Which year is the best...

[paulsmith]

Talk about a LOADED question!



But, I am looking at upgrading my fleet. I run a business, and we tow trailers. I have two 12 valve trucks, that see, to run great, but they are hust getting old...



I have a 2001 6 speed that I have spent THOUSANDS on in the pat two years



I rally would like a 98 but at 10 years old, it is, well 10 years old. .



I have been told that given a choice of any truck, the 99 - 02 is not the best years... I was told to get a new Common Rail or the 12 valve.

I just picked up on the fact that a 2003 has no CAT or EGR... good points.



Cant afford a new one.



So, whats the opinion from the masses?



Paul

 

[C. Harlan]

96-98 manual transmission... they have the 215 pumps and are built to last... the only thing you really need to worry about is the KDP, but that is easy to fix. . Also, the the 5th gear nuts were problems, as I can vouch for. . Each year, or 'generation' of trucks had their own flaws, so no one generation is perfect. . I love my common rail, but my 12 valve is so much fun to drive! good luck with whatever you chose!



-Chris-

 

[SNiebaum]

I have two 12 valve trucks, that see, to run great, but they are hust getting old...



I have a 2001 6 speed that I have spent THOUSANDS on in the pat two years



I rally would like a 98 but at 10 years old, it is, well 10 years old. .



I have been told that given a choice of any truck, the 99 - 02 is not the best years... I was told to get a new Common Rail or the 12 valve.

I just picked up on the fact that a 2003 has no CAT or EGR... good points.



Paul

Swap one of your 12 Valves into your 2001 then go pick up a late model Common Rail with a 6 speed manual.

 

[Blue Ox1]

03-04. 5 Cr better mileage than the newer ones almost the same power,But alittle more noise .

Joe

 

[Grizzly]

I really liked my 12 valve 95 DRW. It was never in the shop for anything in the 10 years I owned it and it was a great truck. However my 05 is even better. Mileage is a little better and the power is much better. I love the 4 door quad cab, the new tow mirrors and the many upgrades.

 

[1smoknC]

I am loving my 03'... I would buy one again in a heartbeat. Averaging 25 MPG

 

[Wayne M.]

I love my 04. 5 and is an excellent combo of work and play. On paper the 12V 2 gens seem best overall, and the intercooled 1 gens are hard to beat too!

 

[Bernie]

I have to agree: the 03-04. 5 seems to offer (close) to the same power as the 06, but with less complicated emission systems. They seem to be a good value right now as well.

If I were dreaming, I would have an 04. 5 with the new G56 transmission so the gearing is a little taller. I would also look at the 3. 53 gears if the leads I was towing would allow that tall of a gear.

 

[Regcabguy]

I like my '07.

I had lousy luck with my 98. 5. So lousy that I recommended a friend of mine buy an '02 Ford 7. 3 which has been dependable. That being said,I took the plunge again and am very satisfied thus far with my '07 5. 9. No issues,killer brakes and handling too.

 

[RLHannink]

Good time right now to buy a little bit newer, say 03-04. 5, rather than a 12v. Try finding a nice 12v properly equipped, and it's only gonna be a few more grand for a nice common rail. My 12v is decent, but I wouldn't buy it if I knew what I put it through...



Newer trucks will have less years on them, which seems to be what takes the biggest toll, rather than miles. But, it's all truck-specific, have fun shopping!



Also, most of the costs will be the same: fuel, tires, oil changes, dick-around repairs, so maybe it'd be nicer to sit all day long in a newer one.

 

[jakemeister]

Ive had alot of cummins trucks.



I have a 94 4x4 auto now and its ok, light mods havent pulled alot but it fires up everytime and it reliable doesnt pull as good as a common rail.



I had a 95 4x4 5speed modded slightly and it was a blast to drive and I pulled heavy with it for many many miles and it was driven 200 miles a day 5 days a week for 2 years after it had 181k on it and never let me down but it didnt pull like a common rail either.



I had a 2001 4x4 3:55 auto and it was stock, kinda boring to drive, pulled descent but fuel mileage was 17 at best.



my 03 DRW 4x4 6speed 3:73 was awesome. Chip,exhaust,guages, intake at 60mph I cold avg. 22mpg. My favorite tow vehicle of them all.



my 05 4x4 auto 3:73 could get 20mpg at 60mph with chip,exhaust,guages and intake but didnt have the pull sensation my DRW did, it swayed a little in the tail, could of been the 305 tires too. . but if i were to cut the cat off it add a 6speed and DRW and it would match my 03 no problems.



So for me my 95 was most fun to drive... 03 was my best puller and the 05 was just newer than the 03 but different trans,axel and removed cat and could matched the 03 pulling and reliability.



you couldnt go wrong with the 03-04. 5 or cut the cat off the 05 and call it the day?



Good luck with your choice and I think it was a great question.

 

[JimB1]

Transmission Auto or Standard?



If Auto then '06 & '07 have far more electronics to handle transmission & engine for exhaust brake, torque converter lock/unlock with up/down shifts and tow haul mode.



Current times make it a buyers market so the last two years of 5. 9's may be had for pretty good deal.



If standard transmission them last half of '07 has taller 6th gear and improved mileage.



Search TDR for that transmission build code info.

 

[Grizzly]

Good summation jake!

 

[Missouri Mule]

I would say 96-98 12 valve 5spd/ built auto or 03 t0 05 CR (less injector problems).

 

[Cattletrkr]

Some of you keep saying "03-04. 5" when talking about these trucks. Remember, the cat started with the '04. 5, not '05.

I'd go with the '03 or an early '04. No sense buying an old dog if it's something you're gonna use everyday. My '04. 5 was pretty good until about 160K. Then things started falling apart. I won't fault the truck though. I overloaded it way too much way too many times.