[jensend]

Looks like we'll be trying to find a used late model (2006- on) truck in order to be able to take my '02 Z28 off the road and make it a dedicated track car. The truck would need to be able to tow the car and an open trailer safely at highway speeds. Would prefer a club or crew cab for the extra space an longer wheelbase. Right now I'm thinking gas as opposed to diesel since the truck will get limited use other than for track events and few camping trips annually. It will also be available to my two grown sons as needed. Want the space of an 8' bed so I can carry plywood, etc., when needed. Durarbility and reliability are major requirement. Capable of doing most maintenance and repairs on my own on a gas powered vehicle, but I'd like to have something that was practical to use and maintain. Looking for recommendations on what to buy/avoid, average real world mpg figures, etc.. Thanks in advance for your input.

[1qwikbird]

I daily drive a 97 Dodge with the 5.9L 12V Cummins/ 5spd and love every second of it. Not as sexy as the newer rigs, a bit on the smelly side at times, sounds eerily simliar to a cement mixer rolling onto a job site, won't allow the kids to sneak in late after curfew, but its dead nuts reliable and just the same. I've got 247,000 miles the last 100,000 of which I put on the truck. No issues whatsoever. My mileage in combined driving is anywhere from 17.5-19 depending on the season. Pure highway runs I can get upwards of 22+ depending on if I keep my foot out of it. I get my oil analyzed at the 6 month mark and go a full year on changes 18,000+/-. There is very little maintenance for the engine itself, except for changing the fuel filter 2x a year, its more just rotating tires, greasing the chassis etc. Towing/hauling is a no-brainer. I could never justify a brand new diesel powered truck equivalent to mine (4x4 2500 ext cab, 8' bed) at close to $50k, but I picked mine up for $9K 5+years ago and have 0 regrets. There isn't a gas powered truck out there that could do what my truck does from a power/efficiency/durability/longevity standpoint. I fully expect to see 500K miles, no problem.

Admittedly, I drink the Cummins cool-aide. But I think the big 3 all have pretty good options in the diesel platform, each with their strong/weak points and good/bad years. Big thing to watch for on a used diesel - the tranny/clutch and if a programmer box was used and how it was used. More people tear more stuff up with those boxes and the results won't manifest themselves until afterwards, in the form of tranny/rear/clutch/blown head gaskets etc..

For a spot use vehicle, the gasser is probably the more economical option because the upfront entry cost is significantly less, even in the used arena. The 6.0L LS based trucks (or whatever size they are now) would be my first choice in a gasser, solely because of the engine platform.

Once you tow with a diesel powered truck, you'll never go back to a gasser. The 8.1L might be on par, don't know never towed with one, but it won't give you the mileage, durability, longevity that a diesel will. The newer diesels really are quite easy to DD, so don't dismiss the idea that it would get much more use than you think.

The 8' bed versus the 6' bed is on you and how much real work you intend to do with the truck, beyond that its personal preference. The longer trucks are more cumbersome in the tiny parking lots, and sometimes while towing that maneuverability (or lack of) can come into play, but that's hardly a reason to balk at one. The guys I love are the ones who have 6' bed, the eat up 2 more feet with a tool box? Doesn't make sense to me.....

Another plus to the diesels, is that they usually come equipped with all the heavy duty goodies as a function of the diesel option, but the gassers don't always have the towing upgrades etc, something to consider.

Chris