PSDExcursion
Millstone NJ
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Joined: 08/17/2001
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I just got back from a drive in my Excursion and I don't think I can live with a slug like the 154HP Sprinter so I hope Ford ,Dodge or GM has something with bukoo power for me to buy when it's time to trade.
2002 Chevy Express 3500 8.1 155" WB passenger van
41 Ft 2003 Thor Citation 41-ZBSR TT w/ Hensley Arrow
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Willcamp4
Nevada
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Joined: 06/11/2001
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Hmmm.....What's better...diesel or gas? Don't get me wrong. If I didn't tow often I'd probably have a gas engine. I do tow and I use a diesel. This isn't about Dodge v. Ford v. GM. They are all great trucks and each have some great attributes. This is about gas v. diesel. Here are a couple of examples.
One of my buddies has a trailer that is about 1500 lbs. lighter than mine. He tows with with his Chevy that has a small block with about 100 more hp than my truck. My diesel has about 175 more lbs of torque than his truck. Unloaded, his truck runs like a striped ape.
We left together to go camping at the same place. I last saw him on the first long hill leaving town. I was in my space with my trailer set up and unhitched when he arrived. His gas tank holds 10 more gallons than mine. I used less than a quarter tank and he used over a half tank.
On my last long trip I saw a new Dodge pull up behind me as we started up a long steep grade. The truck was towing a trailer much smaller than mine. When we started up the grade the Dodge disappeared behind me. The same happened on the next long grade. After going down the other side of the grades and driving on a flat for some time the other pickup passed me as I pulled off at a roadside rest. It had a hemi.
I know it is a nice truck, but for towing I'll take a diesel.
Willcamp4
2012 Ford F-250 Super Duty, Crew Cab, Lariat, 6.7L PSTD, Air Lift rear suspension.
Alpenlite Valhalla Limited Fifth Wheel, two Solar panels, four six-volt batteries, two Honda EU2000i generators
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PSDExcursion
Millstone NJ
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Quote: Unloaded, his truck runs like a striped ape
I drove my step-sons 2000 CC SB F-250 with 5.4 V8 unloaded and it runs great but when I loaded it with topsoil it was a dog compared to my 325HP 560TQ 6.0 PSD when it's fully loaded. Even my 2000 235HP 7.3 PSD Excursion was much faster fully loaded than the loaded 255HP 5.4.
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JDS549
SPEARMAN, TEXAS
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Joined: 06/01/2002
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Oranges and Apples. Different things for different folks.
JERRY FROM TEXAS
I "NEED" A FREIGHTLINER
1999 F250, DIESEL,AUTO, 3.73, 265'S
2000 27 CARDINAL
BIG DOG AND (MEAN LITTLE DOG)
(ALL OUTGOING VIRUS CHECKED)
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cabanaman
florida
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Joined: 07/02/2003
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Securiti
I'm looking at a 98 dodge 3500 V10 with 51,000 miles on it.
Question is how much to do the diesel swap and who did it oh and where did the engine come from?
Retired Navy
2007 Dodge Ram 2500 quad cab 6.7 cummins,6 speed auto,exhaust brake. Emissions removed.
2007 Open Road 378SA4S-5,equa-flex and morryde X factor,wet bolt kit,michelin ltx M/S 2 tires
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sack1
Kent, WA
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Joined: 08/16/2002
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Stories of comparisons between small block gas engines and diesels mean what? They're not rated to tow similar loads. Comparing older big block gas engines to diesels means what? Those aren't the current engines offered to compare with. But you read it here on this forum everyday.
Now I'm not going to say our rig will out pull any of the turbo diesels but then it doesn't have to. In most situations I can stay at posted speed without winding it out (in the mountains) and while cruising down the road I stay at a nice and quiet 2k rpm at 60 mph and get only a few less mpg than do the diesels while towing. But I didn't spend the extra $5k for the diesel either.
To each their own. But if you really want to compare do so with what's on the market today and rated to pull the same loads. Unless you just have to have a diesel there are alternatives. Especially with some of the light to medium weight trailers you can pull well without going to a HD turbo diesel.
'03 Chevy 2500HD 4x4, LT, Ext. cab, LB
8.1/Allison, 4.10
'03 32' 2955 Montana 5er
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1984 VF700F Interceptor
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Da Espys
Lincoln, CA, United States
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Joined: 07/21/2004
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yeah. what he/she said
Dan & Angi
Isaac(5)">, Christian(<1)">,(NOT!)
Kitty, Puppy, sheepy's, fishy's
97 F250HD Powerstroke Crewcab (far from stock)">
99 Dodge durango 5.9 ">
2004 Pioneer 18T">
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NoCalH.O.PO
Northern Cal
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Joined: 07/21/2004
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Cabanaman, don't waste your time or money buying a V-10 with the idea of switching the engine out for a diesel. It will end up costing you considerably more money, time and headaches to do this. Take this from a previous V-10 owner, if you're planning on towing with this truck, bypass the V-10 and go for the diesel. My decision to be cheap and settle for the V-10 ended up costing me over $6K when I traded up. Thing is, I haven't looked back and don't feel bad about eating the 6 grand, because this thing runs and tows like a dream.
2004 Sierra Sport T29SP
2001 Dodge 2500 4X4 CTD ETH/6sp, Bombed a bit
2004 Predator 500
2004 Trailblazer 250 (sucks in the sand)
2004 Predator 50
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PSDExcursion
Millstone NJ
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Quote:Stories of comparisons between small block gas engines and diesels mean what?
Some people on this forum think it's all about HP and have said the 2000 5.4 Ford V8 gasser with 255HP would not have to work as hard as a 2000 7.3 PSD with 235HP.
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cabanaman
florida
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NoCal
Thanks for the input.Let me be a little more presise.I'm getting the truck for $12,000 and it is absolutly like brand new.The plan is to use it as is for 2 years for my occasional outings after which we go fulltime.I may very well trade it for a new diesel OUCH IN THE POCKETBOOK.But if this one is still as nice as it is now getting a new factory diesel with full warrenty installed would be much much less than a whole new truck.I'm investigating just how much now.Unbelivably the truck is still under warrenty now. 7 year 70,000 and it only has 51,000 now and is six years old.
* This post was
edited 08/10/04 08:24pm by cabanaman *
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