New guy here so before everything goes up in flames and everyone looses their minds about this topic (I know it is really dumb to some people) let me share my scenario.

I need a new (to me) truck. Bad. My current ride is a 1980 Datsun 720 lifted 14" with 37s and 5.29 gears. The thing is NOT meant to be a DD, can it be? - is it currently? Yes. Does is suck on the road? Absolutely. Doesn't go over 65 and only goes that fast downhill with a tail wind, and that is what I build it for, low gear good for trails and mud, not driving 1.5 hours a day.

This brings me to the question Diesel or Gas. I am currently driving about a half hour to 45 min. one-way (85% hwy) each weekday with limited weekend driving. I need a truck that will:
1.) get decent mpg: mid-high teens, low 20s.

2.) will eventually (first year or so will be almost all daily driving) be able to tow about 1000lb of welding equipment/hay/horses/pipe/bricks/whatever.

3.) Not bleed me dry on maintenence or small repair costs. some of my co-workers have horror stores of their PSDs eating their wallets.

4.) Cost under 4500ish to buy outright (in my area that would be a D250/2500 Cummins 5.9 1st or 2nd gen with about 300,000mi., a 10th gen. F-150 Triton with about 200,000mi., or a F-250 7.3 IDI with about 215,000mi.)

5.) Be as reliable as the person taking care of it.

I am very familiar with gas engines as that is all I have owned so far, but I have heard about the early 7.3s being nearly bomb proof and getting high teens to low 20s. I am just wondering if I will regret buying into the diesel world...

I have done a decent amount of research on the weak points of these trucks, I am looking for some voices of experience.
Any educated opinions, references, statistics, numbers, facts, or amusing stories are welcome. Thanks!


-and yes I do know there is another thread on this site entitled Diesel vs. Gas, but that didn't really answer any of my questions... the thread sort of delapidated into a cost-of-fuel argument, how to make gasoline, a seres of "my truck can do this and yours is a heap" comments, and a debate on underwear choices... can we not do that on this one please?

 

the 7.3 (and most diesels in general) is very reliable, so is the 6.0 IF you're willing to throw money into it up front. however, when something does go wrong, repairs are expensive. so is maintenance. they go deliver good mpg.

gas will burn more fuel, but cheaper to maintain and repair. also gas is usually cheaper than diesel these days. also less sensitive to cold, something to consider if you live in a northern region. many diesels have trouble starting in the cold.

a gas would probably do you fine. stay away from 5.4 superduties though, not enough engine for the big truck.

but are you sure you want a superduty? it sounds like a sturdy half ton would do you fine as well.

 

I have the trucks seen in my signature.

I'd just as soon jump in my old Ford as my daily driver. Unless we're talking a 6 hour trip---No A/C in the old IDI would get old eventually.

Truth is though, my DD will easily pull the loads you're talking.

Fuel mileage is better with the IDI than my gasser though...

 

Sorry I didn't include, I live about 12 miles from the exact geographical center of Georgia, so 'the cold' isn't really an issue unless you're talking 30 degrees for about 4 weeks out of the year usually.
I use to drive a '93 F-150 single cab LWB 3.50somthings for gears, with the inline 4.9L, so I am familiar with the sturdiness of a good half-ton. Only issue is the thing got 12mpg no matter if it was empty or pulling a triple axle trailer with a whole house worth of siding on it. And it was a turtle on the interstate. Ran damn good for 320,000mi until a C1500 decided my frame was too straight

Just to clarify, NOT looking for a superduty or powerstroke, my idea of a diesel would be early 90s, F-250 single rear wheel, standard cab, 3.55s, 5 speed, 2wd. Not picky about LWB or SWB.

it is mainly a decision between the half-tons (97-04 years) with the triton series, or the 89-94 IDI 3/4 ton.

My only problem with a gasser is it seems that especially with the 4.6/5.4 tritons, once you strap a load to them, any fuel economy you thought you had disappears.

 

LOL exactly right. I can't seem to get more than 12-13 with my F150, loaded or empty. Not sure why, seems like it should do a bit better....

 

welcome to FTE.
i would not think twice about jumping in my 88 diesel with 494,000 miles on it and driving it across the country. except that without overdrive it will cost me more money than the newer truck with the OD trans. the 88 gets around 15-16 mpg.

if you do get one of the older IDI diesel trucks, keep your eyes out for a used banks or ATS turbo charger.
by adding a turbo you will see an impressive power increase.

 

I know right! The thing would run beautifully fresh from diagnostics at the Ford place and still putt-putt along soaking up 12mpg. BUT I believe the PO of mine had it rebuilt using some parts from an old UPS truck, I know they have a heavier crank, might have contributed.

 

Thanks! If I do land an IDI, I would have to have the 5spd, hell even if I side with a half ton, my right hand gets bored driving an auto.

I have heard they are super simple to turbo, so long as head gaskets are replaced, and someone suggested a set of exhaust gauges.

 

Nah, the 5.4s just drink. My work truck is an '07 F150 Crew Cab 4x4. It gets 14mpg. No PO, I took delivery of it in 2007.

 

Here are a couple examples of my options:

1/2 ton: 2001 Ford F150 XL 4.6L V8 Super Cab
-this one is a bit high mileage, there are a few around with less miles for a few 100 bucks less.

3/4 ton: ford f250 diesel
-this one I am not so sure about because the guy says it gets 12-17mpg with 3.55 gears and when I mentioned SCAs and cavitation he just babbled about mineral spirits and flushing the coolant system.

again just examples.

 

X2 on the turbo. I just got done with my turbo install. A night and day difference in power and fun factor, with less smoke than N/A!

Reliability wise, I'd jump in either truck tomorrow and head for the left or right coast and not worry. Hey, as long as it's a Ford, you're good, right??

 

It sounds like either a 1/2 gasser or an IDI could fit your current bill. If you plan on keeping it for a food period of time I would go with IDI. If properly maintained it will run forever. I also see it as more versatile than the gasser. Maintinance may be a little more, but not much.

The truck you described with an e4od and 3.55's should give you the mileage you are looking for.

Whenever I buy a vehicle of that age though I plan on spending some $ after the purchase on maintinance items.

 

You don't even need to replace the head gaskets or add studs, unless you want to run >10PSI of boost(which is what the kits for this engine are limited to)

Also, cavitation wise, I think it's luck of the draw to some extent -- We have several trucks, which I'm pretty sure never had SCAs in them before I got em. Still running good, at the several-hundred-thousand-mile mark.

 

too many miles on that '01 gas job.
the price tag on that super clean (near mint?) '94 9th gen seems real appealing when you consider how solid/rust free and mint the body is.many pay that kind of $ just in the body and paint to get 'em looking like them southern/western cream puffs.if that one needed an engine someday,i don't think you'd come out behind.
edit,though it is a 2wd though,but i suppose if that's not needed,better to get the higher economy and clean truck.
did you ask him the mileage on the truck?

 

Thanks for all the info everyone!

I do plan on keeping this next one I get. I would rather buy 1 good truck and care for it than 2 or 3 mediocre ones. What type of typical maintenance items would I be considering with the IDI after purchase? Oil? Oil filter? Air filter? Glow plugs (the guy says they are 2yrs old)?

If I do side with the diesel I believe I would find it very temption to NOT add a turbo, I have seen what they can do, in extreme cases a friend of mine had a 12V cummins he put in his 89 F-250, had 4 turbos...pushing 80lb of boost....wrapped it around a telephone pole passing a prius in the rain. No one was hurt, but bye-bye Fummins. But the thing was a BLAST to ride in when he wasn't being a d*ck.