DEF and diesel pick-up trucks

Yes and yes.

 

Yes ever since 2011 they were required. The ram with the cummins 6.7 didn't get def until this year, but they have had dpf's for some time now.

 

Honestly, just like the class 8 trucks, I would buy a pre '07 diesel pickup. Would you be hauling anything or just driving as a daily driver around town or something?

In my honest opinion they are less reliable. The early ones were problematic. The EPA shutdown the sale of tuners to do a DPF delete, so if buy an older pickup unless you can find a shop that will do a DPF and def delete tune for the truck.

 

If you like dodge then you can't go wrong with a 90's model 2500 with a 12 valve mechanical cummins. Very reliable and good fuel mileage. They won't have a ton if power, but they will produce more torque than your gasser and get better mpg. I'd stay away from the new trucks, but if you want newer , I'd get something between 2000-2006.

 

If you want a Ford, I would look for a 7.3. They were available until mid-year 2003.
I have a '97 F250 and a '03 F350. Both 7.3 and great trucks. They're not for sale and I intend to drive them until I just can't keep them together. (that should be a long, long time)

 

DEF and DPF delete is illegal here, but usually no one check it. CEL off - truck is OK

 

I had a 2007, 2008, and 2010 GMC with the duramax and now have a 2011 and two 2012. One is my 2012 3/4 ton GMC that I run around in personally and the other 2 are one 2011 and one 2012 one ton dumps. The 2007 truck was great but it was time to send it down the road. The 2008 and 2010 sucked down fuel like crazy. Some problems with the 2008 and 2010 but all were fixed under warranty. I got the 2011 one ton to replace the 2008 first because we plow with them so I dump them at 150,000 miles. It was the first truck that I have had with the DEF fluid and we love them. Only way they could make them better is to dump all the junk on them but if we have to have it I would take a 2011 or newer over a 2008-2010 all day long. My 2011 has just his 120,000 miles and I think we will try and run them all 200K+