Which diesel-powered, one-ton, 4x4 truck would you get?

Hell, I never even seen this....but I will reply.

Moving to MacBook

 

I'm not brand loyal, and looked at all three big diesel trucks. However, my love may have really fought me on buying a Ram, since my last two were complete ass.

This is what I was looking for:

Reliability, comfort, and towing superiority.

Motors:

I personally look at overall cost:
-Are injectors are interchangeable or specific?

-Regeneration process. How does the DPF filter get cleaned?


Drivetrain:

Transmissions: How easy are they to service? Replacement cost?

Steering and axle assemblies- I don't want to be swapping out parts at 20K miles, or even every 30-60K. My buddies 16' F-350 has had the complete steering system replaced at 20K miles, then again my other friend with a 2011 F-250 has over 100k miles with only a power steering pump replacement. My Dodges/Rams was always the 10 to 2 steering (think of a clock) and needed replacement/ mods often. The cummins motor is just heavy and hard on front ends (ball joints, control arms, steering).
GM-The idler arm system is not without issues. Around 100-120K on mine, I will to the Kryptonite steering on my GMC.

Axle- I have always liked the rear AAM axles. These are just tough, long lasting beasts. Ram/GM uses them. Not a huge fan of the Sterling axles due to heat (I'm sure everyone has seen the paint burnt off a HD Ford in any generation). Front Dana axles have been great performers for a long time.

Wheels/tires- I like the fact that GM has 265/75/18 tires in one ton SRW, no other option.. These are cheap in comparison to a set of 20's offered on other manufactures in the one ton flavor. GM also doesn't do TPMS systems on trucks with GVWR of 11K lbs or more. I love that!

Comfort- I would say Ford and Ram have that. GM really needs some different shock valving for sure. GM's with the Z71 package really ride rough. Test driving one without the Z71 package is night and day difference.

4wd systems-lockers, limited slips, locking differential?

In the end, people buy what they personally like for their personal needs.

 

Lifetime drivetrain warranties were never an option on the diesel powered HD trucks.

 

The G56 transmission has the derated diesel as well. Can't handle the power output.

 

The 5th wheel prep package, look into that and how the ball/cleats are stored. You may not like that.

I opted out of the 5th wheel/GN prep package due to that and will go Curt or B&W for those needs.

 

One more thing I did, and I advise anyone that is even considering a diesel to do these things:

- Is the diesel a want or need? Mine was a want. I could have easily purchased a gas powered truck to haul any of my loads. My truck sits in the garage usually unless Jeeping, Dirtbikes, or Camper. Camper will be sold, Dirtbike will most likely turn into a ATV. All these could have been handled by a 3/4 ton gas. If the Jeep went away, I would seriously look at a new Pro.
- Can I afford the repairs when they come? Injector cost x 6/8, DPF and exhaust components, head gaskets (especially on DD that go short distances) and head studs (400.00). These are the big ticket items. Todays auto transmissions are pretty damn good. I have a buddy with an 06 DM that tows RV's for a living, his first motor rebuild was 640K miles. He is at 748K miles now. The transmission has a shift kit, and a LML (2016 converter) and in the last few months upgraded to a Suncoast converter. Same internals.


This is also what made me really think about what I was buying. I went to a few independent diesel repair facilities in my city (7) and asked what diesel trucks they seen the most, and then looked at the lot full of trucks. Pretty interesting what conclusion I came to.

There is no "best truck" scenario in my opinion. I opted out of Ram due to my past experiences, online reviews and ratings, and the divorce I was certain to get. I still have a couple buddies with Ram 3500 diesels. One has a landscaping business and has had 4 DEF low quality issues, and Ram will not cover it unless he buys the DEF fluid from them. Total BS. The GM service department in Montana kind of hinted to this to see if I was a green horn. I politely told them I will not buy the dealerships 25.00 per gallon fairy dust DEF fluid when I can buy the same ISO certified fluid for a fraction of that cost. They STFU. My dealerships here in Colorado have been really outstanding to work with. Ram dealerships in my city just make me wanna go postal. I never had good experiences with them.

If my good friend with the 16' F-350 would not have needed to pull the motor apart at 15K miles, and the front end being replaced at 20K miles due to death wobble, I may have had a 16' F-350 Lariat Plus long box squeezed in my garage (only LB HD truck I like). One of my other Jeeping buddies with a 15' F-250 had the same issues at 11k miles and sold it for an EB F-150. So I opted out of the Ford. I really like them though...and that sucked. I just wasn't going to make a $55K dollar mistake. My buddy with the 16' F-350 is a multi-millionaire and can afford to upgrade at 50K miles all the time. Unfortunately, I don't have his FU money. Phil Long Ford in my city sucks to work with, and the service department makes me wanna puke from what my friend with the 2011 F-250 has said (all service has been done at the dealership since new). I have heard the new 2017 and newer F-250/350 diesel trucks are a lot better.

In the end, I paid more for my GMC than the Ford by 5000.00. I also haven't been on the side of the road or death wobble yet either at 27K miles, unlike my friends with half of the mileage. It's even embarrassing to brag about not having issues at 27K miles on a truck that cost this much. Pathetic at best.

@computeruser6, I know this was just a interest driven thread, but I really think your last thread on the topic of 1 tons is where you want to be, unless you plan on towing a lot or heavy weight.

 

(This is not directed at you, but the comment I hear all the time.)
This was another factor in my decision making. I grew tired of “just delete it” and be happy mentality. Police are cracking down on emissions and exhaust mods. Rolling Coal in my city can get you a 300.00 fine, and they are handed out like cookies to kids (same with the tuner crowd with coffee can exhausts). Spending the amount on current diesels just to spend another 3500+ to make it run right makes no sense to me.
Personally, I like not rolling coal or any smoke coming from my exhaust. Having a quiet, drone free truck is nice.

I agree, a diesel is just not worth the extra cost for him.

 

Not much difference in trucks (3/4 vs 1 ton).

The fuel filter is a PITA!!

I went and did the fender well cut out and billet vent plug and put the plastic one in the glove box. Takes about 1 beer to change out now.

Another thing your fleet department might look at is the billet water in fuel sensor. The plastic ones are a known failure point due to cross threading when installing. That will leave you on the side of the road.

https://www.merchant-automotive.com/10051-MA-WIF-Plug-Black-2001.aspx

 

Add Colorado to that list as well.

 

You do that shit around here, 300.00, a court date, and maybe an impound fee is coming your way.

Even when I had 500+hp and ~1000 #ft of torque, mine wasn’t real bad. That’s just overfueling, totally screwing your turbine, and wasting money out the pipe.

Road cyclists around here have had it. They have way to many cameras and are willing to go to court and hook you up.

Some of these diesel douchebags just don’t realize what’s coming around the corner with emissions.

 

Well....

Ah hell im not going to get into that conversation.

I know better.

 

Today in fact.