Hey guys, I've been tossing around the idea of getting a newer work truck, and am just curious to bounce some of my thoughts off y'all. I have a landscape maintenance company. I tow about 3.5-4k lbs every time I drive this truck (3 days a week usually). On average, I drive it 150 miles a week. I live out in the country, so most of it is hyway, 50-70 mph. Most days I start the truck 10-15 times a day. When it's in the 90s or above, I idle the truck through my lunch break to run the AC. My current work truck is my 01 F250 SuperDuty with the 2V 5.4 and the 4R100 3.73 rear end 2wd. It has 292k miles. It runs great, and still has ice cold ac. I've been really impressed with it. Of course it's had its share of problems, but I've been very happy with it. When it's cool out, so that I'm not idling it through lunch, i typically get 10.25-11 mpg. When it's hot out, I get about 8.75-9.5 mpg. I'd like to switch to a 4x4, as that would be beneficial for where I live, PNW... I don't want to take a mpg hit though.

I'd like to get a CTL or mini ex here pretty soon. I will tow it normally with a different truck, but would like something that is still up to the task. A little extra power would also be nice for day to day towing.

Ok, now that y'all know the backstory, here are my questions...

Does idling for a little bit affect diesel engines less as far as mpg #s go?

I like working on stuff, and am pretty mechanical, but am not up to speed on modern diesle engines. Am I going to be hating life when it comes time to fix it myself if I get a diesel newer than an IDI or 12v Cummins?

What kinda of fuel economy do you think I'd be getting in my circumstances with a diesel?

Would you recommend making the switch over to a diesel in my shoes? Whatever I end up with will be deleted.

My personal truck is a 2nd gen Dodge. I love it, but prefer the quality of the interior on my Super Duty for a work truck that I'm getting in and out of 10 times a day. I wonder if the 3rd gen Dodges have better interiors? If so, I'd be interested in a 3rd gen manual Cummins. In my experience, GMs typically have decent interior quality, and I've heard that the Alison transmission is great, so I'm considering lb7, lly, and lbz Duramaxes. Tbh though, I'm primarily interested in another Superduty. I've been very impressed at how tough my 01 is when it comes to surviving the 2 deer I've hit with it in the 19k miles I've owned it. Either a 7.3 powerstroke, or a studded and deleted 6.0, or an early 6.7. Any 7.3 or 6.0 I'd consider would have a manual transmission. Most trucks in my budget have 200k+ miles.
Out of all the trucks mentioned, what would you pick?

Which one do you think would get the best fuel economy?

If you just read through my tired ramblings, than THANK you so much!
I look forward to hearing if anyone has any thoughts for me. I know this is a Ford forum, but I'd love as close to an unbiased opinion as possible, though I chose to post it here because I'm really leaning towards a Powerstroke.

Thanks in advance!
Courage

 

A diesel with a particulate filter does not like to be idled, it plugs up the emissions equipment and that is a very expensive fix. You would want a gas engine truck or a 6.0 PSD or older to avoid the particulate filter.

I have a 7.3 PSD and it is not particularly difficult to work on. There are more electronics than an IDI but no more than your 2001 5.4. If you are comfortable working on your 2001 5.4, you'd be comfortable working on a 7.3 PSD. I can't speak for the fuel mileage in a 3/4 ton pickup, my 7.3 is in a 24 foot long F-450 and it gets in the low teens miles per gallon unloaded, 11-12 miles per gallon pulling empty trailers that weigh 2500-4500 pounds, and 8.5-9 miles per gallon pulling loaded trailers.

The EPA has cracked down on companies selling delete kits for particulate filter-equipped diesels (6.4 and 6.7 PSD, and equivalent year and newer other brands) and they are a lot more difficult to find today.

I can't say anything about Dodge or GM trucks, I've never owned one. I drove an early '90s gas Chevy half-ton about a half a mile in a field once to move it for somebody, that's the only time I ever have driven any truck that wasn't a Ford. The one Chrysler vehicle I had any experience with was that my parents had one of those boxy Chrysler minivans back when minivans were brand new, it leaked oil like a sieve from day one and was an unreliable piece of garbage. GMs did much better than that one Chrysler. My Dad had several Buick LeSabres and they were very reliable cars. My wife had an Oldsmobile Cutlass a couple decades ago when we first got married. It struck me as not very well engineered as it was far more difficult to do basic maintenance on than it should have been. For example, replacing the battery on that thing was an ordeal (silly screw-in side post battery, buried under the windshield washer fluid tank.)

 

I'm not really brand biased as each manufacture has its strengths and weaknesses. GM strengths have been the LS series engines. A 6.0L gas engine will last forever, tow everything and generally run great. The 2000- 2007 trucks were my favorite with very few downsides other than the gas mileage.

Fords, I like the 7.3 PS and 6.2L gas engine trucks. Not just because I own them, but because they are easy to repair and reliable. You probably know the downsides.

3rd Gen Dodge - Egh. Ugly as sin and the interior is not attractive or very durable in my opinion. The 2nd gen and 4th gen IMO are vastly better looking. I have the least experience with Dodge trucks, but seems like electrical gremlins are common. My father's 04 was great until a failed dash caused a cascade of issues throughout the entire truck.

If a CTL or Mini is in your future, make sure you are looking at a truck set up to tow. I'd worry less about the diesel vs gas issue and pick the chassis and gearing to handle the weight. A commercial CTL or mini are heavy. My mini excavator is about 8000lbs. I tow it with a 10k lbs trailer. I can tow it with either truck, but the F450 tows better because of its chassis. With this combination I'm rated at a tagged weight (max GVWR of both combined) of 25,000lbs. Scale weight is averaging about 22,000 total.

 

@Courage First thing... what is your budget..?$$ you state " Most trucks in my budget have 200k+ miles."

We can give you all kinds of information, opinions and advice, but unless we know what your allowable budget is it's not going to be accurate advice...

I was going to suggest you get in touch with @Flowjoe about his truck for your needs https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post21670503

But, that depends on how much you can spend, his truck would fit the bill for what you are looking for other than switching to 4x...

 

Sorry for not replying sooner! I really appreciate each of you taking the time to share your advice!

It's interesting that one of you mentioned the Ford 6.2. My dad has one, and I like it. It definitely has more power than my 5.4. One thing I've thought would be interesting though is to see the tq curver comparing those two engines between 1k and 2k rpms. I could be all wrong, or it could just be that my dad's truck is heavier, but I almost feel like my 5.4 has more kick below 1500 rpms than his does.

So far I've been able to fix any problems that have arisen with my 5.4, though they really did stick it way back under the dash lol.

That's an interesting though about maybe a 4500 chassis. Course, with a 14k dump trailer, id be in cdl territory.

Once the 6.7 powerstrokes are deleted, do they mind idling?

Unfortunately, because of where i live, 4x4 is a must for my next truck.

I'd like to spend 10k or less, but could spend more if necessary...

 

For $10,000 or less, you're going to be buying high-mileage and older.

For the mileage you're talking about, I wouldn't fiddle with the extra expense of a diesel. Maybe find something from the 20-teens with a V-10.

 

I'm seeing a lot of 250k miles 6.7 powerstrokes that have already been deleted in my price range. Should they be avoided? Can they be worked on without pulling the cab?

 

I would look for a clean gas truck in that price range. The diesel is nice to have, but not needed. At that mileage, I'd be worried about the CP4 pump, not to mention all of the regular stuff a 250k mile truck will need. The gas trucks are much easier to maintain.

 

Gotcha, that was my concern. I know that some cp4s have lasted past 500k, but I do t think they normally do.

 

Landscapers are almost always better off with gas engines. Not enoufh highway miles.

Id recommend a F550, 4wd, 7.3l, 4.88, dump truck.

My F550 HE field tech truck, is generally considered too heavy for gas engines. PTO compressor, crane, generator. But Ill bet thats wrong.

 

I had a 2015 F350 SRW with 4.30 gears in Vermont. I towed 13k regularly with it. Empty its get 12mpg and towing in the hills 9-10. It had plenty of power, no issues idling on a construction site and had 212k when i traded it in. I's suggest that setup for you. I also was towing JD skid steers and minis up to 35's with it. Never had an issue or need for more power in that towing range. Handled my 30' toy hauler camper without issue as well.

I have a 91 IDI and a 2018 6.7 Powerstroke now, is there more power with the diesel yes, but I truley can get by with the 6.2 or the 6.8 BUT I love the turbo diesel. My company has a 90 truck range(Brands, trim levels and motors)of 3/4T and 1 T trucks, the fords seem to last longer without major issues or work needed.

 

That you for sharing! That all makes sense,and is good to know. I assume you're is "intact" for the fuel economy you are getting?

 

That fuel economy was with the gas 6.2, the 6.7 still has emissions and gets 12-14 unloaded and 11-12.5 towing.

 

I'd do a f250 or 350 with the 6.2. And keep the trailer under 10,000. If you get a big job that requires a larger machine, rent.
you want nothing to do with a cdl if it can be avoided.

 

If you like the 6.2 you will love the 7.3 gas. I’ve had both and a 2000 V10. I rate the 6.2 as # 3 of the 3 with the 7.3 as #1, all based on towing capabilities. No mechanical issues with any. All bought new, put 114,000 on the 2000 V10, 75,000 on the 2016 6.2 and only 15,000 on my 2023 7.3. Had 4.3 rear ends in the 2016 and 2023. The 2000 had the 5 speed manual and 3.73 rear end I believe. I also like the 10 speed tranny in the 2023. Tow a 33RBTS Jayco with the 2016 and 2023.