V-10 vs diesel

[TooBadBrad]

I've talked to Cummins and Navistar directly, and both say short trips are no problem for the newer diesels.Brian, Rob, from SCSCA, claims his 03 dodge is getting 20 empty and 23 pulling his trailer!? He doesn't beleive it either, but has checked it twice. I'd buy Dodge if I was paying retail, But my son works for Ford and I can buy a powerstroke below invoice.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Brad,
You won't go wrong with either the Ford or the Dodge - both are workhorses. Unfortunately, '03 is a first model year for both the 6.0 PS & the HPCR Cummins so there will be teething problems associated with both engines. The achilles heel for the Dodge is the POS automatic. I interviewed at Banks Engineering last week and one of the tidbits of info was that Banks has blown up 3 Dodge auto trannys (shop truck) and 0 failures of the Ford auto in the other shop truck.

My biggest gripe with the Ford is the dash - I can't stand it. Of course, if the Ford was several thousand dollars less than the Dodge my tastes would change...... I just wish Dodge would come out with a legitimate crew cab.

20mpg unloaded & 23mpg towing? Is he calculating by hand or relying on the trip computer?

I drive an '85 Toyota 4wd P/U as a daily driver because it's much easier to drive around town - just an overall size thing. That and I don't care about door dings etc with it - much easier to park in Santa Rosa.

Brian

 

[KiwiBird]

ktmboy - the chipped/bigger injector diesels seem to get better mileage than unchipped (unless you have PbFt).

I get anywhere from 18-23 mpg mixed driving and drop to 14-16 towing my little 5000lb shack at 75mph, 6th gear up any hill unless I have to slow for Fords, Chevys or corners that are in the way.

LOL Okie - (ex Dakota R/T) loyal to whatever he owns :laugh:

 

[Farmer John]

Originally posted by Okiewan
Dodge makes a truck?

Kinda like Suzuki makes "motorcycles" & McDonalds makes "food" ;)

Originally posted by NVR FNSH
I interviewed at Banks Engineering last week

Kick ass! Best of luck! :thumb:

The only diesel worth considering is the Chevy 6.5L Turdblo.

 

[Okiewan]

LOL Okie - (ex Dakota R/T) loyal to whatever he owns

Dude! That truck sucked! I've had two Fords since then. Leased a 150 and then bought the 250. <-- that is a truck :)

 

[ktmboy]

The thing that makes the Chevy diesel appealing to me is the availability of the Allison transmission.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Originally posted by ktmboy
The thing that makes the Chevy diesel appealing to me is the availability of the Allison transmission.

Just buy a 6spd manual and don't worry about no stinkin' transmission. Besides, the Allison won't make up for the engine :moon:

In all seriousness, a buddy has a crew cab 4wd Duramax and it's a nice driving truck. Nicer to drive around town than my Dodge.

Brian

 

[G. Gearloose]

Right,
Why pay a premium for an engine that nets good power and milage, then pay another premium for an option the reduces milage (automatic). The stick is the way to go unless it renders the truck unusable for your spouse (or yourself). Since we're dirtbikers here shifting shouldn't be so intimidating.

 

[Patman]

Making the vehicle less appealing IS the reason I chose the standard! My Interceptor Bronco was mine for all of 3 days until my wife decided it was hers, she doesn't want anything to do with the shift it yourself diesel though :p

 

[Bfaster]

I have to agree with Patman here. I wish I would have found a stick tranny for my chevy. The dually wheels does help to deter mom, but the stick would stop the truck borrowing cold. I run a 454 chevy with Thorley headers and a balanced exhaust. This is good for 14mpg average unloaded driving. Towing I drop to 10. I need to qualify that, my load is 12'6" of square wall bumper pull approximately 10,000 lbs. My buddies 2wd PS gets arond 10.5 pulling his FW (which are cleaner than bumper pulls) at around 7500 lbs. Another friend pulling with the 2wd duramax is doing 11 pulling 6500 lbs. smaller bumper pull. These are our normal numbers for our conditions 75mph and relatively flat. For the $ 5000, I have been using the differance to by gas. I figure the fuel for the first 40,000 miles are covered. I can out run either of these two anyway.
Any of you diesel drivers change an injector, starter, or turbo on the PS yet? I have had several as company vehicles, it hurts when they fail. And yes they do fail. I have had a turbo replacement once $2200 ouch. The injectors arent as painful the $400 waterpump is a bit hard to swallow, I believe it was an oppurtunity for the mechanic to cash in.

For the short version, if you like a zippy vehicle, and willing to sacrifice unloaded fuel mileage, GO big block gas.
If you prefer the unloaded fuel mileage, stinky hands after a fuel stop, have the cash up front and plan on keeping the vehicle for a long time. Diesel.
If you are worried about what it is worth when you get rid of it, don't buy! Vehicles should be included in my 3 F rule, "If it flies, floats, are F***s it is a bad investment. Sorry about getting long winded I have had a lot of stress in my life lately and this is good therapy.

See you on the trail.
B Faster

 

[TooBadBrad]

Well after exaustive reaserch I bought the 6.0 powerstroke. Ford has fixed the idle problem, no other problems have shown up yet. I wanted an automatic and I just have no faith in Dodge's tranny.
It's a very civilized truck for a diesel, reasonably quiet, starts easy, no smoke, lots of power. I'll let you no about milage in a few weeks. Brad

 

[NVR FNSH]

Congrats - I'm sure it will serve you well. Hope to see the new rig around town soon.

Brian

 

[Patman]

After hearing from GasGasMan that the 6.0 Powerstroke is good to go it looks like you made a good choice, heck I'd feel OK about getting one now. I've had one injector replaced under warranty so the cost was nothing and it really didn't take long, then again GGMan did the work so maybe that explains it :)

 

[markthomps]

Now: 2001 F250 diesel, 4x4, Supercab. Pulls an 8x8x18 ft tandem axle enclosed Classic trailer like there's nothing back there and delivers 10+ mpg when doing so (and I never drive at anything except over the limit). With no trailer, same speeds, I get 16 mpg on long trips (not city).

Back When: 1995 Dodge 4x4 w/ 5.9 liter. Could barely move the trailer up hills and was constantly downshifting. Blew a head gasket and cost me $5000 to repair.

The downside to diesels is simply fueling them up, unless you really love visiting truck stops.

The price diff is really more like $3000 than $5000.

 

[gasgasman]

The majority of 6.0L P/S I work on were simply recalibration concerns.
There is a Customer Satisfaction Program(read: recall) To reflash the PCM, change the engine oil, and replace the Injector Control Pressure sensor.(ICP)
The early built engines were having problems with the ICP not performing correctly.
I had one that had the accelerator pedal harness shorted on the steering shaft under the dash. Truck kept dying on take off.
Also had one where the cust filled up with gas, 1,500 miles on the truck! :laugh:
The '04 6.0L will have some major upgrades and the relocation of the ICP sensor.

Draining the fuel/water separator is now a major ordeal, you have to crawl up under the truck and remove a plug with a 6mm allen wrench. If you have a 4X4, fuel will splash all over the front drive shaft and onto your clean clothes. :whiner:

 

[TVRider]

How often do you have to drain it? Is there an improvement for that coming for '04?

 

[Comrade]

Congrats on buying the diesal.

I prefer gas motors though for 1 good reason, well 2. 1st, they are faster than diesals and 2nd they sound better.

Gas gas man, I hear flashing the PCM makes you lose power.

 

[MRRMX]

How much is an oil change in a PS or Cummins?

 

[Camstyn]

This site is great for anyone that owns a Ford diesel:

The Diesel Stop

Lots of info in the forums there.

 

[Patman]

Originally posted by Comrade
I prefer gas motors though for 1 good reason, well 2. 1st, they are faster than diesals and 2nd they sound better.

Never heard of Gale Banks have ya' :laugh:

 

[KiwiBird]

Comrade - you know not of what you speak.

 

[lawman]

i caught a ride in the back seat of a newish ford f-350 lariat dually w/diesel; man, the thing was nice, alot less industrial than i expected. if i needed that kind of capacity (& wanted to spend that knda dough on a truck), i'd get 1.

 

[gasgasman]

Originally posted by TVRider
How often do you have to drain it? Is there an improvement for that coming for '04?

I would do it at every oil change.
That's what I've been doing, I don't charge for it and I would imagine the cust would appreciate me doing it.
The repair manuals show a knob on the drain port, I guess it never made it to production.

I have not heard what the "major" changes are for '04.

The 6.0L P/S has an EGR valve, with the diagnostic tool we can open the valve at idle. You would not believe how quiet the engine gets-almost can't tell it's running.

 

[SFO]

I am looking at an '03 Dodge 2500 2WD Cummins, 48RE trans and 3.7 rear end.
I could care less about red vs blue or orange, I see how you truck guys are.
I am looking for a well moderated forum for these trucks to continue my research.
Is it possible?
Any experience on truck websites w/o the chest beating?
Denises close friend owns the dealership and we are getting a great deal. We drove the truck today and I am really amazed at how nice it goes down the road, we are really excited to finally be getting a truck.

 

[Patman]

When I was looking for a DRN'ish site the best one I could turn up for the Dodge was TDR http://www.turbodieselregister.com/ the only down side was it was all subscription so there was no sneak peak for me or chance to ask questions on the Dodge.