What helped you decide diesel or gas?

[jimmyt11664]

I'm sorry, But we are talking about two different powertrains. A diesel has a different Power and torque curve than a gasoline engine. A diesel engine is designed for high torque and lower Rpm operating, Gasoline engine builds horsepower and torque on a higher Rpm scale. Fuel efficiency on a diesel engine is more efficient. Even if both are turbocharged. If properly equipped with transmission and final drive gear ratios and tire size, Diesel will win hand's down. Maintenance is a key role in this case. These diesel will go a lot more miles than a gas engine. Pay a lot up front and be quite happy. Or save money and buy a non diesel truck and wished that you bought the diesel-powered instead down the road.

[WEMig]

Originally Posted by mike.t

Ya but the Diesel went 400k and gasser? Plus who really is looking at resale value on a 10 year old truck?

Exactly. It depends on your use. Resale isn't everything to everyone. Nor is the mileage you get you get out of it, 400k. What's the condition of the rest of the truck? I would say, not much for resale. My point is resale is not absolute positive. I'm speaking from experiece. Resale on a 4 year old truck, "no contest".

[mike.t]

That's plus plus. Thanks jimmy

[Blackhat6mike]

Why did I buy a diesel over a gasser? Well, let's see. Nissan Titan will not pull 13,300 lbs. A motor that will probably outlast me. About 5 mpg more on the diesel. Trade in value. Ride in general. Much larger brakes, suspension and drive train. Exhaust brake [BIG DEAL] Extra large radiator and tranny coolers. Transfer tank [50 gal] much safer than gas. Max torque [700 ft lbs] at 2,000 rpms. No engine roar and high rpms. Allison tranny.
I'm sure there is more, just not coming to mind right now.
If I had known 20 years ago about diesel what I know now, I would have never owned a gasser. Never going back. I'm sure there are some, but I have yet to meet anyone that went back after owning a diesel unless they gave up towing and even then I would stick with diesel. I do all my own oil and filter changes, so maintenance is no big deal. It's a personal choice.

[jevanb]

Father in law sold his 2005 LLY duramax a couple months ago with 63k miles for 24.5k. That same truck with a 6.0 gasser would sell for 8 to 10

[mike.t]

Blackhat plus you can beat the snot out of most of the cars that guys think are fast.

[Blackhat6mike]

Originally Posted by mike.t

Blackhat plus you can beat the snot out of most of the cars that guys think are fast.

Talk about surprised gassers!!! It WILL GO! Had then speed limiter removed and custom tune installed. Many horses.

[srennick]

2004 Dodge Cummins 2500 HD 5.9 Diesel 6spd Manual.
210 K . 1 Clutch
Pulls 14k 5th 15,000/year with no effort. 11-12mpg
Still no power loss. Go as fast as I need to.

Enough said.

[cj06]

I dont own any thing newer than a 93 f250 .
It is gas 351 , will repower with a 6.9 idi or 7.3 idi . i prefer the older mechanical fueled diesels
To the newer ones as it is easier to run wast motor oil or veg oil in them .

[doc73]

My friend ran veg oil in his old Ford Power Stroke before finally selling it and getting a 250 King Ranch. Could not figure out why I was always hungry and craving fried chicken when riding around with him!

[muddyrode]

i went down the same rode i have alway had trucks mostley 1/2 tun that i always overloaded and pulled way to much weight with and never gave it a second thought the old truck 98 chevy 1/2ton which i still have, has 216,xxx miles on it and a 8.5 foot snow plow mounted to the front and that has become the so called farm truck but when we upgraded to a fifth
wheel i started looking at 3/4 ton and the decision gas or diesel how much do i pull how many miles do i drive maintanance cost,what to do started looking test driving, ended up going diesel could not be happier should have done it years ago it is well worth the extra cost to me
good luck

[Filterman]

Did a lot of research three years ago when I bought my F150 6.2L 6 speed with Max Tow Package. Needed to stay as close to the ground as possible because my wife has mobility issues. The 7700GVW F150 with Max Tow was my choice. Also additional cost of purchase for diesel and ongoing higher cost of diesel fuel. We tow 15-20000km a year, in pretty rough terrain in BC and this summer Yukon and Alaska. I pull a 8000# T28RKS Wildcat and fully loaded with fuel etc, I'm still under 17100# allowable GCVW. 8-10 MPG towing, 19-22 empty.

[Jim34RL]

Originally Posted by HSVBamaBob

We have been researching diesel as well Doc. The RAM 3500 we are considering gets 15K between Oil Changes and has a 8 GAL DEF Tank. Depending on where we are going (we want to do the AlCan in '18) I certainly would have a spare 2 GAL DEF Can in the toolbox

I have heard that a full DEF tank (in the above truck) gets 10K Miles but towing factors, idling and so forth come into play to reduce that. Also the Cummings can use Biodiesel which supposedly refuses DEF consumption (and gives you better mileage)

Bio-fuel is not advantages to use in a modern diesel engine that's why the manufactures have limited the bio-content to depending on the year of the engine to a maximum of 20%. The early years for 2007.5 to 2012 for the Cummins was 5% maximum. Bio-fuel will cause regeneration issues with the DPF and lead to early clogging of the filter.

Another item Bio-fuel has less energy content than regular diesel fuel so you do not achieve better fuel mileage when using bio-fuel. Every time I am force to use BP diesel (only fuel around) they have the highest bio-fuel ratio. I loose fuel mileage especially when pulling my trailer and the engine is working harder. I have 8 years of fuel mileage data to back this up recording every type of fuel that I burn.

[dustman_stx]

Jim,

I'll also add that I don't think the recommended oil change interval is 15K when towing. I'm not a Cummins guy, so I won't swear to that. But people tend to quote the max interval while ignoring the severe duty interval that the majority of us should be going by.

[Mountains2Sea]

I had a Z71 gasses before I bought my Chevy 2500HD clacker... Since you are not asking for any tech responses i.e better millage, power, etc., the answer is simple. My clacker is 8x more fun to drive and pull than my gasser. And better yet, for the time being (in CO) fuel is about the same cost as gas. Heck, saying "fuel" is even more fun than saying "gas";-)

With all that said, I sure do miss the 69 F250 gasser 4x4 I had in High School.

[Jim34RL]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

Jim,

I'll also add that I don't think the recommended oil change interval is 15K when towing. I'm not a Cummins guy, so I won't swear to that. But people tend to quote the max interval while ignoring the severe duty interval that the majority of us should be going by.

I do oil analysis on my engine oil for from the Fleetguard oil lab and I have never had to change the oil and filter earlier than 15K. Samples are done at 7 to 8 K miles. In fact working the Cummins engine towing a heavy trailer is better for the engine rater than using it has a grocery getter.

[LANShark42]

Easy decision for me. The truck I bought (see below) was more then enough TV for our current TT or anything we might consider trading up to. First and foremost, it was to be my daily driver. Please note that I work from home, so my "daily drive" usually turns out to be going on local errands a few times a week. Even though I didn't plan it this way, it has become the vehicle that my wife and I use for short trips, and weekend excursions, even though we have a Toyota Camry that get over double the gas mileage. The F250 is more comfortable for both me, as the driver, and 3 passengers than the Camry. And I don't have the added maintenance costs a diesel would have incurred. Just made sense fo us. YMMV

[Iwannacamp]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

Jim,

I'll also add that I don't think the recommended oil change interval is 15K when towing. I'm not a Cummins guy, so I won't swear to that. But people tend to quote the max interval while ignoring the severe duty interval that the majority of us should be going by.

I have no idea of the OEM recommended intervals... I change at 5K and keep going

$65 vs 6000 cheap to change

[mike.t]

I honestly don't believe any of us are going 15k between oil changes. That is a sales tool people. Jeez

[LANShark42]

IMHO, if Bubba Joe Backyardmechanic tells me I can go 15K between changes, I'm gonna question that number. But if the MANUFACTURER gives me an oil change interval under a certain set of conditions, I should be able to take that as gospel.

Disclaimer: I am NOT a mechanic. I do not play one on TV. And I did not stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.