Opinions on Diesel Trucks???

[cowboydoc]

When you're ready let me know if you decide to purchase Ford. I can get you $500 under invoice and any rebates that are available. No hassles at all. Just walk in and sign your name.

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

I agree with most everything you've said Bob. The only thing I disagree on so far is the automatic. Before last year I would have agreed with you. A number of guys in the hotrod business that I know have been trying to tear up the transmission in the Ford to see what it's capable of. These guys make chips and stuff for them so they need to know where the break points are. So far they haven't found them with the auto. Now we'll see how they hold up long term but I'll tell you as a died in the wool manual lover I'm sold so far.

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

None of them have problems starting in cold weather. I think the Dodge has the best setup with that preheater system but they all do very well.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

Sure they start but you have to admit it's a lot nicer when they've been plugged in wouldn't you?

We had plenty of nights right around 0* and slightly below and the times I forgot /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif to plug in the truck it started but not nearly as smoothly or quietly.

I THINK I read somewhere Ford or Navistar says the PSD is good to start down to -20 without plugging in

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

Yes they'll start down to -20. I've been in Bozeman quite a few times and started them down to -30.

 

[_RaT_]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

Richard, tell me, what changed your mind about going to an automatic. I asume the torque shift is an automatic. As far from buying a truck as I am, I'll tell ya, it gets tempting now and then when I drive around in the "old" 93 non turbo 7.3L espcially at 7000 and 8000 feet. The new 6.0L sounds really interesting and I would like to just go check one out. I've driven the Dodge plenty of times, they were the older ones, 95 dual wheels 4WD and a 96 2WD. Frankly, I was underwhelmed. I guess it was like hearing all about a great movie and finally seeing it and, well, it just didn't do it for me. I stuck with my 1989 swapping for the 1993 a few years back. What makes this 6.0 better then the 7.3L? What has changed with the automatics, is it a 4 speed? Whats available in manual, 5 speed? How is the sound level, I must be one of those women someone was talking about because I'm a big fan of quiet diesels. Curious about the new products. Thanks, Rat.

 

[Bird]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What has changed with the automatics, is it a 4 speed? Whats available in manual, 5 speed? )</font>

Add one gear to each; 5 speed automatic and 6 speed manual. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

Rat,

I was dead set on getting a 6 speed. The diesels now are 6 speed manuals and 5 speed automatics. However, I drove my brothers automatic with the 6.0 litre. It was nothing short of incredible. It has an exhaust brake synchronized with the transmission. You touch the brakes and it downshifts automatically and holds your speed on hills. The shifting is incredibly smoooth. You know how a 4 speed auto will jam into gear going uphills and rev way up. Well this thing just smoothly shifts down. And when pulling a load it is smooth as glass. No jumping through the gears at all.

I've had mine for four months now and no regrets at all. The engine is like driving a 7.3 with a chip. What I like is straight from the factory it runs like a scalded rabbit. No messing around with aftermarket exhaust, chips, etc. to get the power you want.

I would highly suggest you pick up a brochure or go to the website. This is a completely new engine from the ground up. There are just too many features to go into here. It's nice for sure.

The sound level is incredible. You don't notice much that you are driving a diesel. On the highway you don't know it's a diesel at all.

I really like it. I can't say enough good about it.

 

[RJohnson]

Re: Here\'s the deal on diesel trucks...

I have heard that if you are going to be dong a lot of towing then the manual is the only way to go. If you are doing around town driving with stop and go the automatic is probably better. If you are going to be keeping the truck for 300 or 400 thousand miles the automatic most likely won't make it without a overhaul.

Randy

 

[RobertN]

The '99 had 700k on it. Both guys hauled goosenecks around delivering stuff.

I would define "major", on any brand, as going beyond consumables. Brakes, filters, tires, fluids are consumables. On a manual, the clutch is a consumable.

Major would be dropping the tranny and opening it up for repair. Or, getting into the engine, or rear diff.

My previous 89' Ford F250 with 351/manual ran like a top at 210k miles. At a little over 200k I had to do the clutch. Even with a transfer case hanging off the end of the tranny, it was a pretty simple maintenance to do.

I never have been much for fishing. Tend more to sit by the water with an expensive stick in one hand and a beer in the other /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif