I've owned the 12V diesel dodge, the chevy duramax and both the 7.3 and 6.0 powerstoke fords. I will never own a diesel again. Why? I don't pull an RV anymore. The up keep is much more expensive than a gas vehicle, fuel filters, oil changes, worn front end components from the xtra engine weight, just go price a starter for one.
Diesels have there place, if you are pulling big loads all the time, driving extensively etc. But with the cost of fuel today, there really isn't a savings in fuel cost for most of us.
I've owned 3/4 tons all my life, with that said I will never buy anything but one tons from now on for our use. The mechanical component difference is night and day, frame strengh, axles, hubs, they are so much heavier built it's night and day. Don't worry about engine size.
Our primary wood hauler is a one ton chevy that I bought out of a salvage pool that was immaculate, a deer had knocked out the grill and the hood, when the lady went through a fence it tore the lower radiator hose off and fried the 6.0 gas engine. I bought the truck for 2300.00, I bought a 5.3 gas engine that had 7000 miles on it, found it on CL.
With 4:11 gears it has worlds of power. With the 8'wx9'lflatbed we put on it with all the repairs I have 3600.00 in a 2003 3500 4x4 flatbed with a dump. The truck itself was immaculate and had BFG commercial radials at about 80% tread wear. It has been great, I've posted pics on another thread. I had the electric/over hydro power unit already, the hoist cost me 175.00 at a implement dealership. Anyone should be able to convert their truck from a flatbed/ regular bed for under 1000.00 if they do it themselves.
I'd shop around and look for a nice little one ton gasser. The truck you were looking at would make a great woodhauler, he's just asking too much, at least for this area.