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One question though. How do you get back to your truck?
I saw a few number in this post about mileage and wanted to see some more.
If you own a diesel, could you post your year/model along with your average miles per gallon.
Thanks in advance!
drove off the lot at 50 miles on truck - 20 mpg. Have been averaging close to 20, driving on the highway at 75 mph., drops to about 18.5, but they say break in is between 3,000-5,000 miles, we now have 2,100 (all in about a month). Towed a load (trailer & 70 bales) of hay about 120 miles, at 60-65 mph, never noticed a difference in mileage. Love it!
The 7.3 was updated 5 times. Strong design but it had its gremlins. Why did they spend all that money to come out with a new design if the old one was okay?
Ford claims the 6 is 20% quieter and 10% more efficient. The filters are easier to reach and change. The single overhead cam is adjustable and has variable valve timing etc. Less emissions (which may be the main reason for redesign).
For me, I'd rather live with a design that's moving into the future than one that is about to be discontinued. So, while Ford delays the issue of the new 6 so they can sell off the 7.3 stock and parts, anyone actually seen/heard one of these?
jerry
Oregon has diverse waterways. We do have some slow moving rivers but the fun ones have lots of rapids which means boulders. A lot of white water rafting, canoeing, and kayaking. Just wish I could get out and do some.
all the best
jerry
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jerry
JT
Thanks for your help.
Anyway, at 60 mph with no load, I'm at 1750 RPMs. At 70, I'm at 2000rpms. Can anyone tell me if this is normal? Seems like it was lower before. I called Ford, and I think the guy thinks I'm wacko. All he could say is that the work they did wouldn't change the sound of the engine, and that I could come on Monday and have them check it out again(it's Saturday now).
Anybody have an opinion on this? Thanks for any help.
Diesels will save you cost if you drive in excess of 60,000 per year...They are expensive, dirty, stinky and pollute when city driving. They are made for always on use.
I'm looking to upgrade from a 1994 F150 xl 2wd to an F250 psd 4x4 xcab. I recently tried out both the auto and the manual. I really liked the manual except that they moved the reverse to the no. 1 position. Found that a little confusing. I am looking for a truck that will last for a while. I have a little experience with diesels, but none from personal ownership. I will be reading all of your posts to help me with my decision.
We got our '02 about 2 months ago, put 4500 miles on it and we both love it.
Best of luck with your decision.
Chris
have 12,000+ miles. Have had no problems.
I have Lariet package with all available options.
I chose the V-10 over the diesel because of the
$$$ savings along with avoiding all the mess
and maintenance. Actually no more heavyduty
towing that I do I probably could have easily
gotten by with the V-8 gasser.
Happy in Alabama with V-10.
MPG = 13-14 on the road and 11-12 in the city.
The tough choice will be V-10 or Powerstroke. I don't "need" the stroke, however it is my preference.
One big advantage of a diesel engine is that you can burn biodiesel in it. Biodiesel is diesel fuel made from just about any veggie oil (usually soybeans in the US). It will virtually eliminate smoke, make the engine run smoother (more lubricity), should increase engine life, keeps your fuel dollars in America instead of sending them abroad and out of the US economy (support farmers, not oil barons), and burns much cleaner (no sulfur, is virtually carbon-neutral... so it barely contributes to global warming, etc).
There's a bunch of info about biodiesel at www.biodieselnow.com.
jerry
I am seriously considering getting a waste vegetable oil setup like www.greasel.com or www.greasecar.com, so I can run the car on straight veggie oil from restaurant friers.
The 2006 ULSD (Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel) won't have ZERO sulfur... it'll have MUCH less. Right now in the US, our maximum sulfur content is 500 PPM. In Europe, and in 2006, that max PPM will be 15 (yes, fifteen). This will enable us to get all the incredible diesel cars they have in Europe that go 0-60 in 6 or 7 seconds yet get 40 MPG and 700 miles on a tank of fuel.
I know in my 96 Passat TDI, bio makes a huge difference in how smooth the engine runs. Just this week I ran out of my supply (I get 50-gallon drums delivered to my house) and had to fill up with petroleum. The car ran MUCH rougher. Then I borrowed 5 gallons from a biodiesel buddy (so I'm running about b30 right now) and the car is running much better.
The other annoying thing when I was back to petroleum for those few days is that the smoke was back! I had almost forgotten about smoke when accellerating quickly. Thankfully, it's gone again.
There's a list of retail sites here:
http://www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodiesel/retailfuelingsites/default.shtm
and there are many more companies that deliver.
Luckilly for you, there are a bunch of fueling loations in MO:
Convenient Food Mart -- 3714 W. Truman Blvd., Jefferson City, MO 65109; (573) 893-3278; 6am-Midnight
Deluxe Truck Stop -- 4500 Packers Ave, St. Joseph, MO; (816) 232-0000; B2 public pump
Larry's MFA -- Tipton, MO; (660) 433-2131; B2 public pump
The Lodge of Four Seasons - Marina -- Horseshoe Bend Pkwy., Lake Ozark, MO 65049; 1-800-THE-LAKE (By water: Mile marker 13 on Horseshoe Bend)
MO Valley Ag -- 17800 US Hwy 136, Rock Port, MO 64482; (660) 744-5325; B2 public pump
Otterville Mini Mart -- Otterville, MO; (660) 366-4810; B2 public pump
generation psd the 6.0 and a new auto trans just for it. of course the rear will be 3.73. I can see
people lined up now for that new truck. Don't be
to concerned about trying something new. this new
psd has been tested and tested and tested again.
325 hourses and 560 lbs. of the big T.
Finally, online truck parts, any suggestions for nerfs, bug guards, flaps?
Happy Trails & lookin' forward to leavin' the porch, Big dogs!
Don't have a diesel, but a lot of PSD owners swear by Shell Rotella oil. Available cheaper at Walmart in gallon jugs for those 15 qt oil changes.
I bought nerf bars/cab steps from these folks. (not cheap though)
http://www.n-fab.com/products.asp
Friend of mine recommended this site for PSD
http://www.dieselpage.com/vehtype/pfordps99l.htm
Sure the other regulars here will chime in with their sites and answer mileage question too.
Walt's suggestion of visiting www.dieselpage.com is an excellent idea. They have everything needed to maintain your truck and will assist you in anyway possible. With the exception of oil and oil filters, I buy all of my needed supplies there. I swear by Rotella. I used to work for a major trucking company that uses Rotella exclusively in their fleet. They put approximately 750k miles on each truck before deciding to overhaul or sell. Most times, the trucks they sell have body or frame problems while the motors are in great shape. The overhauled trucks are then run 'till the bodies fall apart. I know there are other equally good oils out there, but the Rotella is easy to get and is relatively cheap. I get mine at Sam's for $6/gallon. Good oil is VERY important to a diesel, especially the PSD. The PSD uses a hydraulic system to "fire" the injectors with high pressure engine oil. So, inferior oil is not an option.
As far as diesel fuel goes, it is best to buy only from high volume truck stops. Fresh fuel is paramount to good engine performance. Mom and Pop stations allow the diesel to sit around too long. Diesel fuel will absorb water and grow algae if left in a tank too long. The stations that I have available to me turn over a minimum of approximately 2k gallons a day. With most of the underground tanks being only 10k gallons, these tanks get "turned over" every few days. One station I go to has a tanker unloading almost constantly. I have never had any water in my fuel/water seperator using these stations.
Engine upgrades are even more endless than they are with gassers. A diesel can be improved greatly simply by adding a "chip" along with a high flow intake and exhaust. You'll get more bang for your buck doing that than anything else. Well, just shy of adding propane injection. A little too extreme for me.
Truck accessories for these Superduties are just about everywhere. Only your budget controls this.
And finally, yes you will be running with the big dogs now. Don't let any of the Dodge or Chevy guys BS you. You have one heck of a truck that will do a tremendous amount of work, and do it easily.
Happy trucking!
I assume that's closer to January, 2003 than December, 2003.
I had heard it would be stronger and use less fuel than the larger and older version.
The prochure that I have from on the 6.0 PSD specifies cast iron as the cylinder head material.
I test drove a 6.0 PSD with the new Torqshift transmission today in a Super duty F250 Crew Cab With a long bed.
I have always purchased GM products as I am most attracted to drivetrain power. I have also driven the GMC 2500 HD with the Duramax and the Allison 5 speed AT. I was lured to the new 6.0 PSD by it's superior power rating and what many reviewers refer to as Ford's better Build quality. The Ford really surprised me.
My father in law owns a 1999 1 ton Ford with the 7.3 PSD and it is loud and gets horrible gas mileage (13-14 average). The new PSD with the Torqshift was stronger, smoother, as quiet and felt more solid than the GMC with the Duramax. I enjoyed driving the Ford much more than the GMC. I was very impressed by the Torqshift AT as it did not have the anoying shiftdown characteristics of the Allison. It felt as though the turning radius was tighter on the Ford as well.
The dealer cliams a 20% increase in mileage over the old 7.3 PSD. Most reviews that I have found claim a 10% increase. This would put the mileage in the 17 MPG range according to my calculation.
The only draw back of the Ford over the GMC is the cost. GMC seems more eager to sell the truck with incentives such as $1000.00 cash back and 0% financing for 60 months. I was also able to find one for $100.00 under dealer invoice. Because of the demand and availability of the new 6.0 PSD they are selling above MSRP in some cases and Ford has no Cash Back or special financing incentives. So now I must pay much more or settle for the inferior GMC. I almost wish that I did not test drive the Ford
You might want to check the Ford website www.fordvehicles.com/incentives. I see that they do have $1500 cash back or $500 cash back & financing options in our area for the 7.3s. If you can find one, try it, you might be impressed.
Best of luck with your decision.
Chris