Help me decide, what do i need?

[tcpeterson]

I am looking to upgrade my pickup this spring/summer once i'm done with school. I am currently driving a 94' Chevy 1/2 ton ext. cab with a 350/5 speed. Right now i mostly tow a two-place trailer and occasionally an open 4-place.

In the future the most I can see myself towing is a gooseneck with our bobcat on it. But dad has his ford 1 ton/ 460 that works ok.

I am looking at either another Chevy/GMC D-Max or 6.0 vortec. 2003 or newer

Or possibly a Dodge Cummins 5.9 ( Looking at a 5/6 speed, because havn't read good things about the auto)

How are the autos?

Lastly if i go the gasser route i'm not throwing out a Toyota Tundra.

I'm not real interested in Ford because for work we have a 6.0 and i'm not impressed.

So i'm looking for advice and experiences on what you all think i need for what I do. I know that for most of the time i probably don't need a diesel but for those once and a while occasions it would be nice.

Looking to keep the price tag under 20,000 too. Thanks

 

[jlebrun_05]

I used to have a 5.9 cummins, really miss it alot except for days like today when its 15 below zero. I have a 6.0 chevy now, and it gets really bad mileage (less than ten all the time). Was never impressed with duramaxes when we went out west, they always averaged about 8-10 mpg on the trip, and the 6.0 chevy was getting 7-8 mpg with no fear of gelling and gas was cheaper. Dont get me wrong, the duramax wont shift out on hills and will be a much smoother drive, but if you dont need it, dont pay 5-10,000 extra for it. just my $.02

 

[Vern]

well, if you dont need the diesel but you want the power there for when you need to tow some big loads theres always the chevy 8.1L. the 8.1 gets basically the same fuel mileage as the 6.0L gasser, especially when towing, but has much more power and will pull anything you put behind them. the 8.1 came with either the 6-speed manual or the allison so either way you cant lose in the trans department. they were made form 01 to early 07 so you can find good deals on them.

 

[tcpeterson]

Thanks, i han't really thought much about the 8.1. I figured it didn't get very good mpg's.

 

[Vern]

ya, most people assume that and it might not be "good" mileage but for a 496 inch motor it gets pretty good, and is usually within 1 or 2 mpgs of the 6.0 gasser. the 6.0 might get slightly more than that runnin empty but throw a load at them and the 8.1 is equal or maybe even better than the 6.0 for mileage with quite a bit more power. a good running 8.1 can see between 12-14 mpgs in the city empty depending on driving habits, we don't do many long trips but on one my brothers 8.1 got just over 16 mpgs on the highway with three dirtbikes and all our camping gear in the bed. and they usually only drop a couple mpgs with a load no matter how big the load. about the only negative i have seen is they use a bit of oil like most big blocks but its usually no more than about a quart every 3-4000 miles.

 

[clarkee75]

I Got 240,000 kms out of my 48re auto before i decide to rebuild it...half of those kms towing (24 foot cattle trailer 17000 lbs loaded). New triple lock converter with the rebuild and it yanks the moo moos around like never before. Personally i wouldnt be scared of the 48re...like any tranny with routine tranny flushing and all that jazz it runs like a top. My dodge is definatly not a Sunday do to Church truck but it is damn tough out here on the Farm.

 

[Ford428CJ]

If you are going to tow a bobcat with a gooseneck, Get your 5.9 Diesel then. If not, buy a gas rig! JMHO