In today’s challenging economic landscape, owning a vehicle that meets both your needs and your budget can feel like an uphill battle. Most people can only afford one vehicle to see them through daily life, making compromises inevitable. If that daily life involves hauling heavy loads or regularly performing grueling hard work, then the sporty, gas-sipping econobox may have to be set aside for the robust capabilities of a diesel truck.
However, that’s much easier said than done these days. Diesel pickup trucks are a hot commodity, and dealers know it. If you can even find one on a new vehicle lot, chances are the markups are astronomical, putting it out of the price range for many shoppers.
Unless you’re an oil tycoon, used is the way to go when shopping for diesel trucks.
Unfortunately, that’s a little tricky too, as private sellers are raising their own prices, hoping to turn a profit on their beater trucks. If you’re not careful, you can wind up with an overpriced production flop that’s nothing but problems. That’s why we’re here to give you some insight into what we believe are the best three old diesel truck models to consider for tackling the daily grind.
Why are diesel trucks so expensive?
If you’re new to all of this, you’re surely scratching your head, asking why diesel trucks are so expensive. Trucks, in general, are overpriced, but diesels are ridiculous. Even with vehicle prices finally coming down post-COVID, diesels remain stubbornly expensive.
Simply put, demand is driving diesel truck prices up – and there are several reasons demand is so high.
First and foremost, diesel trucks are truly exceptional vehicles known for their rock-solid reliability and brute force. The right models are near invincible when well-maintained, making them the premier choice for work. This reputation alone is enough to drive prices through the roof. Add to that their excellent response to power adders and their status as a symbol of capability, and the masses are crawling over themselves to grab one.
Another reason diesels are so expensive is that we’re still feeling the effects of the great chip shortage that held up the entire industry. Given that demand was high to begin with, it’s going to be a long time until everyone who’s been after a new diesel gets their hands on one.
Lastly, diesels are being phased out. In April 2023, California passed a bill banning the sale of new diesel trucks by 2036. Since several states follow their lead on emissions, the mandate could have wider application, further affecting the crop of new diesel trucks for purchase.
Best Old Diesel Trucks to Make a Daily Out Of
If you’re going to buy a used diesel truck for daily use, there are three clear choices to consider.
Before we get into them, however, a disclaimer is in order. These choices were made based mostly on reliability, with the cost of maintenance and fuel economy also being taken into consideration. While sheer power and response to aftermarket mods are bonuses, they aren’t the reasons to consider a truck for normal daily use.
1999-2003 Ford Super Duty 7.3L Powerstroke
There’s a reason everyone has a relative with one of these old Fords lingering around for almost thirty years now. They’re ultra-reliable, adding real meaning to that “Built Ford Tough” slogan.
Now, this isn’t the burliest of Powerstroke engines, but that’s part of its beauty. The modest 275 hp and 550 lb-ft of torque is easy on everything, helping these trucks motor on for decades. Let’s face it: that’s perfect for something being used primarily as a daily driver. However, lots of aftermarket support and tons of budget-friendly mods make it easy to get a little more power out of these old rigs. Best of all, this is one of few legendary diesel trucks you can still find for cheap.
Being so old does come with some setbacks, though. In this case, an average of 12 mpg is the real problem. That might be decent with a trailer attached, but it’s going to be tough to deal with otherwise. These trucks also have a relatively high maintenance cost, which further offsets the low initial investment.
2003-2007 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 5.9L Cummins
The 2003-2007 Ram with a 6.7 Cummins under the hood is essentially the white rhino of diesel trucks. Members of all truck fan clubs will agree that what Dodge did for this year range is truly remarkable.
This Ram truck is capable of dishing out 325 hp and 610 lb-ft of torque. That’s more than enough to get the job done, and it only sipped gas while doing it. Despite the old age, owners are averaging 20 mpg in stock form. And, if you want to modify them, that 24-valve under the hood has an amazing amount of aftermarket support and responds freakishly well to bolt-ons. A little bit of work could get you to modern standards in terms of performance. And thanks to a revised fuel system, these are ultra-reliable rigs.
The biggest problem you’ll encounter with these trucks is finding a good one to make a daily driver. Every truck bro and his mother are after this model, skyrocketing the cost of good examples.
2006-2007 GM 2500/3500 LBZ 6.6L Duramax
GM diesel trucks don’t get much love and most will agree they aren’t really deserving of it when compared with trucks from the other major players. They’ll run hard and last a lifetime, but you’ve got to make the right mods first, which isn’t ideal for most truck owners.
That said, the LBZ 6.6L Duramax-powered trucks are the exception. For the 2006-2007 years, GM got away from the reliability issues that plagued prior generations. These engines could get you to 300,000 miles no sweat in stock form, while pumping out 360 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. With a timeless exterior design and low cost of maintenance, there’s little need to mess with what GM gives you here.
Fuel economy is the biggest issue for this model, averaging 14 mpg. That’s far better than older trucks, but not quite in line with what similar-year Dodges were pulling. The other pitfall is that few of these trucks were around when new, with just a two-year run before emissions choked them, making it hard to find a good one.
Getting More Out of Your Truck With Bully Dog
Modifying your truck to get a little more out of it doesn’t need to be done in the context of going full-bore hotrod. Even something used for daily commuting and chores can stand to benefit from simple mods. That’s where Bully Dog comes in.
Bully Dog is in the business of tuning diesels to suit use on the fly. Its programmers hook up and help you dial in that rig to whatever you’re getting after. Whether you need a little more oomph to haul a trailer or to squeeze a little more economy out of it for those long hauls, Bully Dog has you covered—which is especially helpful for these old-but-gold rigs.