I am buying a F250. Truck wont be pulling that much weight only about 6000LBS. But i have seen the Fuel Mileage on those trucks and they are way better than the 460 Gas motor.

My question What would be the more reliable motor for the truck



And are there any down side to getting a diesel over a gas motor


the truck will be with the 7.3L diesel not the 6.0

Also did ford ever make any F250 trucks that were S-Cab Short box other than in 96

 

Help

 

I love my 460, I wouldnt get a smaller motor in a truck. I get about 10 mpg loaded driving 70mph. 14mpg empty. A diesel is going to be alot more expensive to fix than a gasser, but will be a bit better on fuel. So it probably balances out. I really dont care for the smell of a diesel either. 94.5 on up are factory Turbo, which is a big boost in performance, But one more thing to Grenade on you and wreck the motor at the same time. Ford did not make any Ext. Cab short box versions of the F250 or F350 until 99

 

A diesel is the BEST way to go in an HD truck for 90% of the time.

Most people who have HD's use them for heavy towing, many miles, long life, etc etc.

You WILL pay more for an older diesel pickup, in most cases 3 grand MORE than the gasser counterpart. The require more $$ in maintence. 16 qrts of oil instead of 6. More expensive oil filter. More fuel filter replacements. Additives to prevent cavitation with more often antifreeze flushes.

The advantages most of the time outweight the disadvantages considering in most cases you will get almost twice the mileage.

1996 and 1997's had supercab (and crewcab) shortbed models available.

 

diesels stink and rattle. If you're going to be driving it everyday and not hauling all the time, go with the gas.