boo yah. I really like the old 7.3s Getting a little harder to find in good shape though
CK5
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New Truck....Diesel or Gas?
- Thread starter Col_Sanders
- Start date
boo yah. I really like the old 7.3s Getting a little harder to find in good shape though
If you are looking at used, find one that was before the new blue DEF exhaust fluid, they are not more complicated than the gas counterpart, might have to pay a bit more than a gas truck but it will hold it's value better and last longer.
It also will do more effortlessly.
I wouldn't buy a gas truck no matter, but for you, it's your call.
price will not be much between 1/2 or 3/4 so whatever you find better deal on I say.
They all can handle what you are asking them to do.
It also will do more effortlessly.
I wouldn't buy a gas truck no matter, but for you, it's your call.
price will not be much between 1/2 or 3/4 so whatever you find better deal on I say.
They all can handle what you are asking them to do.
Col_Sanders
3/4 ton status
Well, I might be going away from GM. My "Service Four Wheel Drive" indicator came on and the transfer case wont shift out of Auto. 57k miles and it has had a water pump, transmission seals replaced and now this. Errrrrrr........
How are the new half ton Rams holding up?
How are the new half ton Rams holding up?
63chevyll
1/2 ton status
i havent read all the posts, but i say diesel.
resale is better and they tow better.
resale is better and they tow better.
i'd look at an 04-07 dodge with the cummins and a 6 speed it doesn't get much more reliable than that and they can usually be had in the 19-28 range...
chevysmithz71
1/2 ton status
shovelbill80
1/2 ton status
if you don't "need" a diesel rig, it isn't cost effective to buy one now a days(read: newer truck)......unless it's going to see massive highway miles while towing heavy stuff.
upfront cost, fuel cost, repair and maintainance cost offset the "cool" factor in my opinion.
upfront cost, fuel cost, repair and maintainance cost offset the "cool" factor in my opinion.
Not to diss the Duramax,but have any of you had problems with one yet??..they had a rash of injector problems early in its inception,and the engine is a nightmare to work on too--takes 1-2 days to replace injectors,and the wiring to them is molded into the valve cover gaskets!...
My older brother has an 02 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 with the Duramax/Allison combo...its IS an impessive towing vehicle and has gobs of torque,but he's planning to sell it soon,as it is approaching 100K miles and thats when things start going south on them...he's been disgusted with how rusted the chassis got so quickly,despite being anal about keeping it clean,he had to needle scale the whole undercarriage and repaint it --the transfer case started spewing ATF all over,he found there was a hole in the tailshaft housing that was chowed by the oil pump inside it--that costed nearly 500 bucks to fix--the rear pinion seal went too,nearly ran it out of gear lube before he smelled it burning on the exhaust...he also has had several fuel filters get clogged with red silty rust looking crap,and he wont be surprised if the injectors will suffer as a result...for a truck with fairly low mileage for a diesel,its had more than its share of troubles...but he does love how it tows though...but he'd be just as happy with a 454 or 8.1 gas engine too....(and you can still have an Alison behind them too)..
My older brother has an 02 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 with the Duramax/Allison combo...its IS an impessive towing vehicle and has gobs of torque,but he's planning to sell it soon,as it is approaching 100K miles and thats when things start going south on them...he's been disgusted with how rusted the chassis got so quickly,despite being anal about keeping it clean,he had to needle scale the whole undercarriage and repaint it --the transfer case started spewing ATF all over,he found there was a hole in the tailshaft housing that was chowed by the oil pump inside it--that costed nearly 500 bucks to fix--the rear pinion seal went too,nearly ran it out of gear lube before he smelled it burning on the exhaust...he also has had several fuel filters get clogged with red silty rust looking crap,and he wont be surprised if the injectors will suffer as a result...for a truck with fairly low mileage for a diesel,its had more than its share of troubles...but he does love how it tows though...but he'd be just as happy with a 454 or 8.1 gas engine too....(and you can still have an Alison behind them too)..
Col_Sanders
3/4 ton status
I'm about to head out to the Dodge and Ford dealerships....Those are words I never thought I'd say. I think I am just going to stick with a half ton since thats adequate for my needs.
I was hoping the "Service Four Wheel Drive" indicator on the GMC was just a loose connector from when they did the transmission work but that doesnt seem to be the case. I checked every connector I could find on the transfer case with no luck.
I was hoping the "Service Four Wheel Drive" indicator on the GMC was just a loose connector from when they did the transmission work but that doesnt seem to be the case. I checked every connector I could find on the transfer case with no luck.
When it comes to pulling, diesels will usually win. Although a big block, set up right, will come close when it comes to low end torque.
Fuel mileage is usually better, but the higher diesel prices offset that a lot.
Simplicity, ease of maintenance, low cost of tuneup. Most of these have gone out the window to the point that many gas engines are better.
The Allis-Chalmers engine on my generator is an example of what a diesel should be.
Electric lift pump, which is how you stop it. Mechanical injector pump, pressure operated injectors, thats it.
Tune up consists of changing the filters and the oil when needed.
But modern truck diesels are not like that anymore.
That just leaves longevity as a reason.
And that is getting less and less of a difference.
Every vehicle I have owned has gotten over 200K. By that I mean over 200K in good shape. Not chugging along laying down a smoke screen.
All gas engines.
My present truck, an F250 with the 5.8L, 351ci engine is the best example I have right now. ( I know, its a Furd, but its the only example I have)
I switched to synthetic (Amsoil) at 100K or so when I looked into the idea.
At about 280K, it had plenty of power, 40lbs of oil pressure at idle measured with a mech. gauge.
Cranked on first turnover, ran like a top.
Then, the water pump started dripping. I put in a Pep Boys best. About 15 minutes later, doing 70 down the highway, the bearings in the pump seized, the shaft snapped, and that big supercooling fan went into the radiator, hood, alternator, and both hoses.
I killed the engine instantly, of course, but it had dumped all the coolant out of the engine in about 10 seconds.
After I repaired all the damage, Pep Boys said I must have had the serpentine belt on too tight.....Right, the engine seemed to run OK.
But, it developed a strange skip. Only when cold.
Pulled the plugs, and two of them next to each other were wet.
No way I was going to try to do a head gasket on an engine with that many miles if I could help it.
Poured in some Bar's Leaks. It patched the problem and let me get about another 50K.
When the skip came back at a total miles of about 340K, I tried a set of head gaskets, but no luck.
I suspect that the head or block was cracked. Didn't look like it, but I did not do any tests.
Finally, at about 400K, with good oil pressure, good power, I reluctantly pulled it and dropped in a rebuilt.
So, my point is, with modern oils, better build engines with improved bearings, gas engines are closing in on diesels as far as useful life is concerned.
By useful life, I mean unless you drive cross country on a regular basis, odds are the rest of the truck is going to need work or replacing before either engine is.
My 250 has 22 years on it so far, and if it were not such a highly customized truck, I would have replaced it 10 years ago when I had about 200K.
Fuel mileage is usually better, but the higher diesel prices offset that a lot.
Simplicity, ease of maintenance, low cost of tuneup. Most of these have gone out the window to the point that many gas engines are better.
The Allis-Chalmers engine on my generator is an example of what a diesel should be.
Electric lift pump, which is how you stop it. Mechanical injector pump, pressure operated injectors, thats it.
Tune up consists of changing the filters and the oil when needed.
But modern truck diesels are not like that anymore.
That just leaves longevity as a reason.
And that is getting less and less of a difference.
Every vehicle I have owned has gotten over 200K. By that I mean over 200K in good shape. Not chugging along laying down a smoke screen.
All gas engines.
My present truck, an F250 with the 5.8L, 351ci engine is the best example I have right now. ( I know, its a Furd, but its the only example I have)
I switched to synthetic (Amsoil) at 100K or so when I looked into the idea.
At about 280K, it had plenty of power, 40lbs of oil pressure at idle measured with a mech. gauge.
Cranked on first turnover, ran like a top.
Then, the water pump started dripping. I put in a Pep Boys best. About 15 minutes later, doing 70 down the highway, the bearings in the pump seized, the shaft snapped, and that big supercooling fan went into the radiator, hood, alternator, and both hoses.
I killed the engine instantly, of course, but it had dumped all the coolant out of the engine in about 10 seconds.
After I repaired all the damage, Pep Boys said I must have had the serpentine belt on too tight.....Right, the engine seemed to run OK.
But, it developed a strange skip. Only when cold.
Pulled the plugs, and two of them next to each other were wet.
No way I was going to try to do a head gasket on an engine with that many miles if I could help it.
Poured in some Bar's Leaks. It patched the problem and let me get about another 50K.
When the skip came back at a total miles of about 340K, I tried a set of head gaskets, but no luck.
I suspect that the head or block was cracked. Didn't look like it, but I did not do any tests.
Finally, at about 400K, with good oil pressure, good power, I reluctantly pulled it and dropped in a rebuilt.
So, my point is, with modern oils, better build engines with improved bearings, gas engines are closing in on diesels as far as useful life is concerned.
By useful life, I mean unless you drive cross country on a regular basis, odds are the rest of the truck is going to need work or replacing before either engine is.
My 250 has 22 years on it so far, and if it were not such a highly customized truck, I would have replaced it 10 years ago when I had about 200K.
buffblazer
1/2 ton status
MSRP on mine was 47k plus prob 5k in add ons the orginal owner.
bought it at the beginning december, paid 27k for it. with 68k on it.
5 years and 68k and it was half the price only thing i have done is a new hub and batterys (would happen on a gas also).
with the lift the truck gets 2 mpg less than my 07 half ton extended cab with the 5.3 did. i have towed the blazer down to colorado springs and only saw it drop to 11. when i towed a empty cargo 15ft cargo trailer to north dakota with the half ton i saw 8mpg.
buy used and you will love it. a few mods and you can get way better fuel milage then a gasser, if your gonna keep it for a long time it will sell better
the denali sells for 63k mine is loaded and i paid 27k.
so its really all in how many miles and what options you want for a used truck.
bought it at the beginning december, paid 27k for it. with 68k on it.
5 years and 68k and it was half the price only thing i have done is a new hub and batterys (would happen on a gas also).
with the lift the truck gets 2 mpg less than my 07 half ton extended cab with the 5.3 did. i have towed the blazer down to colorado springs and only saw it drop to 11. when i towed a empty cargo 15ft cargo trailer to north dakota with the half ton i saw 8mpg.
buy used and you will love it. a few mods and you can get way better fuel milage then a gasser, if your gonna keep it for a long time it will sell better
the denali sells for 63k mine is loaded and i paid 27k.
so its really all in how many miles and what options you want for a used truck.
74 chev
1/2 ton status
I vote diesel!
About 3 months ago i sold my 04 Silverado with the 6.0L in it, which was a great truck other than a weak flexplate issue i had and losing two water pumps BUT the mileage was horrible. 10MPG was the norm.
I picked up an 07 5.9L Megacab Cummins and i love the thing. Im getting 18MPG on the highway and 15 in stop and go driving. It has tons of stock power that makes it a blast to drive and the resale on them is far better than any other truck you can buy.
I believe the 2011 dodges with a Cummins is the only of the 3 that do not require DEF and you cannot beat the reliability of the Cummins engine. They are also much simpler IMO to work on than a D-Max or a Powerstroke.
I know that i am now hooked on the diesels, so much so that i am swapping one into the wheeler!
About 3 months ago i sold my 04 Silverado with the 6.0L in it, which was a great truck other than a weak flexplate issue i had and losing two water pumps BUT the mileage was horrible. 10MPG was the norm.
I picked up an 07 5.9L Megacab Cummins and i love the thing. Im getting 18MPG on the highway and 15 in stop and go driving. It has tons of stock power that makes it a blast to drive and the resale on them is far better than any other truck you can buy.
I believe the 2011 dodges with a Cummins is the only of the 3 that do not require DEF and you cannot beat the reliability of the Cummins engine. They are also much simpler IMO to work on than a D-Max or a Powerstroke.
I know that i am now hooked on the diesels, so much so that i am swapping one into the wheeler!
Trying to say diesel is priced much higher and the mileage isn't much better is not a very good argument. People like to think that today's gas trucks are getting almost as good mileage as their diesel counterparts, except for the fact that every time I hear that argument, they are comparing their 1/2ton 5,000lb truck to a much heavier 7000lb HD truck. 
Of course mileage won't be that far off from one another. So.... if you don't need the capacity of an HD truck, than by all means, buy the 1/2ton gasser and save a few bucks.
An HD truck with a gas engine doesn't get near the mileage their 1/2 ton counter parts get. At that point, ordering your HD truck with the diesel option makes much more sense, which is why it's getting hard to even find a 3/4tonHD truck in gas.
As far as switching brands, I went Dodge 5 years ago and haven't looked back. The Cummins engine is the best if you're going to be pulling a lot on a constant basis, and they are easier to work on. I'm a big fan of the Dodge trucks too, great drivetrain and I think they are the best looking trucks out there. My '01 and '06 have been great to me.
Of course mileage won't be that far off from one another. So.... if you don't need the capacity of an HD truck, than by all means, buy the 1/2ton gasser and save a few bucks. An HD truck with a gas engine doesn't get near the mileage their 1/2 ton counter parts get. At that point, ordering your HD truck with the diesel option makes much more sense, which is why it's getting hard to even find a 3/4tonHD truck in gas.
As far as switching brands, I went Dodge 5 years ago and haven't looked back. The Cummins engine is the best if you're going to be pulling a lot on a constant basis, and they are easier to work on. I'm a big fan of the Dodge trucks too, great drivetrain and I think they are the best looking trucks out there. My '01 and '06 have been great to me.
A couple of years ago this would be a great idea, but the problem now is age is starting to get to those older trucks.
Col_Sanders
3/4 ton status
My 4wd issue on the GMC appears to be gone.
Furd has crap for rebates right now, but Dodge's rebates are ok. It seems harder to find a 4x4 Dodge half ton quad cab though. All the ones here are 2wd and the dealer is MIA. Been to the lot 2 days in the past week during what should be normal hours and nobody was there. I'm heading to Shreveport and Dallas this weekend so driving one shouldnt be an issue.
Furd has crap for rebates right now, but Dodge's rebates are ok. It seems harder to find a 4x4 Dodge half ton quad cab though. All the ones here are 2wd and the dealer is MIA. Been to the lot 2 days in the past week during what should be normal hours and nobody was there. I'm heading to Shreveport and Dallas this weekend so driving one shouldnt be an issue.
MrSchaeferPants
1/2 ton status
Don't have a new'er vehicle, will probably never will. But my buddy's '94 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9 turbodiesel has lasted him 6 years, 440k on the engine, and is now starting to go, so two nights ago he bought a '04 F150, V6. $9k and some change. Spent $1500 on the Dodge 6 years ago. Only thing he's ever done to it was fun stuff. I'm not a Dodge/Chevy/Ford guy, a cars a car, a trucks a truck to me. But that 5.9 Is a beast. Only problem with Dodge is parts are very very expensive, not just for the cummins.
For example. The other week his ignition cylinder went out. Chevy $12.99, his Dodge $60. He got the F150 cause it's what he could aFord. As soon as it's paid for and he has some money together he's going right back to Dodge. I'd say get a slightly older 3/4 ton diesel. If you have the time, look for a deal. That wat you'll have 3/4 ton if you need it, diesel if you want that, but with a much better price tag. The '04 Furd he picked up is mint, looked at it last night it really looks dealership brand new, 43k miles. So if you have the time, I'd scout for a super good condition used mid 2000s.
For example. The other week his ignition cylinder went out. Chevy $12.99, his Dodge $60. He got the F150 cause it's what he could aFord. As soon as it's paid for and he has some money together he's going right back to Dodge. I'd say get a slightly older 3/4 ton diesel. If you have the time, look for a deal. That wat you'll have 3/4 ton if you need it, diesel if you want that, but with a much better price tag. The '04 Furd he picked up is mint, looked at it last night it really looks dealership brand new, 43k miles. So if you have the time, I'd scout for a super good condition used mid 2000s.
K5dreamer
1/2 ton status
i say drive a few of each and see what you like best. I personally LOVE the way diesels drive. im a torque guy, when i decide i wanna go really really fast again, ill build an alochol injected hot rod. for daily driving, and working, ill go diesel every day of the week. and in fact... i do. both my daily driver jetta, and the blazer are diesel, and ill never go back.
Truth be told, the new diesels, and even the ones a few years ago, are insanely powerful off the lot. the new chevy and ford are damn near, or at 400hp/800ftlbs with no aftermarket tomfoolery. the chevy has a new emissions system that is 20% biodiesel compatible, which to me is awesome, because B20 is usually easier to find than B5 for those of us who like the multitude of benifits biodiesel offers.
and diesel engines are built tougher than gasoline engines by the very nature of their design. Gale Banks describes a duramax as being build like a true old school HEMI big block (not the new "hemi" engines that actually arent) while the LS engines are amazing, i have yet to hear anyone make that comparison.
Then when it comes to mods and useability, i have yet to see a gas powered truck that will drive 500 miles to the track, towing a buddies race car, run 11 second passes all day, then drive home, and gets 20 mpg on the open road, while cruising in the lap of luxury. diesel trucks do it all the time.
Truth be told, the new diesels, and even the ones a few years ago, are insanely powerful off the lot. the new chevy and ford are damn near, or at 400hp/800ftlbs with no aftermarket tomfoolery. the chevy has a new emissions system that is 20% biodiesel compatible, which to me is awesome, because B20 is usually easier to find than B5 for those of us who like the multitude of benifits biodiesel offers.
and diesel engines are built tougher than gasoline engines by the very nature of their design. Gale Banks describes a duramax as being build like a true old school HEMI big block (not the new "hemi" engines that actually arent) while the LS engines are amazing, i have yet to hear anyone make that comparison.
Then when it comes to mods and useability, i have yet to see a gas powered truck that will drive 500 miles to the track, towing a buddies race car, run 11 second passes all day, then drive home, and gets 20 mpg on the open road, while cruising in the lap of luxury. diesel trucks do it all the time.
Polski-Chevy
1/2 ton status
Throwing in my 2 cents to save some coin at the Dealership
November, expecially around the 2nd and 3rd week is the best time to buy a new vehicle. Dealers are trying to clear the lot of last years models.
I paid KBB on my 2006 3/4 ton 4x4 Chevy with 11 miles on it. After tax, title, and "fees" I paid less than 21k, I couldn't have bought a used 1/2 ton for that price at the time.
Check around, get prices, test drive, and get a printed quote from each dealership. Get a loan thru your bank or credit union, not thru the dealer! And question any fees that the dealer tacks on.
I break my back for every penny I earn, and I can't afford to give it away to a car dealer.
If you can't wait until November, then try to wait until the new model years come out. Dealer incentives start kicking in usually in the summer. Ford typically has the best dealer incentives, but use those rebates and incentives against the other brands and dealerships.
November, expecially around the 2nd and 3rd week is the best time to buy a new vehicle. Dealers are trying to clear the lot of last years models.
I paid KBB on my 2006 3/4 ton 4x4 Chevy with 11 miles on it. After tax, title, and "fees" I paid less than 21k, I couldn't have bought a used 1/2 ton for that price at the time.
Check around, get prices, test drive, and get a printed quote from each dealership. Get a loan thru your bank or credit union, not thru the dealer! And question any fees that the dealer tacks on.
I break my back for every penny I earn, and I can't afford to give it away to a car dealer.
If you can't wait until November, then try to wait until the new model years come out. Dealer incentives start kicking in usually in the summer. Ford typically has the best dealer incentives, but use those rebates and incentives against the other brands and dealerships.
Maybe if you want a diesel you should get a 2wd truck. Better mileage, lower up front cost. You still have the Blazer or did you sell it?
