Why Diesel?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 19
From: Louisiana
My wife will be the first to tell anyone that if they can't afford 10mpg then they probably can't afford one that gets 15mpg(gas or diesel).
She drives the f-450 90% of the time. She loves that truck. Now keep in mind we need that truck about like we need another hole in our head. It get's 12.5mpg loaded or empty, the insurance is more than all the other trucks combined(thanks to N.C.Law), and the 19.5 tires are outrageous.
I have a standing offer from a buyer for both of my diesels towards a piece of river real estate that I've been trying to purchase for 10yrs. If all goes well we will have our favorite place to camp and fish and the current owner of the place will have two very nice dependable diesel trucks.
She wants a new dually if we sell the F-450 and I can assure that it will be a gasser after going through the 04' diesel fiasco with Ford and the dealer.
My neighbor just traded his V-10 for a new diesel for a net gain of 3mpg...lol.
Just get what you like if you can afford it.
She drives the f-450 90% of the time. She loves that truck. Now keep in mind we need that truck about like we need another hole in our head. It get's 12.5mpg loaded or empty, the insurance is more than all the other trucks combined(thanks to N.C.Law), and the 19.5 tires are outrageous.
I have a standing offer from a buyer for both of my diesels towards a piece of river real estate that I've been trying to purchase for 10yrs. If all goes well we will have our favorite place to camp and fish and the current owner of the place will have two very nice dependable diesel trucks.
She wants a new dually if we sell the F-450 and I can assure that it will be a gasser after going through the 04' diesel fiasco with Ford and the dealer.
My neighbor just traded his V-10 for a new diesel for a net gain of 3mpg...lol.
Just get what you like if you can afford it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 1
From: Apex, N.C.
This was the typical response I got from the dealer in 04'. I paid $45,000.00 for an F250 but "Oh, give us $5000.00 more and we can make it right". Ford was no help at all, 9mpg was in the normal range...lol. They never did find out why it knocked off every time it rained before we dumped it. It knocked off with my wife and kids on the way back from Texas, I told her to trade the damn thing and come on home.($20,000 down the toilet).
Sorry if this response came off a little harsh, but this is a sore spot with me.
Last edited by FordxFour; Dec 10, 2014 at 02:45 PM. Reason: spelling...lol
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 19
From: Louisiana
So let me get this straight, pay upwards of 60 grand for a new truck only to have to spend more money on it for what it should be from the factory.
This was the typical response I got from the dealer in 04'. I paid $45,000.00 for an F250 but "Oh, give us $5000.00 more and we can make it right". Ford was no help at all, 9mpg was in the normal range...lol. They never did find out why it knocked off every time it rained before we dumped it. It knocked off with my wife and kids on the way back from Texas, I told her to trade the damn thing and come on home.($20,000 down the toilet).
Sorry if this response came off a little harsh, but this is a sore spot with me.
This was the typical response I got from the dealer in 04'. I paid $45,000.00 for an F250 but "Oh, give us $5000.00 more and we can make it right". Ford was no help at all, 9mpg was in the normal range...lol. They never did find out why it knocked off every time it rained before we dumped it. It knocked off with my wife and kids on the way back from Texas, I told her to trade the damn thing and come on home.($20,000 down the toilet).
Sorry if this response came off a little harsh, but this is a sore spot with me.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
That's pretty much what I feel like now. Except my horse only eats oats from large, expensive boxes delivered by the UPS man.
These are the words of a man who bought a diesel because he wanted one, and is looking for reasons to justify it after the fact. This isn't a slam AT ALL! But let's be honest with ourselves and each other. There isn't a man around - myself included - who doesn't feel like their diesel truck or Ex isn't just a little bit cooler than the exact same truck but with a gas motor.
I absolutely didn't need a diesel. I *wanted* one. I could certainly have towed whatever trailer I wanted with a V10. I found ways to justify it, but the "man points" awarded by owning a diesel carried their fair share of weight in the decision. I would say that the majority of diesel owners bought one because they wanted one, even if they aren't being honest with themselves.
The maintenance is more than it is on a gas truck. And I'm not talking about just oil. A water pump will set you back $200 or so. What does a water pump cost on a gas motor? The coolant is $28 a gallon and you need 4 gallons. Your batteries need to be replaced? You're buying two. Double the cost right there. A fuel filter? That's $26 + shipping online, or $50 from the dealer. What does a fuel filter cost for a gas truck? $8? The front and rear differentials REQUIRE 75w140 syn lubricant. $22 a quart is $176 dollars in gear oil. I'm telling you, this stuff adds up in a hurry and anyone who says it costs less to maintain their diesel truck just isn't being honest.
Quite a few years ago, I was talking to a guy who split his time bartending and doing construction. He had just bought a Ford diesel and I asked him why he went with a diesel instead of a gas motor. His response: "Zero maintenance". I thought he was FOS at the time, but now that I bought my Ex, I look back at how embarrassingly wrong he was.
I hope I didn't upset you by calling you out Snowseeker - I promise it wasn't my intention.
These are the words of a man who bought a diesel because he wanted one, and is looking for reasons to justify it after the fact. This isn't a slam AT ALL! But let's be honest with ourselves and each other. There isn't a man around - myself included - who doesn't feel like their diesel truck or Ex isn't just a little bit cooler than the exact same truck but with a gas motor.
I absolutely didn't need a diesel. I *wanted* one. I could certainly have towed whatever trailer I wanted with a V10. I found ways to justify it, but the "man points" awarded by owning a diesel carried their fair share of weight in the decision. I would say that the majority of diesel owners bought one because they wanted one, even if they aren't being honest with themselves.
The maintenance is more than it is on a gas truck. And I'm not talking about just oil. A water pump will set you back $200 or so. What does a water pump cost on a gas motor? The coolant is $28 a gallon and you need 4 gallons. Your batteries need to be replaced? You're buying two. Double the cost right there. A fuel filter? That's $26 + shipping online, or $50 from the dealer. What does a fuel filter cost for a gas truck? $8? The front and rear differentials REQUIRE 75w140 syn lubricant. $22 a quart is $176 dollars in gear oil. I'm telling you, this stuff adds up in a hurry and anyone who says it costs less to maintain their diesel truck just isn't being honest.
Quite a few years ago, I was talking to a guy who split his time bartending and doing construction. He had just bought a Ford diesel and I asked him why he went with a diesel instead of a gas motor. His response: "Zero maintenance". I thought he was FOS at the time, but now that I bought my Ex, I look back at how embarrassingly wrong he was.
I hope I didn't upset you by calling you out Snowseeker - I promise it wasn't my intention.
No problem man
I can take some jabs. 
But now, lets take a look at those extra costs you posted. ALL of those added up is only $304. I save over $400 per year in JUST my camping trips with the better mileage.
Camping trips make up maybe 40% of my driving each year and this changes dramatically each year depending on where I am going to get cars, delivering cars, ect.
My brother was amazed at our trip out to WV just two years ago that we made nonstop 780 miles one way without a single fillup while pulling a car trailer. I filled up in WV, picked up a F250 truck and didn't stop at a gas station again till we were back in WI.
Thats the kind of stuff I do all summer long with my X. The mileage is a very very big deal to me.
Water pumps are $200 for the 7.3?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 751
Likes: 11
From: May Township, MN
I prefer the 7.3's own 4 vehicles with it. Hear so many horror stories of 6.0's would only own one if it had the $6-8K bulletproofing done to it. When price shopping for 03 diesel Excursions you will see a much higher price for 7.3 ones than you will for 6.0 versions.
As far as miles the lowest has 250K and the highest has 335K. Between the 4 only one has had injectors (driver side bank) and I feel the problem was the injector drive module IDM.
There are times when it's really cold (-25) and the diesels are hard to start that I wished one was a gasser.
As far as wear parts the Excursions & Super Duty's are known for subpar brakes, rotors, calipers, ball joints, and hubs. Although the heavier diesel may cause the hubs and ball joints to fail before a gasser they will fail in both vehicles at some point.
Fuel mileage is better in the X's than the Super Duty's. Guessing it's because they are more aerodynamic than the trucks.
As far as miles the lowest has 250K and the highest has 335K. Between the 4 only one has had injectors (driver side bank) and I feel the problem was the injector drive module IDM.
There are times when it's really cold (-25) and the diesels are hard to start that I wished one was a gasser.
As far as wear parts the Excursions & Super Duty's are known for subpar brakes, rotors, calipers, ball joints, and hubs. Although the heavier diesel may cause the hubs and ball joints to fail before a gasser they will fail in both vehicles at some point.
Fuel mileage is better in the X's than the Super Duty's. Guessing it's because they are more aerodynamic than the trucks.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 751
Likes: 11
From: May Township, MN
As far as fuel costs I bought the F250 in 01 at which time diesel averaged 40 cents a gallon less than 87 octane gas. A few weeks ago seen a station that had diesel priced at $1.20 more than 87 octane gas. Do I think diesel will ever be cheaper than gas? NO.
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Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
That's why I always advocate to get what you want, if you can afford it. 
Not to pick nits but.....
Water pump: $158.16 - Water Pump OEM 7.3L - Riffraff Diesel Performance
ELC Coolant: $15 - Shell Rotella ELC Antifreeze, 1 gal. - Tractor Supply Co.
Fuel Filter: $19.53 - OEM Fuel Filter 99-03 - Riffraff Diesel Performance
Yup.
Same as a gasser.
Yes it does.
Like I said, just picking nits, not arguing.
I've never seen anyone say that. Not seriously at least. Not a sane person, I mean. 
No. Close, but no.
Are you not purchasing from our supporting vendors Matt? HMMMMMM?!? LOL.
Stewart
A water pump will set you back $200 or so....the coolant is $28 a gallon....a fuel filter? That's $26 + shipping online
Water pump: $158.16 - Water Pump OEM 7.3L - Riffraff Diesel Performance
ELC Coolant: $15 - Shell Rotella ELC Antifreeze, 1 gal. - Tractor Supply Co.
Fuel Filter: $19.53 - OEM Fuel Filter 99-03 - Riffraff Diesel Performance
Your batteries need to be replaced? You're buying two. Double the cost right there.
The front and rear differentials REQUIRE 75w140 syn lubricant. $22 a quart is $176 dollars in gear oil.
I'm telling you, this stuff adds up in a hurry
Like I said, just picking nits, not arguing.
... and anyone who says it costs less to maintain their diesel truck just isn't being honest.
No. Close, but no.
Stewart
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 8,304
Likes: 28
From: Salem, VA
Well I'm going to go look at that red one close to me this week and see how much I can haggle it down and how good of condition it's in. I know I wanted to get a diesel and I didn't want to settle but maybe the 6.8 will be more than I could want and I'll be more than happy. The 4X4 is the biggest thing I'm looking for and it has that. In 6 months or so I can come back and start again if this is totally not what I want and at least I'll have the 4X4 for the winter. It's a half compromise but a possible final choice depending on the turnout so I think it's a good step. At the very least I'll be out of the 2wd 5.4 camp 
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 42
From: Almost back in TX biotche
My wife can use the gas and I will drive the diesel. I just wonder if I can sell her on that idea...
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 8,304
Likes: 28
From: Salem, VA
I tried to get her to take mine when she said the AC was starting to fail in her Highlander. I said "take my X, I'll get a new X and all will be good" She flat out said no. She wants a small little hatchback like she had when we first started dating. She had a 95 escort... She has no idea what sporty is, but when we get her something new I'll make sure she does!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26,410
Likes: 6
From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
I have a small property, nice cars in garage and I had the 2 excursions, mustang GT and what we call a house car ( used by housekeeper, go shopping etc.) wife complained about it everyday. So I gave in and sold my gasser last year... Now that would have been perfect for Apoc. That Ex was just short of a frame off restoration and I sold it for $7500 within minutes of advertising it. I do miss that truck, by far the most reliable vehicle I've ever owed. She sold with 228k and last I heard she was already near 300k.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 8,304
Likes: 28
From: Salem, VA
I would just post up in the "What did you do today" thread with just a copy and paste of "Drove LivingLarges old X, cause you know I ball like that."EDIT: Also the original copy of "The Deceleration Of Independence" would be accepted, but I don't really want that unless Nicholas Cage comes with it and we get to go on super awesome National Treasure type adventures! Then I want that!!!!!!!!!