I'm new to this site, but have quickly relized that a lot of you are very knowledgeable about diesel engines. I've recently become a huge fan of Ford diesels, but my rents on the other hand....well there a bit harder to convince. I'm trying to get them to help me change in my '97 ext. cab F-150 for an '02 or newer F-250 crew cab diesel. Whats the best logic, numbers, and other info I can provide to them to try to get a diesel? (Is trying to get a diesel a smart decision on my part?) I'm at college most of the time, but i need my pick-up all the time, and until recently, the price of diesel around me had been cheaper than gas....but then again a diesel engine needs more upkeep and maintanance. Thanks a lot for all of your help and info.

 

Welcome to FTE. How many miles do you drive in a year? Do you ever tow anything?

 

I havent done a lot of driving in the past (just shy of 10,000 yr.), but I'm about to start putting a decent amount of miles on the next truck (at least double, but probably more than that). I'm also trying to look for a truck that will last for me when i move to NY (definately getting 4x4 no matter what. and as far as bad winters, how do diesels do in the cold.). as far as towing, i often have a small landscaping trailer behind me now, but if i got a larger truck, would probably pull the family boat (23' aquasport offshore) and our 24' enclosed trailer. towing isnt as much of a problem as is dependability. thanks for your input.

 

I dono? where You live? but some one had Mis-Informed YOU! Diesels are Less Maintainance! by FAR over Gas! No Tune Ups as Often the Big issue in any Diesel is keep Your Oil & Fuel Filters Changed! & theres several makes to Chose from--as You know-FORD--GM-& DODGE all build Diesel pick Ups--In picking ONE its a matter of personal Choice! I*M a Retired Long Haul Trucker & I have driven Diesels for many yrs Big Rigs but in picking a Diesel pick Up? where I*M older & style is NOT important to ME! as I prefer the standard models--Reg CAB--& I*LL roll my own windows UP & Down! & Pull that little handel to adjust my Seat!--& where today mechanics charrge $50.00 to $75.00 an Hour! I wouldn*t BUY any Diesel thats Computerized!-WHY?-because I can*t FIX IT when its Broke! so that Limits my Choices!--all my referances here come from Mechanics that Work on Diesel Pick Ups Daily!--Now for FACTS!!-- they All Cost far too Much!--so from the INFO I have Received!--in Compairision?-- I*D eliminate GMs right away--as up to the Dura-Max On Down All their Diesel Engine are GAS engines Beefed UP!-so in my BOOK Bye Bye GM--now were down to TWO!-FORD? or DODGE?--both very Good Trucks--so How do WE go about making the Choice?--pretty Simple Really!--FORDS is V-8 diesel engine made by International--w/ very Good POWER!! DODGE diesel engines are by Cummins--a 6 cyl--a Mini version of their Big Truck engines!--Parts?--when you have to Fix E*M?--Fords Parts are a lot more Expensive that Dodges--& You have to have More Special Tools to Do a FORD-compaired to a Dodge--& from what I hear Both FORD & DODGE will PULL any thing you want them Too!--But--DODGE gets better Fuel Milage--Quotes from Business people that operate BOTH-- & also Quote from the Above--the DODGES are less expensive to maintaine! & the Maintanance Quotes above are for the Engines!--& I just Chatted w/ an Owner of a Fleet of Diesel Pick Ups--w/ GMs--Fords & Dodges--Heres what His Shop foreman Told ME!--WE Run E*M ALL!!--the FORD Body is the Best ONE--but--WE have had a lot of Problems w/ Fords Computers!--DODGE has the Best Diesel Engine by FAR!--but--the Bodies Rust Out faster than the Fords!--& WE don*t Buy any More GMs--as their a constant Problem!--I drive a DODGE Reg CAB w/ an 8ft Bed its a 4X4 & standard Shift-- I get 17 miles per gallon around Town & over 20 on the highway! I had a FORD & it got 12 around Town & may Be?? 15 on the highway?--I like the FORD under carrage Better--but--I really Love that 6 cyl Dodge Diesel by Cummins--& all of the interiors are about the Same! so they All are Equal there!--My Dodge is an Older Model w/ a 12 valve Cummins Diesel--which is NOT computerized! & any One can work on It & keep It Running! as I refer to them as the Model "T"s of Diesels--Don*t Really Know? What your Doing?-NO problem--GO to any Auto Store & BUY a Maintanance Book of what ever You have?--& just Follow the Directions! & if? Your Brand New! to Diesels? BUY an Older ONE! back before 1995--& get some Experance! & Drive It--& You will never GO back to GAS!--I Hope? This HELPS? & GUYS My Quotes are NOT Mine Personally as Their All from Mechanics & people Wo Own Them!--So IF? You have any GRIPS? Tell Them & NOT ME!--as I have a GM & their Right its a Piece of CRAP!-- --Ole v JIM--