Preferred gas engines for 1 ton pickups

[flusher]

Thanks to everyone who posted to this thread. I got a lot of good advice.

Right now I'll probably go with the GMC Sierra 2500 with the 8.1L V8 gasser. Two reasons: iron block and iron heads; and the engine is available in models from 2001-09. Also like the Allison tranny.

Don't want no towing vehicle with aluminum heads.

I've looked at the Dodge 8L V10 that also is an iron engine. However, it was phased out in 2003 so Rams with the V10 are getting a little long in the tooth.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Thanks to everyone who posted to this thread. I got a lot of good advice.

Right now I'll probably go with the GMC Sierra 2500 with the 8.1L V8 gasser. Two reasons: iron block and iron heads; and the engine is available in models from 2001-09. Also like the Allison tranny.

Don't want no towing vehicle with aluminum heads.

I've looked at the Dodge 8L V10 that also is an iron engine. However, it was phased out in 2003 so Rams with the V10 are getting a little long in the tooth.

Good luck finding a nice used one. In my area they are either 6.0's or Dmax.

Chris

 

[FlaDon]

Good luck finding a nice used one. In my area they are either 6.0's or Dmax.

Chris

Yep. Most people that have them won't part with them for something less. 6.0s are gotten rid of to get a bigger engine/Diesel while the DM is normally replace due to wear and tear.

 

[flusher]

Good luck finding a nice used one. In my area they are either 6.0's or Dmax.

Chris

DP: Yeah, I've noticed that. But that makes the search more challenging.

 

[Diamondpilot]

DP: Yeah, I've noticed that. But that makes the search more challenging.

I would still not rule out the V-10 Ford. I know lots of guys with them. My uncle has had 2 with zero issues. None that I know of have had any problems. My buddy Art, a boating buddy, runs a F-350 Diesel, 3 5.8L Broncos, and these 8 2009 F-250's powered by V-10's all with plows. They get worked hard and no issues

The F-350 is not pictured. The picture was take from it.

They are very popular around here. Many boaters like them because of the Ford towing capacity and the cheaper price of entry vs the diesels.


Chris

 

[flusher]

I would still not rule out the V-10 Ford. I know lots of guys with them. My uncle has had 2 with zero issues. None that I know of have had any problems. My buddy Art, a boating buddy, runs a F-350 Diesel, 3 5.8L Broncos, and these 8 2009 F-250's powered by V-10's all with plows. They get worked hard and no issues

The F-350 is not pictured. The picture was take from it.

They are very popular around here. Many boaters like them because of the Ford towing capacity and the cheaper price of entry vs the diesels.


Chris

Right. IIRC Ford fixed (supposedly) the design defect in the Triton engine heads that cause the blown spark plug problem sometime in the 2004 timeframe.

I have 97K miles on the 4.6L Triton in my 01 F150 so far with no blown spark plug problem (yet). The plugs are supposed to be changed soon (at 100K miles IIRC). I'll probably have the dealer do that service since just my luck one or more of the old plugs will be stuck.

 

[neucam]

For your needs and model year requirements, I would go with a GM V8 8.1l. The Dodge 1-ton up to 2002 model year (old style) only came in dual rear wheel which you are probably not looking for. The Ford has a decent engine but there were still many problems with it (like spitting spark plugs out of the head), it gets horrible gas mileage and the tranny is made of glass.

So you would consider the 360 that made 245hp/333lb.ft over the completely new and now very well proven 345 HEMI that makes 345hp/375lb.ft. I don't know what you have against the HEMI but I highly doubt you ever even owned one, I have never heard anyone complain about that engine except for fuel mileage. Sure it uses fuel (17hwy/14city/11 towing max capacity - my real world numbers) but makes more power at any RPM per cu. in. then any other gasoline engine ever made.

The HEMI wasn't available in the 2500/3500 until 2003. It actually makes about the same power as the GM 8.1l but gets much better fuel mileage. The auto tranny behind the HEMI also has been mostly unchanged since 2003 and has been very proven as well. People like to remember the old Dodge tranny's of the early 90's that had problems and think they are still problematic but the new tranny started in 2003 has proven to be very stout and very reliable. I wouldn't hesitate one second to get a 1-ton with the HEMI and 5-speed auto but you stated you only wanted up to 2002 model year.

You said it the new hemi engine has bad fuel mileage and needs rpms to reap a benefit. Driving empty it is a rocket, towing it is barely above the older engine unless at 4000rpm. HUM how many people tow at 4000rpm.

 

[Dmace]

You said it the new hemi engine has bad fuel mileage and needs rpms to reap a benefit. Driving empty it is a rocket, towing it is barely above the older engine unless at 4000rpm. HUM how many people tow at 4000rpm.

Why does this thread never die...

I never said it "needs rpms to reap a benefit" it just keeps making HP as it climbs unlike your "truck" engines that stop making power after 2500rpms or so. Look at the dynos, the HEMI is making the same power as the others but usually is a few hundred rpms higher. That's just the nature of the beast, the difference is after 2500rpms it keeps making power and doesn't stop until almost the redline. I said it before, I would rather have an engine made for high rpm durability that constantly makes power throughout the entire rpm range rather then some big block V8 that would fall apart if it ever hit 5000rpms and only makes power till 2500rpms then stops pulling. I have never gone above 4,000 rpms while towing, the truck pulls very hard from 2,000rpms up. Even towing it shifts at 3,500 rpms. 4,000rpms and higher is for the unloaded fun when I need a good kick in the pants.

These other manufacturers can't make decent power without some massive 6.0l or larger blocks and these big blocks still can't meet 2012 EPA requirements like the ole 5.7l HEMI. This engine will be around for a long time.

BTW, the new HEMI has the same gas mileage as the others and the same or more power...

 

[mustangsallysdad]

I find your comment bizzare...the 5.4 3V is very behind the competition...It is Fords top option V8 engine.... They are 60+hp behind the GM 6.0 and Dodge 5.7 Hemi offerings,and down on torque as well,with worse fuel economy than both..In fact the 5.4 3v can only match the 5.3 GM pushrod engine for power,even though GMs 5.3 is its fuel economy engine,not its top option powerhouse..Ford is scrambling to get the hurricane 6.2 to market as they do not have a competitive V8 right now.You cant even compare the 5.4 to a Toyota Tundra 5.7 or the Nissans 5.6,they both leave the Ford so far behind in power,that its sad .......Your comment on big block pulling power is actually comical,the 5.4 is barely adequete towing over 6000lbs,esp with enclosed trailers.It does the job,yes,it is a good engine,but it is not powerful,or even close to big block pulling power...

I don't have a brand preference...I bought an F350 crew cab, long wheelbase, srw with a V10 and a 4.30 rear because it was a better deal than similarly equipped trucks at the time. It has 145,000 mi. and has pulled my fifth wheel camper, 18' horse trailer, 10T deck over equipment trailer and my car hauler loaded with a big block '69 Mustang. I've maintained it well, used synthetic gear lube with friction modifier in the rear and Rotella 15w-40 in the crankcase since I've owned it. Other than lubes, tires , shocks, 1 set of plugs, hose, belt, brakes (you get the gist, normal items) the only thing I've had to repair is a LR axle seal. Thought I'd chime in...seemed to be getting off topic.

 

[sld]

Why does this thread never die...

For heavy truck usage, the Ford V10 is a much better engine in all respects than any hemi.

Everyone knows that.