Diesel vs gas......................

[blt2ski]

OK folks, there have been a few to many diesel vs gas threads that have shall we say gone to "Hell and a hand basket"! So if all of you would put in you BEST, no flaming reasons for going gas vs diesel, pro and con, I will either leave your thread, or copy and paste pertinant info to the 4 posts of pro and con of diesel or gas. This can include the GM 8.1 vs Dmax or Ford V-8/10 vs PSD etc too.

Be real and honest in you answers, not hear say, flaming etc PLEASE!

If posts are good ones, I will leave, if inflamatory or trolling in nature, they will be deleted! I will get this stick'd to the top for future parusing for those that need this type of info.

Added 6-23-04

We are getting closer to answers I am looking for etc.

Stuff like Ken's - T-Bone posts are good. There are a few others of you that have not posted, some with a 9 point question and answer type to figure out how you went with one or the other. If you are one of those, PLEASE repost in this thread. I may have to look up whom has done this and PM you, but if you think this is you, you now know what to do.

Also, for those of you with $ per gallon for either fuel right now, I would prefer to see a post with ...."in my area, diesel is typically .10 less than unleaded" then explain your numbers. As currently in the Seattle area, diesel and unleaded are any where from 2.05 -2.30 per gallon, with mid test .10 more and premium about .20 more, with equal high low splits. Two weeks ago those prices were upwards of .30 -.40 per gallon more. people were posting $ per gallon that were for me. "I wish" If someone is reading your post a year from now, they may want to know where your paying 1.65, when the price of fuel is over $3 per gallon. Let's keep prices out of it if possible.

Bert and tin tipi, got into a good discusion on the pros and cons of RPM's, drive train etc. I would prefer to NOT see the quote of the other in responding threads, maybe just write a quick wording of re tranny gearing, instead of the whole 40 words or so in that paragragh, so the repsonse is shorter if possible quicker and easier to read etc.

I have deleted some 15+/- posts, that were off topic etc. Please note, I am trying to keep this at the top, as the ONLY gas/diesel thread in this area. So if one is trying to decide, we do not have to go thru this BS any more. As such, I will be deleting ANY future posts close to resembling this type of topic. I may have to change "this" title to a better one, if one has a better sounding title, to be more positive, better claification, let me know here, or in a PM/e-mail, what ever you feel most comfortible with.

Again thank you for all of you that are keeping responses positive, etc.

Also we could use a few more positive reasons to go gas, as many can see I have both gas and diesel, both have a place! Both have positive reasons to buy that fuel, lets keep the threads etc to that purpose only!

Marty

[roverdover]

Bradley,

I asked a similiar question last year. I was looking at a 97 7.3 and a 98 6.5. I got very little positive about the 6.5. I drove both vehicles multiple times and choose the 98 6.5. Their were other issues with the Ford, but it obviously had more power and did have the turbo where the one you are looking at does not.
I had a distant cousin that had a 6.5 and put lots of trouble free miles on it. The 98 I bought does have the additional cooling capacity. So far it has performed great. The longest trip so far has been to Pigeon Forge, TN. As with all of the older diesels, it will not run with the new Fords, GMs or Dodges. I knew that before I bought it. It does however outperform my previous gas chevy, and it was no slouch.
I bought the truck knowing a lot of its history. That helped a lot. My research revealed that the Detroit that GM used either was good or bad, not much in between.

[blt2ski]

John,

One fellow with a cummins is approaching or past 750K miles that uses it for RV deliveries. So your motors from past posts are still on the low end of things.

BUT, your comment about most not going too many miles is correct. Even my 10 yr 200K trade in time seems long compared to many on here, with quotes like one fellow, trade every 2 yrs, some trade at 75-80K or just before 100K miles.

Marty

[blt2ski]

Bradley,

Both motors are rated at or about 185/385 specs. Both pull about the same from my experience, owning both. What I do find, is the 7.3 pulls from a start quicker, but later in rpms the 6.5 goes faster due tot he turbo. The 6.5 also pulls better at elevations above about 3-4000', again, due to the turbo.

The 7.3 will overheat less, the 6.5 unless it has the post 97 dual t-stat, higher flow water pump has some overheat issues. After changing out my 96 to the post 97 mods, my few overheat issues became a thing of the past.

Marty

[2006Essex]

Bradley455..Your Ford w/larger displacement and only 2WD will pull more, it has more torque (maybe same HP) and is driving less HP-robbing drive-train. The Turbo gives more HP out of the smaller engine, but torque pulls your load, besides Fords are usually stronger than Chevy (but weaker than Dodge) for a given frame/HP size (just in general - some specific cases can be different). Turbos are a good thing and should be considered in any case - not in comparison. You should look to pull at 75 to 85% of the vehicle's capacity, not at it's limit, you will only be looking for a breakdown. (hope this helps)...;-)

[2006Essex]

I am a mechanical engineer, but do not want to debate the pros and cons of the two engine types - either can be good or bad - I have had both: gasoline - 32'class C w/ Ford FI 460 - about 10 MPG and my current 45' class A w/500 HP Diesel - about 7MPG. The diesel rig is MUCH larger and much more powerful (there are more comparable engine sizes) but my point (and preference) is the diesel, because I can put anything in it or behind it with little change in efficiency. I could really tell when I pulled my 16' boat behind my class C, and my mileage went to hell. With 500 HP (and over 1800 ft-lbs of torque) I get 6 or 7 MPG whether I'm full and pulling 20,000 lbs or empty - terrain is the biggest hinder to mileage and only by less than a gallon. I don't want to have decide, do I leave some of my gear at home, etc, I can (and do) take everything, including lots of firewood, extra camp chairs, a table, EVERYTHING and anything I MIGHT need - with no loss of speed or fuel consumption. I can also go over half-way across the country on a single tank of fuel, and with a full tank, stay in a remote area, in the dead of winter (thank goodness for Aqua-hot heat) for over 2 weeks and be warm and comfortable. Cant do this in a gas rig...you'll freeze or run out of propane (and water). Get as big a rig as you can afford, with as big a diesel as you can, and you will be more comfortable...(in my humble opinion).

[bradley455]

heres one for you which is better a 1993 7 .3 idi engine non turbo ford or a 1994 6.5 liter turbo chevy ,both are 2500 or 3/4ton trucks extended cab full box ,the chevy is 4 wheel drive the ford only 2 wheel which will pull more? any help wil help

[larry_kruzan]

RFOneWatt wrote:
I have this strange feeling that people will be holding onto their vehicles for a longer period of time these days.

I know I'm not buying new cars every 3-4 years like I used to, which is one of the many reasons I went with a diesel TV this time around.

I certainly do miss my 5.4 Expedition though. 😞

I've traded gasser vans every two years for the past 16. I've bought my new Dodge 3500 TRUCK with the thought of keeping it for 5-6 years.

If it works out good it just might be hooked up to the TT longer than that. We'll see.

I know that I'm not going back to a van until Ford builds one with a diesel in it.

[RFOneWatt]

I have this strange feeling that people will be holding onto their vehicles for a longer period of time these days.

I know I'm not buying new cars every 3-4 years like I used to, which is one of the many reasons I went with a diesel TV this time around.

I certainly do miss my 5.4 Expedition though. 😞

[Hannibal]

You beat me to it John. I have yet to wear out any of them. I was happy with diesel and now I'm happy with gas again.

[Jarlaxle]

Yes...it might go 700,000 miles instead of 350,000. Does that really matter? And...well, the only one I know on this board who has owned a truck with over 300,000 miles is ME!

[RFOneWatt]

Hannibal wrote:
The F150 will tow 11k lbs. It will not do so without downshifting on every hill. With a wind catching TT and interstate speeds, 11k lbs is a bit much. It will tow 8k lbs. We tow 8500 lbs with our heavier F250 with 5.4L and 3.73. It downshifts on every hill. Not a problem for me or the engine/transmission. If normal operation of a small block gas V8 and automatic transmission is a problem for you, you won't like it. If it's worth an extra $8k to tow in O/D with "less" downshifts, the diesel is for you.:B

Don't forget longevity of the engine (and transmission.)

Operated under the exact same conditions for a prolonged period of time one engine will undoubtedly outlast the other.

-RF

[rcpd34]

Jarlaxle wrote:
$6500 for the diesel...then another $1500 for the mandatory "optional" heavy-duty automatic transmission.

GM does the same thing.

[Jarlaxle]

$6500 for the diesel...then another $1500 for the mandatory "optional" heavy-duty automatic transmission.

[RobertL0]

Hannibal wrote:
The F150 will tow 11k lbs. It will not do so without downshifting on every hill. With a wind catching TT and interstate speeds, 11k lbs is a bit much. It will tow 8k lbs. We tow 8500 lbs with our heavier F250 with 5.4L and 3.73. It downshifts on every hill. Not a problem for me or the engine/transmission. If normal operation of a small block gas V8 and automatic transmission is a problem for you, you won't like it. If it's worth an extra $8k to tow in O/D with "less" downshifts, the diesel is for you.:B

$6500 for the diesel, not $8K

[RobertL0]

Us too have a new rig on order. 2011 F350 diesel. My 09 F150 just didn't cut it towing near its limit, even on the 'flat' east coast...

Yellowstone and Grand Canyon in June!