Diesel Vs. Gas

[TheAngryDrunkenRussian]

they are both 99's I've gave it some though on this today at work and the guy I work with and the owner are big Ford Fantic's They own a 350-550 all 7.3 they also been in Business for 26 years and have a good idea of what works and doesn't. And told some big things on Ford is that the frame flex of the truck it self is greater than Dodge's, The 7.3 has more bang for its buck in towing. It's the engine that never dies (he was telling me about there 94 superduty/450 and the abuse they put it through, 100k Miles, about 40k in reverse, and count less working hours), people not knowing how to drive a manual truck, and having only replacing the glow plugs in it twice. After hearing all that they said I'm leaning towards the 250.

I know how to drive a Manual Because I'm in that 450 for work, My only diffence really between the two (the 250 and Work 450) is a wacked out gear ratio in it, it loves to pop out of 2nd gear (were thinking its not the trany but the PTO is doing it.) and the 250 has a extra gear.

I also though that Mercedes Design a Transmission for Dodge that was suppose to be stronger than the previous ones. Also I heard that Dodge did something stupid with the 2500 that its built on a 1/2 frame but has a 3500 1 ton suspension under it. If this is just rumors or what ever please tell me the truth I don't want to pass up a nicer truck and go with what the Ford "Zealots" tell me that Ford is God.

Another question that came to my mind as far as upgradablity with less cost granted I know I can't get a lift for 50 bucks but also repair parts since cummins isn't owned by Diamler Chrysler are replacment parts more or less?

And since my current truck is under a Salvage title (Totaled for Paint Damage??? Long story). Trade in or put it in front of the local High School with price tag of 1500 Bought it for 900.

Lohman- My friend Dean is a freshly graduated Diesel Tech from UTI. I'll be taking him with me.

[Lohman446]

Unless someone is very good they are not going to notice front end problems on the ground. Crawl under and look at the ball joints - Ford stock ball joints did not have grease fittings on them in '99. Good aftermarket replacements generally did.

The Powerstroke is not bulletproof, do not be surprised if you do have issues (especially depending on how its been driven). That being said its not that many miles on a diesel.

I'd lean towards the Ford personally.

[Ole Unka Phil]

I have the 7.3L Turbo Diesel International in my Ford. The Powerstroke made by Navistar/International for ford. Uses a Garret turbo charger. Mine is a 2001 and its now worth about 23K. I paid 26K for it in 2002. Its held its value tremendously.

I personaly would not buy a 6.0 now unless its a good deal and late model. But I do like the new tranny in it. Just don't buy a 03/04 era one. Lots of computer control issues on those first years so many were turned off by that and the resale value is down for even the later ones. Rumors mostly so if you can score a like 05 maybe... But Ford is going to introduce a new one perhaps next year. International probably will make it again. And its reportedly something like a 6.5 or so. Not certain yet


there is 30% more BTU's per pound (or any other unit you chose to measure it in) in Diesel than in Gas. Diesel can be obtained from any Oil source and made from Vegtable matter. Even Algae holds promise. It can indeed be seperated from used oil or carefully and controlled used as is. It gives off less of its energy lost to heat. So it is more efficient per unit. All that results in a gain of about 30% MPG in the same application. Some of that is taken away by weight as the motor must be built heavier but it also results in a motor with longer life. But overall you can slap a diesel motor into anything and it will get about 30% better mileage. It will be a bit more sluggish which is why now most manufacturers try and put a V8 Diesel into thier consumer trucks. And the Turbo charge them as well. That does give a bit more off the line.

But the ole I6 Cummins is a workhorse too. They all have tons of torque so they just pull better. Mostly its mass of large flywheels and other rather technical stuff but they do. And normaly truck engines are geared to take advantage of it and also geared to deal with the disadvantage of the lower response. So they normaly put more gears in them to get the load up to speed and therefore haul a larger load with a smaller engine.

Typicaly many diesel motors will go a half Million miles. Some even a Million. Not to say they might need a injector here or there or a transmission rebuild but... they are built for that kind of longevity.