need some advice on next truck purchase...

[lakailimited06]

hey guys, im starting to do alot of sidework on the weekends lately and im in the market for a new truck..i've had no problems with the WJ so far with it barely broken in at 110k but i think its wise to get a newer truck since im relying on it for income...

right now im currently at a toss up between a ford f250 7.3 diesel or a dodge dakota with the 4.7 motor...i know theyre two different animals but i cant decide if its worth getting a diesel..

the one im currently looking at is an 02 f250 7.3 4x4 extended cab with 72k on it never used for towing or plowing guys asking 19,500.00 for it...20k is my budget since im already gonna be taking out a loan i dont want to get too crazy..if i bought the diesel i would also eventually look into a plow and a trailer to make some extra money and also tow the jeep...but i dont know if its worth getting the diesel for the 5 times or so a year i'd go to rausch...

the dakota seems more ideal since with a 20k budget i can get a newer one maybe 07 or 08 with 15-30k on it already and just drive the WJ to rausch which i really dont mind doing...i just dont want to be kicking myself for not going with the diesel in the long run..

just looking for some advice if anyone has it, im not a fan of the bigger gasser pickups and my dad had 2 dakota's and we both liked them alot...

[Hydra]

You couleasily tow the wj with a dakota, I say thart wun

[Burton58]

that f250 will prob get better mileage than the dakota. i just got rid of my wj with the 4.7 due to shit gas mileage, blown trans, engine light yada yada.

the dakota will have a shitty transmission and towing the wj to RC i guarantee you'll blow it up after awhile. my plan was to tow my xj with the wj and in the long run i think having a full size truck would be worth its weight in gold towing vs a midsize truck

[zjfreak94]

the 7.3Ls are def. a good work truck.. I would lean towards that

[lakailimited06]

well if i got the dakota i wouldnt be towing the jeep at all or plowing, that was only if i got the f250...if i remember you had the 4.7 HO in your wj no?

from what i've been reading the standard 4.7 in the dakotas you can get up to 20+ mpg cruising on the highway...i've also heard that being on the WJ forums to not sure what you were getting..

the dakota would be more than good enough for me for a work truck besides plowing or towing obviously...all i need is a decent sized bed with a cap for tools, equipment, and parts etc....

the f250 i've been looking at is so nice though i really want to check it out in person and take it for a ride but both me and the owner seem to be pretty busy...

[Burton58]

yeah i had the HO. i was being easy on it DDing and got 12-14mpg

also had to put a brand new transmission in it because they are trash. the dakotas are known for smoking trannies too.

if you aren't going to tow with it look at other non v8 trucks. if you're going to tow get the f250

[lakailimited06]

i thought they came with the same 545rfe tranny in the WJs that trannys pretty strong..i think they use it in the rams as well

[clean4drxj]

If you're going with a desiel the only way to get decent mileage is to get a common rail cummins so 03 and on, gas I would go with a chevy/GMC half ton with the 5.3, they get like 18/19 mpg and have plenty of power for towing.

[lakailimited06]

yea i was looking at the cummins as well but they are hard to find in my price range especially with a 6 speed i heard the autos are junk

[Even]

If I were to buy a newer midsize, It wouldn't be a Dakota.

Nothing against them, but I'm a huge fan of the 4.0 V6 in the Tacoma.

[clean4drxj]

03 and up autos aren't bad in the cummins unless you start with the bolt-ons.

[Pedro]

If you are looking for a DD truck that gets good mileage I would say a Tacoma wouldnt be a bad idea. However, the 4.7 is a great motor. Plenty of power for a Dakota and will get decent mileage. Diesels are expensive, and the 7.3 wasnt that great on gas, but a good motor for sure.

So, its up to what you wanna spend I'd say. All three of those are good options.

[WickedXJ]

7.3L engines have been proven to easily do over 500k miles when treated well. And when paired with Dana axles and an Allison transmission the power train will last you forever. True that they don't get great mileage compared to the Dakota but would you rather spend a few extra dollars and have a better vehicle for many more years that can do much more or a lesser vehicle that is cheaper. If you can afford it go with the Ford.

[CumminsJeep]

You can def find an 03-04 cummins for under 20k. It will get better gas mileage than the 7.3 or the dakota and will have more power. thats what I would go with.

[GreenMJ]

I paid around 25k for my 04.5 cummins Ram over 4 years ago. Theres deals out there. Too bad I hated it and went back to a Powerchoke though