Gas vs. Diesel Tow Rigs

[formandfunction]

Powerstroke all the way.International proved that engine years before ford ever owned the rights to it.
I also got the 2x2 version because the mileage is better.
Another good thing about the powerstroke is the lack of electrical nick nacks you find on the duramax.Simplicity equals reliability.
Little loud though

[Tanner]

Your top performers power wise will be the Duramax, Cummins, and then the Stroke.... in that order.

If you go to the PSD... try and find a 7.3. The 6.0's were either extremely reliable or literally broke down all the time. So hit and miss w/ those motors. If you find one w/ high miles, it's a safe bet it's probably a keeper though. The 6.4's are getting HORRENDOUS mileage.... they have changed an airdam which seems to be helping some. The bad mileage seems to be more a function of the regen mode though, as mileage drops have been seen across the board with the manufacturers.

If you go to a new model that has the DPF, I suggest you yank that sucker as soon as possible and get a tuner to turn off regen. You will thank yourself... your motor will thank you as well. When I logged my duramax during a regen mode, the stock programming retarded the timing -22*.... my jaw about dropped. Def. not good.

[dtown]

I have an 04 6.0L Powerstroke. Great truck. Haven't had a problem yet. Dad has a 98 7.3L Powerstroke. Trany went out after 60K. Ford covered it even though it was out of warranty. If you can find a used 7.3L with less than 100K miles, they have the reputation of being bullet proof. I agree 6.0L are hit and miss. I have not heard anything good about any of the 3 2008 diesels.

Also, if you want a truck for the long haul, go Ford. Never met a farmer that drives and Chevy or Dodge... and those guys beat the chit out of their trucks.

[turbonine]

Yanking the DPF is not DOT legal. But then again how are they enforcing it?

I know if you pull it out and get a program that stops regen, all big 3 are getting 3 - 4 MPG gains.

[Surf406]

99 Ford Superduty 7.3 diesel 4 door duelly w tons of power upgrades! I pull a 28ft enclosed trailer to the race track every weekend as well as pulln the boat to the lake all the time it works fabulous! If u can find a 99-02 w the 7.3 its defenatly the way to go. The later fords had some issues with the 6.0 engines that were pricy to fix.

[dtown]

I think the ideal truck would be a Ford body and frame, with the Cummins motor, and Allison trany. Doesn't Ford own Cummins... why can't you get a Cummins in a Ford?

[turbonine]

I think the ideal truck would be a Ford body and frame, with the Cummins motor, and Allison trany. Doesn't Ford own Cummins... why can't you get a Cummins in a Ford?

You can. Its just going to cost http://www.destroked.com/

I think Ford only owns a small portion of Cummins.

[Timmy!]

Yanking the DPF is not DOT legal. But then again how are they enforcing it?

I know if you pull it out and get a program that stops regen, all big 3 are getting 3 - 4 MPG gains.

In Colorado they would get you when you go in for an emissions test. The 3-4 MPG gains are up for debate over on the Chevy side, some say they see it and others don't. The biggest MPG gainer is your right foot. I can repeatedly get 19-20 mpg (hand calculated) on my 70 mile (round trip) commute which is a 75 mph highway and others can't get anywhere near that and my truck is 100% stock. I've run the same commute at 65mph for a week and I was able to get 21 mpg. It's all in the drivers foot, it's probably more evident with the newer, higher hp/torque trucks than it was with the older ones though.

[Tanner]

I think the ideal truck would be a Ford body and frame, with the Cummins motor, and Allison trany. Doesn't Ford own Cummins... why can't you get a Cummins in a Ford?

Besides the ally what do you think the Ford guys do that want to run some big HP #'s and good 1/4 times!!! ... they drop the cummins in there.

All the PSD's are dogs!!!! LOL.

Hey I think Nasty Girl is still for sale.... 1000+hp Duramax.... there you go!

[lightning59]

Keep the posts coming, I am reading them all and appreciate the comments. I watch this and craigslist for trucks throughout the day.

[Domsz06]

i love my 2000 Powerstroke 7.3 171000 and counting and not a problem yet (knock on wood) She is chipped, 4in down pipe, 5 in exhaust EGF gauge, tranny gauge, turbo controller turned up to 25 lbs(just under what they are designed to handle) will spin all four tires, and beat any 4banger out there

If you hop them up just make sure you get the stuff to control it, ie egf, exhaust etc.

[turbonine]

i love my 2000 Powerstroke 7.3 171000 and counting and not a problem yet (knock on wood) She is chipped, 4in down pipe, 5 in exhaust EGF gauge, tranny gauge, turbo controller turned up to 25 lbs(just under what they are designed to handle) will spin all four tires, and beat any 4banger out there

If you hop them up just make sure you get the stuff to control it, ie egf, exhaust etc.

Have you tried the DP-Tuner? The thing is amazing. I pretty much have the same setup as you, except I have yet to put in the wastegate controller. You get any turbo surge? Mine was bad so I ended up putting the ATS compressor housing in.

[majestic]

I have a 07 Silverado 2500 with the 6.0l gas and it just does ok. Gas milage is around 14

It is my company truck so atleast I don't have to pay for gas. Company couldn't justify 8k more for a Diesel when we only lease for four years.

[Carter13]

I have an 07 Ford F350 PS 4x4. It has 27,000 miles and has not missed a beat. The early 6.0's did have problems but Ford worked them out by 05. I haul my 4000 lb camper with no problem at all. When I had my 22V I hauled both and that powerstroke handled it really well. The torque shift is really nice when going down grades.
I don't know why guys are chipping any of the newer diesels ie 03+. They are plenty powerful to handle anything you can throw at them.
If I want to run the 1/4 mile I am going to buy a muscle or sports car NOT a truck.

[delongheavyhaul]

I have a 07 chevy duramax. Love it. The Allison 6 speed transmission works great. I pull my 12,000# toy hauler with it up some pretty steep grades at 65mph. The transmission temp stays under 200 degrees, and the rpm right around 2000. Runs really good and strong. Also has a retarder, meaning that when slowing down, the engine will down shift to help stop you, using your brakes alot less. I get 9 - 10 mpg when towing the trailer. When I tow the 24v, i get 13 mpg. Don't even know the boat is back there. Very strong. I would recomend the duramax to anyone wanting to tow. Around town not towing anything, I get between 18-20 mpg. On the highway not towing 22-24 mpg.
I used to have an 04 chevy 6.0 v8. It towed good, but sure sucked the gas. towing my trailer I would get 5mpg, towing the boat 9mpg.
I think the oil changes equal about the same. You do have fuel filter to change.
All and all very happy with my choice to switch to diesel power.