I'm a rank newbie to pickups and I haven't looked at SUV's since I bought my Bronco in 1990. However, my uses are basic. No towing at all (I can tow my friends boat occasionally to blow out any carbon deposits) and a low milage used, but extremely clean, vehicle would be great.<br><br>I'm thinking about a diesel for durability, extended length of life and fuel economy. If a diesel can give me the same fuel economy and even better durability than my Bronc (15 MPG), then it only makes sense to go that way. I plan on keeping this truck as a beach buggy for a long, long time so I'm really looking for the vehicle that best meets these requirements (I'll pick up a new car in 4 or 5 years just for work).<br><br>I'm a fisherman and bird hunter. I'll be running NJ beaches with a few 10' rods inside along with crates of tackle, waders, cold weather gear and all the other assorted crap that goes along with cold weather striper fishing. I'll be putting on a front hitch to hold a cooler rack and a Yakima rod / kayak rack on the roof. For hunting, I'll be hauling the dog, dog crate, firearms and rigs for duck. Obviously a 4x4 is a must. I have two boys who (in a few more years) will be with me for most of these trips so I'll need room for 3 people along with all the gear for 3 people. We are also into kayak fishing so being able to move 3 yaks is a definate requirement. Most importantly is how it handles the sand. Depending on where you are, it can be a few hundred bucks for an offroad tow, so getting stuck is a very bad thing!<br><br>Comfort is part of the equation. I do a lot of 48 hour, weekend long fishing trips during which I survive by taking 1 and 2 hour powernaps. Space to sleep would be sweet. I'm only 5'8&quot; so I can curl up on the back seat of a Crew Cab in a pinch but this is where an SUV shines.<br><br>The last point that the truck needs to address is business. I sell industrial real estate for a living so the ability to take 3 or 4 people around in comfort is of importance (a little style doesn't hurt). If I go with a pickup, so far it seems that the only ones that fit the bill are the Ford Crew Cabs. If I go that way it'll be getting a cap to give it that SUV look (sliding windows on the truck and cap to fit the longer fishing rods when they need to be locked up). <br><br>Do you get leakage on rainy drives through the 2 open sliding windows between the cap and the cab? Or do the seals actually work?<br><br>I have a 90 Bronco that has served me well for the last 13 years. Size wise it's worked out OK but I couldn't get by with anything smaller. My Oldsmobile that I use for work is starting to get a bit ratty so I'd like to find a truck that can serve double duty. <br><br>I looked at a cherry '01 GMC Sierra 2500HD with 20,000 miles but &lt;10 MPG out of the Vortec 8100 8.1 litre engine ended that in a hurry. <br><br>Right now I'm looking at an F350 shortbed CC diesel,a 2000 Excursion 7.3 deisel with 60,000 miles (the tranny on these worries me, I've heard some bad things), an '01 gas Suburban with 18,000 miles and an F250 shortbed CC diesel. I'm trying to come in at around $30k but a bit less would be nice <br><br>Is there a Dodge, Chevy or other brand with a diesel out there that I should check out as well or am I looking at the right trucks for the job? Most importantly is how it handles the sand. It's a few hundred buck for an offroad tow, so getting stuck is a very bad thing!

 

If your getting a truck and plan to go off road your best bet is to get a 3/4 or single wheel 1 ton. Dual rear wheels will not help you when in mud or sand. <br>The Cummins diesel will last longer and get better MPG. <br>Juts my 0.02$<br>DM01

 

I think for your use, you'd be happy with a crew cab or PSD Xcursion. Yes, the automatics on a used may be an issue, but it seems the newer Ford 4R100 automatic ('99 &amp; up) has had a decent reputation coupled to the diesel. They are holding up well in ambulances compared to their predecessor E4OD. Ford's stock factory program for these transmissions is too soft in the diesel application. The shift points aren't great. Adding an aftermarket performance tuner, a new program is downloaded into the PCM, and shifting, as well as performance of the Powerstroke is much improved for a few hundred dollars. <br><br>The Cummins is a great engine, but I think for your requirements, you're going to need a roomy crew cab or the X SUV. The Powerstroke diesel is a good engine.

 

[quote author=Ruralmedic link=board=8;threadid=13341;start=0#125677 date=1049837721]<br> <br><br>The Cummins is a great engine, but I think for your requirements, you're going to need a roomy crew cab or the X SUV. The Powerstroke diesel is a good engine. <br>[/quote]<br><br>Which PS are you talking about? The 6.0 sure isn't getting off to what I would call a good start if it is indeed a 'good' engine.

 

http://forums.thedieselstop.com/ubbt...2003Drivetrain<br>the diesel stop will give you an idea as to what is happening with the 6.0<br>This is my take on the other two trucks (I am also looking to buy) The ford has historically made an excellent truck, however the 6.0 has various problems some major (no start, fuel in oil) and some minor (rough idle) and other problems in-between. This is the first year for the 6.0 and it's introduction has been less than stellar. the super duty truck also has a couple problems with brake rotors warping and front wheel bearings going bad early on the 4x4 trucks. I would wait a couple years for them to work the bugs out if you could.<br>The Duramax seams to be a good motor but it appears to need squeaky clean fuel. there are various other problems as well (transfer case trying to shift into 4 low when traveling ~ mph, faulty injectors) Here is a site to search around on the duramax...<br>http://forum.thedieselpage.com/ubb/u...=forum&amp;f=3<br>The biggest problem I have with the duramax is the (break over?) ground clearance to the frame rail. The frames are slung so low on these trucks if a guy were to get into anything rough, you would get hung up pretty fast.

 

[quote author=Ruralmedic link=board=8;threadid=13341;start=0#125677 date=1049837721] The Powerstroke diesel is a good engine. <br>[/quote]<br><br> Yes they are if you make a living working on them! They keep me buisy! <br><br>[move][glow=red, 2, 300]BUY A CUMMINS[/glow]!!![/move]

 

[quote author=cp link=board=8;threadid=13341;start=0#126629 date=1050015225]<br>[quote author=Ruralmedic link=board=8;threadid=13341;start=0#125677 date=1049837721]<br> <br><br>The Cummins is a great engine, but I think for your requirements, you're going to need a roomy crew cab or the X SUV. The Powerstroke diesel is a good engine. <br>[/quote]<br><br>Which PS are you talking about? The 6.0 sure isn't getting off to what I would call a good start if it is indeed a 'good' engine.<br>[/quote] <br><br>The 7.3L PSD. Cannot say anything bad about that engine. Unfortunately, Dodge has no offerings in a decent crewcab or CTD SUV.

 

I wouldn't knock the powerstroke to bad guys. If you watch the TV commercials, they are the most powerful diesel pickup on the planet!! That is when they run! And only against chevies! This is true, I saw the TV commercial!!

 

[quote author=Homestead link=board=8;threadid=13341;start=0#126785 date=1050033390]<br>I wouldn't knock the powerstroke to bad guys. If you watch the TV commercials, they are the most powerful diesel pickup on the planet!! That is when they run! And only against chevies! This is true, I saw the TV commercial!!<br>[/quote] <br>It's a shame Ford doesn't offer the CTD as an option. Then there'd be a decent vehicle for that great engine!

 

I had a ferd pwrstroke before this cummins. At 26,000 miles it bent 3 pushrods and hurt some valves. They warranteed this and (no crap) at 52,300 miles it did the same thing. This time it wasnt under warrnty because it was a little over 5 years. I went through alot of hassle but the dealer wouldnt cover it. My neighbor has had a bearing prob that wont go away on his 2000 ferd, and another buddy has the same year ferd and his bearings are doing the same thing. Ford said it would cost 2800 dollars to fix. Needless to say they arent real happy. As far as fuel economy, we all had crew cabs and we all got about 12 average. My cummins smokes that when pulling. As far as room, the cc on the ford is huge compared to the new dodge. If I was looking for just room and that was it, I would buy the ford. If they offered a ford with a cummins I would own it. My 1.02 cents worth.

 

My fuel mileage for my 1997 4X4CTD with 35X12.50's anda 3.55 rear is 18mpg at 90% in town and 10% highway when i have taken trips it has done as good as 25mpg on the highway at an average speed of 72mph! The fuel mileage alone is worth it on the Cummins but still dreaming of that Dodge &quot;True&quot; Crew Cab!!!! For you application I hate to say it but a ford is probably your best option i would definately go with the 7.3 over the 6.0 though and for your app i would also lean more toward the Excursion PSD (7.3L)!!

 

Guys, thanks for all the input. It looks like I'll be getting a 7.3 Excursion ;D