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6/25/2014
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Sacramento, CA
US
Fantasy
1882nd
The wife wants to get a truck. What do you have? We are thinking used and are hoping to not spend over $15,000. I know this means higher mileage probably. Diesel or unleaded? 4x4 for sure as we drive in the Sierra's in the winter. Are diesels expensive to fix? My stepdad has a 2002 Tundra that is going pretty strong still. I am so confused please help
Maintenance on a diesel will be more expensive because the work is more specialized.
As maintenence goes. I could change the oil in my f150 for around 50 bucks. I can't even change the oil in my powerstroke for less than 100 (takes almost 4 gallons of oil) but on the other hand oil change intervals are longer with diesels. And all parts are more expensive for diesels.
With that being said. I don't think I could ever go dark to a gasser. Diesels are just too much fun. Tons of power. And towing is absolutely incredible.
And all the other parts like suspension components. Drive components. Trans all that good stuff.
The Shop
If a 3/4 or 1 ton is actually NEEDED. Then gas doesn't make much sense. The added cost of a diesel is justifiable when towing 20,000lbs through the rockies. A big diesel doesn't make any sense if it's hardest job is hauling a couple dirt bikes to the track, or kids to the soccer field.
I just helped a buddy buy a used Toyota and he had no idea what to look at, here is what I did:
-check brakes (rotor gouges, pad life,etc)
-check all fluids under hood (dip stick isn't burnt, coolant isn't milky, etc)
-check tire wear patterns (scalloping)
-Jack up front and check tie rods/ball joints (play in wheel front to back or play laterally up/down)
-check driveshafts/difs for oil marks/leaks
I found one side to have a worn tie rod end and he used that a bit in negotiating the price and bought the truck.
It is always full of diesels ,only one powerstroke I'd have ,it was the 7.3 I think. It was made by Allison or such for tractors.
The other sizes have problems.
But,I'd never have a diesel,the cost is double for everything like others have posted.
The gas Ford engines are rock solid. The 05 ish 3 valve has issues with a o ring on the cam chain tensioner block ,newer models eliminate the o ring and use the machine surface to seal.
I have a 2000 f250 crew with v10, rock solid.
Chevy still uses the old tired push rod setup,junk,
Thank you for your time
I did the math with my brother when he was turnin 16. He wanted a big 4x4 diesel because it's cool. I showed him yearly costs of a 4cyl ranger, and a f250 with the 7.3 over something like 5 years. I included everything, tires (that last longer on a smaller vehicle) brakes (again last longer) oil changes, insurance, etc etc. Needless to say he ended up with a 2wd ranger, and with all the money he's saved he's been able to do what he wants with it. Projector, halo headlights, LED tail lights, regeared, 32" AT tires, speakers, exhaust, and more kid shit. That ranger gets him and his gf around just find, and the bed is big enough to haul his kayak. He's since thanked me for talking him out of the big diesel.
The difference between a F150 with the 4.6 V8 and a F250 with the 7.3 is probably enough to justify an older 125/200 for the "wife" or a good vacation.
Pit Row
So, depending on what exactly your needs are you might want to shop around a little.
Unless you're towing over 10,000 lbs.
Newer diesels 07 and up arent much if any better mileage than gas so unless you're towing heavy no real need and you will never recoup the extra costs or maintainence.
Id rather have a Gasser F250 or 6.4 Hemi. And to make things worse, diesel is rarely cheaper at the pump unlike the 90s and early 2000s.
The only thing I dont like is 1/2 tons its hard to find a true crew cab with at least a 6 or 6.5 foot bed.
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