Hi, I am in the market for a 1/2 ton truck. I will be used. I am looking at 1994-1998 Dodge half-tons. Also I am considering a Ford f150. This will be my primary vehicle. Should I wait some more and get a diesel? It will be 4-wheeled alot.

 

I had a dodge 1500 1995 model. Loved the truck, hated the transmission, until i finally got it straightened out. If you find one with a beefed up transmission you will enjoy the 1500. With that said, I sold it last week after having it for 7 years and bought a 2006 2500 cummins. I sure love the diesel. If you like offroading, the diesel will give you much much more torque and bigger tires will phase it a lot less than a gas burner. If you're the mudbogging type go for the gas guzzler because sometimes you need some fast wheel spin to get out of a place or either a good winch. For some numbers, the 1500 with 265/75/16 tires got low to mid 14s in the city and mid 15s-mid 16s on the highway. The diesel weighs 3000 lbs more, has the same size tires, and gets 3-5mpg better.

 

I'd wait and get a diesel. I bought a half ton gasser after looking for a year and not finding a diesel like I wanted in good shape and kind of regret not getting a diesel. I wanted a F-250 with the 7.3L.

 

I'd go with a 3/4 ton gasser (5.9 or 8.0) if you're going to be wheeling it a lot. The gassers tend to be quicker than the diesels. Plus if you do some serious wheeling, you don't have that heavy motor bouncing around up there. Another added bonus, you get much stronger axles with a 3/4 ton than you do with a 1 ton. And the axles have a much better aftermarket for differentials/shafts/etc. That's just my opinion though.

Also, the comment about the diesels being 3000 lbs. heavier is incorrect. I can't find the curb weights at the moment, but I know diesel motor isn't 3000lbs heavier than the gas motors.

 

i wish i would of got a diesel, so much more power and if it is a little slow add a $700 chip and u could gain up to 100+ HP witch u cant do in a gas. also diesel engines seem to last alot longer u can put more miles on it. and if u want to tow or just load it up, DIESEL is the way to go. The only down side i think is the gas price and adding more money to buy a diesel truck my dad has a cummins diesel stock it would kill mine going up hills to.

 

What are you going to be using the truck for? Yes the cummins has more power but when it comes time to fix that bugger the price tag may put you in a coma. If you arn't going to pull alot and don't need the heavy suspension (rougher ride) why buy the 3/4? If you do need that by all means wait for the diesel.

 

1500 vs 2500. more than the motor. Reread the original question and my first response.

 

Also I checked up on some base curb weights. 4975 for a 1500 5999 for a 2500 gas burner. so thats 1024lbs just in suspension. Its probably more like 2000lbs between a 1500 gas and a 2500 diesel.

 

I know it's more than motor, but my comment was comparing gasser to diesel...assuming they're both 3/4 ton trucks. I know you compared 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton diesel. Either way, your esitmates are still off. The 1024 difference between a 1500 and a 2500 isn't just suspension. It's a heavier frame, heavier axles, larger transmission, etc. And going to a diesel from a regular 3/4 ton wouldn't add another 876lbs. If I find the thread where the diesel guys actually weighed a 360 and a diesel motor I'll post the weight differences.

 

I know that. Do you always read things in a perfect literal sense?