Diesel or gas truck?

[ezbtr]

It's not like I'll be towing any huge loads, just 17' alum. that I now tow easily with my 4.0 XJ, have never owned or worked on diesels, lots of experience on gas. More main. w/ diesel, more difficult, $? I've gotten 200K out of gas engines before, I maintain all really well. Just durability, dependability and decent performance. Don't want to buy new, too damn expensive, dont need 4x4 really, but I sure like it! I definitely need a quad cab or at least room for 3 kids in back seat. I'd keep my Jeep w/ 148K orig. on it but am giving it to my daughter at some time in future. Thanks, Heinz

 

[DJ]

Re: Diesel or gas truck?

GAs,<br /><br />You're not dragging enough weight around to justify a diesel. Unless you plan on moving up or towing a fifth wheel or large trailer.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Diesel or gas truck?

Definately gas. The fuel savings would take years to pay for the increase in initial cost, and if something does go wrong, it is more spendy to repair. If you had more weight, I would say maybe. You'll get more truck for the cash (for your purposes) if you go gas. Good luck...

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Diesel or gas truck?

Ditto to DJ, Although the diesels get great MPG, the maintenance is higher and you pay more for them at the start, resale is questionable as most think they have been towed heavily and will buy new! I believe youll be happier with gas!

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Diesel or gas truck?

Gas would likely be the right choice for your<br />needs. Diesel is more expensive to maintain<br />and considerably more to purchase. You don't need<br />the power as DJ says and you can stay away from<br />a 3/4 ton. The 1/2 ton has a better ride as well.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Diesel or gas truck?

Originally posted by Heinz:<br />It's not like I'll be towing any huge loads, just 17' alum. that I now tow easily with my 4.0 XJ, Thanks, Heinz

Dang shame that quit making the XJ. I really like them, got 2.<br />I have always had a travel trailer and/or farm trailer so I always try to keep a diesel on hand for that. I have 2 now plus my tractors are diesel so I buy fuel for all of them at the same time.<br />But if you are not going to be towing anything heavier than what you say, a gas is all you need.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Diesel or gas truck?

Gas is going to more convenient. Diesel does not necessary imply a load will be towed. The initial cost of diesel is more, but in the long run is less to own/maintain than a gas engine with similar performance. It might be a good idea to consider how long you intend to keep the vehicle.<br /><br />For years I drove a diesel pickup…a VW Rabbit. Biggest hassle is finding fuel stations in unfamiliar areas. It ended up getting passed around to various family members from 1976 to about 2000, had a ga-zillion miles on it and was still running strong when given away. Except for the usual oil changes, an occasional glow plug needs replacing. Injectors needed work, once. It was very light weight…S.F. to L.A. took about 7-gals of fuel.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Diesel or gas truck?

On the other hand Heinz. If I remember you are on the road with your job. So you have to check with your bookeeper.<br />Alot of freinds bought F250 Powerstrokes to use on the job and with their busineses. Not sure if the same applies now, so check. There was tremendous tax advantages in buying a large pickup above a certain GVW. The F250 superduty falls into that catagory.<br />Most all that used this tax advantage and financed, ended up paying less then 12k for a 30k truck. <br />All the Super Duty Power Strokes are still working hard after 200k miles. Some have had a few sets of brake rotors and water pumps but nothing major.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Diesel or gas truck?

Hienz, if you do go diesel, go with a turbo. I have found out that a non-turbo will drink the fuel and is a bit doggie. In 94 Ford came out with the powerstroke. The same year they had the IDI non-turbo, IDI turbo and the powerstroke turbo. There is a big difference between the powerstroke and the IDI. They are still good engines, just some give better performance and efficiency.<br /><br />If you don't plan on using a diesel regularly, get a gasoline powered truck. When a diesel sits for periods of time, that is when the life is shortened by internal corrosion. The big benefit is of course the extra torque and the ability to go 2 to 3 times the miles.<br /><br />Good Luck....

 

[Bco128]

Re: Diesel or gas truck?

well i personally would go with diesel.you can go with fords v6 diesel to get a good tow vehicle which will handle most any lod you can put it to.good mpg good reliability.but i just like diesel engines too though.i build them at work so im a bit biased.

 

[BiXLL]

Re: Diesel or gas truck?

I am not sure where you guys that say maint. on diesel is more then a gas motor are getting your info???? Diesel is by far the less expensive to maintain! In his situation I too would reccomend gas, as he does not need the additional torque of the diesel, and diesel fuel prices are so unstable at this time, I would be scared to buy one again.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Diesel or gas truck?

Gas for sure. Period.

 

[BRIAN03]

Re: Diesel or gas truck?

Diesel Ever see how big the pipe is out the back. Bigger is always better. I think its a 6" pipe.

 

[ezbtr]

Re: Diesel or gas truck?

I think Im going to get Ford F150 4x4 (hopefully), 5.4 gas, auto, all power options, tow pkg., ltd slip in rear, GOOD paint(Jeeps are awesome but 90's bad paint)and a 4 door/crewcab. I've heard good things about long engine life, good trannies and am planning on keeping for at least 6-7 years. What is mpg like? Let me know any hints, advice on these, and again thanks for all input! Heinz

 

[11 footer]

Re: Diesel or gas truck?

For what your going to use it for I'd go with gas. Diesels are good for towing large boat/trailers a long way, no question a diesel will last longer. But they have their week points, the smell of them is what would keep me away from them, they stink big time.<br /><br />My uncle had a 1993 Ford F-350 crew cab with dule wheels and a diesel. He sold it with 250thousand miles, he just didn't need anything that big. It was a nice rig, but it was so loud that when launching his boat the I couldn't hear him in the truck when I was backing the boat off the trailer, many reasons he went with gas. He is happy with his new F-150<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Diesel or gas truck?

BixLL:<br /><br />If you think maintaining a diesel is cheaper. Go have the oil changed in one? 10-12 quarts instead of 5, and the oil is more expensive also. Filters are twice to three times as much. If you have to have the injector pump repaired or replaced thats spendy! Injectors go bad more often. Thats enough for me!

 

[RetNav]

Re: Diesel or gas truck?

LubeDude,<br /> I have a 98 Dodge 2500 diesel that now has 126K on it and have had no problems. The oil changes are about the only maintenance required, along with filters, fuel and oil. Of course I follow recommended schedule, which for mine is 6,000 miles. That helps balance out the cost and on the road not loaded I get approx 21 mpg. When I pull my boat, 8000 lbs I drop down to approx 15 mpg. I am pleased with everything on the truck..but that's just me..

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Diesel or gas truck?

I have to agree with Lubedude on the cost of maintenance. Not counting drive train componets, the rest of the parts are pricey as well. Brakes are double the cost of a 150 vs 350 as well. When servicing is needed on a diesel vs gas. Your tune up parts will be tripled in price if not more. A new injector pump will equal the cost of having a tranny changed in a car. Yeah, its a small part, but big bucks.

 

[Bob Kimber]

Re: Diesel or gas truck?

Heinz,<br /><br />I have been following this post with interest, I would agree with some of the posts that your rig does not require a diesel to tow it but I strongly disagree with the comments on maintenance. I have been driving diesel powered vehicles (mainly 4x4 and heavy trucks) for over 35 years, I have owned diesel 4X4 for 24 years my current one will be 16yrs old in May, apart from routine servicing has never had a spanner on it.<br />You said you maintain your vehicles well, I assume you do the minor work yourself, the secret to trouble free life is "clean fuel - clean oil - clean air" all this means is change fuel, oil and air filters when neccessary plus oil changes.<br />In my experience this is only slightly more expensive than gas, yes you require larger quantities of oil but no sparkplugs, no tuneups, you will not have to replace your exhaust system due to internal corrosion, you will be less likely to have any cylinder head problems such as burntout valves etc.<br /><br />Providing you have done the servicing on the filters as required your injectors should only require servicing around 100k, this generaly only requires dismantling, checking nozzle tips and adjusting correct spray pattern and nozzle pressure, In Australia this would cost me about $96 Australian dollars total for my 6 injectors, with the same proviso on filters the newer style rotary injection pumps will usually do about 500k before any major servicing, all I have done on mine is replace the "O" ring seal on the top cap due to a higher grade of fuel being required by Government legistration.<br /><br />My original government job and now recreation interests have required me to drive in the most remote and roughest areas in Australia from the sand dunes in the deserts to the mud and rough tracks in the rainforest areas of Northern Australia, these are places where you have to carry all your own fuel and spares and gas just does not stack up because of the much higher fuel consumption in rough slow going and the higher probability of engine component failure.<br /><br />I am a bit biased but I would say if you find a diesel vcehicle you like, go with it I don't think you would regret it. About 80% of the full size 4x4 sold in Australia are diesel, Telstra (a government communications company) at one stage had the largest single fleet of toyota landcruisers in the world (approx 15,000) all diesel powered, this was because of the lower maintenance costs and greater reliability.<br /><br />Bob

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Diesel or gas truck?

I will agree, that where diesels really shine is if you are on the road a lot, and or use it in a fleet! but for the average everyday user I still feel Gas is the better way to go! Of course if you plan to keep your truck for 200,000 Miles and the rest of your life, then I would buy a New diesel and go for it! But that just doesnt fit most of us!