thinking about getting a Diesel. Help!

[Buckmark]

Just to get further off topic, what are the oil burner guys paying for diesel now, i could have sworn it was like 4.07 or 3.89 per gallon last i looked at the station near my house, i know it seems to be always more than gas, and what about the "additive" jackofalltrades mentioned?
*
And jackofalltrades i said "maint" costs were more, not that they needed more maint, and you backed me up on the cost issue, thanks..

[6x6in6]

Great post JOAT!!!!

Except one thing, Ford/International has not owned a portion of Cummins since 2005 at which time they had a minority 10% share.

[6x6in6]

Just to get further off topic, what are the oil burner guys paying for diesel now, i could have sworn it was like 4.07 or 3.89 per gallon last i looked at the station near my house, i know it seems to be always more than gas, and what about the "additive" jackofalltrades mentioned?
*
And jackofalltrades i said "maint" costs were more, not that they needed more maint, and you backed me up on the cost issue, thanks..

$2.89 in Ferndale, $2.99 in Bellingham.

[bearpaw]

I think what makes the most difference is what the price difference is between gas and diesel. Seems like diesel has been pretty steady about 10 to 30 cents more than gas everywhere I have been for the last 6 months, but that's not enough to offset the fuel savings too much.

Hope all this info everyone has provided helps you out blackhorn...

[GoldTip]

I run an '05 Dodge diesel, and diesel right now here in Spokane is cheaper than super unleaded, about 10cents.  Now it's maybe 12cents more than cheap gas.  Buckmark if I'd have been towing that utility trailer of yours with my diesel it would have gotten the same mileage as not towing anything, right around 20 at hiway speeds.  I figured out the mileage versus what I got with my previous '03 Hemi motor, and at unloaded speeds, even when there was a dollar difference in gas/diesel prices, I still was money ahead.  That was 14 with my previous gasser and 20 with my diesel.

[blackhorn]

All of this has been very helpful.  Thank you!    I think what I will do is wait till summer when fuel goes through the roof and watch the truck prices fall, than BUY, BUY, BUY!!!!  

[JackOfAllTrades]

Well we would not have to set up the cones and direct traffic every time you want to turn around at the 101 hole  

Shootmoore

Oh damn! Stab me in the back man!  Yes, the GM turns sharper for that era. I think the Ford and Dodge coil sprung front ends turn sharper than them now. Mine has leaf sprung front end... No, doesn't turn sharp at all.

6x6.. Sorry, you're right about the Cummins ownership..  Recall too that Ford is not now 'Government Controled' like some other auto manufactures we know.. Ford started selling off smaller interests before the going got rough. What a friggin smart move!

-Steve

[JackOfAllTrades]

Where's Wapiti with his DODGE comments?

-Steve

[6x6in6]

Two forums to join before you buy.  http://www.thedieselstop.com  and http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums.

A couple other NW based one's too.
Primarily Ford - http://nwforddiesel.com
Covers all 3 but more so the Dodge - http://www.nwdiesels.com/ and http://www.nwbombers.com

[GoldTip]

All of this has been very helpful.  Thank you!    I think what I will do is wait till summer when fuel goes through the roof and watch the truck prices fall, than BUY, BUY, BUY!!!!  

Buckmark here is what I figured out when gas prices were 4.90 for diesel and 3.90 for gas.  At a 500mile trip at 20mpg I burned 25 gallons at $4.90 for a total of $122.50 for diesel.  If I were driving my '03 hemi for the same trip, 500miles at 14mpg I burned 35.7 gallons at 3.90 for $139.28.  Thats 17 dollar saving on one 500mile trip back home to MT.  Even when there is a huge disparity in fuel prices, the diesels will win when just considering fuel costs.  For me, the extra power when towing was worth the initial purchase cost.  You put my 12K trailer behind my gasser and the fuel savings get even better with the diesel.

[Buckmark]

I like diesels, my next truck will be a diesel (with the King Ranch Leather) I am in no way saying dont buy the diesel, my fuel cost comparison was soley on bearpaws at16mpg and mine at 13mpg, doing the same trip, i am sure his truck would get better than mine if we towed the same identical load.
I was only pointing out that you may spend more money owning one if you are not going to use it for it's intended purpose, i said to evaluate your needs and make sure it is what you need.
I should just keep my mouth shut....

[JackOfAllTrades]

For me, the extra power when towing was worth the initial purchase cost.  You put my 12K trailer behind my gasser and the fuel savings get even better with the diesel.

Yeah that!

-Steve

[GoldTip]

I like diesels, my next truck will be a diesel (with the King Ranch Leather) I am in no way saying dont buy the diesel, my fuel cost comparison was soley on bearpaws at16mpg and mine at 13mpg, doing the same trip, i am sure his truck would get better than mine if we towed the same identical load.
I was only pointing out that you may spend more money owning one if you are not going to use it for it's intended purpose, i said to evaluate your needs and make sure it is what you need.
I should just keep my mouth shut....

Buckmark, I was certainly not trying to tell you to keep your mouth shut.  I was simply pointing out that there is generally a much larger gap in the mileage between diesels and gas motors, thats all.  And my father's got a King Ranch Diesel truck, the interior is great, but it's hard to stomach looking at the rest of the truck!   

[C-Money]

I owned a 86 Ford F-250 manual for 12 years. It had the 6.9L diesel and was a good truck. I traded last year for a 04 Ford F-350, 6 speed manual and the V-10. I like the V-10, has lots of power and runs great! I get 13.5 mpg, keep in mind it is not my daily driver. If you want a diesel, I reccomend getting a manual ford or Dodge. Go with the Allison in a GM. Try to find a 7.3 in the ford, and keep away from the 6.0. Look for a 5.9 cummins, the new 6.7 cummins is fine too. Good luck, post some pic's when you find a truck!

[bearpaw]

buckmark, I took your comment in good spirit, no worries....

but you were pretty hard on my chev 454...

Just for the record, my mileage comparisons were at freeway speeds towing at 70 to 80 with some of the mileage on highways at about 60.

My 2000 Chev 3500 was the best truck I've owned, 238,000 miles, drove the dickens out of it towing on freeway and in the mountains with all 4 wheels chained up. Still had the original motor, tranny, and transfer. It was hard on the front axles, had to change them about 4-5 times, but the paint and everything was about wore out....

Just hope I am as happy with the ford diesel after it has 238,000 miles.

I appreciate all the info about diesels that everyone provided, I was fairly ignorant about them...