OT: Diesel PU's

[GAW]

Ok the Burben is getten at little ragged-- sombich is only 10 yrs old with 240k and the little stuff is getting to be a pain. Anyway, time to start looking at new rides, it'll be a Ford or Chevy diesel 2500 4x4 crew cab short bed. I know they can both pull the boat and have a gazillion ft lbs of tourque and all that. Not interested in Dodge. How's the MPG, reliabilty, quiteness, in town ride, and towing ride of the two? I spend a whole lot more time commuting downtown than pulling the boat.

[rocksandblues]

both chevy and ford make fine trucks. i just happen to be Ford. I have several deisels and can vouch for the reliability and power. We tow stuff way heavier then we should and the trucks put up with our punishment. Of the 3 Ford diesels we have 280k, 175k, and the one pic below has 80k.

[Seagrass]

Get the Ford. If your buying used get the 7.3 not the 6.0. I have a 99 F250 SD w/7.3 125,000 no problems and I average 17.2 with mixed driving. Highway I get 21. My tires are also larger than stock 295/85/16. Towing don't know. Only thing I've towed is a small 16' Chesapeake. You can visit www.dieselstop.com and search the forums for the 7.3 or the 6.0. Most questions will be answered in hours. They also have a towing forum.

Good Luck,
Butch

[GAW]

Thanks butch, I'm more into rigging ballyhoo than reading tech specs and hearing arguments over brand loyalty. When did Ford switch to the smaller block?

[TommyTuna]

2003 Ford switched over - u can find 2003 7.3's. I have a '99 F350 Dually crew - 2wd, 4.10 rear with 50hp chip, big intake and 4" exhaust. if u are commuting mostly DO NOT GET THE 4.10 gears!!!! I guess I am shouting. I get 15 - 15.5 mpg hiway 75-80, 70-75 16-16.5. Towing the GB at 70mph 7.2mpg - that is not a misprint. With standard 3.55's u should get another 1-2mpg better.

The new Chevy 5speed Allison with the Isuzu Diesel 4 wheeel steering is a sweet ride - brand new it's a tossup but used I would go Ford.

[GAW]

70 MPH pulling the GB? So you're that a$$hole that passed me in the snow on the way to Morehead on I95. Yea I agree, I think I'll be fine with the smaller gears for what I do. Don't know nothing about the "chips", but all the gear heads seem to love em.

[usual suspects]

Man,thats bad for a Diesel at tow!!My gas crew cab Dually gets just under 9mpg towing at 75 with 4:10's.10.5 to 11 mpg sans boat.The larger gear will not be an issue,the OD gear should be down around .75 in the tranny.Meaning,your final drive ratio is reduced(less RPMs)The motor reaches its peak usage at certian rpms(volumetric efficiency)where it gets the most usage of fuel.The smaller gears will not make much difference as a daily driver.My last CC Dually (gas)got ever better mileage with 4:56's (it was a grocery getter)Diesel is better than gas for sure tho.

I could go on for a while with this as to why.I think I sent you a # Glenn,if not let me know.TT you would probably do better with a steeper gear.Check the HP/ Torque specs.for the motor it will give you an idea of the RPMs to be most efficient.

[Anthony`s Ark]

Come on Glenn step it up a bit. Try parking this in downtown Richmond.


http://www.internationaldelivers.com/assets/severe/CXT-2.gif

Born out of a 20-ton hauler and other International ® severe service trucks used by the construction, government and waste industries, the International CXT is built on the same platform as dump trucks and snowplows. As a result, it is a vehicle unrivaled in capability, size and appearance. It hauls three times the payload of consumer pick-up trucks, is all-wheel drive, uses air brakes for unmatched stopping ability and offers towing, dumping and tilt bed capability. Additionally, it features a spacious interior with crew cab design that seats six and can be customized to meet owners’ specific needs – from paint color to air seats to flat screen TVs.

[TommyTuna]

GAW originally wrote:
70 MPH pulling the GB? So you're that a$$hole that passed me in the snow on the way to Morehead on I95. Yea I agree, I think I'll be fine with the smaller gears for what I do. Don't know nothing about the "chips", but all the gear heads seem to love em.


Come on Glenn, Just pissed I talked u into a GB and now I want to sell mine?[tongue]

[TommyTuna]

usual suspects originally wrote:
Man,thats bad for a Diesel at tow!!My gas crew cab Dually gets just under 9mpg towing at 75 with 4:10's.10.5 to 11 mpg sans boat.The larger gear will not be an issue,the OD gear should be down around .75 in the tranny.Meaning,your final drive ratio is reduced(less RPMs)The motor reaches its peak usage at certian rpms(volumetric efficiency)where it gets the most usage of fuel.The smaller gears will not make much difference as a daily driver.My last CC Dually (gas)got ever better mileage with 4:56's (it was a grocery getter)Diesel is better than gas for sure tho.

I could go on for a while with this as to why.I think I sent you a # Glenn,if not let me know.TT you would probably do better with a steeper gear.Check the HP/ Torque specs.for the motor it will give you an idea of the RPMs to be most efficient.


I would seriously disagree that 4.56 i would get even better mileage!

But what do I know, I only know a bud who has a fleet of them with a couple million miles on them in total