Hello everyone,
I'm searching for a truck to use not as a work vehicle but as a "toy" - the same way you'd use a commuter sedan or a small SUV.
I'm not from the US so trucks are somewhat uncommon and I do not have much experience with them, most of my experience is with passenger cars, panel vans and station wagons.
I do not need an extraordinary towing capacity and neither am I expecting flawless reliability or longevity, all I need is for it be decent and not cause too many issues. the most work I plan to do is carrying carpenter supplies or maybe very rarely towing a small trailer (like I've been doing for years with my 1.6L Focus) and less then 5k miles a year overall.
(I'm outside of the US so prices may not match what they're in the US)
For my budget my primary options are:
- 2012 - Chevrolet Silverado 2500 - 6.6L AWD LT - 60k miles - $20K
- 2016 - Chevrolet Silverado 2500 - 6.6L FWD LTZ- 100k miles - $25K
Alternatively I'm considering:
- 2015 - Ford F350 - 6.7L AWD Lariant - 110k miles - $23k
Mitsubishi Triton, Isuzu D-Max and the Toyota Hilux are either too small or cost more then I'd like to spend. I'm personally feeling like a chevy might be the better choice although I herd and saw a lot of terrible GM quality over the years.
What should I look for in these trucks, what are the common issues, and how much do these trucks last before starting to need major repairs?
Any information will be appreciated
EDIT: forgot about the Dodge RAM 3500.
The biggest and cheapest truck option seems to be the Cummins powered ~2015 era RAM 3500. I see ones with around 50k-80k miles available for under $20k.
Should they be considered or are FCA trucks are actually that bad?
Adding @USAFdozerpilot to the discussion
If you're using the truck as a commuter, I'm not sure why you're only considering only 3/4 and 1 ton trucks.
From the list you've given I would do the F-250 6.7. Great motors, and the Lariat trim level is very nice. The 6.6 duramax is a great motor too, but the 6.7 has noticeably more power. You didn't specify anything about bed lengths, cab types, etc. So if you have your heart set on a 3/4 ton, get one of the ones you listed minus the RAM after getting it inspected by a diesel mechanic.
Hi! Personally and I think uncle Scotty would suggest too, that you'd better stick with a Toyota, Hilux, Surf, Tacomas, Tundras and different ones on different countries. Versus the Chevys.
The only Toyota truck available where I live is the Hilux and a decent one costs almost twice what the Chevy does while it sadly has a only puny 2L diesel that doesn't even make much more power then my current commuter...
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I don't think it's really worth going for a much smaller and a much more expensive truck? or has Ford/Ram/GM reliability has gotten so low that it might be worth it? 👀
I see, if that's the case, you're better off with older Fords. Old and used Ram and GM's not really worth it. Unless with a low milleage. Or even so sometimes.
Thanks that's great to know,
what's the max millage you'd suggest is too much for a Ford or a RAM/GM truck?
(Where I live the GM DuraMax is a very popular engine so servicing / fixing it might be easier)
No problem! Hopefully you get a great one for you soon!
100,000kms to 150,000kms is pretty risky, unless if it's well maintained but still risky. Anything less than 100k kms would have lot of years left to it.
Front-wheel-drive Silverado ??
I've never heard of AWD either.
I've only ever seen RWD/2WD, and 4WD
I think OP got them mixed up. Those body on frame trucks he listed only came with RWD or 4WD.
Yep I’ve meant to write RWD, sorry.
The Cummins RAM are also AWD, I’m really unsure about what mileage is too high for each to these…
I think the 2012 sounds like a good bet
If it’s a commuter I’d buy a mid size and avoid full size altogether. Toyota Tacoma or Hilux depends on where you live. Ford ranger, again, also depends on where you live. Unless you have the money for it and absolutely want it I’d avoid a full size gas and especially a diesel.
Sadly where I live, all of the reasonably priced options are full-size trucks (usually it's a 6.6 or a 6.7 turbo diesel... a puny 2.0L Hilux making the same power then my 1.6L Focus would cost me almost twice as much as a full-size truck).
I'm aware that their fuel efficiency is poor, and that insurance and maintenance is pricey - but that's not an issue for me.
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Do you have information about on what mileages do Chevy 2500 (6.6 DuraMax V8) fall apart compared to RAM 3500 (6.7 Cummins I6) and F-350 (6.4 / 6.7 Power stroke V8)?
@dan I’d avoid the GM product completely, the 6.7 Cummins is the best diesel made right now, I have family and plenty of friends with up to 550k mi or more it’s just the crap wrapped around it you’ll have to replace because it’s very cheap. However the 6.7 Powerstroke is a great motor, only downfall is the 10 speed transmission it’s paired up to.
@USAFdozerpilot
Thanks for the information 🙂
The powerstroke I’ve been looking at seems to be paired with a 6 speed “TorqueShift” transmission. Are those a better choice?
Also, do you think that the cheap components on a Ram will fall apart before 125k miles or 10 years of age?
(The Ram uses either an Aisin-Warner (although these are hard to find not on chassis cubs), or a Chrysler transmission - I’m not sure which one is better as in other commercial vehicles both Aisin and BorgWarner have very mediocre reputation)
@dan yes, the 6R80 6 speed transmissions are great I have one in my 15 F150 5.0 and I have no complaints so far. They are modeled after a ZF design which is one of the best auto transmission manufacturers out there. Don’t be surprised if components start failing in 2-5 yrs with RAM. Yes true, out of the 2 I’d say the Asin is better in my opinion, the Chrysler 68RFE is prone to overheating although if it’s only a commuter for most of its life it may do ok. Just keep up on fluid/ filter changes. With any truck I always recommend getting the base trim level unless you can afford those bells and whistle repairs.
@USAFdozerpilot
Having worked on 9ZF on Fiats, and Easy’R on Renault (based on the ZF-VAZ 2182) and that ZF CFT23 CVT they had back in the old focus… I’m not sure if I’d define them as a good manufacturer as my experience with their products have been not positive 👀
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Sounds great, I hope that the 6R140 is as good as the 6R80 👀😄
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Thank you so much for this information! 😁
@dan The ZFs Used in trucks I’ve been very impressed with. Even the 8HP that RAM uses has proven to be a great transmission. I’m not involved with cars to much since trucks have been what I’ve driven and worked on the majority of my life. No problem, good luck to you 👍
The only truck I would buy is a Cummins RAM.
thank you for the response 🙂
How long does one usually go before needing major repairs?
Cummins engines can run forever 500k miles+
Any truck can be good as long as you keep up with maintenance but if you hate constantly service your own vehicle and or spending the money to do the maintenance then stay away from diesel trucks.
If I was looking for a weekend toy, I'd seriously look for something from the 50's to early 60's. Down here in Florida I've seen a LOT of 50 ish Fords,Studebaker,Chevy's, GMC's and even an International/ All of them were sharper looking than a newer whatever.
Imagine this:
No smog controls
No PCV or EGR valve to go cafluky
No computer anything!
No expensive cat to replace!
Fix it up the way YOU want it and have fun
