I'm looking for a new truck (not for wheeling). I'd like something that I can use for camping, hauling and recovering the beast if required.

I won't be buying new (never have) but I don't want something I have to work on all the time.
My requirements are -
-V8 gas or turbo diesel (diesel preferred)
-4x4
-manual
-king cab or crew cab
-3/4 ton or 1 ton

I'm leaning towards a Silverado 2500HD. In fact I'm going to look at a 2004 6.6L turbo diesel with 6 speed manual after work today but won't be buying anything today.

Anyone have any reason why I should look at Ford or Dodge? I honestly don't think a Titan or Tundra would fit my needs so I'll be sticking with a domestic.

I like the older superduty 7.3L PSD.. Mine is still going strong.

What year/milage is yours?

There are also a lot of dodges out there with the 6 cyl cummins turbo diesel.

Mine is a 99. I've got 140,000 on it now and it still runs very very well. The truck gets around 17-18mpg unloaded and 13-14 pulling a trailer. Its a crew cab 4x4 w/ 4" lift.

I'm looking at f250 supper duty turbo diesel's. I'm not fond of the chevy's.

From my research the 7.3 is the way to go.

We have 2 7.3s and one cummins.

One of our 7.3s has 280k on it, still going strong and the other has 180k. Try to stay out of the 1999 year model 7.3, and dont think about a 6.0 Other wise both the cummins and the 7.3 are stuff I would reccomend to anyone. I dont know much about the dura max yet.

I personally would go with the cummins. 98 and older generally has the 12v and 99-2002 has the 24v and 2003 and up comes with the 300 series and if you do get one the go with a 2003 or newer the front end parts on the ones older then that tend not to wear out as the others were more prone to do.

I test drove it and liked it. It was in excellent condition, doesn't look like it's ever been offroad.

I bought it. I couldn't bear to have to trailer the beast behind a Ford or Dodge .

I'll try to snap some pictures tomorrow after we get home from the snow. But it probably won't be until Sunday.

Here is the autotrader ad:
linky

nice truck,Low miles... Still has the factory warranty.

I'm looking for a tow rig under 100K miles. I can only afford a 2000 or 2001.

get the dodge...
cummins is way stronger that the duramax or PS... I like the Allison tranny you can get with the chevy, though...

You have to ask yourself how much power you need. All the diesels will have plenty of power to haul 3 of your blazers around behind them. We regularly put 10,000lbs on the back of the F-350 with 280k on the clock.

HOLLY GAWD you actually got a manual!!!! HELL YES

The only bad thing about the Chevy's is the lack of solid front axle. Then again the Chevy IFS might not be a problem as I know nothing about its strength.