Diesel Truck advice

[FL_Cracker]

I own a 01' 4x4 7.3 and have 130,000 mile with ZERO problems. Fuel milage is around 15mpg, but I have a lead foot.

International Engine (builder of the Power Stroke) rates the 7.3 at 10%/226,000 miles. What that means is that 90% of the engines go 226,000 miles without a major engine failure....

Good luck.

 

[Av8r3400]

The 7.3 has been a decent motor. Weather you choose the Ford or the Cummins - Dodge (my choice by far) a diesel is far superior to a gas motor.

One piece of advise, do NOT under any circumstances buy the 6.0 power stroke. It is junk in every aspect. You'd be better off with an Isuzu-Max Chevy.

 

[Gomez]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( .

One piece of advise, do NOT under any circumstances buy the 6.0 power stroke. It is junk in every aspect. You'd be better off with an Isuzu-Max Chevy. )</font>

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anyone sense a flame war startin' here?

 

[gsxr1100]

yes but I will say this.

a 7.3 Powerchoke /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif should get around 17 to 18 mpg (and that is just about pushing it). That is what mine got when I sold it.

As with any auto, if you take care of it, it will last.

 

[getut]

Well as the person who started this thread and as a person who has stated MANY times on this site that I am completely color blind, I have been looking at both Dodge and Ford. Here are my truck observations:

In the '95 to '99 range 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks, I personally think Chevy had the best gas model and the worst diesel (3/4 ton only). I'm wanting diesel so I ruled out Chevy, which leaves Ford and Dodge.

In the pricing I have done, I think I may get lucky. '95 to '99 is right about the range where 1/4 mile long trucks that can seat 24 men comfortably started getting popular. They were still making quite a few standard cab 3/4 ton diesels though. There are many of them for sale, and the regular cab isn't fetching nearly as much money because there aren't many weirdos like me who only want me and my dog in the truck. It is looking like I will be able to get a fine deal on a Ford or Dodge 3/4 ton 4x4 regular cab diesel pickup.

 

[RobertN]

I am died in the wool Cummins. It is in my truck. It is in the Fire engine I used to drive(8.9L 350hp Cummins, OH YA!).

I also like Ford trucks, just like the Dodge better because of the Cummins.

There have been lots of pokes at this new 6.0PS, but where is the data? Are the issues just on the initial engines? Let's see some numbers... Where's the data?

 

[gsxr1100]

All I am stating is that I had the truck and what was my mpg….Most people on this site are WAY to much in chevy, dodge, Ford blah blah…It is unreal at times. I could go into it deeper but the mods would come flocking.

I had a Powerstroke and sold it since I did not need it and provided no added benefit. I can do the same thing with a gas truck or trailer. Did it work, sure.

The price for a used model is about 10 to $12K. I would not personally pay over that for a 97 for later years with 8 ft bed single cab.

 

[texbaylea]

My experience is with the GM 6.5 TD. I have no complaints about but regardless of which engine or truck you are interested in remember that the injection pump and the injectors wear. I have heard figures of 75,000 miles on injectors and 150,000 miles on injection pumps. Keep this in mind when looking a vehicle with over 100,000 miles. A rebuilt injection pump would be $650 and up exchange and rebuilt injectors about $40 ea and up.

Diesel pickups are great but they can be more expensive to maintain or repair.

Vernon

 

[gsxr1100]

I agree. From what I was told the Powerstroke injectors are more like $300 each... so you need 8..

They are great till they break. It is pay now or pay later. You pay either way, just some are less then others.

 

[Av8r3400]

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Seriously, though, how many v-8 diesels do you see in OTR trucks, or in tractors? The in-line six has many advantages. 50% fewer moving parts; in the case of the Cummins, 75% more bearing surface area; lower RPM torque curve means less revving to get to the power band, so the motor lasts longer (Cummins 1st scheduled service other than fluid and filter changes is K miles, overhaul is at 400K); I could go on.

Specifics on the 6.0 PSD, there have been as many buy-backs of that motor as the Cummins and DM combined. Fuel injectors, turbos, cracked heads, software, the list goes on. IH built a good motor, then Ford changed so much of it they ruined it. I have read on the Ford diesel site that it's replacement is already in the pipeline.