Well, let me tell you, you young folks and your fancy cars. Back in my day, we didn’t have all these gizmos and gadgets. We had trucks, real trucks, and the best ones, the ones that lasted forever, were the diesel ones. Now, if you’re looking for a good used diesel pickup truck, you listen to me. I’ve seen a lot of trucks come and go, and I know which ones are worth your money.

First thing you gotta know, a diesel engine, it’s gonna last you a long, long time. Longer than those gasoline things, that’s for sure. They’re like the old mules we used to have on the farm. Strong, dependable, and they just keep going. My old neighbor, bless his soul, had a diesel truck, drove it for years and years. Said he never had a problem with it. That engine was still purring like a kitten when he finally sold it.
Now, I remember folks talking about that Ford F-150. That’s a popular one. People always said good things. A used Ford F-150, specially them from around 2009 to 2014, they’re solid. They are like the old cast iron pots your grandma used to have. Tough! You see a lot of them still on the road. That tells you something, don’t it? They’re built to last, those F-150s.
And then there’s that Cummins engine. Oh boy, that Cummins is a beast! Strong like an ox, that one. Everybody wants a truck with a Cummins. You put a Cummins in a truck, and it’s like giving it a heart of steel. That’s why you see a lot of those big, heavy-duty trucks with Cummins engines. They can pull anything, haul anything, go anywhere.
I heard some folks say the older Cummins, the 12-valve one, that’s the real deal. They say the newer ones, the 24-valve, sometimes they have problems with that pump thingy. And they say some of them new ones got thinner metal, and they can crack. But, a Cummins is a Cummins. It is a good engine in a diesel truck. Even that mechanic said it is better than the Powerstroke and the Duramax.
- Ford F-150 (2009-2014) – Everyone’s got one, and they run forever.
- Cummins Engine – Strong like a bull. If you can find a used one with this, you are good.
- 12-valve Cummins – The oldie but goodie. Hard to find, but worth it.
Now, they got that Chevy Silverado 1500. Heard good things about that one too. It’s a big truck. They say it’s reliable. That means it won’t break down on you all the time. And they say it’s comfortable. Like sitting in your favorite rocking chair, I reckon. But nothing beats a Ford when it comes to diesel trucks. That Chevy is always chasing Ford like a dog chasing a car.
But let me tell you, a used truck, it’s like a used pair of shoes. You gotta check it out good before you buy it. Look under the hood, kick the tires, make sure everything’s in working order. You don’t want to buy someone else’s problems. Make sure it wasn’t in a flood, or in a bad wreck. Those things can hide problems that you don’t see until it’s too late.
You gotta listen to the engine. Does it sound right? Does it sound like it’s got some life left in it? Or does it sound like it’s about to cough up a lung and die? If it sounds rough, like it’s been through a war, you might want to keep looking.
And don’t be afraid to haggle on the price. These young folks today, they think the price is the price. But back in my day, we always haggled. You offer them less than they’re asking, and you see what they say. You might be surprised. They might just come down on the price. Especially if it’s a used truck, they know it ain’t brand new.
So, if you’re looking for the best used diesel pickup truck, you remember what I told you. Look for a Ford F-150, or something with a Cummins engine. And make sure you check it out real good before you hand over your hard-earned money. These diesel trucks, they ain’t cheap. But if you find a good one, it’ll last you a long, long time. Like an old friend, it’ll always be there for you, ready to work. And that’s what you want in a truck, isn’t it? Something that’s reliable, something that’s strong, something that won’t let you down.
Finding a good used diesel pickup truck, it’s like finding a good husband. You gotta look hard, you gotta be patient, and you gotta know what you’re looking for. But when you find the right one, it’s worth all the effort. A good diesel truck is worth its weight in gold. That is my advice. You listen to me, and you’ll be just fine. Trust me, I know a thing or two about trucks.