimlj]

My experience with MY older diesel pickups............
I had a 79 F250 that I installed a 12 valve Cummins engine. I loved the truck, but was getting tired of the noise. I had a nice radio that I never listened to because the truck was so noisy. The diesel engine made plenty of noise, but wind and road noise, added to the engine noise made it less than pleasant to drive long distance. All new weather strip and gaskets helped but it was still noisy. I had a '99 F250 Powerstroke diesel that was far better on the wind/road noise, but you could still hear the engine. A 2012 Dodge truck I had was a lot quieter on engine and road noise. My '79 had about 300K miles, both of the others had 250K plus miles when i sold them. The most serious engine problem was a water pump on my '79.

So back to the op's question, how old of a truck would you buy? I'd look for pre def, and a tolerable noise level long before I worried about age or mileage. PS, I don't live in the rust belt so that is not a major concern for me.

[Dio]

I bought a F250 just before the covid pandemic, it's a 2005, had less than 100,000 miles on it.
Good farm truck

[brass410]

I wouldnt buy a diesel for my purposes, but if I did need a truck I wouldnt consider the age as much as the condition theres a lot of really old trucks still running around with very low mileage on them In fact there's a 1961 Fargo (no thats not a typo) sitting here for a service with 42670 miles on it an the body is solid. The wooden side rack is a little shakey but its in really good shape mechanicaly and body wise as well. Guy just bought it for 2500.00 bucks.Oh yeah its a 1ton dually with gasser eng runs like a top.

[Budzilla 19]

3 Dodges in the yard, ‘18,02,97. 02 is a built hot rod, 97 is a work truck, still runs and drives, 18 is my retirement rig. Soon as warranty is up on the 18, it gets deleted. Do my own work for service, and never had an oil or fuel related problem. Old ones, especially the dodges, will need a trans overhaul if they been mistreated, but other than that, not much else is too difficult to do in a diy situation. Every problem on the older diesels has a solution for it. The 18 is my last new diesel. Period.

Do your research, and use common sense, you’ll make the right decision. Old trucks? I’ll buy em.

[danmat]

I have a 96 Dodge Cummins 250,000 miles original auto trans, has a front seal leak on tranny, only problem.
Have a 2006 Ford 150 hast the small v8, 4.6 think, 296,000 miles was my work truck, mostly hwy miles, still runs great.
Wife’s truck is a 2015 Ram with the 5.7 Hemi 106.000 mi. my favorite truck so far, 21mpg hwy unloaded 395 hp 392 posi rear end.
I am ocd about my vehicle maintenance, do my own, that’s the key to finding a good used one.
Like someone posted Ford 7.3 diesel if you can find a nice one.
They bring a hefty premium around here.

[MT Gianni]

I sold a 2015 gas Ram 1500 and bought a new Chevy Traverse. I replaced the truck with an 07 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9. It is only to pull with and do truck stuff.

Figure out why you need a truck and what you need it for. A diesel should not be your daily driver unless you are pulling a load consistently.

[john.k]

What I cant understand is millenials paying huge sums for old trucks (like $30k) ,same as I drove for work in the 1960s and 70s.......I always had an International 2 tonner that I put a Perkins diesel in soon as I got it.....I never paid more than $500 at the Governmnet Auctions for the truck .........even 50 years ago the things were so thirsty they would send you broke if you had to drive long distances ........bench seats and solid backs that would wear the back out of every shirt you had...........i dont want to ever drive one again.

[ebb]

Once you get past a few years old you buy on condition only, the year means nothing if you are going to drive it till the wheels fall off.

[Hannibal]

I've never appreciated the value of any kind of vehicle the way most people do. To me a vehicle is simply a method of travel or a tool to perform a task. I don't consider them an extension of my personality nor any type of contributor to my self worth, self esteem or rank in society. They are money pits and honestly if there was a way to do without one where I live I'd prefer to never own one. I want whatever fits my needs best for the lowest price including insurance and taxes and that requires minimal maintenance costs.

I am not a materialistic person. Possessions are a burdon to me so I own as few things as possible that aren't wealth investments that historically increase in value. Vehicles do not meet that criteria for me.

[dkonrai]

I daily drive, either my 2002, f250, 7.3 long bed, ext cab, auto all original at 235k.
Or, 99 d2500, short bed, ext cab, auto, now 108k.
I love both. But the f250 tows better. Cummins I get better mpg.
Both do the job well. Tow either a 12 foot utility with 3000 lb lift, or, the 20 foot travel at 6000.

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[Dave W.]

Personally I like the Dodge Cummins common rail , early to mid 2000's. They were fairly quiet, had good power and made decent mileage.
The Cummis 12 & 24 valve engines were good but a little noisy.
The Ford 7.3L diesels were good, but noisy, stay away from the 6.0L diesels.
Not a big fan of the Chevy Duramax's. Never saw one go over 200,000 miles.

[beechbum444]

The first 7.3 powerstroke had almost 300,000 miles on it. The one i have now has 176,00 on it. If the oil is changed every 5,000 miles and injectors are changed every 200,00 miles with glow plugs , the engine will go 500,000 miles if not more, Transmissions are weak. They might go 150,000 to 200,000 miles. dont forget to change the fuel filter every 15,000 miles. A used 7.3 for 10-15 thousand dollars is a hidden gem. The 6.0s if the have new head bolts put on them are ok, but not a 7.3 liter

[Ed K]

Bought a '95 Dodge 2500 Cummins 12V 2WD manual trans at around 100K about 10 years back and got laughed at by most I know. Still running great at near 200K and still hear from a few that I "wasted" $6K on such an old truck. :roll:

[Soundguy]

Run from a Ford 6.0psd... But do get a 7.3psd. Won't win a speed race..but they last. I have a good running 99 odd f350. Just sold a 99 7.3psd f450.

[Jsm180]

I bought a 2003 6.0 F250 4wd crew Lariat in 2012 for $13.5k, spent about $2k fixing the issues. It has enough bells and whistles to be comfortable and still reliable, has 225k miles now and I wouldn't hesitate buying another if it was well maintained and not molested. I do all my own maintenance.

[William Yanda]

Bought a '95 Dodge 2500 Cummins 12V 2WD manual trans at around 100K about 10 years back and got laughed at by most I know. Still running great at near 200K and still hear from a few that I "wasted" $6K on such an old truck. :roll:

$6k for a truck still running after 10 years sounds like a good deal to me.

[Loudenboomer]

I've owned a bunch of Cummins Turbo diesels over the last 30 years. 92 - 2000 - 2006 - 2012- and just purchased a 2022 model. All were sold with aprox 200,000 miles all were good.
The 92 was a bit of a slug.
The 06 was about the apex of the 5.9.
When I first purchased the 12 I was disappointed in the 6.7 until my son and I deleted everything and chipped it. Unbelievable. 5 more miles per gallon, about 500 HP and 1000 ft TQ. It really woke up. That route is highly recommended.
I've only got 1,600 miles on the 22 but so far so good.

[openbook]

I have an early 90s Toyota pickup with nearly 230k. I bought it with 162k for under $4000. Have done all fluids, replaced suspension, starter, rebuilt brakes, replaced hubs, changed out alternator (twice), timing belt and water pump (also twice), and will keep fixing it and driving it for a long time. It was my daily for four years. I'd buy an older one with a carburetor if the right one came along at the right time.

[jonp]

I have an early 90s Toyota pickup with nearly 230k. I bought it with 162k for under $4000. Have done all fluids, replaced suspension, starter, rebuilt brakes, replaced hubs, changed out alternator (twice), timing belt and water pump (also twice), and will keep fixing it and driving it for a long time. It was my daily for four years. I'd buy an older one with a carburetor if the right one came along at the right time.

Is that a diesel? My uncle bought a Chevy Luv in the 70's I think and I swear it did not burn gas. Had a Tacoma and it was bulletproof. That 22R engine was the best 4 cylinder ever made IMHO.

[Hick]

We have a '96 F250 power stroke pickup-- running strong at only 150k miles. One of my sons went to school and trained to be a diesel mechanic-- and told me that the engines should go well over 200k miles. As a matter of fact-- he also told me that the school taught the students that when rebuilding it was even ok if there were cracks in the cylinder wall as long as they weren't over 1/8 inch.

[openbook]

Is that a diesel? My uncle bought a Chevy Luv in the 70's I think and I swear it did not burn gas. Had a Tacoma and it was bulletproof. That 22R engine was the best 4 cylinder ever made IMHO.

No--the diesels are highly sought-after but they were made, AFAIK, only in Europe. They're really rare over here and tend to sell for collector prices. Mine is the 3.0 L V6. They're not as rugged as the legendary 22RE (4cyl) but they're still miles ahead of the rest of the competition.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

American made truck?
for an every day driver?
I'd want one with fuel injection, instead of a carb.
...AND I'd want one 1996 or newer,
because it will have OBD II, making it easier to troubleshoot when problems arise

[fixit]

I'm one who will drive the wheels off a vehicle, thus the family minivan with 230k, and my pickup with a mere 141k. I plan to go 300k with both of them, but I don't do any really heavy towing or hauling.......half ton on the truck, and so far no more than 2 tons trailering. I maintain well and drive gently, so they should make it. That said, I generally agree that I would want something older, no Def, probably a 7.3 power stroke. If you take care of them, they'll take care of you!

[Soundguy]

For sure on those 7.3 power strokes. I run synthetic 5w40. Those engines will do 500k. I did an oil sample on my 99 f350 with near 300k on her and all factory internals and no wear metals showing yet...

[jonp]

Ok, 7.3 is in the house! Almost pulled the trigger on one earlier with a different engine but was warned off

[jonp]

I've never appreciated the value of any kind of vehicle the way most people do. To me a vehicle is simply a method of travel or a tool to perform a task. I don't consider them an extension of my personality nor any type of contributor to my self worth, self esteem or rank in society. They are money pits and honestly if there was a way to do without one where I live I'd prefer to never own one. I want whatever fits my needs best for the lowest price including insurance and taxes and that requires minimal maintenance costs.

I am not a materialistic person. Possessions are a burdon to me so I own as few things as possible that aren't wealth investments that historically increase in value. Vehicles do not meet that criteria for me.

Me neither. Boat motor, ski doo or car they have always been a point A to point B to me. Does it run is my primary concern.
$20,000 boat motor may get you to the fishing hole faster than my 6hp Johnson but so what? The 12hp Rotax Bombadier was a reliable ski doo and when it got stuck I could lift it by myself unlike that 700 FireCat that blew the doors off everything but threw my back out on top of a mountain one -30 Midnight in January. My grandmother swore by the 10hp. The 22r Tacoma wouldnt win any races but it would not stop till the body rusted off which it did

[john.k]

I drove an IH 1300 truck for many years as a service mechanic.........sometimes I would go out to a job,back to get stuff,back to job all in one day..........tank of diesel every 2 days.........not a nice vehicle to drive.....dunno if it wore me out,or I wore it out.........millenials are now paying huge sums for these IH trucks .........I dont ever want to drive one again .........but then,If you never drove a truck for work,why would you want to get a big truck and drive it about empty?

[.429&H110]

We have a Ford Model A in the extended family that runs fine,
it's a great old truck, easy to work on, decent gas mileage.
Just too bad that Ford hadn't invented brakes yet.

[.45Cole]

Are you a Ford, Dodge, Chevy guy? I'm a Ford guy and if you can wrench on it you can keep it running if you buy late 90's to early 2000's Ford and Dodge. I love my 7.3 6spd dually, and I'd buy a 6.0 in a heartbeat (05-07 and not modded, esp chipped). The 6.0's real downside is when they are prodded with more power (chip, more power mods) other than opening up intake and exhaust. If you look at the power and economy, the 6.0 wins hands down, but the egr system needed to pass emissions really weighs on the truck's longevity. FICM voltage kills the injectors if not monitored. The 7.3's had a weak 4R100 auto tranny, the 6.0 has a great 5r110. Can't go wrong with the 6spd ZF650 handshaker, but you'll have shifted 5x times by the time you're doing 50!

My 7.3 SD is at 290k and pulls strong (admittedly needs injectors and plugs). The 24v 5.9 cummins is great, not a huge fan of the interior space and the paint falls off, but they are solid trucks. That noisy high idle really identifies them but you get used to it, the large turbo really pulls when it's spooled.

I don't know much about the duramaxs out there, apparently the Alison trannys are the best autos out there.