Old Diesel-Heads Going Gas

[jayste]

Well guys I thought I'd group this into one thread and hope it doesn't get shut down due to brand bashing. I know we can be rather "passionate" about our brands. I was wondering, of the current diesel pickup/truck owners out there, who was considering buying a gasser on your next truck purchase? Considering the normal maintenance costs of a diesel and the newer maintenance costs of the "EPA friendly" engines or, like me, you don't use it enough now to justify the costs. What are your thoughts? :anyone:

 

[medicshawn]

Not unless I run into some financial crisis. I'll keep my 6 year old Dodge Diesel.

 

[Mike120]

I've got 2 diesels (F-350 & C-2500) both are used for pulling trailers. If I were to replace either, I'd still stick with diesel and replace the chevy (decent engine/tranny...everything else is junk). I've also got a F-150 with around 225K miles that just keeps on trucking. If I had to replace it, it would be another F-150 gasser.

 

[dex3361]

I have a 1993 Ford F250 7.3L non turbo and I will keep it until it dies. It has 240,000 mile on the clock and runs good. That said I would not buy any of the new diesels because of the cost and the fact that I cannot afford to fix one when it has a problem. My next truck will be a used Diesel or a gasser. I have run the #s and it is not worth it in my book. Now if I towed all of the time ad I needed the torque and it was a paying proposition but...... its not. I sure like the older simple diesels.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Only real option, and its days are numbered, is the Ford V-10. The other manufactures do not have a good powered low torque producing V8 and Ford is doing a stupid thing and following suit with the high revving V8. Not good for a large truck but would be fun in a 1/2 ton that is not used for real truck duty or a car.

Chris

 

[ModMech]

The EPA has, IMO, gone TOO FAR and more importantly too fast.

I would not consider a "new" diesel. By the time you factor in the added purchase, operating and maintenance costs, you lose over a gas engine. Yes, resale value IS higher, but you don't get back 100% of the added up-front cost, so you lose there. You pay more interest (money you *could* be spending on other things) to finance the more expensive diesel. You need more oil, more expensive filters, DEF and to clean the DPF periodically. None of that applies to a gasser.

The 5.4L 3V makes WAY more WHP and WTq than the 460/454s of by-gone days, and they are good enough for me in terms of efficiency.

Now, a Gen 1 or 2 Dodge CTD would be the best of both worlds, but not available "new" or anything even close to it.

 

[flusher]

Only real option, and its days are numbered, is the Ford V-10. The other manufactures do not have a good powered low torque producing V8 and Ford is doing a stupid thing and following suit with the high revving V8. Not good for a large truck but would be fun in a 1/2 ton that is not used for real truck duty or a car.

Chris

I agree--the Ford V-10 is pretty torquey right out of the box.

The old Dodge 8.0L V10 gasser needs after market upgrades to goose up torque below 2000 rpm. Gear Vendors has this Overdrive-Underdrive add-on unit for the tranny that they say gives something like 420 lb-ft at 1500 rpm. Fairly spensive upgrade--$2300 to $5000 depending on model.

 

[dieselfreak]

Next truck will be a new Duramax. It will easily pay fror itself, since Diesel is still cheaper than gas up here.

df.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Next truck will be a new Duramax. It will easily pay fror itself, since Diesel is still cheaper than gas up here.

df.

Where do you live? Diesel is $.25 or more per gallon here in Indiana. Trust me, I have 3 diesels that are thirsty.

Chris

 

[dieselfreak]

Where do you live? Diesel is $.25 or more per gallon here in Indiana. Trust me, I have 3 diesels that are thirsty.

Chris

Ontario Canada, roughly a dime/litre, which is .45 per gallon.

df.