The biggest difference with some 1 tons is the possibility of a higher load rated axle but it depends specifically on the options provided when it was ordered by the dealer from the factory. Dually setup doubles the tire count and adds about 75% more load capacity as a result (rear tires on DRW are not at max pressure) for the wheels but the axle rating is still a limitation.
New trucks have stiffer frames, bigger brakes (including discs at all four wheels), larger differentials, and other modifications in the truck marketing wars that make 2008 by any manufacturer better than a 2005 truck by any manufacturer.
A diesel in your price range is not a good investment as it will have more than 100K miles on the engine, transmission, suspension, and other components. OK if you have an extra $5-8K available for possible repairs in the first couple years.
I would suggest you REALLY evaluate how long you plan to own the truck and how you plan to use it. Will it be a daily driver or just TC trips a couple times a year? As a daily driver the diesel might win out if you really need a big pickup, also pull trailers, haul lumber etc. If the truck is only going to see a few thousand miles a year and you commute in a Prius then a big gas motor is likely more tolerant of intermitatnt use / extended storage other than the fuel goes sour fast. Eight years ago diesel was cheaper than gas plus you got better milleage. That is no longer true so the extra MPG barely offsets the $.30 to $.50 a gallon more for diesel. If I'd had a crystal ball I would have gone with the V10 instead of the 7.3 but it would have been an even worse daily driver financialy. Of course the $$ saved by going with a gas engine would have bought a decent used Camry for everyday use. Oil changes on a diesel are 2x to 3x that for a gas engine. In fact all maintenance is way more spendy on a diesel and when they break...OUCH! The Ford 7.3, early Cummins (pre '04) are great motors but if you are not mechanically inclined they are older trucks that need some TLC. I'd only go with a "new" diesel if I could afford to trade it in every couple of years and stay in warranty coverage. The new engines are technological wonders and have incredible performance however NONE of them has enough history to know what can or will go wrong 5 years and 70,000 miles later but no matter what it will be expensive.
Having a few Fords... If you are not driving lots of long distances where the diesel will start to really prove it's worth, then I'd look for a gas. The F350 also comes stock with the overload springs and perches. Without those, your truck will sag big time. Also many F250's and even some F350's come stock without rear swaybars. Look to see if the ones you are looking at have one.
As for the Gas Diesel Debate, The new 6.2 has really been a great motor for alot of people, but I haven't heard the long-term reliability reports yet. The 5.4 has been a great motor for me, and many fleets around the country. Racking up to the 200,000 mile mark, and cheaper to maintain, but you wont win any races up the hills. But commuting empty, the 5.4 does pretty well compared to the V-10. The V-10 has alot more umph up the hills but expect around 9-13 tops mpg. With the cost of diesel getting more than gas, and the cost and complexity of maintenance of the diesels, for me, gas is the way to go. I still own my 6.0 PSD Excursion, but I keep waiting for the inevitable to happen... Hopefully I'll be one of those that has a great 6.0. but at least I'll be ready... I hope.
Good luck!
Garry in Kodiak, AK
Garry K
Wife + 4 kids
Retired Military Family.... Alway's on the move....
2002 F350 CCSB 5.4 6spd 4x4 in AK
1966 Avion C-10 Truck Camper
I've been a Ford man all my life, currently have a 92 F250 diesel and Jayco 950, had this setup for nearly 20 years.
Curently I'm looking for a 03 to 06 Dodge DRW 3500 with 5.9 diesel to replace the Ford. Ford diesel after the 7.3 are too troublesome for me. The emission systems after 06 on Dodge concern me as well. Always wanted a dually for stability and thats what I'm going to do
Bmcush wrote: I've been a Ford man all my life, currently have a 92 F250 diesel and Jayco 950, had this setup for nearly 20 years.
Curently I'm looking for a 03 to 06 Dodge DRW 3500 with 5.9 diesel to replace the Ford. Ford diesel after the 7.3 are too troublesome for me. The emission systems after 06 on Dodge concern me as well. Always wanted a dually for stability and thats what I'm going to do
Comming from someone who owns a very similar truck to what you have now, I completely agree on your choice of a Dodge 5.9 diesel dually for a newer truck.
That is the route I would gone as well, except that I needed a cab/chassis dually diesel with extended length rear frame and Dodge didn't make one in those years, so I bought another Ford, with the 7.3.
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