Trying to pick between a Ram 2500 and an F-250… what’s the better buy?

Hey everyone, I lost my truck in an accident recently, and now I need to get a diesel truck to tow a horse trailer. I’m stuck between a Ram 2500 and an F-250. Which one will hold up better over time? Are there certain years I should avoid for both?

Edit: Budget is about $30k, so I’m only looking at used trucks.

Why not just buy a bunch of old Ford IDI diesels and stock up on ether?

Nova said:
Why not just buy a bunch of old Ford IDI diesels and stock up on ether?

How much ether are we talking? All of it?

Have you thought about an older pre-emissions diesel? Those are usually more reliable if you can find one that hasn’t been beaten to death.

Ellery said:
Have you thought about an older pre-emissions diesel? Those are usually more reliable if you can find one that hasn’t been beaten to death.

I’m pretty new to diesel trucks, so I haven’t really looked into that. Thanks for the suggestion!

@Pax
The older ones from before 2008 didn’t have all the emissions junk that causes problems. A lot of people will tell you to stay far away from the 6.0 and 6.4 Powerstroke. I’ve got a 6.0 myself, and I’ve put almost $20k into repairs this year alone. Do some reading on the 7.3 Powerstroke and the 5.9 Cummins—both are solid. But finding one with low miles and no rust is getting harder. If you want something newer, a deleted 6.7 Powerstroke is a great choice.

@Ellery
Anything built before 2007 is a safer bet. Diesels made after 1/1/2007 require ULSD and emissions systems. That’s why Chevy/GMC made the 2007 ‘classic’ models—those are 2007 trucks built in 2006. If you’re looking at a Duramax, the ‘LBZ’ engine from that era is one of the best they ever made.

@Dakotah
I found one for sale earlier this year—LBZ, crew cab, 130k miles, kept in a garage by an old farmer. Thing was in perfect shape. I came back the next day, and it was already sold. I was so pissed.

@Mica
I feel that. I had a 2006 GMC crew cab long bed with an LBZ. Planned to keep it forever, but it got totaled in 2019 at 135k miles. The L5P Duramax is nice, but I’m dreading the day something in the emissions system goes wrong.

@Ellery
Ah, the joys of owning a 6.0… mine just cost me another $2,000 in repairs.

Weston said:
@Ellery
Ah, the joys of owning a 6.0… mine just cost me another $2,000 in repairs.

What broke this time?

Ellery said:

Weston said:
@Ellery
Ah, the joys of owning a 6.0… mine just cost me another $2,000 in repairs.

What broke this time?

Wouldn’t start when hot. Turns out someone put injector #5 in wrong at some point, and the O-ring exploded, so it was leaking oil when hot. That caused low high-pressure oil and a hot no-start issue. Oh, and my front end was shaking and making all kinds of noises.

@Ellery
I’ve got a 7.3 Powerstroke, and I get offers on it all the time. People keep offering me more than I paid for it over a decade ago. Thing is basically bulletproof and gets 19mpg towing my two horses around Texas.

Buying a truck these days is a whole different game. Used to be that older pre-emissions trucks were way cheaper, but now their prices are creeping up close to newer post-emissions trucks. If I had $30k, I’d look for a Ford F-350 (2011+) or a Ram 3500 (2009+). If you can find a dually that wasn’t abused, that’s the best bet for towing and safety.

One thing to keep in mind—plan to replace the whole front end and probably the driveshaft U-joints. Dealerships don’t touch this stuff unless it’s completely shot. Ball joints, tie rods, brakes, sway bars, shocks, bushings—budget $1,500 for good parts and a ball joint service kit. If you’re doing it yourself, plan for a weekend of wrenching. At a shop, this job will cost at least $4k.

What’s your budget?

Lennon said:
What’s your budget?

Looking around $30k, give or take. Definitely shopping used.

Pax said:

Lennon said:
What’s your budget?

Looking around $30k, give or take. Definitely shopping used.

That could get you a solid truck depending on where you’re at. Ford finally got their act together with the 6.7 (2011-present). Avoid 2003-2010 Powerstrokes—the 6.0 and 6.4 are a nightmare. Cummins engines last forever, but Rams tend to fall apart around them. The 5.9 and 6.7 Cummins are both solid, but emissions are the tradeoff. What year range are you considering?

@Lennon
I’m in Arizona! Had a 2011 Ram 2500 with the Cummins and ran into some engine issues. I’ve heard mixed reviews on certain years, so I’m trying to figure out what to avoid.

Pax said:
@Lennon
I’m in Arizona! Had a 2011 Ram 2500 with the Cummins and ran into some engine issues. I’ve heard mixed reviews on certain years, so I’m trying to figure out what to avoid.

Were your problems with the emissions system? A used truck is only as good as its previous owner. The mid-2000s Ford diesels are a money pit unless you’ve got deep pockets. You might also want to consider a newer gas truck. The Ford 7.3 gas V8 is a beast, pulls up to 15k pounds, and costs about $10k less than a diesel up front.

@Lennon
I need something that can handle a 4-5 horse trailer in the future, so I might need something heavier duty. My old truck had a turbo issue, plus an airflow intake problem. Had it scheduled for repairs, but before I could get it in, it stalled in traffic and got rear-ended. Frame was bent, so they totaled it.