Are you happy with your diesel P.U. ?

[BLUEBULLS]

why isn't anybody talking about the old 12V cummins best deisel ever made period. Cause the trucks were ugly???

I know a lot of guys with 600,000 plus miles on them and they don't skip a beat.

[Hyde]

If you need pulling power and you tow often, then the diesel is the way to go.   If you are the type who pulls that travel trailer in your back yard 1 or 2 times a year (like most), it would be really hard to justify the cost difference.  Of course... it IS your money, and you should spend it how you want, but do the math before you buy.  8 or 9k more for the diesel engine buys a LOT of gas.  Oil changes cost double (even if you do your own).  I ordered a diesel Super Duty from the factory back in 2000 and loved it.  I had a large boat then, and diesel was 1.25 a gallon (gas was about 1.60 as I recall).  Then 911 came and wiped out half of my household income... and the boat went away.  In 2005 I downgraded to a F150, and really haven't regretted it.  It can handle my 24 ft travel trailer ok (not great).  As for the mentality of "this is the last truck I'll ever buy", that sounds good on paper, but in reality it isn't going to hold up.  Sure, the engine will go 300+k without much fuss, but other things wear out, especially if you use the rig hard.

As for brands, I personally think the Dodge is a tinny piece of crap.  I love their engine though.  This new Powerstroke engine that Ford designed for their 2011 SD is supposed to be the cat's arse, but that remains to be seen.  And for the record, I am not a devoted Ford man.  I have no loyalty to any brand.  When I want to buy something, I always look at all options.  There will always be a lot of chest thumping when it comes to pickup truck brands.  Compare for yourself and don't buy based on who said what.

[MADMAX]

Well said


I love a $155 fill up

[dad98684]

i love my '96 f250, 7.3 5 speed 168K. it gets 18 mpg as a d.d. and is a monster of a tow rig.  it is loud but it is a nice ride.

[Rick]

why isn't anybody talking about the old 12V cummins

Probably because they were LOUD and only made 160hp. They couldn't pull a greased string out of a cats ass.

Best diesel ever made? Not by a long shot.

[BLUEBULLS]

why isn't anybody talking about the old 12V cummins

Probably because they were LOUD and only made 160hp. They couldn't pull a greased string out of a cats ass.

Best diesel ever made? Not by a long shot.

we put $400 bucks into one and it spanked all over a 05 24V with 120hp injectors, chip and exhaust. Also truly got 23 with it pulling a 20ft bass boat. that one has 500,000 miles on it now.

The 12 valves are unstoppable and you can double their power in your garage.

by the way, I don't own one either.

as for the newer deisels, they're going too far too soon. It's a power race by the mfg's. How much is enough?

[jeepasaurusrex]

My Dad has an '08 F250 Super Duty with the 6.4L in it. His initial fuel mileage was down but as the motor got broke in, the mileage went way up.

I have a '99 F350 Dually with a 7.3L in it. Damn good truck. Just a few minor things replaced over the years. The only big things I have replaced is the front unit bearings. I had the under valve cover harness give me trouble one day, but that's about it. Love the truck. Its my daily driver and I get 17-18 around the city and 24+ on the highway. I have a Tymar intake, 4" exhaust, some home grown tuning on it, as well as a manual torque converter lock up switch. It tows our travel trailer like its not even there.


I would say that the Cummins motor is the only thing Dodges have going for them. Chevy's have a car front end under them. And who's idea was it to put aluminum heads on a iron block diesel? 

[Special T]

i had 3 12v cummings and the engine was awsome... but LOUD! however the 5 speed stick sucked as does the automatic.. We stripped the 5th gear off the end of the shaft 4 times before we traded it in on a 6 speed 03...

[jackelope]

I would say that the Cummins motor is the only thing Dodges have going for them. Chevy's have a car front end under them. And who's idea was it to put aluminum heads on a iron block diesel?

What would you rather have...a front end that needs to have major components replaced in it all the time(Dodge HD front ends) or a IFS front end in a chevy truck? I know they're not solid axles like fords and dodges but calling them a car front end is a little far fetched, no?

[Happy Gilmore]

Not trying to hijack,

My friend has his two wheel drive Dodge for sale. Immaculate truck. He runs the European Motors in North Seattle shop. As you would expect, everything is tight as they come on this rig. His father in law sold it to him. I think the most he ever used it for was to haul bark for the yard and an occasional tent trailer tow.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/1860480120.html

I have my 2002 7.3L Ford 350- 180K. Replaced ball joints and bearings at 100K in front. Tore up the rear end but, that was my fault- smoking off crappy Goodyear MTR's on slick rocks not a good idea....note to self.

[jeepasaurusrex]

IFS- belongs on cars

Solid axles- belongs on trucks.

Nuff said.

[jackelope]

IFS- belongs on cars

Solid axles- belongs on trucks.

Nuff said.

Not nuff said if you ask me. Why do you think that's the case? I'm just curious.
I'm not arguing, but the solid axle trucks we work on waste ball joints and axle u-joints on a regular basis at 40k miles. Thats not cool if you ask me. The IFS trucks don't go through front end parts. Whats the worse of 2 evils? 99.9% of people are not wheeling their 3500's so what's so important about having a solid axle when they ruin parts all the time?
I drive a Chev and it's like driving a couch down the road.
 

[Alchase]

I have never owned a diesel so this thread has some great information in it. Funny how once we get past the Ford, Chevy, Dodge, etc...sucks, or the 1500s are not real trucks, we find a ton of information good and bad about each brand, year of truck. I am a little confused though, I was under the impression the diesels lasted longer the gas motors? My own thinking is that if a truck does not go over 200k there is something seriously wrong with it, gas or diesel.
Do you make up the upfront cost of the diesel option, the higher upkeep cost, and fuel cost? Or is the just the price you pay "if" you have to tow something with substantial weight?
Keep in mind these questions are from someone who has never owned a diesel and has gotten by with 1500's or 150's.

[BigD]

I have owned ford, chevy, nissan and now dodge. This is my first diesel, 06, 3/4 ton, 4x4, 6spd. It gets better fuel mileage than any I have driven, even the V6 nissan 2x2. 26 mile round trip commute to work, about 75% highway and get around 22 mpg. I have had my share of problems with the computer and front alxe u-joints, they are a pain to replace. But for the most part the entire drive train is solid.

[Happy Gilmore]

I have never owned a diesel so this thread has some great information in it. Funny how once we get past the Ford, Chevy, Dodge, etc...sucks, or the 1500s are not real trucks, we find a ton of information good and bad about each brand, year of truck. I am a little confused though, I was under the impression the diesels lasted longer the gas motors? My own thinking is that if a truck does not go over 200k there is something seriously wrong with it, gas or diesel.
Do you make up the upfront cost of the diesel option, the higher upkeep cost, and fuel cost? Or is the just the price you pay "if" you have to tow something with substantial weight?
Keep in mind these questions are from someone who has never owned a diesel and has gotten by with 1500's or 150's.

this is one of my favorite reasons I own a diesel. skidding logs and filling the bed without even squating on the overload springs



THIS IS THE BIGGEST REASON WHY NOT TO GET A DIESEL- not matter what anyone says the get stuck and stay stuck