Diesel trucks, anyone with diesel experience??

Looking at upgrading to a 3/4 or 1 ton pick up. I'm considering a diesel as the GM 6.0 gets such crappy mileage.

Anyone have any diesel experience?

 

The benefit to buying diesels in full size trucks is the torque for towing, not fuel economy.

The newer diesels all get crappy mileage, usually only slightly better than their gas equivalents...or not better at all. Generally you can expect highway economy to be in the low-mid teens. Some of the engines like the Ford 6.7 will respond well to removal of the emissions equipment, and with an economy-minded axle ratio you might be avle to squeeze 18 mpg highway out of one (empty). But removal of emissions equipment is illegal in all 50 states, and your truck may not pass emissions testing if you have it in your area.

Then factor in the higher cost of diesel (depends on region) and repairs, and diesels in large trucks should not be considered money savers.

If you don't need a 3/4 ton but want a diesel, I would suggest the RAM EcoDiesel 1/2 ton, which gets 28 mpg highway.

Otherwise, I would stick with a gas engine.

 

I was considering the GM 6.0 for gas but the numbers suck! Need a 3-4 or better for plowing & thought about considering a diesel

 

Yeah I've heard the 6.0 is/was a disaster!! I was thinking a 7.3 psd or the 6.6 duramax. Not fond of dodge but I know cummins is among the best. Looking at something before 07 & the strict emissions requirements

 

I thought the ram 1500 ecodiesel got squashed for now

 

Also, I was told not to plow with a 1/2 ton truck....but, they also told me I couldn't plow with my tacoma?!

 

Not a fan of the duramax but that's just me. The Ford 6.0 can be a good motor...after you dump a lot of money in it. The 7.3 is of course the most reliable, with the 6.4 and 6.7 being very good motors too. Don't know much about the Cummins motors but the 6.7s are tough. If you're looking for an older diesel, I'd get a 7.3, they can get really good mileage. If you're looking for new(ish) I'd go 6.4 or 6.7 powerstroke

 

The Ford 7.3 is incredibly good as long as the person before you took care of it well (as with any diesel). My family has a ford 6.7L and absoultely love it. We drove the cummins and Duramax as well and liked the fords the best. Cummins is a good motor but other componets don't hold up well in the Dodges. We liked the Duramax except for the price tag and that you got more for your money with a Ford.

The Cummins is s inline 6 so you won't get as much horsepower out but you get the same torque as the others. Drive them all yourself and see which one you like the best, thats the only thing that matters.

 

The key to owning a diesel is can you justify owning one? They are expensive finicky bastards. If your only plowing and doing minor towing I would stick with the gas. 1 repair on a diesel can overcome the savings in mileage that you bought it for. Parts are expensive and if your not working on it yourself they can rack up hours of repair very easily. Any vehicle will have problems but diesel trucks will have more repairs that cost a lot more money.. Trust me

 

Go diesel. Go ford. You'll be happy

 

drive components, electrical and other other typical dodge failure points are still cheaper that a POS Ford engine excluding the 7.3

 

It all depends on how you drive. If you hotrod it then yes you will blow turbos and what not a lot more. But if you take care of it, let the turbo cool down before shutting off the truck each time, then you will be fine. Plus the power of a diesel compared to gas is addicting, no problems if you are getting on the highway or passing someone.

 

I will agree that the 6.0 and 6.4 Fords weren't the greatest but the 6.7 powerstroke is the best engine yet by ford. There is a reason it out sells the other 2 brands combined.

 

Loved both of our Duramax's for towing 4 place horse trailer with sleeper. Never any mechanical issues. Many friends local drive Dodge and Ford as well and love em. Go test drive them for drivability and comfort. Enjoy the purchase without bashing the others.

 

I have never seen someone blow a stock hx35 turbo, you can destroy the bearings from many hot shutoffs referring to the cool down time you were referring to.

I'm just saying if you don't have a bunch of funds and or a serious need for a diesel I wouldn't buy one. My work truck has the Chevy 6.0 v8 and I get 14.5mpg in it and your not going to get to much more out of a diesel. I'm not saying don't get a diesel, I frickin love diesels I'm just saying there is a lot to consider before you buy one.

 

Not sure if its the bearings that people are destroying but I have been told by a lot of people that if you go above 10psi boost that you should let the truck idle for a minute before shutting it off so the turbo can cool. My neighbors just blew their turbo at about 50k miles and they said they don't let it cool down and didn't know about that.

It does take a lot of money for a diesel, not sure where the OP lives but diesel can either by way more/less or close to gasoline prices, that could help decide too. Also most diesels have a PTO standard that you can run stuff off of like a tractor so maybe the OP wants that. Like I said before he should go test drive them all and see what he likes best.

 

My dad just bought a brand new dodge 3500 cummins. He special ordered it with the bigger/stronger aisin transmission and with 4.10s in the rear end. If you buy a diesel you can't beat the cummins dosent even feel like your pullin anything when you have a load behind it. Dodge is the only way in diesels.

 

6.7 is the first Ford built diesel in their trucks.. How is the 6.4 even in same conversation as the 6.0? Only issue with the those are the DPF systems, do the delete and they won't kill themselves

 

I just meant stock over all. With proper tuning you can get them well over 600hp and they will last 500,000+ miles.

Have you ever towed with a Duramax or a powerstroke? The newer ones

 

Second time I've heard that^^. What is the deal with the turbos?? How long of a cool down are we talking? What do you do? Just let it idle?