Maintenance costs
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Maintenance costs
I brought up this idea before and now that I have the money I'm seriously considering it, but there is just one problem I have to consider as well - maintenance costs.
I'm down to 2 engine choices for my 96 bronco. Swap the body onto a OBS PSD and have a 3/4 ton 7.3 Bronco or go with a 408 stroker. I would really like a 7.3 bronco because the guy I know gets 18-25 MPGs city/highway.
Unfortunately, many people have point out to me that even with 20mpgs, if maintenance costs are too high... Then will high MPG's + costly maintenance less cost effective then 12 MPG stroker + $40 oil changes.
I feel like the question is confusing, but could you guys give me a hand? I'd really like to join the PSD army but is it worth it?
I only drive a few thousand miles a year, play in the mud/sand and maybe haul a trailer now and then.
I'm down to 2 engine choices for my 96 bronco. Swap the body onto a OBS PSD and have a 3/4 ton 7.3 Bronco or go with a 408 stroker. I would really like a 7.3 bronco because the guy I know gets 18-25 MPGs city/highway.
Unfortunately, many people have point out to me that even with 20mpgs, if maintenance costs are too high... Then will high MPG's + costly maintenance less cost effective then 12 MPG stroker + $40 oil changes.
I feel like the question is confusing, but could you guys give me a hand? I'd really like to join the PSD army but is it worth it?
I only drive a few thousand miles a year, play in the mud/sand and maybe haul a trailer now and then.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 886
Likes: 1
From: Clinton, TN
I brought up this idea before and now that I have the money I'm seriously considering it, but there is just one problem I have to consider as well - maintenance costs.
I'm down to 2 engine choices for my 96 bronco. Swap the body onto a OBS PSD and have a 3/4 ton 7.3 Bronco or go with a 408 stroker. I would really like a 7.3 bronco because the guy I know gets 18-25 MPGs city/highway.
Unfortunately, many people have point out to me that even with 20mpgs, if maintenance costs are too high... Then will high MPG's + costly maintenance less cost effective then 12 MPG stroker + $40 oil changes.
I feel like the question is confusing, but could you guys give me a hand? I'd really like to join the PSD army but is it worth it?
I only drive a few thousand miles a year, play in the mud/sand and maybe haul a trailer now and then.
I'm down to 2 engine choices for my 96 bronco. Swap the body onto a OBS PSD and have a 3/4 ton 7.3 Bronco or go with a 408 stroker. I would really like a 7.3 bronco because the guy I know gets 18-25 MPGs city/highway.
Unfortunately, many people have point out to me that even with 20mpgs, if maintenance costs are too high... Then will high MPG's + costly maintenance less cost effective then 12 MPG stroker + $40 oil changes.
I feel like the question is confusing, but could you guys give me a hand? I'd really like to join the PSD army but is it worth it?
I only drive a few thousand miles a year, play in the mud/sand and maybe haul a trailer now and then.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,111
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From: Yreka, CA
The cost between the 2 will be negligible at that level. Go with whatever it is that you really want imo.
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I was thinking that too. I'm a carpenter so occasionally I go look at other jobs for my boss or tow a trailer out to the property.
My dad and his buddies are just telling me to consider maintenance costs with a diesel since the guys he knows have the early 2000s diesel and spend a few hundred on oil changes.
Although when I was reading on some of the other threads it's mainly a oil filter every 3000-5000 miles, fuel filter once a year (keep a spare just in case) and keep an eye on EGTs, auto trans slippage (probably will go with a manual swap), maintain the filters, and keep an eye on fuel/injectors.
My dad and his buddies are just telling me to consider maintenance costs with a diesel since the guys he knows have the early 2000s diesel and spend a few hundred on oil changes.
Although when I was reading on some of the other threads it's mainly a oil filter every 3000-5000 miles, fuel filter once a year (keep a spare just in case) and keep an eye on EGTs, auto trans slippage (probably will go with a manual swap), maintain the filters, and keep an eye on fuel/injectors.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 611
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From: Smokey Mountains TN
oil change around here is at 120.- at the stealer ship. DIY is at about 70.- here.
I would think, this is the only maintenance difference between the two engines. Both need fuel filters and air filter and you do have spark plugs to deal with. Once you do e-fuel and cold air intake on the PSD, your filter cost go down.. as for mpg , im sure it will be much better in the diesel. The only main cost difference you have is in the cost of parts.. but once done, it will be more reliable... just my 2 cents.. and anyway, a 7.3 bronco is way cooler:-)
I would think, this is the only maintenance difference between the two engines. Both need fuel filters and air filter and you do have spark plugs to deal with. Once you do e-fuel and cold air intake on the PSD, your filter cost go down.. as for mpg , im sure it will be much better in the diesel. The only main cost difference you have is in the cost of parts.. but once done, it will be more reliable... just my 2 cents.. and anyway, a 7.3 bronco is way cooler:-)
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A guy I know is getting 20 MPGs in his diesel bronco. E-fuel is changing to an electric fuel pump right?
I've read something, I think on here, about changing a relay or something on a control panel, a less resistant pieces? Don't remember exactly.
I've read something, I think on here, about changing a relay or something on a control panel, a less resistant pieces? Don't remember exactly.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 611
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From: Smokey Mountains TN
e-fuel means replacing your stock manual pump in the engine valley wit a remote mount electric pump usually close to the tank. You also remove at that time your fuel bowl in the engine valley, add a regulator and place two new filters, one in front and one after the new pump. The new spin on filter are less expensive than the stock filter. you have a steady fuel pressure and a clean engine.. somebody correct me, if im wrong.
This would be one change i definitely would do in the bronco build
This would be one change i definitely would do in the bronco build
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: evansville in
20 Mpg.that's impressive. what does that rig weigh?is it lifted or more stock? i personally would do the psd.you will wear thaat 408 out twice before that psd even gets broke in.and if its a nasty 408 (travis) the driveability hp to hp will be nicer psd. but you just can't deny a nasty stroker just yacking away at a light..then.wwwaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!!
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,132
Likes: 45
From: Columbus, Oh
I feel like this is a loaded question. Some guys face more maintenance than others, therefor the cost is increased. I've owned my truck for almost 4 yrs now and besides the trans, have had little in parts. Batteries (more expensive), coolant, waterpump, tires and the biggie, ZF trans swap are about the only things I HAD to do. Now the trans had to be done because it's a weak point, but was prematurely smoked due to the added power of bigger injectors. Almost ALL parts are more expensive when they do break on a diesel. Someone mentioned 70 dollar DIY oil changes. I've never payed less than about 120. Although I do buy full synthetic and special order my filters.
For me personally, you can't beat a PSD. Let alone in a bronco. These motors are rather doggy stock, but a few mods and they are absolute beasts that will run hard all day and ask for more. Good luck.
For me personally, you can't beat a PSD. Let alone in a bronco. These motors are rather doggy stock, but a few mods and they are absolute beasts that will run hard all day and ask for more. Good luck.
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20 Mpg.that's impressive. what does that rig weigh?is it lifted or more stock? i personally would do the psd.you will wear thaat 408 out twice before that psd even gets broke in.and if its a nasty 408 (travis) the driveability hp to hp will be nicer psd. but you just can't deny a nasty stroker just yacking away at a light..then.wwwaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!!
The bronco probably doesn't even touch 5000lbs. They had to do some slight under the dash fixes that are visible from the drivers door side and it has a 3" body lift for fire wall compensation. My fix to that will be a little bit of cutting and welding instead of a nasty body lift. Then for exhaust I'm going with a 3" DP down to a custom 3" y-pipe coming out each side of the truck before the rear tires.
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These are the 2 trucks I'm currently looking at.
1997 ford f350 4x4 7.3 diesel crew cab
Only issue is that it is a farm truck with 356xxx on the clock. Granted it's a diesel and if it was taken care of shouldn't be much of an issue, BUT it was a farm truck so it was probably run hard.
94.5 f250 powerstroke
Truck number 2: Might have to check his receipts for the engine/trans rebuild, but it only has 236xxx on the clock and body work is a walk in the park for me.
Opinions?
1997 ford f350 4x4 7.3 diesel crew cab
Only issue is that it is a farm truck with 356xxx on the clock. Granted it's a diesel and if it was taken care of shouldn't be much of an issue, BUT it was a farm truck so it was probably run hard.
94.5 f250 powerstroke
Truck number 2: Might have to check his receipts for the engine/trans rebuild, but it only has 236xxx on the clock and body work is a walk in the park for me.
Opinions?
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,132
Likes: 45
From: Columbus, Oh
These are the 2 trucks I'm currently looking at.
1997 ford f350 4x4 7.3 diesel crew cab
Only issue is that it is a farm truck with 356xxx on the clock. Granted it's a diesel and if it was taken care of shouldn't be much of an issue, BUT it was a farm truck so it was probably run hard.
94.5 f250 powerstroke
Truck number 2: Might have to check his receipts for the engine/trans rebuild, but it only has 236xxx on the clock and body work is a walk in the park for me.
Opinions?
1997 ford f350 4x4 7.3 diesel crew cab
Only issue is that it is a farm truck with 356xxx on the clock. Granted it's a diesel and if it was taken care of shouldn't be much of an issue, BUT it was a farm truck so it was probably run hard.
94.5 f250 powerstroke
Truck number 2: Might have to check his receipts for the engine/trans rebuild, but it only has 236xxx on the clock and body work is a walk in the park for me.
Opinions?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 14
From: Vale, NC
Sounds like you have pretty much made up your mind. In the long run, I think the costs tend to even out. I crunched a lot of numbers before I sold my 01 F150 Screw to buy my 96 F350 PSD. The oil changes really had me worried but I think you can stretch synthetics longer than just 3000 miles and if you add a bypass filter maybe much longer. That's up for debate I suppose. I'm trying 10,000 miles on my current oil but I changed the filter at 5000 and then had to add about 2 1/2 quarts of fresh oil. I have noticed no diffference in performance. I'd like to add a bypass oil filter set up soon for about $500 figuring I could run 10000 intervals with no problem. The other thing is fuel prices. I was running premium in the F150 and the price of diesel and premium is almost the same. I'm getting an additional 3+ mpg almost ALL the time and if I tow it blows away what the gas engine would run. At 3+ mpg I am basically getting a free gallon of fuel every 5-6 gallons I use. If I used 60 gallons in a month (roughly 1200 miles of driving or 40 miles a day) then I save 10 gallons of fuel at $3.50 a gallon (conservative) is $35 bucks. In 3 months it more than covers the oil difference. Anyway.... too many numbers. I think you'll love the PSD! lol