diesel truck, I don't know anything. Help me please

[Woodchuck]

not that i am doubting you but i have never heard negative of the allison trans other than regular service of the fluid and both filters, i love mine, the tow/haul feature is awesome

[Skillet]

Another pretty happy 2006 6.0 Ford owner here, too.  I have the auto and wish I had the ZF6 like my gasser had before.  Oh well - when you get a deal, you take it.

My advice to a potential diesel truck owner?  Buy good oil in bulk when it's on sale.  At 15 quarts a change for my 6.0, it adds up fast.  Always keep a spare fuel filter with you, and know how to change it (or them, in my case) blindfolded.  Buy filters in bulk online.  Doing that, you can sometimes get the cost of an oil change down to under $50.  If you buy a newer one, bring your dealer service department a fifth of whatever he wants and keep him happy.  You guys will get to be good friends and spend a lot of time together if you don't regularly change your fuel filters.

Final piece of advice - if you don't regualry tow/haul heavy loads long distances, get a gasser.  Just not worth the extra costs owning a diesel unless you use it for what it was made to do.

[tshoote30]

I like this thread, this is great advice. I just traded my gas F-250 for an 01 F-350 diesel with the 7.3L in it last week. and I have to say I love it thus far. it is going in tomorrow to get all the filters changed, fluids changed and a quick once over before i head over the mountain for new years. I only got a diesel because we are planning on getting a trailer this spring so the pulling power will be nice. everything that i have read so far on this thread is exactly everything that i have heard. one thing is I am not sure if it is true or not that if the rear main seal goes out on a certain ford, I think the 06' or 07' ?? that the entire cab of the truck has to come off in order to change it, is this true? I have also heard as well that the 6.0 is a crap motor but my huntin partnet has an 04 f-250 that he loves and has not really had to many issues with it yet.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Yes,  to pull the engine on a Ford... You pull the cab off the frame to get it out.

-Steve

[jackelope]

Yes,  to pull the engine on a Ford... You pull the cab off the frame to get it out.

-Steve

I was at the ford dealership the other day and saw one of these operations in the works...  

[jstone]

If i didnt have a big trailer, I would have a gas truck. Diesels are just money pits

[tshoote30]

Yes,  to pull the engine on a Ford... You pull the cab off the frame to get it out.

-Steve

I was at the ford dealership the other day and saw one of these operations in the works... 

  yea so probably avoid that year of truck then  Ouch that has got to be a spendy little operation....

[Bean Counter]

I drive a lot of company trucks in the 2007-2009 range. Between Fords, Dodges, and Chevys, I'd say I like the smoothness and interior of the Chevy, but if I want to hit the dirt the Ford wins hands down. 

I could see myself writing a similar thread. I grew up fixing my broken gas engine vehicles, but I don't have the first clue how a glow plug works.  In addition, while I don't fancy myself a road hunter, I have no qualms about hopping out of the truck, loading my rifle, and blasting an animal. It seems as though the loudness of the diesel puts an end to that possibility before it starts.

+1 to the 'if you don't need it...' crowd.

[DoubleJ]

K.  Thanks guys.  I'll probably stick to gas.

[bearpaw]

Thanks for advice on the fuel filter, I have not changed mine yet, will get after that asap. 

[mjbskwim]

the big thing is just be prepared that any maintenance on a diesel will be more money than a gas truck, if you arent using it for what it was designed it does not pay to go diesel 

I did the math and they made the diesel expencive enough it cost the same per mile as a big block gas engine.

Until you start pulling a load.

But it should last way longer than a gas engine,which only makes a difference if you keep your vehicles for ever

[JackOfAllTrades]

Yes,  to pull the engine on a Ford... You pull the cab off the frame to get it out.

-Steve

I was at the ford dealership the other day and saw one of these operations in the works...  

I've talked to techs that have pulled the engines on all big three... Ford techs say its so easy to work the engine once the cab is out of the way that its worth it.

-Steve

[DRobnsn]

I pretty much agree with what everyone has said about the new trucks with boat loads of emissions crap, it has totally killed the mileage. It also has affected reliability to some extent, I don't think it really hurts the engine it just kills mileage and causes limp modes from regeneration issues.
There is a fix though cut it off and throw it away buy a programmer that bypasses it and enjoy more power and better mileage. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a 6.7l Cummins, but I don't have to do emissions testing currently.  

As for filters I use nothing but Fleetguard now owned by (Cummins filtration). Look under the hood of most over the road trucks or equipment with diesel power and these are what you will find. One thing I would like to add to this is the Powerstroke and the Duramax are not used in any equipment to my knowledge other than the pickups/heavy duty trucks F550 ect. So finding good cost efficient aftermarket filters like fleetguard may be difficult. The fleetguard for my 01 Dodge is around $15 for the oil and $12 for the fuel.

Another thing to remember about new diesels is the Urea they are requiring them to use. Ford and Chev both use them Dodge is the only one of the big three that hasn't had to use it yet. Urea is a additive that is injected into the exhaust to help scrub the system and is something that will have a tank and will need to be filled at certain intervals. Not sure on price and availability but its worth checking into when considering a new truck.  

Also Fords and Chevs have glow plugs to assist in cold starts they do wear out as well as there controllers. Cummins don't have them instead they use a grid heater in the intake to heat the intake air I have never heard of one wearing out. I have heard of issues with them but its very rare. I have read the new Fords don't need nearly as much glow plug warm up time to start which may help with wear on them. Not sure on the Chev.

Not trying to scare anyone away from Diesel power its great, I love mine and will never buy a fullsize truck without one again just wanted to point those things out.

[jackelope]

Long Block
         Auto Trans B 0.0 25.6
                Includes: R&I Engine & Transfer All Necessary Components Not Supplied With Long Block. 
 
         Manual Trans B 0.0 28.0
                Includes: R&I Engine & Transfer All Necessary Components Not Supplied With Long Block. 
 
         NOTE
            To Clean CAC Tube, Add B 0.0 0.2
            With Dual Alternators, Add B 0.0 0.4

Steve-
What they're actually saying is the book pays pretty damn good to do these motors. Holy crap 28 hours for a long block...

[JackOfAllTrades]

yeah.. I know!   hell, I pulled the 460 out of my 88' Ford 4x4 with 4" suspention lift and I left the dog'on hood ON!

-Steve