I need to buy a new truck (recommendations)

[muddermilitia]

Hey guys, I'm looking to get a new truck before the winter hits. This is my current DD:
It's a 454 and gas mileage is killing me. Also I don't want to drive it through another winter, it already has a spot of rust starting.

So I'm looking for a 3/4 or 1-ton pickup. Somewhere in the 90's and cost under 10k. Diesel is a must and I don't need a dually and would prefer an xtended cab.

So I'm open to ford, chevy, or dodge. What do you guys recommend? What years are better then others? I will be towing my trail rig (pic in my sig) a couple times a year.

So what should I look for?

Thanks

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

you can find some real decent cummins 2nd gen, for the ford side find a '97 F350 with a powerstroke, for gm you are kinda limited to good towing with a 454 in '90 series but if you ambitious there are ways to squeeze performance from the 6.5L turbo

 

[SRLRacing]

Even though I generally try to stay in the GM family at all costs. For a diesel truck in your price range I don't think you can beat a Dodge. All I have to say is my uncle's powerstroke ford is a P.O.S. (gone through 2 motors and 4 trannys in 250k mi) and I don't think you can buy a newer GM duramax for that kind of money. So I think a dodge is the way to go.

 

[camok5]

Not sure why your uncle has had so many issues because a good friend of mine has 350k miles on his 96 F350 4x4 with the same tranny and engine. I think I would go with a 94 up Dodge though because they have plenty of power for towing and they get better MPG than the ford.

 

[throttleissues]

I would lean toward the Dodge, too. The cummins is easier to work on and gets better fuel economy than the Ford. Both have auto trans problems with heavy towing or performance mods. Do not buy a Ford 6.0L no matter how tempting the price. The headaches later are not worth it. Now let's see how many people will chime in about how great THEIR 6.0L has been.