Diesel vs. gas

[Jester4736w]

A friend of mine just got a brand new duramax (same setup as mine basically except with the duramax). He was tellin me about all the gas milage and so one, and was wondering about going diesel when i trade my truck just because of the milage you can put on them and the gas milage.

 

What are some advantages and disadvantages of diesel and gas trucks. If i wasn't upside down on my loan i would do it tomorrow from what ive heard so far.

 

thanks guys

[JML79]

I have never owned a GM diesel (driven a few and liked them) but have had 2 Fords with the powerstroke engines (both 7.3L and the newer 6.0).

 

Diesel trucks are awesome and the Allison transmission is outstanding, no doubt about it. But for me personally, when I got rid of my last diesel almost 2 years ago, I decided I would not be getting another unless I go into a business that requires that kind of pulling power(none of my motorcycle riding or hunting activities even come close to needing that kind of available towing power).

 

Some things to consider:

-Diesel trucks have higher resale value, but they are approx. $5000 more to begin with than the same truck with a gas engine

-You can put a ton of miles on the diesels with virtually no problem, so how long do you plan on keeping it?

-In my neck of the woods (the south) diesel fuel is more expensive than regular unleaded for 6-8 months out of the year.

 

A friend of mine is a Chevy dealer here in town and he drives the 2500HD CC 4x4 Dmax as a demo, gets into a new one every 5,000 miles. According to what he's told me, the Dmax engines (possibly due to a change they made from '04 to '05???) are not getting great fuel mileage like they did when they 1st came out. He usually puts a programmer or chip in his which does a lot to help out with that, but just the bone stock truck is not blowing the gas engines away in terms of MPG-again, according to him.

 

The bottmom line is: can you justify the negatives of the situation based on what you want/need the truck for? It really boils down to personal preference.

 

Again, let me clarify, I have absolutely nothing negative to say about the Dmax/Allison, but for my personal use/taste, I'd rather put my money into a gas truck. I know I won't be driving it until the wheels fall off and I won't be towing heavy equipment with it, so I can't really justify the added costs associated with owning one.

 

Just my $.02

[Jester4736w]

Thanx JML, thats exactly what im looking for... I too don't need the power of a diesel, but since my current truck is on a 7 year loan, i was thinking maybe the longevity of the diesel would help it last for that 7 years, thanks again.

[Daubs]

I agree with JML79. When ordering my HD crew cab back in winter of 2004, I looked long and hard at 6.0, 8.1 and the D-max. I don't really tow anything but a small 14' fishing boat. This truck is my daily driver. I wanted something that was going to handle all my hunting stuff, kids, etc. The 6.0 didn't feel

 

When i calculated the numbers (average miles per year driven, MPG, fuel cost, cost to purchase the truck, etc.) I figured I could get a gas engine and drive it for 7-8 years with the extra $5000 it would cost to get the Duramax. Just wasn't a good option for me.

 

The 6.0 didn't feel as strong in the crew cab as the 8.1. Felt like the 6.0 was working very hard to keep the truck motivated. The 8.1 barely breaks a sweat. And I'm getting almost 11 MPG around town and 14-15 highway. Have westers and volant intake. Buddy has 6.0 and he gets 11 city OR highway. He's pissed...and I'm laughing because I've got the Allison tranny with my Big Block Power.

 

Have fun with your decision. And enjoy your GM trucks.

[JML79]

How much more $ does the 8.1/Allison combo add to the price of a 2500HD crew cab? I think it can be had with a 3.73 rear end, which may be fuel efficient than a 4.10 in the 6.0 motor, but I don't know.

[dewfpo]

Adding the 8.1L/Allison combo costs about $2,900-$3,000.

 

DEWFPO

[Jester4736w]

But... The 8.1 with the 3.73's would have to work harder, making it feel just like a 6.0 and the fuel milage couldn't be much different, because even though it is a powerful motor, it would have to work that much harder to pull the 3.73s.

[Daubs]

My spec sheet says the Allison cost additional $1,200 and the Big Block was $950 = $2,150 total.

 

Mine has 3.73 gears and doesn't work hard at all. Driving from NW Missouri to Omaha my wife's Burb used to downshift on hills. The Big Block just stays in 5th and pulls the truck over the hills like it was nothing.

[dewfpo]

Thanks for the correct DAUBS, I don't know what I was thinking about.

 

DEWFPO

[dannyukonxl]

i got a tune for the 8.1 and all i can say is wow, at 2500 rpms and a quarter throttle i can probably beat normal traffic at a light, not to mention the towing capabilities are incredible, if im not mistaken the 8.1 has about 350 ft lbs of torque at around 1000 rpms while the dmax still has to fight the compression and turbo to get the low end torque (if im not mistaken) which is why the gas is a more streetable engine, but holy **** i test drove a dmax and it sure as hell doesn't seem that way, the thing was a beast on the freeway. stock for stock the 8.1 is defenitely faster, ive been in a juiced dmax and got chapped lips from smiling so wide, the only thing for me that would constitute a dmax is a deep pocket and big smiles and a big trailer, for me (i tow a 7000 pound boat (including gear)), the 8.1 is fine

[JML79]

I really like the Allison Transmission and I'd be curious to see what kind of MPG #'s people are getting on the 4wd CC with the 8.1 and 3.73 gear. My guess is that the numbers would be close (and maybe slightly better?) than a 6.0 with the 4.10. But I could be totally off on that one. Seems like the 6.0 would be working harder than an 8.1 to move the truck.