Thinking about getting my first personal diesel truck… should I?

I’m considering buying my first personal diesel truck and wanted to see what you all think. I’ve worked with trucks for years but never owned a diesel for personal use. I’m looking for something that can handle farm work, hauling heavy loads, and occasional construction equipment. Here’s what I’ve got so far:

  • I work on a farm and frequently haul heavy loads.
  • I’ve been using a Colorado, but it’s not cutting it for the work I do.
  • I’ve rebuilt trucks before and can do most of the maintenance myself.

Would love to hear any advice, recommendations, or personal experiences with diesel trucks. Let me know what you think!



If you’re using it for farm work and heavy hauling, a diesel truck is a great option. It’ll handle the loads much better than your Colorado.

Adley said:
If you’re using it for farm work and heavy hauling, a diesel truck is a great option. It’ll handle the loads much better than your Colorado.

Absolutely, I’ve had two 3/4 tons before. Sold one and am rebuilding the other. The Colorado was just supposed to be a temporary solution, but man, it’s really struggling to keep up.

@Chen
Makes sense. The Colorado is fine for light work, but it’s not built for what you’re putting it through.

Adley said:
@Chen
Makes sense. The Colorado is fine for light work, but it’s not built for what you’re putting it through.

Yeah, I feel like I was being optimistic when I bought it. It’s cool for small stuff but definitely not for heavy farm work.

@Chen
I had the diesel Colorado for towing car trailers, and even that was pushing it. Definitely wouldn’t want to use it for farm work.

Adley said:
@Chen
I had the diesel Colorado for towing car trailers, and even that was pushing it. Definitely wouldn’t want to use it for farm work.

Exactly. It can handle a bit, but it feels like every job shortens its lifespan. Definitely time for a proper truck.

The 6.7 is solid, especially if it’s tuned and deleted. Mine pulls like a beast and runs smooth.

Nolan said:
The 6.7 is solid, especially if it’s tuned and deleted. Mine pulls like a beast and runs smooth.

Not sure if the one I’m looking at is deleted, but I do know it’s tuned.

@Chen
If it’s tuned, it’s probably deleted too. Most of the issues with these trucks are from emissions equipment. Once that’s sorted, they run great.

Nolan said:
@Chen
If it’s tuned, it’s probably deleted too. Most of the issues with these trucks are from emissions equipment. Once that’s sorted, they run great.

Makes sense. Emissions seem to be a common complaint with diesels. Are they a big issue with the early 6.7s?

@Chen
Yeah, emissions are a pain across the board for diesels. Without them, these trucks would perform even better.

Nolan said:
@Chen
Yeah, emissions are a pain across the board for diesels. Without them, these trucks would perform even better.

That’s what I figured. Our old 6.0s were the same way—ran way better without emissions until the head gaskets failed.

@Chen
Exactly. Emissions systems just add more things to go wrong, all in the name of regulations.

Nolan said:
The 6.7 is solid, especially if it’s tuned and deleted. Mine pulls like a beast and runs smooth.

I’ve got a 2014 King Ranch with 224k miles. It’s not deleted, just mildly tuned, and I’ve never had any major issues. Still hauls like a champ.

If you’re going for a diesel, make sure you budget for when the CP4 fails. A disaster prevention kit is worth the investment.

Zeke said:
If you’re going for a diesel, make sure you budget for when the CP4 fails. A disaster prevention kit is worth the investment.

Definitely. The disaster prevention kit is a must if you’re running a CP4. Without it, a fuel system failure can get really expensive.

Zeke said:
If you’re going for a diesel, make sure you budget for when the CP4 fails. A disaster prevention kit is worth the investment.

If the CP4 fails, it can cause serious damage. Replacing it with a DCR or a disaster prevention kit will save you a lot of money in the long run.

I love the King Ranch interior, but the stock sound system isn’t great. If you get one, invest in a better stereo and speakers.

Oaklee said:
I love the King Ranch interior, but the stock sound system isn’t great. If you get one, invest in a better stereo and speakers.

Be careful with the head unit if it’s a Sync system. Swapping it out can mess with your climate controls.