[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.

[wstukas]

It's funny. I was in the same boat as you with the attractiveness of a gasser. Ease of maintenance, cheaper, etc. Earlier this year I sold my 1996 6.5L turbo diesel to buy a newer 6.0 gasser. The 6.5L was a great, solid truck...but it had its quirks. But mostly I was just sick of DDing a regular cab pickup truck.

Well, after looking at a TON of beat up 6.0L work trucks, I expanded my search to duramax's. Finding a manual trans in a 6.0 is hard enough; but coming across one locally in a duramax is near impossible. I ended up with an '01 duramax extended cab 2wd with the 6 speed manual and 174k miles. It needed a clutch, and head gaskets, but the price was right. I was definitely intimidated by the duramax, but once you dig into it; it's an absolute pleasure to work on! Isuzu did a great job building an easily serviceable powerplant....just have to get over the sheer size of the thing!

Now, for the best part. The duramax gets the same fuel mileage under tow as my old truck did around town! It's fast as hell too!! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif) I get ~21 mpg around town, and the last trip from Atlanta to Charlotte with my 24' enclosed, gross weight approx 15k lbs, I averaged 14.1 mpg doing ~65mph with the cruise set! And with a ton of passing power too! My truck does have a towing tune, so a stock one won't do quite that well on fuel. But a gasser won't come close.

+1 for the Duramax!

FWIW, a 12V cummins was my second choice. Solid engine, and it's easy to find one with a manual transmission...you just have to deal with the rest of the truck (mopar (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) ).