Gonna buy a new SD before year end, don't need a diesel but kinda want one. I know of some of the horror stories I've read in forums about costly repairs , catastrophic failures , etc as well as those who guarantee 500k trouble free miles. My question is....where can a guy go to get the real truth about the reliability. I can't help but feel uncomfortable just using forums as the gospel.

 

 

Here is my 2 cents
You want the truth...go to your local dealership ask who is their chief diesel mechanic. Take that guy a coffee during his break. He'll tell you the truth.
Your best bet is buy what you need or expect you will need. Also but the best extended warranty and maintenance plan you can afford and go enjoy that truck regardless of its engine.

 

 

Thanks guys, I'm one of those that a 6.2 meets all my needs, and the presumed comfort of the reliability and less complicated maintenance makes sense. Buy the 6.2 and be left wanting... Buy the diesel and be left with bad thoughts every time I hear an odd sound...... I've played this in my mind and money aside, the 6.2 is the smarter play for me, but sometimes want wins over logic!!!

 

 

I've seen no such data. Back in the day they had stats that such and such percentage would go blah blah miles. The 5.9 was known to be a 1,000,000 mile motor while the 7.3 was 500,000 motor..... Nobody is bragging about that anymore so, that is not a good sign in my book.

On the other front, there is no way to make the dollars and cents work out to buy a diesel over a gas motor now-a-days with the high cost of the low sulfur diesel and the $10,000 up front costs. There are reasons to go diesel but money is not one of them. I say if you are here asking then gas is the way to go for you. I may be talking out of my *** here but just the $10,000 is enough to run two motors and be ahead of the diesel. I'd never buy a heavier truck with a gas motor myself.

 

I am getting out of diesel. I am selling my camper. so i will have no need for diesel at this time. A smaller gas motor will fit my needs just fine.
Oil changes, fuel filters, etc... all way more expensive on the diesel. 30 cents a gallon extra tax for diesel here... all the extra expense just does not make sense for me now.
I love the power, but...
i am also terrified of the potential fuel system repairs. with my luck, i would be a contaminated fuel victim

 

 

I don't need a diesel, but to me it's all about smiles per gallon. Mine has been trouble free.

 

I tow an 11K bumper pull toy hauler over 11,000' mountain passes. Yeah, I got the diesel (and the extended warranty, just in case). If I had seen a lot of posts here and in the diesel subforum indicating poor reliability I either would be in a GMC or maybe a 6.2L F-350. The 6r140 transmission seems to be as reliable as the 6.7L engine. That was very encouraging to me.

 

 

The only reliability/problem data is with Ford corporate. Everything else is anecdotal. You can get a general impression, like researching posts on the particular model/engine, but you have to be pragmatic about what you're seeing. A lot of postings about failed connecting rods, yeah, you have to pay attention to that. Posts where there are no real patterns, well, things can go wrong with any vehicle. Keep in mind; People come here to post about a problem. Sometimes looking for a solution, and sometimes just to carp or bring their issue to the attention of the world. You don't see a lot of posts about people who have no issues whatsoever.

The argument of diesel or gas is pointless. If you WANT a diesel, get a diesel. Screw the analysis over which makes more financial sense.

 

The 6.7 has a B10 rating of 250,000 miles.

 

It really isn't that much more maintenance. It costs more but the extra work is minimal.

DEF every oil change (buy at pump or buy 2 2.5 gallon jugs)

Fuel filters every other pil change (you are already under there anyways).