2nd gen getting tight...smh...

[woodtrucker]

Ok 3rd gen guys, I am hoping to plan a trip out west next year and noticed that my 3 kids are bumping knees against the back of my seat when we go on our short camping trips. This troubles me since I have my dream truck in a 6 speed 2nd gen with 117k on the clock or in other words, I can keep it forever and ever... I worked long and hard to get that truck. Would any of you advise on buying a megacab auto truck? I'm considering it just for the space but worry about the 48RE and towing about 10k lbs across the US with five of us in tow. This 2nd gen is getting tight...I have considered taking a chaser car out and have my wife drive it but she's not to fond of that idea. What do you guys say to all this? I have roughly $24k to play with.

 

[NIsaacs]

Coming from a 6spd you won't like downgrading to a 4spd auto. If you are going to upgrade go new enough to get the 6spd auto and factory exhaust brake.

 

[woodtrucker]

That would be 2010 and up right?

 

[NIsaacs]

'08, actually 07.5 but maybe some of the early ones did not have the exhaust brake activated? So I just usually say '08.

 

[woodtrucker]

If I run across a deal on one I could jump on it but don't see much in my area right now. I agree with what you are saying. I ain't giving up my 6 speed truck I have now for 4 spd auto and with auto the exhaust brake is a must!

 

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

Tell them to sit "side saddle" for a while, and threaten to whip them with a newspaper if they don't!! You could also threaten to "chop off their legs" and make them ride in the bed!! Both, my parents, and grandparents used these threats back when I grew up... I was pretty well mannered for the entire ride!

Other options... Find an '06 to '07 Mega cab with a 5.9 and a manual (unicorn), or go with an auto, and learn to throw stuff!!

 

[cerberusiam]

A megacab with an auto would be a big step up in a lot of ways. At only 10k an EB is a nice to have not a necessity, you could always add one if you really want. The brakes on the newer trucks are bigger and better so the EB is not as critical.

A 6 speed in a 3rd or 4th gen is not the same as a 6 speed in a 2nd gen. You will loose mileage without making changes, the auto trucks will beat the manuals every time for efficacy. Given what the price of fuel is doing that is a big consideration.

An integrated EB will put you into 6.7 land and then the fun starts. Unless you want to step up into the SCR trucks and relatively low mileage you will have to spend some money to address the age problems, or get it as part of the purchase. Even then you will need to address tire size to get comparable efficacy.

That leaves you with a meagcab in 06 to early 07 to keep the 5.9 and those had bad ratios that required adjustments, not to mention are really hard to find.

With $24k you are a little short to go newer, for older you would likely want to mod after the fact. All depends on what you want to do. Quite frankly, a good deal on an 07.5 to 12 and room to update the 68RFE would make an awesome all around truck with the right gears. That will be the next, matching that to use.

 

[GrantP]

My 2 boys love the Megacab, when they were smaller there was enough room for them to both lay down and sleep comfortably with the seats folded. They actually look forward to road trips...hope that helps. I didn't like letting my 2nd gen go but it was the right decision for me.

 

[woodtrucker]

Well. Somehow I garnered up enough courage to buy an 07 megacab today! Wowzer. I’m praying it doesn’t end up being a huge mistake offloading one of the coolest trucks I’ve ever owned with my 02. I could use some encouragement cummins people!
Factory exhaust brake, 6sp auto, 159k miles, leather dvd, sunroof,...

 

[NIsaacs]

Well. Somehow I garnered up enough courage to buy an 07 megacab today! Wowzer. I’m praying it doesn’t end up being a huge mistake offloading one of the coolest trucks I’ve ever owned with my 02. I could use some encouragement cummins people!
Factory exhaust brake, 6sp auto, 159k miles, leather dvd, sunroof,...

Nice! Unless you know all the maintenance history, I would change out the fluids in all the gear boxes.