- Location
- Lafayette, IN
Right now I've got a 2001 F250 crew cab short bed. My biggest complaints are with the steering and ride quality. Granted, it's not going to ride like a dream, but sometimes it's just a little excessive. Even with brand new Bilsteins, I find myself cringing at expansion joints on the highway. The steering is tight and doesn't have any slop, but even after having the dealership replace the ball joints (which helped a little), the steering lacks return-to-center, which makes it a real pain to keep straight on the highway (constantly making small corrections), especially when it's windy.
Also it appears that I've got the "International doesn't know how to paint an oil pan" oil leak, which from what I've read will require the engine to be pulled. It's getting hard to justify dropping that kind of money on a truck that I'm already getting frustrated with.
So... I'm looking at 04-06 Duramaxes, similar to my truck (CC, SB). I'm looking for a mix of the higher output, more reliable motors but without all of the emissions equipment that the 07+ trucks will have. From my limited experience with the 2500HDs, it seems like steering and ride quality will not be a problem. I know that early models had injector issues, but those seem to be resolved by 04. Power output is decent, interior quality is good, and the drivetrain is reliable. And mileage seems to be mysteriously great.
What else do I need to know about them? I'm trying to think of any thing that my truck currently does better than a newer Duramax. Engine reliability and solid front axle are the only two that come to mind, but again the newer Duramaxes seems to be reliable, and I have no issues giving up that solid axle for IFS.
Also it appears that I've got the "International doesn't know how to paint an oil pan" oil leak, which from what I've read will require the engine to be pulled. It's getting hard to justify dropping that kind of money on a truck that I'm already getting frustrated with.
So... I'm looking at 04-06 Duramaxes, similar to my truck (CC, SB). I'm looking for a mix of the higher output, more reliable motors but without all of the emissions equipment that the 07+ trucks will have. From my limited experience with the 2500HDs, it seems like steering and ride quality will not be a problem. I know that early models had injector issues, but those seem to be resolved by 04. Power output is decent, interior quality is good, and the drivetrain is reliable. And mileage seems to be mysteriously great.
What else do I need to know about them? I'm trying to think of any thing that my truck currently does better than a newer Duramax. Engine reliability and solid front axle are the only two that come to mind, but again the newer Duramaxes seems to be reliable, and I have no issues giving up that solid axle for IFS.