Looking to buy a used diesel truck. GM not an option. Years 2003 to 2008. Ford F250 or Dodge 2500. 4 door. What too look for. Problems. Engine reliability.

Looked at a nice local Ford Larami but odometer is at 291000. It is a local one owner.

Well in that year range for Ford you are looking at the problematic 6.0L Powerstroke. If it has had all the common issues addressed it might be worth it otherwise it is not worth the risk. Cummins in that year range is good in my experience.

Steer clear of 2008 dodge. First year of the 6.7 Cummins. Lots of issues I know, I have one

If you can afford to bulletproof the 6.0 I'd go ford if not, I'd go dodge

Early 2003 still had a 7.3. Can’t go wrong with a 7.3.

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Any 5.9 cummins Manual would be the way to go , don’t buy an auto trans dodge through those years unless there is paperwork on a built auto trans , factory auto trans are weaker than shit . Other than. That cummins is bullet proof minus the 1st yr 6.7 stayed above , if you can afford it go 4th gen cummins , 2010 Abd up .....

Ford , 7.3 is your best bet but o do have buddies that are diesel mechanics and they swear by a bullet proof 6.0 being most reliable truck (once bulletproofed) . And stay away from the 6.4 powerstroke , first year was 2008-2010. Those are a night mare , you have to pull the cab from the frame for damn near every issues they cause . Notorious for head stud issues , rear main seals and massive amount of blow by

The 04.5 to 07 Cummins is the truck to get, and as stated, with a manual 6 speed.

If they put that drivetrain in a Ford, it'd be one hell of a good truck.

I've a 99 4x4 Cummins with a manual, and it's a great drive train. The rest of the truck is a POS.

300k on the odometer wouldn't scare me away if everything was squared away.

Price range?

I work on 6.0's. Simple engine, good HP for money, love them.
That being said, maintenance of them by backyard hacks, jiffy lube and the like, short cold trips, idling, using aftermarket parts and abuse gave it a bad rep.
Religious service with oem parts, keeping temps and boost down(no tuner), fixing something before it affects other components will make it a 400k motor. Been there, doing that, every day.
7.3's are hardy engines, but for HP to money spent, 6.0 will beat them.
To bad GM is out of your choice. If you can find a early 6.6, before the fuel injection on exhaust stroke or ninth injector, those are damned good engines with gobs of torque. Albeit the water pump, some hoses, radiator and tensioners are problematic.

Correct me if Im wrong here gurus, but dont the big boy trucks switch power plants at half years? It is my understanding 06 is the last FULL year of the 5.9, as 07-1/2 on went to the 6.7L.

Finding a 5.9 in the 04-07 range with a manual is unicorn truck. if you find it, you will pay, and pay dearly. 04 they supposedly "fixed" their tranny issues. However, as an owner of an 06, I still watch mine like a hawk and take care to not abuse it. It should last my lifetime if I do my part.

Bought a 04 Ford f250 s lariat crew cab new. Paid 42k what did I get? The biggest pos. I have ever owned. Only had it for 45k miles in that time I went through 3 EGR valves almost got me stuck half way up hurricane ridge. 1 time I limped into a campsight with it bucking and picking black smoke every where. Also almost got me killed when I pulled out to take a right and it basicly just died. A semi coming right at me.
So as much as I liked the size of it I traded it in in 07 for a tundra will never go back to Ford. Oh and that doesn't include all the recalls I had to deal with. If I had waited 1 more year to trade it I would of lost another 10k sorry for the rant just trying to let you know my experience with mine.

That year range makes the Cummins the easy choice. Too bad it's wrapped in a Dodge. Why no GM?

The Dodge has the best engine, but their transmission stinks. Going to go look at a Ford f350 tomorrow, 2004. Will check to see if it has been bulletproofed or not. Bot a carfax on it, but no mention of this repair. Most of the Dodges I have looked at fall into two camps, low milage pristine for stupid money, and high milage, chipped smoke rollers for stupid money.

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