Hey guys I made this thread to have a quick discussion about the biggest pro's and con's you have came across with your rigs. I am personally teetering on the edge of whether I should or shouldn't go diesel with my first big build. My original idea was to go with 5.9l cummins in a '78 bronco and do a similar build to other on this site (such as American Thunder). However, after I made my first post about my ideas I had for my project and a few people were persuading me to stay with the original engine instead. If you went diesel, why? or if you would stay away from it, how come? and If you have diesel what do you like and don't like about it? If you'd want to post what your driving and anything special about it plus your average mpg that would be awesome.

Thanks, Full-size

 

for a fun project truck, that you're willing to beef up the suspension for, do the extra maintenance, take the time to trouble shoot accuratly. Go diesel. If you want the smoke, rumble, and torque. Go diesel.

consider which carefully however, my 95 powerstroke uses a computer to run it. I understand and older idi needs 3 wires. Cummins I have no idea.

78 was a bad year for engines. I'm sure a 351, 460 or whatever gasser would get you where you're going in a hurry. And part store upgrades are more avaliable. Are you gonna run a carb? Propane? Some injection system?

in my case I have a 64 f100 reg cab long bed, 351w, 4 speed. The 302 was plenty quick but it had issues, I was younger and got a deal on a 351. I'll be keeping the 351w. Its a more for the fun of it engine. Especially geared right. Also I have a mad mans dream of a twin turbo propane 351w. You can not tell me that doesn't get you a little excited.

but my daily get me to work and home, with whatever tools and materials I am using that day is a 95 f350 cclb 7.3 auto 2x ~18mpg overall. Love it. still learning its querks after a year with it. But when it gets traction (single tire fire syndrome) its unstoppable. And it doesn't care what kind of load either. I've tried to load it down with scrap and see if it'll be slower. Nope!

I'm assuming you are leaning towards diesel, since you are here.

basically is the smoke and rumble worth it to you?

 

sorry its late and i rammbled. Typing on the phone is a bad idea for my fat fingers.

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

 

69 F250, first six cylinder auto, then a built 360 with a four speed, now a 7.3IDI with a five speed.
Pros: Fuel economy, torque off the line.
Cons: Noise, overpowers the rear suspension, doesn't really fit right, and finicky starting.
I'd do it again, but differently. Diesel engines are worth the noise, having the torque off the line is great especially when towing. The truck got high teens with the 6, a maximum of 12 with the 360, 7.5 towing, and low 20s with the diesel. It gets mid teens towing, with a low of 14.5 so generally the mileage has been doubled. The 360 was a torque build, along with a 4BBL intake and dual exhausts, but this thing has it beat by quite a bit.
The older Fords had pretty narrow leaf springs, and the extra torque is a problem. The axle wrap is horrible, the frame flexes like crazy, and the suspension really can't handle the weight the truck can tow now.
To do it again, I would put a 60s body on an 80s or 90s chassis with the diesel in it, so the rest of the components would be able to handle it.

 

then you can have the powerstroke. I considdered that route for the 64. That's neat to get a real comparison between engines.

 

My only con, few pumps have diesel so sometimes I have to wait.

Cons for a cummins in a 78 Bronco is the cummins, size(long) weight, cost, and pain in *** factor. An IDI is a much more practical choice, buy an IDI F350, shorten the frame, and put the 78 Bronco body on it, done and done.

 

I have a 89 F250 4x4 manual trans 7.3 IDI non turbo 4.10 gears. I use it to drive, tow & plow. This is my first year with it. Just hit 205000. Miles
Pros: I love the low end power. I can use alternative fuels. Simple to work on. I get 15.5 mpg and could get better if I drove easier.

Cons: Winter time you gotta plug them in when it gets real cold. They do smell a little but you can change that by what fuel you use. Run veggie oil. I have heard talk about the lower sulfur fuels being harder on the injection pump. So you can add additives if your worried. I just add a gallon or more of filtered used oil.

I guess in a nut shell do what you want. I could careless for diesel till I got mine. Now I love it!! Yes they cost more to maintain but it's an even trade off.

 

Hello my new found friends. I am brand new at this; however, I hope to learn much from all of you "experts." My diesel ownership includes [in the past] 1984 F250, 3 more [7.3's, I think] through 2005. Please do not hold it against me, but I have also owned three GMC, Chevy diesels. Those were BAAAAAAAd news! Then I panicked from the AWFUL cost of diesel and went back to gas. NOW; I am seriously considering a 2015 F250 6.7l diesel. Do any of you know when they will be available for ordering and subsequent delivery?

 

Cons: #1 price difference between diesel and gas.
#2 most of the station around here don't keep the diesel pumps clean. Nozzles wet with diesel from leaks, concrete around pumps covered in diesel.

 

Sure it's more expensive these days, you can thank the federal government for that BTW. But diesel is quite literally more bang for the buck. A gallon of #2 has 14% more chemical energy in it(BTUs) then a gallon of common gasoline(10% ethanol). That said around here the price difference is on average a little over 14% more, but given diesels other advantages I find it very worth it.

And ohhh no a little diesel on the ground and the pump, if it bothers you carry some gloves and baby wipes. However it's not cause of anything the stations do, it's what the customers do. Most will spill a few drops of either gas or diesel but the gas is self cleaning the diesel is not. Like the difference between rubbing alcohol and cooking oil. Spill a little rubbing alcohol and it's gone evaporated in a few min, spill a little cooking oil and it spreads and spreads until you clean it up.

 

1995 Cummins 5.9 Diesel. Why? With almost no maintenance, they just keep running and running and running . . .