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Originally Posted by stammer2

I'm considering an '05 F350 Ext Cab Lariat LB with the 6.0L PSD. It seems to have been kept up nicely and the price is reasonable. However, I've never owned a diesel before and I'm trying to understand what I would be getting myself into. I've had one gasoline truck or another for the last 15 years. I understand diesels and the basic differences in operation between a diesel and gas engine. I also understand that a diesel can provide a lot more performance in SPECIFIC situations than gas can. However, extra performance never comes for free. What trades should I be considering when I'm looking at a truck like this? Besides great towing/hauling power, are there other benefits I should be considering? What are the negatives? In general, should I expect to pay more for maintenance of 6.0L PSD vs. the Triton V10? I figure the worst thing I could do is to jump head first into a purchase of a diesel truck without knowing the potential pitfalls. If something goes wrong, I'll blame it on the diesel, which wouldn't be right.


Some of you might already recognize this question from a thread I posted last night asking about improvements to the 6.0L PSD since '03. In that, I also asked for some insight about making the jump from a gas engine to a diesel. I figured the second half of that question could probably use a thread of its own, if you all don't mind. Thanks to those who already answered in the previous thread.

Here's a new thing to think about- I was on my way home this afternoon from a convention, and the battery light came on. I had my diagnostic laptop with me, and found the alternator was putting out only 11.9/12.v at speed. It's 70 miles from the nearest parts store. Since the diesel is compression ignition, I made the drive to the parts store to buy the new alternator with no problems. A gas engine would have pooped out after about 20 or so miles (sucking the battery dry).

Just FYI....