OK........GOT A v10 auto.2 wd......gettin the shaft just like all others, at the pump.....mine is an 02........i pose a honest question and i do know it has been beatin to death...........i'm thinking about mileage...........and $$$$$'s.....the million dollar question, oil over gas at todays prices........will oil ever go above gas prices , i doubt it //the truckers would boycott, i hope......ok.......we know the facts on mileage, but would a manual diesel get MUCH better numbers than an auto would........i am also trading up to a 4x4 from a 4x2.....this will be my LAST TRUCK because i am retiring and i want to do it right so i am happy with it till i am 100 yrs old..........i can shift np......i pull a boat and a tt .....not at once and a stick is not a problem.......i am just pickin minds........thx//d/ft

 

I don't know what you should do.. whatever makes you happy I guess...

... but I would like to add that I filled up with diesel yesterday for $1.54 a gallon.

 

I'd say that all those truck owners that claim PSD mileage over 20 have the stick, 3.73 rear end, and 2wd. My best guess would be that those who claim even higher MPG than that have aclimated themselves to running slower than I do on the open road, say at or maybe even slightly below 2000 RPM. The 4x4 will reduce that number, as will anything you do to make the truck a better tow/haul vehicle. It is impossible for me to keep my truck under 2000 RPM with my 4.10 rear gear. It only runs about 61 or 62 MPH at 2000 RPM, and I would lose my mind if I had to drive that slow!. I'm telling you, my truck BEGS for 80 MPH on the open highway, and that is just slightly over 2500 RPM for me. It almost seems like the mileage decreases exponentially for ever RPM over 2000! Longer wheel base, i.e. crew cab or even the extended cab decreases mileage with added weight, as does your driving habits and how you maintain your filters and other such maintenance items, naturally. Also, my truck is a dually, so that hurts me too. On a trip, I estimate that I get close to 15 MPG, but under normal driving conditons for me, which is mixed city and highway driving, I get around 13.5 - 14. I'd say the biggest factors are your driving style and characteristics, and your maintenance. To answer the question, I'd venture to guess that if you get the truck, maintain it properly, keep your RPM down as close to 2K as you can stand, and drive like a civilized human being (not like me), you'll be pleasantly surprised at how good the MPG is for such a large and heavy vehicle.........

 

I'll never own another diesel, but I've been thinking about this issue...

Wonder what will happen to the price of diesel in the next year or two when the "low sulfer" formula mandated. I wouldn't be shocked if they jacked up the price equal to (or above) that of gasoline.

 

In the summer diesel around me is about 15c less than gas but in winter when I do most of my driving hauling snowmobiles, diesel is about 15-20c more. Still doesn't makeup for the better mileage of the diesel but trying to get a diesel started at 35 below and keeping it going even with additives makes gas look good.

 

This is the first time in the last few years, in this area, that gas prices have exceeded diesel. The last time gas went way up, diesel went to the price of super, and even a little higher. Right now the cheapest diesel in the area is $1.79 and the cheapest 87 is $1.98 Will it stay that way? Who knows. I still felt comfortable enough with the difference to order a V10.

 

It's a personal preference. Diesel fuel is cheaper, maintenance and initial costs are higher negating any benifit. And who knows with the low sulfur stuff, we may really get bent over. Longevity... diesel wins. But all and all it's a personal preference, I just like the sound and smell.

 

Man, I just have 5 words for you... move-to-a-warmer-climate! That PSD will run fine then! Seriously, I dont know how you guys can stand to live like that. I start griping when it gets below 40 here. I had an offer to go fly crop dusters in North Dakota this year, but already had a job nailed down. When the guy from ND called me, he said it was 32 below, with a blizzard going on, and that was in March!