Just to clarify when you say newer do you mean a SD 7.3 6.0 6.4 or a new 6.7?
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Debating on upgrading or buying newer truck
I've been struggling with this decision for a while now as I head into the winter. I have a 1997 CC/DRW 5 speed that I absolutely love. I bought a dually mainly because I load the bed like crazy due to the fact I renovate homes for a living. Anything I tow I generally could tow with an SRW truck if needed, so it was never a problem.
Next race season though I'll be hauling a toyhauler weighing around 15k. On flat land I'm still not worried much, but since I'll be heading into California a lot from Oregon, there are a ton of steep hill climbs along the way. In the past two weeks I've put over 3,000 miles on road trips hauling a lighter trailer, and expect to see as much as 20,000 miles towing next season.
Right now the truck is stock, other than a 6 position chip and a modified intake (raplaced the KN that it came with). 5 speed with 4.10's so I'm good gearing wise. Things I figure I want to upgrade to tow heavy/reliably over the hills are:
-Injectors
-Intercooler
-Gauges
-Suspension/airbags (its due for suspension anyway)
-T500
-Exhaust (has a downpipe already, but cat is still there)
-Need to check turbo as it feels like its been down on power lately, so pencil in a rebuilt factory one as well.
I do all that and I have a reliable OBS that will tow fine and generally be cheaper to run and maintain than a newer truck for years to come. Granted its a chunk of change to do at once.
That said, it won't ever ride like the newer ones do and lacks a lot of the luxurious comforts. Plus its pretty loud. For a few thousand more I can get into a newer generation truck, albiet with slightly higher miles, though it can still be an unknown from a maintenance standpoint.
I'm in no rush at the moment, but have just been kicking this around a bunch as I occasionally see some good deals on dually's going by. Wondering if any others share similar thoughts or have upgraded to newer trucks.
Next race season though I'll be hauling a toyhauler weighing around 15k. On flat land I'm still not worried much, but since I'll be heading into California a lot from Oregon, there are a ton of steep hill climbs along the way. In the past two weeks I've put over 3,000 miles on road trips hauling a lighter trailer, and expect to see as much as 20,000 miles towing next season.
Right now the truck is stock, other than a 6 position chip and a modified intake (raplaced the KN that it came with). 5 speed with 4.10's so I'm good gearing wise. Things I figure I want to upgrade to tow heavy/reliably over the hills are:
-Injectors
-Intercooler
-Gauges
-Suspension/airbags (its due for suspension anyway)
-T500
-Exhaust (has a downpipe already, but cat is still there)
-Need to check turbo as it feels like its been down on power lately, so pencil in a rebuilt factory one as well.
I do all that and I have a reliable OBS that will tow fine and generally be cheaper to run and maintain than a newer truck for years to come. Granted its a chunk of change to do at once.
That said, it won't ever ride like the newer ones do and lacks a lot of the luxurious comforts. Plus its pretty loud. For a few thousand more I can get into a newer generation truck, albiet with slightly higher miles, though it can still be an unknown from a maintenance standpoint.
I'm in no rush at the moment, but have just been kicking this around a bunch as I occasionally see some good deals on dually's going by. Wondering if any others share similar thoughts or have upgraded to newer trucks.
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Sorry, newer = Anything from Ford, Dodge, or Chevy. SD would have to be a 7.3 though, for some reason I'm not keen on a 6.0 even if the later ones are supposedly better. Not sure I can or want to swing a 6.4/6.7. Otherwise Cummins from 2003+ or stretch to an LBZ Duramax with higher miles.
Part of this stems from the fact that people keep chatting me up on my current truck, so selling it for a decent amount of cash likely won't be a problem either. But I do like the simplistic nature of the 7.3 and being able to work on it myself for the most part.
Part of this stems from the fact that people keep chatting me up on my current truck, so selling it for a decent amount of cash likely won't be a problem either. But I do like the simplistic nature of the 7.3 and being able to work on it myself for the most part.
I would suggest a SD 7.3 of your configuration choice then. Already has more power from the factory. Already intercooler, has better brakes, already has e fuel, and a 17* pump. Put an intake on it, exhaust, gauges, single shots, chip and you're good. If needed down the road throw an exhaust brake on it (if it's a 6 speed).
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i think that ONLY YOU, are in the position to make this call.. simply because, your talking about trading one old truck, for a slightly less old truck of unknown history. also, with the upgrades you listed, youd have to do just about all that to a newer 7.3 anyway, so your not really saving much except the intercooler, which you really dont NEED.
if you have a bunch on lingering things that need attention just to get it back to normal, than MAYBE its worth parting ways and searching for something else. but if you have a solid, reliable, and well known vehicle, than personally i dont see the need. different doesnt always mean better, but again, only your the one in a position to make that call. it would suck to sell a truck you could mod out to your liking over the next few years, just to get something else that has constant breakdowns over unknown issues..
if you have a bunch on lingering things that need attention just to get it back to normal, than MAYBE its worth parting ways and searching for something else. but if you have a solid, reliable, and well known vehicle, than personally i dont see the need. different doesnt always mean better, but again, only your the one in a position to make that call. it would suck to sell a truck you could mod out to your liking over the next few years, just to get something else that has constant breakdowns over unknown issues..
Think of all the maintence that needs to be done to a sd 7.3. Think of the money you'd put into that and what it'd do for your obs.
Yeah, you are hitting on the main issue here as far as unknown history with another vehicle. You are also right that i don't need much, I just want more. What I want is around 300 hp/600 torque. From what I gather, with an OBS I'm going to need injectors, fuel and oil to do that reliably. Toss in the fact that I absolutely want an intercooler for towing and mod costs start going up pretty quickly. From what I understand, an SD would simply require an exhaust and chip to get pretty close to those numbers and already has an intercooler. At that point the better ride of a newer truck starts to creep into my mind.i think that ONLY YOU, are in the position to make this call.. simply because, your talking about trading one old truck, for a slightly less old truck of unknown history. also, with the upgrades you listed, youd have to do just about all that to a newer 7.3 anyway, so your not really saving much except the intercooler, which you really dont NEED.
if you have a bunch on lingering things that need attention just to get it back to normal, than MAYBE its worth parting ways and searching for something else. but if you have a solid, reliable, and well known vehicle, than personally i dont see the need. different doesnt always mean better, but again, only your the one in a position to make that call. it would suck to sell a truck you could mod out to your liking over the next few years, just to get something else that has constant breakdowns over unknown issues..
I'm still struggling with the decision and I'm going to drive a bunch of friends trucks over the coming weeks to make up my mind. I love the style and reliability of my truck honestly. Plus the fact that I searched long and hard to find it.
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