Thermoguy
Graham, WA
Senior Member
Joined: 01/04/2017
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
 Offline
|
Its been a few years, but our old truck, 3/4 ton GM with the 8.1 and Alison. Traded that in 2015 for a Chev Duramax. My first Diesel. I won't go back to gas. So much nicer when towing. Actually, nicer all the time. No issues with maintenance. Haven't had anything maintenance wise that would be different between a Diesel and Gas. The dealer I bought it from does free oil changes for life, so no cost there. I have to buy DEF, but that's pennies, maybe 5 gallons per 5K miles.
I thought the 8.1 was great, until I got a Diesel. I really appreciate the power, torque, and gas mileage. This was purchased as a daily driver for my wife and she loves driving it.
|
valhalla360
No paticular place.
Senior Member
Joined: 08/19/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
Lantley wrote:Unless your going downhill I doubt your V-10 stays at 2000 RPMS simply because diesels are generally in the 1500 2000 RPM range not gassers.
I do agree the gap is closing somewhat with the coming of 10 speed trannies and the 7.3 Ford gasser.
Nevertheless diesels have massive amounts of low end torque that improve your towing performance and experience even if your towing an 8K trailer.
We tend to focus on performance factors like RPMS and torque, but on a more basic level it's about the experience.
A diesel provides a much more relaxing, comfortable drive. In the end that is what you are paying for when you choose to go diesel
Going downhill, it rarely gets above 3500rpm. Nothing crazy or uncomfortable and the engine really does a lot to hold her back before having to touch the brakes.
As I said, unless you are exclusively running in the mountains, the experience is just as relaxing.
The reason to get a diesel is because you are exceeding what the gas engines can do. At 11k with the modern trucks, you aren't exceeding what the gas engine can comfortably do.
Update: I think you may have been suggesting running on flatland at 2000rpm isn't possible...Pulling about 8k, do it all the time in overdrive running around 60mph.
* This post was
edited 04/15/23 12:40pm by valhalla360 *
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV
|
enblethen
Moses Lake, WA
Senior Member
Joined: 01/05/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Whether you decide on a diesel or a gas rig, it depends on your driving habits.
Many diesel owner's I see tun down the road at well above the speed limits. Many states vehicles over 10, 00 pounds and towing are required to follow truck speed limits.
Gas rigs do slow down on many mountainous area do travel at a slower speed. It is better for engines and drive trains to do so.
Cost of operating and maintaining diesels are getting out of hand.
Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow
2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker
|
mkirsch
Rochester, NY
Senior Member
Joined: 04/09/2004
View Profile
|
noonenosthis1 wrote:Well, I'm not a biologist but I am a woman and I know that for sure after birthing 3 kids. I don't care if people pass me, I prefer that! It's those one lane roads and the 6.2 screaming that get to me. I don't like hearing an engine work like that and it gives me visions of something shooting through the hood.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with an engine exceeding 2000RPM, yet so many people have this hang-up!
Putting 10-ply tires on half ton trucks since aught-four.
|
mkirsch
Rochester, NY
Senior Member
Joined: 04/09/2004
View Profile
|
noonenosthis1 wrote:Well, I've been looking at those 7.3's. Holy ****! They are some nice looking trucks tho. I wonder if it would be possible to put that engine in my truck. My Pop put a 327 into his 1955 Willys Wagon but I do not remember what transmission he had.
You'd have an easier time putting the 7.3 into that '55 Willys than you would into your current truck.
To make the engine run you're going to need whatever computer they've got in Cleetus McFarland's "McFlurry" Fox body Mustang drag car. It sure as heck ain't gonna be able to talk to your truck's current computer. Your truck's computer is going to say "no bueno" if it can't communicate with the engine.
|
|
|
mkirsch
Rochester, NY
Senior Member
Joined: 04/09/2004
View Profile
|
Thermoguy wrote:Its been a few years, but our old truck, 3/4 ton GM with the 8.1 and Alison. Traded that in 2015 for a Chev Duramax. My first Diesel. I won't go back to gas. So much nicer when towing. Actually, nicer all the time. No issues with maintenance. Haven't had anything maintenance wise that would be different between a Diesel and Gas. The dealer I bought it from does free oil changes for life, so no cost there. I have to buy DEF, but that's pennies, maybe 5 gallons per 5K miles.
I thought the 8.1 was great, until I got a Diesel. I really appreciate the power, torque, and gas mileage. This was purchased as a daily driver for my wife and she loves driving it.
There must be a huge difference in the Duramax from 2004 to 2015.
When I bought my 2002 8.1L, I drove a low-mileage 2004 Duramax the night before. I was not impressed. I mashed that pedal all the way to the floor and ho-hum.
That 8.1L put your butt back in the seat, and still does all these years later. It even outperforms Dad's 2015 2500HD 6.0L. On paper it should be able to run with the 8.1L, but it just doesn't have it.
|
Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
Senior Member
Joined: 05/06/2013
View Profile
Offline
|
^100more hp and almost 300 more ft lbs usually makes a difference. 2004-2015
Stock LB7 @ 300/520, same trans compared to the 8.1 especially if it was 4.10s, I’d put my money on the Vortec 8.1 in the 0-60 and drag strip.
But the LB7 would still out tow it.
Nevermind that $300 would get your Dmax into the 400/900 range in about 10 minutes of install work.
Your comparison is wholly not applicable, or at least no more applicable than saying a 70s/80s smogger 454 is slow so why run a new gasser with double the horsepower.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
|
noonenosthis1
northern california
Full Member
Joined: 05/27/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
mkirsch wrote:noonenosthis1 wrote:Well, I've been looking at those 7.3's. Holy ****! They are some nice looking trucks tho. I wonder if it would be possible to put that engine in my truck. My Pop put a 327 into his 1955 Willys Wagon but I do not remember what transmission he had.
You'd have an easier time putting the 7.3 into that '55 Willys than you would into your current truck.
To make the engine run you're going to need whatever computer they've got in Cleetus McFarland's "McFlurry" Fox body Mustang drag car. It sure as heck ain't gonna be able to talk to your truck's current computer. Your truck's computer is going to say "no bueno" if it can't communicate with the engine.
I did not even think about a computer. I'm just that old! I'm it won't start, let's see if we can push it and pop the clutch old!
|
dodge guy
Bartlett IL
Senior Member
Joined: 03/23/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
I say go diesel. If you like the Forest River products (as I do and all I have owned since 05) then look at the Berkshires. They also make an entry level DP called the Legacy.
The new 7.3 V-8’s and 10 speeds in the class A’s are supposed to be great.
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey
12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer
13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!
|
FishOnOne
The Great State of Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 02/12/2011
View Profile
Offline
|
dodge guy wrote:I say go diesel. If you like the Forest River products (as I do and all I have owned since 05) then look at the Berkshires. They also make an entry level DP called the Legacy.
The new 7.3 V-8’s and 10 speeds in the class A’s are supposed to be great.
Did Ford fix their lifter issues with the 7.3?
'12 Ford Super Duty FX4 ELD CC 6.7 PSD 400HP 800ft/lbs "270k Miles"
'16 Sprinter 319MKS "Wide Body"
|
|
|
