Help Me Make A Decision

SuperBeaner · Oct 11, 2016

Looking at four different trucks and I need help choosing one. I do seasonal farm work and semi regular heavy (ish) hauling. All four are 6.7 Cummins 4x4

Truck 1 $25,995
2012 2500 Laramie Longhorn 198xxx 8ft bed

Truck 2 $25,999
2012 2500 SLT 131xxx 6.4ft bed

Truck 3 $27,999
2013 2500 Tradesman 115xxx 8ft Bed

Truck 4 $29,999
2013 2500 Lone Star 114xxx 6.4ft Bed 6 speed manual

I know the 2013's will make somewhat better mileage than the 2012's. I've heard some downright MYTHICAL mpg claims about the manual 2013 though. I'm wondering if it's worth the extra scratch.

Iron Outlaw · Oct 11, 2016

I'd go 4. Least miles and I don't like an 8 foot bed

SIhemi · Oct 11, 2016

I'd go with 4. You could probably talk them down a couple of grand also.

smurfs_of_war · Oct 11, 2016

4 would be my choice

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reek · Oct 11, 2016

I think 4 is going to be the winner

SuperBeaner · Oct 11, 2016

I figured four would get a lot of attention. My question is this: why? Why not save the 4-5k and go with truck 1?

SouthTexan · Oct 11, 2016

If you plan on deleting soon then any will do. If not, then I would go with the 2013 models that use SCR/DEF. They will get better fuel mileage, will regen less, and they have the upgraded EGR cooler which means less emissions problems down the road.

Oh, and the 2013s have a 15k oil change interval compared to 7.5k on the 2012s. This is because of fuel dilution due to the constant regens on the 2012s. If you delete then this is a moot point since you can bump up the oil change interval on a deleted truck to 15k since there are no more constant regens which means no more fuel dilution.

SuperBeaner · Oct 11, 2016

SouthTexan said:
If you plan on deleting soon then any will do. If not, then I would go with the 2013 models that use SCR/DEF. They will get better fuel mileage, will regen less, and they have the upgraded EGR cooler which means less emissions problems down the road.

Oh, and the 2013s have a 15k oil change interval compared to 7.5k on the 2012s. This is because of fuel dilution due to the constant regens on the 2012s. If you delete then this is a moot point since you can bump up the oil change interval on a deleted truck to 15k since there are no more constant regens which means no more fuel dilution.

That confirms a thing or three. Thanks for the input

SuperBeaner · Oct 11, 2016

I haven't found any figures on mpg with the manual

SuperBeaner · Oct 11, 2016

So let's say I'm thinking truck 2, plus a full delete kit, coming in at around 25k all said and done. Compared that to truck 4 (the manual) as is. Obviously the manual SCR truck is going to get somewhat better mileage...is it worth the extra out of pocket? I'm paying cash plus trade-in.

SuperBeaner · Oct 11, 2016

Don't get me wrong, I love a hand grenade shift knob just as much as the next guy, but I'm looking to buy a piece of equipment that I am going to put to one purpose: work. And since this is coming out of my expansion budget, I need to maximize my purchase

SouthTexan · Oct 11, 2016

SuperBeaner said:
So let's say I'm thinking truck 1, plus a full delete kit, coming in at around 25k all said and done. Compared that to truck 4 (the manual) as is. Obviously the manual SCR truck is going to get somewhat better mileage...is it worth the extra out of pocket? I'm paying cash plus trade-in.

I don't think you will get better mileage with the manual. This used to be the case in older vehicles, but not anymore due to locking torque converters that newer vehicles have. Locked in at sixth, the 68RFE has a taller gear ratio of .63:1 versus the G56 at .74:1 meaning you will be at lower rpm with the 68RFE.

Also, the manual trucks had less engine power output. The G56 manual was 350 hp/ 660 lb-ft while the auto 68RFE is 370 hp / 800 lb-ft.

Csanders1992 · Oct 11, 2016

I would go with 2 or 4. I can see the interest in 1 because of the interior though.

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SuperBeaner · Oct 11, 2016

Csanders1992 said:
I would go with 2 or 4. I can see the interest in 1 because of the interior though.

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That one is my wife's favorite. This is my work truck, and I don't see those seats holding up well to sawdust and chainsaw oil and hydraulic fluid and tools left in back pockets.

SuperBeaner · Oct 11, 2016

SouthTexan said:
I don't think you will get better mileage with the manual. This used to be the case in older vehicles, but not anymore due to locking torque converters that newer vehicles have. Locked in at sixth, the 68RFE has a taller gear ratio of .63:1 versus the G56 at .74:1 meaning you will be at lower rpm with the 68RFE.

Also, the manual trucks had less engine power output. The G56 manual was 350 hp/ 660 lb-ft while the auto 68RFE is 370 hp / 800 lb-ft.

You know, I was just researching that. Really blows my mind. I would have thought that manual truck would have MORE power.

SouthTexan · Oct 11, 2016

SuperBeaner said:
You know, I was just researching that. Really blows my mind. I would have thought that manual truck would have MORE power.

That used to be the case. However, I don't think the aluminum case G56 can handle much more power than stock from what I have read. There were many people posting about cracked cases and burnt clutches adding just a little more power.

smurfs_of_war · Oct 12, 2016

Maybe somebody can confirm, but isn't 2013 when they swapped in the stouter frame as well in the 2500 or was it 2014? That would be a selling point to me.

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mtofell · Oct 12, 2016

SuperBeaner said:
Truck 1 $25,995
2012 2500 Laramie Longhorn 198xxx 8ft bed

Is this correct? A truck with 200K miles is worth $26,000??

All I can say is WOW! NEW Tradesmen can be had in the low/mid 40s.

loveracing1988 · Oct 12, 2016

smurfs_of_war said:
Maybe somebody can confirm, but isn't 2013 when they swapped in the stouter frame as well in the 2500 or was it 2014? That would be a selling point to me.

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In the 2500's they switched in 2014 along with the CAD. The 3500's switched in 2013.

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SouthTexan · Oct 12, 2016

mtofell said:
Is this correct? A truck with 200K miles is worth $26,000??

All I can say is WOW! NEW Tradesmen can be had in the low/mid 40s.

That is why I say you recoup most of the upfront cost of a new diesel when you sell it or trade it in. Their value holds and you can command a higher resale or trade in value even with 200k miles.

Help Me Make A Decision

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