Ford Vs Dodge, Turbo Vs Non-turbo???

[Drewaustin]

HELLLLLLLLP!!!!!!!!!!!!!. I travel about 170 miles a week for my lawn care. The accoutns I have make it worth while, however I'm getting about 7 mpg and have to use the high octane fuel. (76 gmc 350 h.o. engine.) So I am going to buy a diesel, but have limited funds to spend, therefore I am looking at early to mid 1990's models ford and dodges. Max price about $6,500 and would actually need it to be cheeper if possible. I have a 20' landscaping trailer and with the equipment on it probably weighs about 5,000 pounds. Not real heavy but trying to travel 170 miles and 70 mph is not working. Anyway wanted to know how everbody feels about the two diesels, I've never owned a diesel and have always been a chevy guy, but I do know enough not get a mid 90's diesel from chevy. I want the best mpg possible. seems like I am finding a lot of 90-93 fords that are non turbo, I've been told to stay away from them what do you guys think? I've been told the newer dodges get better mpg than ford but haven't really heard anything about the mid 90's models. Also wich would last longer because obviousley at my price everything is gennerally around 200,000 miles. I'm needing something ASAP and hopefull would only need to last 2 years at the most. I would plan on buying newer in 1-2 years if things go as planned. And of course need to look good (you know proffesional). Much help needed, thanks everybody!

[AllieLawn]

I had a 2001 Ford F250 4x4 Extended Cab Powerstroke. I totally loved that truck. It ruled!! But the $700 a month note was killing me so I had to let it go. The gas mileage was horrible. It got about 12mpg in town and 15mpg on the highway. I have several buddies with Powerstrokes and all of our mpgs were way different. When trying to get my mpgs better. I had it in to Ford several times with a little luck each time. But even the mechanics stated that the mpgs on these trucks varied from truck to truck. Dont know if the older ones are as bad or not, but the A/C wasnt much to brag about either. My Ranger now will give me an ice cream headache with the A/C. The Powerstroke seemed to always be on high and not really get super cold. Im a hot natured person so it may work great for others. And it may have been just the size of the cabs. But by talking with friends the Powersrtokes' A/Cs were a little lacking. Especially in stop and go traffic. Hope this is helpful. All in all I did love that truck!

Chris

[Elwood]

Both are good engines. I know people who have put well over 200k on each. The 7.3 powerstroke is a bulletproof engine and the 7.3 before it I have heard is good as well.

Although, you won't get 20 mpg, just because you have a diesel. Pulling your trailer at 70 mph, combined with your stop and go, you will be doing well to get 11-13. Do the math. Diesel prices vary in different parts of the country, will the slight increase in milage pay for the purchase price?

Good luck with either purchase, but the big thing I would consider buying a truck with that high of milage is the tranny and rear end. The diesel will go that far and the rear should be fine, but look at the service history and see if there is any rebuild of the tranny along the way.

[RRS]

I've driven many miles in powerstroke F350's. Both company and personal. I usually averaged around 12-14 mpg with a fully loaded trailer. One thing about them is. They go the same speed loaded or unloaded. You never know the trailer is back there.

[edger]

MoooPower! Look at the Cummings!

Chris

[Drewaustin]

ok i can't afford new yet. and yes the mileage will pay off this is what i figured.

MY Truck
170 miles / 7 mpg = 24 gal. --- 24 gal x 1.80 ( high octane fuel) = $43.20per week x 40 weeks(mowing contract) = $1728 per year

DIESEL
170 miles / 14 mpg = 12 gal. --- 12 gal x 1.45 (diesel fuel here) = $17.40 per week x 40 weeks ( mowing contract ) = $696 per year $$$$$ save $1032 per year.

I think the savings is worth it. not to mention i need a newer truck anyway. i have to buy something, to hard on my 76 gmc pulling that much weight every week. and i figure if im going to spend 6 or 7k for a different truck i might as well get a diesel and get a little better fuel economy. i haven't heard anything about the 90's cummins diesels. from my reaserch it seems for those year they are better than ford ( mpg and dependability), but this forum is my best research so i want to hear everybodies opinions.

WHAT SHOULD I BUY????????

[sherlocks31]

Ford Powerstroke

I have a 97 F350 reg cab 4x4 powerstroke and this truck does it all
Pulls a 6500 pound trailer. Plows 30" of snow and just keeps going!!!
NOW GET OUTA MY WAY got mowin to do !

[PTLlandscapingIL]

I have a ram 15004x4 man it takes a beating.IM looking to add another truck im lookign at either a chevy 2500HD 4x4 or a ford f250 super duty 4x4 i dunno i think im gonan go gas the new ford 6.0 or whatever diesel sucks i ahve heard nothing but bad about it

[Drewaustin]

anyone else, i need more feedback, i;m leaning toward dodge

[RandR]

If you're looking at early to mid-90's trucks, go Dodge. They are turbos where the Fords are not. HUGE difference. I recently bought a '99 F-250 Super Duty Powerstroke w/118,000 miles on it. (I knew the owner. It was babied, not worked). I got 18 mpg before I installed a 60 h.p. Super Chip and high-flow air filter. Now I get 20.8 mpg, blow most gas trucks off the road, and can pull my trailers (16 ft. enclosed and a 31 ft. travel trailer) like they aren't even there. So you can see, I'm not Dodge biased. But, in your case (looking at early to mid 90's trucks) find a Dodge that has a good, legitimate mechanical history.

Russ

[Drewaustin]

Thanks Russ.

Thats what I was wanting to hear. I have somewhat concluded that on my own just by shopping but wanted to hear other feedback that knows more than I.

[Phillip Baker]

Dodges Be Careful

Becareful with the Dodges the front ends were not built right in the early 90's causing uneven wear on the tires but this was only in the Deisel. The motor is to heavey for the front end causing the problem. Thats why you can find so many out there that are low milage at a low price!!! You can get more for the dollar out of a Ford, I have two F250 Powerstroke's 1999 model with 165,000 plus, I have a chip and a 4 1/2 exhaust through and through with a K&N filter, I currently get about 16mpg pulling my trailor and around 19-20 empty. Shop around for a while you will find a Ford worth the money!!!!My truck is a crew cab 4x4 and I love it!!!!!My helpers truck is a single cab!!!Come down here to Texas and shop in the metroplex there are hundreds of dealers that specialize in the ford deisels.

[Dodgeman]

cummins best by far.

If you want longevity cummins is your ticket. Got a brand new one ton and love it. Had many friends and acquantances with 200-400k. cummins is a 6 cylinder versus 8 cylinder. That right there ought to tell you about fuel economy. Has 40% fewer parts than rival deisels, that tells you less to go wrong. Dodge has had the same cummins 6 cylinder motor since early 90's, While Ford and chevy are changing the designs. 7.3 is a good motor but not better. Met a guy six months ago on a job had 92 cummins had 300+ on his truck. Body lucked like **** but the truck was still running great. Ford and Dodge makes a great running deisel but I tested both and I bought mine for the above reason. Payed alot of money for mine and bought it to last. Stay away from Chevy deisels in the 90"s, terrible doesn't even discribe them!