I'm interested in buying a truck for the farm. But can't decide on diesel or gas. We do pull with trucks we have had in the past, but I also like the get up and go of a gasser. Sent from my Milestone X2 using Tapatalk 2
If your pulling anything heavy on a regular basis diesel is the way to go. You will get much better milage and less engine wear. If your just pulling a few horses every now and then a full size gas will do just fine. Diesels last forever but are more expensive to fuel and maintain, gas is less expensive. As far as regular highway driving my Dodge 2500 got better milage than my Tacoma. But when I quit pulling dozers and tractors everyday I couldn't justify the cost of driving a diesel while in grad school so I got a taco..
If you know someone who can work on them, diesel. If you will be taking it in for work, gasser. Diesels supposedly last longer, but both will break down and diesels are VERY expensive to maintain. That said, nothing compares to the pulling power and put your *** back in the seat of a turbo diesel. I've owned both and decided while it was cool, diesel wasn't cost effective for me and we pull a trailer nearly 100% of my trucks miles.
Get up and go of a gasser?? Have you ridden in a newer model diesel truck? No gas truck can even touch them, and if it isn't good enough, for about $300, you can program that diesel to flat out fly. I'd say if you can afford the extra price tag of a diesel and the maint. diesel all the way.
I agree with diesel. Whatever you do, if you get a cummins, get a 6 speed. You will go through transmissions like crazy with an auto unless you get it built professionally
My truck is a Dodge 2500 4x4 with the cummins and I think it is great. I am not sure what the others were referring to when they talked about the extra upkeep and maintenance. I bought my truck new and have never done anything in addition to the normal items done on all vehicles unless you count the fuel filter every 15k miles. The only disadvantage I have right now is the cost of the fuel but considering the mileage I get it is not that big of a deal. I sure wish that diesel was at the price it was when I bought my first diesel truck, .92 per gallon, those were the days. Just my .02
Fuel costs more. Oil changes are $90+ vs $30. The maintenance most are referring to is the repairs. If you don't know how to work on diesel engines, the repair bills can put you out of a home, lol. All that said, if I could afford it I would still be driving one... I absolutely LOVED my F250 but the fear of the 6.0 bugs emerging as I neared the 100k mark made me sell it before it was too late. I can't afford a brand new pickup regardless, so looking at used you have to weigh the risks of breakdowns. Gassers are much cheaper to fix than diesels for equivalent repair jobs.
Diesel all the way. I have owned many diesels and will never go gas again regardless if diesel costs more on fuel and the truck. More power, better mileage, longevity...everything about a diesel is better in my opinion. They are more expensive to work on...but with the newer ones, they rarely need repairs and will last a very long time.
That is true, the oil changes cost more unless you do it yourself. I paid for the first one and then realized I could do it myself for half. I also know about the bugs in the 6.0. My wifes cousin had one and he bought it new but put 4 sets of injectors in it, after the warranty ran out of course. I also see your point about buying used, I would absolutely not buy a diesel used as you have no idea what it was used for.
It's true my buddies new Silverado is a diesel and that things awesome. I thought the same thing about diesel but now there is practically no difference. Now his new saying is "Real trucks have glowplugs!".
Have you had your oil changed lately? Lol my civic cost that. Hemi cost me $50. My next truck will be a Cummins!
Loved my Diesel. 97' F250 Stroker. Tons of power and I used it to haul hay in the summertimes. Very good mileage but crazy expensive to upkeep. Had to replace a glow plug harness once.. $700. In a 2001 Ranger now and love it. Way easier to drive in the hills, easier to work on, and much cheaper to maintain.
For my work trucks I have an 03 ford f350 diesel with the 6.0, a 97 ford f350 with the 7.3, and a08 f250 5.4 gas. I finally had to get rid of be gas it just wasn't worth it with gas the price it is. I was getting around 10 -12 mpg with it compared to the diesels working them with loads in them getting 14-16. Don't get me wrong I loved the f250 but just couldn't justify putting $100 of gas in every 3 days
I have a 99 Dodge 2500 4x4 QC Cummins with 210k on it juiced up w/ 530HP at the rear tires and a 600HP rated south bend clutch in a 5 speed and other than "glassing over" my last clutch, I've had no tranny problems at all, this is a manual though, not an auto. It has been expensive to build, but even being in it a lot, which I am, I still am yet to get less than 18mpg, and can get 21-22 if I stay out off it, and drive sensibly.
That's what I'm talking about! I'll be damned if I don't buy a Cummins in the future, but I will not even think of an auto tranny. I have seen too many autos give out, but you hardly ever see a manual go out. My buddy just bought a 96 dually 5 speed last week, that thing is awesome. Only has 139k on it, never been chipped or pulled hard either. First thing he did was rip the stock exhaust off I bet he will go with a 5" straight pipe with a 6" tip. Doesn't even have a tag or anything yet though
