Diesel Vs. Gas

[TheAngryDrunkenRussian]

Alright I've had enough with my Truck 94 Dodge 1500 5.9L, reasons are mostly my gas bill now 60 bucks a fill for a 20 gallon tank which I burn through in a week, Reached 160K miles. Was looking in to a 99 2500 Dodge 6 cyc Diesel for 16,000 . I've heard some good things about them. That it's a very strong engine even more powerful then the big v8 but was wondering about the difference between both trucks. I do take a lot of trips up to northern WI which I think will help with the MPG also being in the landscaping profession I do alot of side work to i.e. hauling stone, mulch, Block work, roofing, siding, drywall the list contiunes but you get my point.

Other reason's that my 1500 is 2wd and need a 4wd.

My question is would this be a better buy for what I need it for?
Will it help in my fuel bill?
Are the rear leaf springs/shocks in the rear end better so I'm not dragging around the rear bumper?
Dodge is my personal Perferance but is there any other alternative Light Duty Diesel trucks for around the same price?

Also is this a good deal My boss will let me register it to his Business only if he can through a V-plow with maybe a small salter on it.

[Lohman446]

Diesel Advantages

As a general rule a diesel gets better mileage. Now not substantially so in a vehicle of that size. However, A diesel will definetly get better mileage when loaded The difference though in moving up from a 1/2 to 3/4 may make the difference minimal. This is assuming you are not comparing it to a big block, which you are not in a Chrysler so thats a non-issue. A diesel engine will offer you more pulling power, torque, than the smaller gas engines. Get into big blocks and you can get close, but than the diesel mileage advantage opens up.

A 3/4 diesel is built on 1 ton suspension - so yes it should help your sagging problems

Diesel engines tend to have a longer life span than gas. This is not as pronounced as those who worship them would have you beleive

The disadvantages

If you do not run a diesel until it is warm (20 miles or so) and do run short spurts that do not allow the engine to reach operating temperature you will dramatically shorten the life of the engine and components.

Repairs and maintenance on a diesel tends to be much more expensive than comparable gas engines.

Chrysler transmissions are not exactly known to have a great life, especially plowing. I would not think it is worth registering and putting a plow on for someone else to use. They tend not to last this way, in addition to the extra weight dramatically shortening front end component life.

I end up being told I'm wrong everytime I discuss brand preference in Diesel engines. I am not a big fan of the Duramax, but the Allison transmission is, without a doubt, much better than either Ford or Chrysler offer. I personally like the Powerstroke engine (though variable cam timing in the newest worry me greatly), however most diesel technicians (those that specialize in only diesels) run with a Chrysler in there personal diesel vehicles.

[RapidTransit]

I still don't know whats up with DC, they had one of the strongest trannies out there with the 727 (an expert with drag racin said he could run 700-1000HP on a stock 727 ), the A518 I think is the 727 with the OD or it could be a 904 not entirely sure. They keep subcontractin Trannies out and they are total crap.

[TheAngryDrunkenRussian]

about roughly how much would a Allison be worth puting in I've heard they are the strongest transmissions to put in trucks. And that the Cummins 5.9 is stronger than the Ford 7.3. Also heard that every thing on a diesel is over built to take more punishment than a Gas burner that by the time it comes to replace something on a diesel you've gone through it twice on a gas.

Was looking at some auto trader Magizine at a 1999 F250 7.3 it was the same year as the Dodge I was looking at just 2K cheaper. and a 5 speed.

From expirence at work we have a 1994 F450 7.3 5 speed but the trans seems a little whack cause it has a top speed of 65mph.

Does Ford only run a 7.3 diesel in there trucks?

[BeaverEater]

well for hauling the stuff you mentioned, a 1500 is powerful enough to do so. But if your set on getting a diesel, they will get better gas milage, like 5-6 or so. If gas is killing you so much, the 5.9l is one of the worst out there. I am on the higher side with my 5.9l with about 13-14 in the winter and 16-17 in the summer. Another thing to take into consideration is yes diesel gets better gas milage, but in most places around here (and i also live in WI) diesel costs more that gas most of the time. So in reality your getting only a hair better gas milage.

[TheAngryDrunkenRussian]

its not just the fact that I don't like my 1500 but its also getting old. its ran 160K with nothing breaking on it I got me back from So Cali 2500 Mile trip. But with how much I drive and the fact that I'm looking into buying a newer truck I might as well upgrade a bit. My 5.9L sounds awesome with its Dual Exhaust, bring a 2wd has a nice stance, It is very sporty with a standard cab and short box. But still its the cost of keeping this truck running and I feel that I've pretty much maxed it out when I put 2 pallet's of block (136 per pallet at about 8lbs a piece) in the back of it that close to 2100 lbs in it and it sagged to about 8 inches from the ground. But when also drive to a job site it was slower than dog ****. I'm just thinking of running it to the ground because its a salvage tittle, and it blue book value is only 2000 with a clean title.

[BeaverEater]

ya 4x4 will also help with the sagging. You might look at trading it in for a newer truck. If your looking to shell out some decent cash on a new truck, the dealer will usually give u a decent price for your truck. When i bought my ram, i got like 2000 for my car trade in which was only worth about 800 anywhere else.

[SlartyBartFast]

Here's a big advantage if you want to stick it to the oil companies:


Vegetable Oil!

Get the right diesel engine, collect old oil from local restaurants, use it instead of the Dinopower...

http://www.greasecar.com/

[TheAngryDrunkenRussian]

Gross!!!

[BeaverEater]

ya my old boss did that with his truck, i would if i could afford a nice diesel truck right now. Maybe my next truck will smell like french fries, who knows.

[fire1811]

The disadvantages

If you do not run a diesel until it is warm (20 miles or so) and do run short spurts that do not allow the engine to reach operating temperature you will dramatically shorten the life of the engine and components.

Repairs and maintenance on a diesel tends to be much more expensive than comparable gas engines.

Chrysler transmissions are not exactly known to have a great life, especially plowing. I would not think it is worth registering and putting a plow on for someone else to use. They tend not to last this way, in addition to the extra weight dramatically shortening front end component life.

I end up being told I'm wrong everytime I discuss brand preference in Diesel engines. I am not a big fan of the Duramax, but the Allison transmission is, without a doubt, much better than either Ford or Chrysler offer. I personally like the Powerstroke engine (though variable cam timing in the newest worry me greatly), however most diesel technicians (those that specialize in only diesels) run with a Chrysler in there personal diesel vehicles.

Also if depending on where you live you might need an engine heater it thats what there called in the winter. I know a friend of mine's froze up last year when it was very cold out.

[TheAngryDrunkenRussian]

Here is what I found


Price $16,900
Body Style Truck
Mileage 107,772
Exterior Color Red
Engine 6 Cylinder Diesel
Transmission Automatic
Drive Type 4 wheel drive
Fuel Type Diesel

Or



Price $13,999
Body Style Truck
Mileage 180,000
Exterior Color Red
Engine 8 Cylinder
Transmission 6 Speed Manual
Drive Type 4 wheel drive
Fuel Type Diesel
Doors Four Door

[billybob_81067]

I'd try to stay away from an automatic in the diesel pickups... I bought my 95 powerstroke with an automatic, and it's got 230k miles on it now still no problems, but I really don't like the way it shifts. I've got a ZF 5-speed and a South Bend Con FE clutch for it bought that I just need to put in.

I'd especially stay away from the Dodge autos... I've heard many people complain about them. Ford's auto in the super dutys (4R100) is more reliable, but may still not shift the way you want. There's a lot of dodge guys running big HP that are putting souped up 4R100's behind their engines for truck pulls and drag racing these days.

If you end up with that super duty with the 6-speed it will take a bit to get used to that shift pattern... Not too bad though.

Both the 5.9 and 7.3 are quite reliable and stout engines. There's pros and cons to both. I hear that dodge's lift pumps commonly go out, and I know that the powerstroke's CPS is prone to failure. Most people carry a spare CPS in their glovebox along with a 10MM wrench so they can change it on the side of the road in case it dies.

Also don't be surprised if you get hit by the diesel modification bug... you'll be putting on new downpipes, getting gauges (pyro and boost), chipping it, and all kinds of fun stuff before you know it.

Here's a good website on the Ford diesels.

I'm sure there's a lot of good dodge sites out there as well, I just don't happen to know them.

[bofh]

Price $16,900
Body Style Truck
Mileage 107,772
Exterior Color Red
Engine 6 Cylinder Diesel
Transmission Automatic
Drive Type 4 wheel drive
Fuel Type Diesel

Or


Price $13,999
Body Style Truck
Mileage 180,000
Exterior Color Red
Engine 8 Cylinder
Transmission 6 Speed Manual
Drive Type 4 wheel drive
Fuel Type Diesel
Doors Four Door

What's the year on those? The Cummins engine went to 24valves in 98, and I've heard about some teething problems with the cam covers for that year and 99.

[Lohman446]

Recently Ford went to a 6.0L Diesel.

Looking at those two trucks, if years are near the same I would without a doubt go with the Ford. Both have high miles so the bit of difference you really cannot count. Of course, that is without seeing them, and without an inspection - if your going to buy something with those miles I would insist you have them looked over by a mechanic you trust. Either of those could easily have $1,000+ worth of front end / suspension work, and I would not be surprised if they needed it.