Switching From Gas To Diesel

[98silvz71]

I have decided to switch from a gas engine to the diesels. My only problem is which one do I want. An old 6.5 TD VIN S or a newer Dmax. I have a few upgrades in mind for the 6.5TD to make it more reliable and powerful but my main concern is with the 4L80. Whats your experience with it? I like the dmax because of the allison but obvioulsy its more expensive. Any input at all would be appriciated.

[superbee]

Do you have any specific areas or questions? Or would you rather we just ramble? I pick ramble... Most of this you probably know. Fuel:tougher to find and stinky when you pump, also more expensive. Power: Yes please!! No contest vs gasser (sorry 8100). Cost: Yup, worth every penny Allison: Enough said. Mods: Tons and the power gains are unbelievable. One other thing, it's quiet!! Less noise in my HD than in my wife's burban going down the highway. Diesel? Hell Yes!!! LBZ? Absolutely!! I love mine and don't expect to go back to gas anytime soon.

[mcreyaufmiller]

The Diesel is a great unit. I purchased one for my work truck. The fuel is more expensive, but when broken in, gets better milage.

[vzfox]

Again, without us knowing what "specific" question to answer......my opinion, are you trying to save money at the pump? Not gonna happen with diesel fuel, its more costly and the gas mileage you might save using diesel you'll pay back in the price per gallon. Diesel motors are more powerful, yes but they are much much slower. A diesel motor will never be accused of running the quarter mile. And dont forget about all that tail pipe smoke when the gas (fuel) pedal is pressed. And dont forget about repair expenses.....geeeeeez the cost of repairing a diesel motor compared to gas, ughhhhhhhh.

 

I drive a 2k model 7.3L International Harvester.....it may be a Ford, but my comments still apply no matter who makes it.

[98silvz71]

Again, without us knowing what "specific" question to answer......my opinion, are you trying to save money at the pump? Not gonna happen with diesel fuel, its more costly and the gas mileage you might save using diesel you'll pay back in the price per gallon. Diesel motors are more powerful, yes but they are much much slower. A diesel motor will never be accused of running the quarter mile. And dont forget about all that tail pipe smoke when the gas (fuel) pedal is pressed. And dont forget about repair expenses.....geeeeeez the cost of repairing a diesel motor compared to gas, ughhhhhhhh.

 

I drive a 2k model 7.3L International Harvester.....it may be a Ford, but my comments still apply no matter who makes it.

 

Alright heres my deal. I don't care that they are slower. Power is what I am after and relability. Yes I know they are expensive to repair IF they break down. I don't abuse my vehicles, I like to take care of them. And around here diesel is only like 20 cents above the price of regular unleaded. My current 350 doesn't get that good of mileage, even with a 3.42 ratio. It has some power. but not enough when it comes time to pull a trailer even with a gear swap. Mileage is somewhat important but not that important because hey, im not driving a honda, its a truck. All I want is just some input on how much people like their 6.5td or Dmaxs. The 4L80 is what I am scared of about the 6.5td and Im not that willing to put a 4,000 dollar Allison under it. Hope this helps you understand what Im thinking.

[98silvz71]

Do you have any specific areas or questions? Or would you rather we just ramble? I pick ramble... Most of this you probably know. Fuel:tougher to find and stinky when you pump, also more expensive. Power: Yes please!! No contest vs gasser (sorry 8100). Cost: Yup, worth every penny Allison: Enough said. Mods: Tons and the power gains are unbelievable. One other thing, it's quiet!! Less noise in my HD than in my wife's burban going down the highway. Diesel? Hell Yes!!! LBZ? Absolutely!! I love mine and don't expect to go back to gas anytime soon.

 

Right now I don't think I can afford the LBZ. I had one all lined up when they had the 06 Clearances. Deal fell through and it will be awhile before I can get one. I am looking at a LB7 or a late 6.5TD VIn S from a 2000 truck. I know the allison is the kicker but I could live with the 4L80 if I got some input on how people like it on the diesel. I have seen an Allison on a N/A 6.5 and the 4L80 on a 6.2 but thats it. The 6.2 had no balls to keep it in 4th and the Allison is worthless behing a N/A 6.5. I love diesels and am just trying which one I want to drive for alot longer than my current gasser which has served me well for a 1/2 ton. (breaking to much drivetrain)

[s-ten]

You shouldn't be too concerned about the 4l80 tranny, it is the same one that has been use for years in the heavy trucks. The current 2500HD uses it with the 6.0L and the vans use it for the 6.6 diesel (4l85). The 4l80 is rated at about 450 ft-lbs of torque, and the 6.5 diesel is rated at 360 ft-lbs; so even if you improve on the 6.5 you have got some room to play before the tranny would need to be built up.

[nhproxr]

I wouldn't worry about the 4l80e at all either. I've owned 2 behind gassers and loved them both. I also have a friend that had one behind a 7.4 in '00 crew cab. He beat the crap out of it and it never failed him (drove crazy, always on the fuel, roll backs, brake stands, etc.). They are great trannys.

 

You could always call a good local trans shop and ask for their opinion, I know what my tranny guy thinks...he likes them.

[98silvz71]

I figured they would be fine if the engine was stock but I mean they only handle 450 ft/lbs and you can make way more than that. But to be fair a first generation allison on the dmax was only rated at somewhere around 520 ft/lbs. A 6.5 can make that easily with a few parts. What are the specs on the different 6.5TD. The F and S vin codes?

[dustytwo]

At the latest prices of both petro and diesel I'll ride my bike

[s-ten]

I got this from the diesel place, the stats look to be about right. I also do not think they changed much after that, I could be wrong though.

 

In 1995,

 

L56 (VIN S)

<8500GVW

180HP @ 3400rpm

360TQ @ 1700rpm

 

L65 (VIN F)

>8500GVW

190HP @ 3400rpm

385TQ @ 1700rpm

[98silvz71]

I got this from the diesel place, the stats look to be about right. I also do not think they changed much after that, I could be wrong though.

 

In 1995,

 

L56 (VIN S)

<8500GVW

180HP @ 3400rpm

360TQ @ 1700rpm

 

L65 (VIN F)

>8500GVW

190HP @ 3400rpm

385TQ @ 1700rpm

 

See the specs I got for a 2000 6.5TD at 8600GVW was 195 Hp at 3400rpms and 410 ft/lbs at 1800 rpms. I know the new "Optimizer 6500" is 205Hp at 3400 RPMs and like 450 ft/lbs at 1800 RPMs. Plus it has alot of reworkings to make it stronger with new block material and castings. Either way I am wanting something newer than my current 98 Gaser. I won't go older than 98.

[ADDZ71]

I guess I am lost on what you are trying to accomplish. If what you want is a more stout towing vehicle then I think you would be better off selling your truck and buying a used 2500 or larger with the diesel. Trying to convert your 1500 to Diesel sounds to me like a nightmare - new fuel system, filters, tank, making the electronics work together (bcm to pcm), springs (need heavier due to the increased front end weight), new cooling and on an on. You have only scratched the surface when you talk about changing the motor and trans. To do your conversion you will need to essentially replace the entire mechanical systems in your truck. Now maybe I misunderstood your question and if you are talking about getting a different truck then I think you can rest assured that either 4L80 or the Allison should not be the deciding point to which vehicle to buy since your budget will likely dictate how new you can go and I don't believe there to be any overlap. As an example there was never a time when you had a choice of diesels in the same model year or transmissions. When you determine the year it will tell you which type of diesel and trans combo you will get.

 

I hope this helps.

[98silvz71]

I guess I am lost on what you are trying to accomplish. If what you want is a more stout towing vehicle then I think you would be better off selling your truck and buying a used 2500 or larger with the diesel. Trying to convert your 1500 to Diesel sounds to me like a nightmare - new fuel system, filters, tank, making the electronics work together (bcm to pcm), springs (need heavier due to the increased front end weight), new cooling and on an on. You have only scratched the surface when you talk about changing the motor and trans. To do your conversion you will need to essentially replace the entire mechanical systems in your truck. Now maybe I misunderstood your question and if you are talking about getting a different truck then I think you can rest assured that either 4L80 or the Allison should not be the deciding point to which vehicle to buy since your budget will likely dictate how new you can go and I don't believe there to be any overlap. As an example there was never a time when you had a choice of diesels in the same model year or transmissions. When you determine the year it will tell you which type of diesel and trans combo you will get.

 

I hope this helps.

 

 

Good point. I forgot to say that I am not pulling out the engine and replacing with a diesel. I've worked for 2 years with 2 different 1/2 tons. They cannot last with what I do. I tow a trailer once in awhile, but mostly the truck is used when I work. Heavy loads in the bed are ruining my 1/2 ton. The drivetrain has either been rebuilt or replaced. The increased gas mileage would be nicer. A diesel only has to get 3 mpg better than my 350 to be cheaper at the pump. So I am trying to decide whether I want to go for a cheaper 2000 6.5TD 2500 or a new er 2002 Dmax/Allison 2500HD. Budget is kind of the issue, but I wouldn't be leaving the 6.5TD stock since it is a little lacking in the power department. I already have about $2000 worth of parts that I am considering throwing on the 6.5 TD. With that the tranny is the issue for me because if I put more power through the 4l80 I don't want it breaking down on me like my 4l60 is. Yes I know they are no comparisons with eachother. If I have problems with the 4l80 it would be worth it to just get a DMax and Allison because I would leave the Dmax alone since it already has good power for 02. The parts for a 6.5TD would get it close to the power the Dmax produced in 02 at the flywheel. Hope this helps you understand what I am thinking.

[s-ten]

I got this from the diesel place, the stats look to be about right. I also do not think they changed much after that, I could be wrong though.

 

In 1995,

 

L56 (VIN S)

<8500GVW

180HP @ 3400rpm

360TQ @ 1700rpm

 

L65 (VIN F)

>8500GVW

190HP @ 3400rpm

385TQ @ 1700rpm

 

See the specs I got for a 2000 6.5TD at 8600GVW was 195 Hp at 3400rpms and 410 ft/lbs at 1800 rpms. I know the new "Optimizer 6500" is 205Hp at 3400 RPMs and like 450 ft/lbs at 1800 RPMs. Plus it has alot of reworkings to make it stronger with new block material and castings. Either way I am wanting something newer than my current 98 Gaser. I won't go older than 98.

 

 

Thats good to know, those were the best numbers that I could find. Where did you get those specs by the way, it would be good to know for future referance.