I didn't really see this posted anywhere so I thought I'd give it a shot to see what kind of responses I get.

I am looking at a new truck, I want a 1 ton diesel. I currently have a gas 5.9 2500, it hauls great and gets 11.5 mpg fully loaded. There are pros and cons to both, I just can't figure it out. I haul my boat and camper so for that reason a diesel is the obvious choice.

However I have found from all the looking on the web that diesels may not be as reliable as a gas engine, the parts are more expensive, maintenece is more. I have also heard that the front ends need considerable more work due to the extra weight. Diesel now costs the same as or sometimes more then gas. Is the MPG difference in a diesel truck really that much that it is worth it ?

Let the debate begin and with luck at the end I'll have a better idea.

 

i dont know your sources but as far as i know a well taken care of CTD will last well over 200,000 .. my uncle inlaw owns his own construction business and has 3 CTD's and well over 100,000 on each and then some and he huals trailers, 5wheels, and god name it on a daily business...he maintains them very well and has never EVER failed on him once... and they are some MEAN machines

 

I should specify, the diesels seem to be quirkier, relaible is probably the wrong word. Longevity goes to diesel, however I know gas engines when maintained will last a long time as well. Knock on wood but I have 260,000 k on my 5.9 and she is still going strong.

 

quirckey would be better wording... and hell the 5.9's are quirkey... any motor is quirkey and never engineered to be absolutley better... you could try asking (posting) this question in the diesel forum and see what them guys have to say...theyd know more about it i bet

 

Good idea, I'll try the good old cut and paste.

 

diesel gas price is like 40 cents more a gallon then regular gas here.. (2.19 gas/ 2.49-2.59 diesel) but i know diesels get very good gas mileage and have enough power to yank a house off its foundation

 

I have to run 92 Octane in my truck, runs like crap on anything less, so for me diesel is slightly cheaper.

I had my mind set on diesel no questions asked, then I read an article that raised doubt.

I have also hear that gas engines and diesels are equally efficent at steady hwy speeds. I find this hard to beleive, but until the past few months I have never spent any time learning about diesels. Anyone know if this is true ?

 

Diesel. A Hemi powered 3500 will have the same GVW, but a much lower tow rating, just like the 5.9 was rated at 4-5K less than a V10 or diesel.

 

Ive ran both a diesel and a gas truck. Now mind you the diesel was a 7.3L F350 dulley. The diesel would get around 19-20 MPG with my superchips programmer so i was really happy with that. My Gas dodge right now isnt even comming close to that (12- 13). Whether City driving or highway driving the diesels not all that much different cause the torque they have allows you to have low RPMs in the city. Basicley the main thing is the power difference. the diesel has so much power at hand. you step on it at highway speeds and the turbo wines and you are gone. you just cant get that power with a gas truck unless heavy mods are done. If you take care of a diesel, it will last forever. I had 245000 Km's on mine when i sold it and there was nothing wrong at all with it. A big difference is the oil changes cost more then twice as much, but you dont have to get them as frequent. The parts arnt that much different. its really a toss up. if you want the power for towing I'd go diesel personally but its all prefrence.

 

i like how you can add 150 extra horsepower to a diesel by just adding a chip wish gas trucks were like that