Looking for advice
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 200
Likes: 13
From: Sheridan, Wyoming
Looking for advice
I am thinking about getting a different truck but not sure what I should get. I currently have a 1990 F150 XLT Lariat, 4x4, 351, E4OD, extended cab, 108K. I like the truck but I don't really need the power of the 351. So, I am thinking of getting either another F150 with a 300 and a 5 speed or an F250 with a diesel. Mostly what I am looking for is better fuel mileage. I rarely haul or tow anything. I will occasionally be borrowing my sisters camping trailer (1995 Jayco 25 foot model) but that may only be once or twice a year, if that. If I go with a diesel I don't much care if it is a power stroke either although that is likely what I will look for. My only requirements at this time are it has to be a 1994 or newer and a 4x4. I also like Dodge trucks so that is also a possible buy for me but this is mostly Ford and GM country so they are easier to find.
What would you get? Please confine your responses to Ford products. If I go with a Dodge I can get advice, which I don't need on them, at another site.
Thanks!
Chris
What would you get? Please confine your responses to Ford products. If I go with a Dodge I can get advice, which I don't need on them, at another site.
Thanks!
Chris
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,344
Likes: 801
From: Mi'kma'ki
in '94 there where two diesel options (transition year of the 7.3l diesels.)
the early 7.3l idi (pre-power stroke) and the 7.3l di (electronic di-power stroke.)
research each devoted diesel sections here carefully before deciding.
despite both sharing 444 cubic inches/7.3l,they are two completely different engines.
each with pro's and con's when compared and each well known for being the greatest diesel engines offered in the f-series heavy duty trucks (and vans.)
"Mostly what I am looking for is better fuel mileage. I rarely haul or tow anything.I will occasionally be borrowing my sisters camping trailer (1995 Jayco 25 foot model) but that may only be once or twice a year, if that."
imho.what your describing as your needs would be a car,not a heavy duty diesel pickup.but please don't take that comment personal.
you may find renting a pickup once or twice a year and driving a car is much cheaper than running a pickup truck like a car,year round.
this is easy for me to say,simply because iv always preferred to run a car rather than a truck anyway (but car's can't haul a few ton.
)
the early 7.3l idi (pre-power stroke) and the 7.3l di (electronic di-power stroke.)
research each devoted diesel sections here carefully before deciding.
despite both sharing 444 cubic inches/7.3l,they are two completely different engines.
each with pro's and con's when compared and each well known for being the greatest diesel engines offered in the f-series heavy duty trucks (and vans.)
"Mostly what I am looking for is better fuel mileage. I rarely haul or tow anything.I will occasionally be borrowing my sisters camping trailer (1995 Jayco 25 foot model) but that may only be once or twice a year, if that."
imho.what your describing as your needs would be a car,not a heavy duty diesel pickup.but please don't take that comment personal.
you may find renting a pickup once or twice a year and driving a car is much cheaper than running a pickup truck like a car,year round.
this is easy for me to say,simply because iv always preferred to run a car rather than a truck anyway (but car's can't haul a few ton.
)
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 200
Likes: 13
From: Sheridan, Wyoming
imho.what your describing as your needs would be a car,not a heavy duty diesel pickup.but please don't take that comment personal.
you may find renting a pickup once or twice a year and driving a car is much cheaper than running a pickup truck like a car,year round.
this is easy for me to say,simply because iv always preferred to run a car rather than a truck anyway (but car's can't haul a few ton.
)
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 200
Likes: 13
From: Sheridan, Wyoming
What I am after is better MPG's, not necessarily a decrease in power. Hell, if that was all I wanted I would just go buy a Chevrolet. What I am wanting to know is what would be better to get what I want, which is better MPG's.
An F250 with a DI Diesel or an F150 with a 300? Once I have some responses that will help I will figure out how much per pay period fuel will cost plus preventive maintenence costs and then start looking for whatever truck comes out on top.
Chris
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 973
Likes: 2
From: Texas
the 300 will get you 13-15 around the city and maybe 18 on the highway. It will pull your trailer and do it nicely, but not very quickly. It will take its time getting up to speed and getting over the hills.
The diesel will get about the same mileage, but will pull the trailer a better. If you gett the 300, you will be plenty happy around town, but expect to want more power while towing on the highway.
The diesel will get about the same mileage, but will pull the trailer a better. If you gett the 300, you will be plenty happy around town, but expect to want more power while towing on the highway.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
The fuel economy gain on the diesel will probably not be as much as you think it will. Most of the ones I see only get mid to high teens.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Sheridan, Wyoming
It sounds like it won't be worth the cost of getting a different truck then. The 300 isn't much higher than what I have now and the diesel won't give me enough either when you factor in the higher maintenence costs also.
So, I guess I will just keep my 351 F150 then. It is fun to drive and I get 12ish around town unless I have to show too many GM's that it isn't your run of the mill 302
Chris
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Rural Kansas
I would also recommend to stay away from the diesel for the use described, I have a 97 ext cab heavy duty f250 2wd with a 5 speed basically stock has an intake,5inch exhaust and a programmer and although I can squeak out 20 driving nice with a light load it does not offset the cost of $100 oil changes. Also diesel arent really meant to just fire them up drive 15 mins and quit lots of people do it but it kills the oil fast. Also if anything goes wrong it's going to be costly compared to a gasser. I assume it gets pretty cold in wyoming also and you have to worry about fuel gelling up also which is another reason to stay with a gasser to me.
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
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From: North Central Rural Sask.
Up here in the winter time, diesel is around the same price as gas, but in the summer time is considerabley less.
I love diesels for the torque and the power they have when you do need it.
Although my diesel is a little newer, I get oil filters for 10 bucks a piece, but I do have to put in 15 liters compared to what, 8-9 liters in a gas truck?
My family has had gas and diesel trucks for many years on the farm, and the gas trucks always get at least 10ish mpg less then the diesels.
If your looking at dodge, you cant go wrong with a cummins 5.9 diesel, they are a wicked engine. It just sucks they had to go and wreck the engine by throwing a dodge around it!
I love diesels for the torque and the power they have when you do need it.
Although my diesel is a little newer, I get oil filters for 10 bucks a piece, but I do have to put in 15 liters compared to what, 8-9 liters in a gas truck?
My family has had gas and diesel trucks for many years on the farm, and the gas trucks always get at least 10ish mpg less then the diesels.
If your looking at dodge, you cant go wrong with a cummins 5.9 diesel, they are a wicked engine. It just sucks they had to go and wreck the engine by throwing a dodge around it!
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 200
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From: Sheridan, Wyoming
Deisel fuel is more expensive here but not that much more. Not enough more to keep me from owning one over a gasser anyway. As far as oil/filters and other maintenence items, I can get them cheaper than most people. I worked in parts sales for years and still get my old employee discount 
I don't drive much, maybe 5 minutes to work and five minutes home but I also go places on days off that get the engine good and hot so that isn't a concern.
If I go with a diesel I will more than likely get a Dodge, I like the Cummins and have no problems with owning a Dodge. They are just as good of a truck as a Ford in my opinion. I have owned several.
Chris
I don't drive much, maybe 5 minutes to work and five minutes home but I also go places on days off that get the engine good and hot so that isn't a concern.If I go with a diesel I will more than likely get a Dodge, I like the Cummins and have no problems with owning a Dodge. They are just as good of a truck as a Ford in my opinion. I have owned several.
Chris
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
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It sounds like it won't be worth the cost of getting a different truck then. The 300 isn't much higher than what I have now and the diesel won't give me enough either when you factor in the higher maintenence costs also.
So, I guess I will just keep my 351 F150 then. It is fun to drive and I get 12ish around town unless I have to show too many GM's that it isn't your run of the mill 302
Chris
So, I guess I will just keep my 351 F150 then. It is fun to drive and I get 12ish around town unless I have to show too many GM's that it isn't your run of the mill 302
Chris
I'm curious, what kind of mpg does your 5.8 actually get on the highway.
I think that the 300 and the 351 are the best F150 engines. The 302 is good, but just lacks a little in the the low end torque department.
Its funny though, My friend has a 2001 Dodge 1500 regular cab short bed with a 318. He has about 90k miles on his. He can't keep up with my tired 5.0. I love that.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,344
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From: Mi'kma'ki
if you only drive a couple miles to work and back,then MPG isn't much of a concern anyway.
your right.buying a new truck (especially a diesel truck) will never offset the difference in what little fuel you burn.
you'll simply have to want the diesel,as it's going to cost you,not save you anything.
good luck with the dodge/cummins combo should you pull the trigger.
your right.buying a new truck (especially a diesel truck) will never offset the difference in what little fuel you burn.
you'll simply have to want the diesel,as it's going to cost you,not save you anything.
good luck with the dodge/cummins combo should you pull the trigger.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 2,007
From: SW Washington
The Cummins is a great engine but the Dodge I had it was no match for it. I had a 97 4X4 club cab. The automatic transmission didn't make it past 100K and similarly for the front end components. The A/C was frequently on the fritz and the cab was prone to water leaks.
The 12V Cummins unfortunately has a fatal flaw called the KDP. There's a good write up about it. It's curable if caught in time. Some of the 24V engines were affected as well. There are versions of the 24V that suffer from cracked blocks. I can go on an on but this is a Ford forum.
The only way I'd buy another Cummins would be if it were in a Ford or GM truck.
The 12V Cummins unfortunately has a fatal flaw called the KDP. There's a good write up about it. It's curable if caught in time. Some of the 24V engines were affected as well. There are versions of the 24V that suffer from cracked blocks. I can go on an on but this is a Ford forum.
The only way I'd buy another Cummins would be if it were in a Ford or GM truck.