Diesel truck

[DEAGLER]

Planning to pick up a 2009 Ford diesel truck. I own a mowing service so I?ll be house to house all day. but I heard it?s bad to start and turn off diesel multiple times. Any input on this?

[BushMasterBoy]

It is just bad to turn off right away after a long hot haul. Oil will start to char in the turbo bearings. Let it cool in extreme temperatures, by idling for a few minutes. I think if you have an EGT(exhaust gas temperature) gauge, it can tell you how hot the turbo is. Just my opinion.

[Wulf202]

It's not that big of deal to do short hops in a diesel as mentioned turbo cooking. Also diesel engine rings seal with heat so multiple cold starts will put fuel into the oil. So be religious about changes and try to plug it in when its cold

Having said that I would strongly advise you to research the 6.4 they eat themselves and have the life of a gas engine because of the emissions.

The 6.7 is a better engine if you need a newer truck. A bullet proofed 6.0 isn't a bad option but its 10k worth of work on an 8k truck.

I went with a 7.3

Personally I'd go for an 06 dodge if I wanted something newer. Or a Chevy if I wanted something brand new.

[BushMasterBoy]

The bad part of the Ford you mentioned is the body has to be lifted off the frame, to work on the emissions. Like Wulf mentioned the 7.3 is the way to go. Or the Dodge.

[Bailey Guns]

The newer generation of 6.7 PS engines don't need the cab removed for service. That's a thing of the past. But you almost never read anything good about the 6.0 or 6.4 Powerstrokes.

I have a newer (2017) 6.7L and can't say enough good about it.

But like others have said, look for a nice 7.3L. I traded an 02 with 51k on it in 2012. Top 10 dumbest things I ever did. Although I got about 85% of my original purchase price back on the trade so maybe it wasn't that dumb. The LML Duramax (2011-2016) engines are pretty great, too.

[whitewalrus]

...multiple cold starts will put fuel into the oil. So be religious about changes and try to plug it in when its cold

This is the problem with the short trips, but it is not a big deal if you change your oil often.

[SouthPaw]

Personally, unless you have to have a diesel, I'd stick with gas engines. I'm phasing out all the diesels at work because of costly repairs. I put a new 6.7 Cummins in a R5500 last year after the second engine went out at 67500 miles. The bill was $22K with a new EGR cooler. For that price, I could replace four gas engines to one diesel. This was a rare example but we have had plenty of diesels wash out cylinders due to excessive idle time. Mind you, we work them (towing 410 sized backhoes daily) but there are some out there that are just crew trucks and never tow more than a light plant. Diesels tow better but a gas engine will do just the same. I bought six 1.5 Ton trucks (F-550 & R5500) and the only bitching I hear is "it's not a diesel" but somehow they all still manage to get to work on time towing whatever they need.

If you are set on it, stay away from anything with DEF (unless you plan on deleting it) or look for a clean 24v Cummins. Those engines are simple and cheap to work on.

[Blowby]

I have a 2009 6.4 with a little more than 250,000 miles on it. Tow stuff all over the place from CA to Florida but I did some alterations and programming to keep it healthy. Just got back pulling two harleys to and from the Laughlin area. Also have a few 7.3's one with 325,000 miles and still looks great. Reliable and with the best transmission (aftermarket) around that I might be interested in selling. The other 7.3 is basically for racing and Sunday driving.

[brutal]

Coming from a diesel owner, unless you need the truck for other super heavy towing duties, I'd get a gas truck for that kind of use.

[Gman]

The service that takes care of my lawn uses Rams with gas engines. The trailers pulling the gear they use aren't a real challenge and they don't have to worry about trip length (shortest travel distance is most cost/time effective).

[BushMasterBoy]

Just some info on the OP's model

https://www.drivingline.com/articles/the-power-stroke-blues-64l-edition/

[BPTactical]

Coming from a diesel owner, unless you need the truck for other super heavy towing duties, I'd get a gas truck for that kind of use.

Yup, around town you wont see a fuel benefit and diesels like to run long and warm. Not to mention the terrifying cost of major repairs.
1 tank of bad fuel will cost you $8-10k in repairs.
You can replace the entire 6.2 gas engine for that.
Not to mention the up front cost of the truck itself.

I have a 15 F350 6.7. It pulls incredibly and is a damn strong engine/drivetrain.
I came to the realization I will likely only pull my camp trailer 6-8 times a year. The rest of the time it is my daily commute. I get 12 mpg around town (my 13 I had with the 6.2 gasser got 11.7-11.9 in town). So I am not seeing any fuel benefit, actually to the contrary because diesel fuel costs more.
Let's add additional maintenance cost in oil changes etc.
I'm not seeing the benefit of it around town.
I will likely order a new gasser in the next couple of months, I will give up a bit towing my camper but I will gain otherwise, plus I can get a gasser so much cheaper, even if I order new.

[DEAGLER]

Coming from a diesel owner, unless you need the truck for other super heavy towing duties, I'd get a gas truck for that kind of use.

Lawn service is only once a week. The rest of the days will be used for more heavy duty use.

[brutal]

Yup, around town you wont see a fuel benefit and diesels like to run long and warm. Not to mention the terrifying cost of major repairs.
1 tank of bad fuel will cost you $8-10k in repairs.
You can replace the entire 6.2 gas engine for that.
Not to mention the up front cost of the truck itself.

I have a 15 F350 6.7. It pulls incredibly and is a damn strong engine/drivetrain.
I came to the realization I will likely only pull my camp trailer 6-8 times a year. The rest of the time it is my daily commute. I get 12 mpg around town (my 13 I had with the 6.2 gasser got 11.7-11.9 in town). So I am not seeing any fuel benefit, actually to the contrary because diesel fuel costs more.
Let's add additional maintenance cost in oil changes etc.
I'm not seeing the benefit of it around town.
I will likely order a new gasser in the next couple of months, I will give up a bit towing my camper but I will gain otherwise, plus I can get a gasser so much cheaper, even if I order new.

With a gas 3/4T you'll also get a payload similar to a diesel 1T...

That said, for my use, I wouldn't have a gasser. I also wish I knew then what I know now and had gotten the SRW 3500 instead of the 2500. That CTD eats up a ton of payload.

Been passively looking for a 2014 RAM 3500 6.7L with the Aisin trans, low miles, right color, right price to replace my 04.5 5.9L. Just not finding much.

[Wulf202]

I drove my dad's lp5 duramax a bit. It's like half a semi in a pickup. I worry about longevity with the def system but it's a sweet truck with tons of power. 13k lbs up the blue mountains 65mph on cruise control, no issues.

[CapLock]

Ford is coming out with a new big block gas engine for the heavy duty trucks. Probably enough power unless you have a 30 ft fifth wheel or move heavy equipment.

[SouthPaw]

Ford is coming out with a new big block gas engine for the heavy duty trucks. Probably enough power unless you have a 30 ft fifth wheel or move heavy equipment.

Our F-550's with V10's have no problem towing our backhoes around. Hell, even the 6.4L Hemi does fine in the 5500's we have.

[Wulf202]

For power spec comparison my stock 7.3l is rated at 235hp 500tq. My stock 12valve is 335tq 245 hp. Both have pulled backhoes and big 5th wheels.

Most modern gas truck engines make better that that.

[Blowby]

For power spec comparison my stock 7.3l is rated at 235hp 500tq. My stock 12valve is 335tq 245 hp. Both have pulled backhoes and big 5th wheels.

Most modern gas truck engines make better that that.

Posted numbers are not to the wheels....

[BushMasterBoy]

Whatever truck you decide on, add a large transmission cooler if it has a automatic transmission. I chose a 40000 BTU cooler.

https://trucool.com/products/tru-cool-max

[MrPrena]

This thread reminds me of 90s Turbo Timer era.
Use good syn oil that is approved or better.
If heavy acceleration or huge usage of power, maybe leave it on idle for a minute or 2 would mostly cool it.

[Irving]

I don't want to highjack, but does anyone here have any experience with Isuzu NPR trucks?

[86k10]

I don't want to highjack, but does anyone here have any experience with Isuzu NPR trucks?

I've played with a few N series and F series. Sarted with the 4BD1, ended with the 4HK1 & 6HK1.

[Wulf202]

Posted numbers are not to the wheels....

Agreed but since almost every manufacturer advertises the larger crank numbers it allows apples to applesauce comparisons.