Considering an older diesel

Currently I have a 2013 f150 supercrew ecoboost. Been a solid truck. However, I've been towing more over the past year. Been haulin around my 21 ft nitro and takin the horses up to the mountains. The truck definitely has the power to handle all of this, but the 1/2 ton just isn't enjoyable to pull like the diesel trucks I've owned in the past. If you could go and get an older diesel that is stock, which would you look at? I've had a 2004 powerstroke and a 2011 powerstroke, both weren't pleasant experiences in the reliability department. Got a feeler out on a nice 2006 dodge 5.9 megacab with a new tranny and a clean 2006 chevy 2500 with the 6.6. Being a lifelong ford owner, I'm not super familiar with the other brands, just what I've googled. Any suggestions and/or insight would be appreciated.

Matt

If you can get past the subpar interior the 06 was the last year of the 5.9 Cummins, it's a heck of a motor and for low end grunt it's hard to beat. The 06 Chevy has a lot nicer fit and finish and the Allison is a superior tranny but the powerband on that model Duramax is a lot higher as far as how much pedal it takes to get to the grunt. Just my I'm sure you will get a lot of feedback here.

Duke is right that the interior on the Cummins is just awful in those years.

My dad had a 2005 Duramax. Drove it for years. Left him in limp mode one time, fairly early on (couple years in). He called me and asked me what I thought. I googled it and my first question was, "When was the last time you changed the fuel filter?" He replied, "What fuel filter?"

Replaced the fuel filter and never had any other issues with the truck. I think in general, looking at the truck as an entire package, the Chevy is going to be better in suspension/steering/interior comforts/transmission and even though the Cummins might pull slightly better than the Duramax and get better mpg, the difference is much smaller than the combined difference of those other areas where Chevy has Ram beat. Either could have issues - these trucks are nearly 20 years old, but I'd take the Chevy first.

What is it that you dont like about how the 1/2 ton tows?

The ecoboost has more than enough power on tap for what your doing. The 3/4 ton + trucks your are looking at are going to have a worse ride and likely "feel slow" compared to your current truck. Personally the devil you know is better than the one you dont. I would add some rear air bags and E range tires on your current rig and be done for a lot less cash.

The transmissions on most any of them will be a significant step back from what your probably use to, especially the dodge. They arent bad transmissions, but they are nowhere near as refined as newer ones and a four speed is lacking. I am a huge cummins fan, for what your looking at I would go with a cummins over any of the others even if i had to sit on a milk crate in the drivers seat, but that is just me. If you plan on working on it yourself the cummins will be much easier have much more aftermarket support and availability.

We had a 2004 Duramax, great truck ran well and we put it through some towing paces, but it had more creaks and rattles and all the paint came off the dash buttons the dash lights went on/of and the vent actuators in the dash etc. had a complete mind of their own. Dont think they are without issues. It was a very good reliable truck for a long time though.

look at the new ford 3/4 ton gasser.

the dodge/cummins is the better of the 2 you listed and can be tuned pretty easy for more power and better mileage.

The Aisin tranny in the 08 Dodge I had was reliable and would pull a house down. My understanding is that the Aisin was built with less restrictive clearances than the Allison or Ford Tranny. I’d still be driving the Dodge if Chrysler knew how to put reliable AC units in the big trucks. I loved my 3/4 ton Dodge, but you have to have reliable AC in Texas. I had it to multiple shops including Duelers and specialty shops. Every time I got it back it was pronounced fixed forever and not once was it fixed for over a month. Loved the truck, hated the AC.

Had same problem, It was never "fixed" but I discovered what a cabin air filter was and how to change them FREQUENTLY.

I would have to agree with redchevy. I currently own a 2005 durmax that I purchased in 05, and I love this truck. It has the 8ft box and sometimes I think I have too much truck but it's paid for and that box comes in handy more than I realize. Yes my button lights are out, but I quickly got over it knowing that I will not have a house note. My 05 now has a touch screen system that I installed. Now, if you really need another trk, both are good choice's but I would pay someone to look over the engine and tranny, these are the heart and soul of any vehicle. I like the 06 chevy due to the 6 speed tranny, and those Allison's are beast.

I've owned all 3. Overall, I still miss my 06 LBZ Duramax, Allisons are great on stock trucks, 04 Dodge 5.9 with 6 speed manual, pulled very nice, but interior plastics quickly fell apart. If you can afford to bulletproof a 6.0 Ford the right way, they can be fantastic. But, it needs to be done all the way.

Call me crazy, but I just pulled the trigger an on crazy clean 1999 F350 with the 7.3L Powerstroke. It's likely overkill for most everything I have now, but should be able to tow anything i want in the future. The ride isn't as bad as I thought it would be.

either the 5.9 cummins or the 7.3 ford are the most bullet proof from the factory, both have tons of aftermarket available.

next would be the 6.7 cummins for a boat puller, still aftermarket available to make it better.

then, all the rest.