I'm trying to talk myself into a 6.2 gas. I pull a 15k total load about once a month, in Oklahoma. Should I get a diesel or will I be happy with a 4.30 geared gas motor. I really think a 20k miles a year its an even wash on expenses to operate when you compare the fuel filters and oil changes of diesel and slightly higher fuel price vs. the poor economy of the gas motor.

 

If you are driving 20k a year and plan on keeping the truck for any length of time, I would go Diesel for sure. If you were driving 10k a year I would go gas.

 

We see this question all the time on this forum. I think almost everyone would get the diesel if it wasn't for the $8500 surcharge on that motor.

So the real answer is if you can swing it, buy the diesel...

 

Well for me I would ditch the diesel before the 100k warranty is up, but a gas I would drive to 200k. I'm probably going to get roasted but I trust a gas more than a diesel past 100k these days.

 

I can swing it, it'll be a cash deal, I just don't want to spend 8 grand extra for emmisions or fuelp pump issues. From what I've seen I'd get about 4 or 5 grand back at resale on the diesel so its just about 3 grand more after 5 years.

 

Huge performance difference to consider. Diesel's advantages - tons of peak Torque and HP at half the RPM's - built to tow. Is it worth the extra cash to you?

Diesel 925 ft/lb Torque @ 1800 RPM's
Gas 430 ft/lb Torque @ 3800 RPM's

Diesel 430 HP @ 2800 RPM's
Gas 385 HP @ 5750 RPM's

 

oklarado, your position makes sense to me. I think you'll get 200k from a gas 6.2L no sweat. If you change the oil every 5k miles, you'd probably get 300k. There certainly is the potential for many more very costly repairs on the diesels down the road. The new, upgraded 6.2L with 4.30's will probably tow that load just fine in flat Oklahoma. So, save the coin and get the 6.2L and have total piece of mind!

 

The monthly posted question.....I can justify either for myself. I'm on my 2nd 6.2 truck now after 20 years in diesels. Just be sure to get 4.30 which is the primary reason I ordered a new truck this go-round. My new 6.2 with the lower rpm max torque and the 4.30's really is a big improvement over my last 6.2.
While slight, I just can't handle the risk of shop downtime that the modern diesels can have, along with the added maintenance.

 

I wrestled with the same question before I bought mine. I decided that I wouldn't work it nearly as hard as it should be worked, and I don't drive enough to make up the added cost. I will probably only put 10 to 11 thousand miles a year on mine.

I went with the gasser. It will pull my 25 foot deck boat to the lake with no issue, and coming from my 5.4, it is going to be an upgrade in power from where I am now anyway.

I went with the 350 myself because it comes with the same transmission the diesel comes with. If I ever get the urge to add a power adder, the tranny should have no problem handling the added power.

I am sure the grin factor on the diesel is huge, which is why I did not test drive one. I knew I would talk myself into it if I did.

 

Fuel injected gas engines last much, much longer nowadays than they did when the whole "diesel outlasts gas" mantra was born. In those days, carburetors were the norm for gas engines, and unatomized fuel would wash oil off of cylinder walls. The 6.2 is port fuel injection, so no carbon buildup issues on the valves like direct injected engines, either. Motor oil has gotten so good that engine bearings don't really wear out as long as you change the oil and filters per owner's manual. The valve-stem seals will likely start leaking oil first on an older unopened engine, but that's an oil burning issue and the motor can still run happily like this for many years -- you just need to check/top up the oil more frequently when this milestone is reached.

Diesel is nice for that torque but I don't think on average that they even outlast gas engines any more, at least for 1-ton or smaller vehicles. Anything class-4 or larger exists to work long hours and many miles for a living, so the lower fuel-cost-per-mile is enough to offset the added cost of maintenance, repair and initial buy-in for diesel.

 

Money was only an issue for me as it related to need. I don't really tow enough to justify a diesel any longer. Had 3 different F250 diesels over the last 30 years. Not happy with all the mandated changes since the 7.3. Certainly $8K will by a lot of gas. I am excited to try my first big gas truck. That said if I just decide gas just isn't working for us I will go back to a diesel. Our last 7.3 diesel did more sitting than hauling. 15 years old and only 150K miles.

 

i got the gasser, but 10k for a diesel? thats just absurd!

 

Not to be too cliche, but get whatever is going to make you happy. If money is not the issue, and you like the diesel, get it.

I recently made the jump from an F150 to the 17 6.7L, and I could not be happier. In theory, a gas F250 would do everything I need it to (much like you). But, after test driving the 6.7, I loved the power and overall feel. This 250 is my daily driver as well, with plenty of city driving. Still, not a single regret. No reason to try and talk yourself out of it if you like it and have the funds. Life is to short (end on a cliche since I began with one).

 

To call getting the diesel absurd...what do you know about what the truck's intended purpose is for those who want the diesel? For some the gas is a good choice for others it's clearly not.

 

I'm going diesel, but can't really justify why. Basically:

- they sound better
- I think they are cool
- I love having the torque when I need it (which will be rare -- admittedly)

But if I have a 'rational' reason, I'd say it's because when I go to sell it, anybody looking for a used truck with serious pulling capability is going to be looking for a diesel.

I am struggling with some disadvantages. Filling them up tends to be a filthy, stinky, miserable experience.

But they sound so cool!