buying my first diesel - Diesel Forum

snox · 05-29-2005, 07:28 PM

hi everyone, I am ready to make the switch from my gasser to a diesel. can you give me some pro's and con's about the diesel? I have a friend of mine that has a 97 and says the oil changes are a bit more expensive and something about the fuel filter??? can you guys please give me some info on these motors? gas mileage? I know my gasser (V-10) loves the gas. will I see a noticable increase?
Thanks for the info!

Runk · 05-29-2005, 07:49 PM

A great book on diesel engines: The Romance of Engines, by Takashi Suzuki, Ph.D.
Diesels typically get about 30% better mileage...altho having owned (fed)a V10 in the past I would say the 6.0 does better than 30% better in comparison.
Yes, oil changes are alot more $$, with close to 4 gallons per chg and the oil filter is expensive (on the 6.0).
And, yes you have to attend to the fuel filter maintenance.
The power and torque of the diesel compared to the V10 is not even on the same level of conversation. I thought my V10 was doing OK until I started driving the diesel. No comparison. Off the map.
With luck, the diesel engine will last much much longer than the gasser.
I love my 2003!!
Take care,
Runk

snox · 06-02-2005, 10:37 PM

anything I should look out for mecanically when picking out a truck? I have one truck in my eye and here's some of the specs. let me know what is good and what to change.
color- Silver
2005 4X4 FX4 Crew cab XLT
6.0L
Torqshift (tm) 5-speed auto trans
lt275/70Rx18e tires
3.73 limited slip
eng block heater
camper pkg
rear stabilizer bar
snowplow package
etc etc etc.
now what I would like to know is is the 3.73 the right gear to go with or should I look for a 4.10? I wiull be pulling a 38ft enclosed gooseneck with nothing but dirtbikes and snowmobiles with this. I want to make sure it will be enough and i'm not struggling pulling wise that is. I've never owned a diesel so I would like to get it right the first time and everyone on here looks like they really know what they are talking about! Thanks for the info!

Armypilot · 06-02-2005, 11:02 PM

Is it a F250 or F350? Based on it has 18" wheels I am guessing a SRW 350 or a 250 with the optional wheels.

If it is a SRW 350, 3.73 are the only gears available from the factory.

snox · 06-02-2005, 11:05 PM

yes, I'm sorry I forgot to mention that but yes it is a F350 SRW!

ta152h0 · 06-02-2005, 11:08 PM

Want better mileage ?? Diesel with a manual transmission is the ticket.

Oh yeah, Mrs firstrattler had some " wants " and satisfying those, makes the buying experience much better [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

noa1794 · 06-03-2005, 06:20 AM

I liked the diesel from day one after several gasser pickups. I think the 3.73 rear end is OK for you since you are towing light. I have the 3.73 and it works for me. It is also a trouble free component.

Right now diesel fuel is a little more expensive than gas but you will use less of it so it evens out fuel cost-wise. The 6.0L takes 15qts of oil per change which is normally at 7500 mile intervals. Some people use synthetic oil with secondary bypass oil filtering systems and they get 30,000 on an oil change. They also have their oil analyzed periodically to see how long an interval is safe.

No tune ups, great power, a distinct engine sound that grows on you, a head-turner, great driving pleasure out on the hwy, great engine longevity (normally: we are not too sure about the 6.0L yet), good trade in value.

Downside: if you have an engine problem it can be very hard to diagose and fix: the eng and tranny are complex. Buy it from a dealer who sells and services a lot of diesels. Shop around for a good dealer for service as well as selling price on the truck.

Enjoy the H out of it!

snox · 06-03-2005, 11:38 AM

15 quarts of oil!!!wow lol well I just talked to my sales lady and told her to go ahead and get the truck to the dealership (seeing the color I want is at a dealer out of state) and we'll do this next week. I cant wait! I dont like the thought of having a payment again for the next 5 years but i'm sure i'll get over it when i'm driving off the lot with it!!!! Thanks for all the info and if there's anything else I should look out for please let me know!!!!!

snox · 06-03-2005, 11:51 AM

One thing I did notice on my specs sheet from my dealer is there is no fuel tank size on it. Whats the standard size for a diesel? my
V-10 came with a 29 gal tank and i WANT the 38gal in this one. Does it matter if it's a short bed or long bed? thanks guys!

jas10 · 06-03-2005, 11:53 AM

Yes, it matters. You only get the 38 gallon tank with the long bed.
-john

ta152h0 · 06-03-2005, 11:54 AM

for the 38 gallon tank you need the long bed

noa1794 · 06-03-2005, 11:55 AM

Yes. Short is 39 long is 38.

noa1794 · 06-03-2005, 11:58 AM

Opps! Typo. short = 29. long = 38.

snox · 06-03-2005, 01:26 PM

anyone here have hte short bed withthe 29gal tank? If so how many miles you getting per tank average? I'm only getting 325 miles per tank with my V-10. That is befroe the check fuel light comes on.
Thanks again guys!

05superdutyTJ · 06-03-2005, 01:35 PM

[ QUOTE ]
anyone here have hte short bed withthe 29gal tank? If so how many miles you getting per tank average? I'm only getting 325 miles per tank with my V-10. That is befroe the check fuel light comes on.
Thanks again guys!

[/ QUOTE ]

Short bed CC 4x4. Stock.
My old truck went about 440 to 485 on a tank. (26-27 gallon fill up)

My new CC long bed goes about 540 to 600 on a tank. (33-34 gallon fill up.

I let them both go til the light comes on, then maybe 10 miles more.

The 29 gallon tank seem to take more than it's rated for. (31 gallons one time at about 550 miles driving highway)