'12 diesel 3/4 ton Chev or Ford

[gr8fl4porsche]

Picking up a new 3/4 ton work truck.

Which diesel to get?

[kaisen]

I personally prefer the GM, but I've owned both and think they're both decent trucks.

What configuration? 2wd? 4wd? Reg cab? Extended? Crew? SRW? Dually? Stripped? Loaded? 3/4 ton? 1 ton?

That stuff makes a difference

[gr8fl4porsche]

2wd standard cab 8' bed work truck.

Stripped. Only need AC and trailer tow package.

Will have a lift gate installed.

[kaisen]

Then what the heck do you need a diesel for? I'm being serious

[gr8fl4porsche]

Going for fuel economy. This vehicle runs all day long.

I've heard the 6.0 gas version from GM gets about 10-12mpg. Trying to get better.

Truck will be run for 500,000 miles before getting replaced.

[speeder]

If you tow heavy with it and/or really mile them up, the diesel might pencil-out. The problem is that the mileage and total fuel cost is not that much different.

[regency]

In the last 6-7 years, I've sold off my diesel(s) and am now running gas trucks as my work trucks.
The diesels here in California are more trouble & expense that they are worth, IMO. Granted, we're not pulling heavy trailers or I might think differently. We pull dump trailers, landscape equipment trailers and small tractor trailers. My gas 5.4 Triton F250's are fine.

Diesel is more expensive than gas, Diesels use twice the engine oil, Now, they are encumbered with SMOG and when they need a mechanic, they are 3 x as expensive. Plus they have to be smogged in California.

I don't dislike Diesels, my favorite truck of all time was my 96 F250 Powerstroke, loved that truck.

Steve

73 911 T MFI Coupe, Aubergine

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

Going for fuel economy. This vehicle runs all day long.

I've heard the 6.0 gas version from GM gets about 10-12mpg. Trying to get better.

Why not buy a 3.5L EcoBoost Ford F150?

With the 8200 GVWR payload package, you have a 3,100 pound payload and 11,300 pound tow rating.

A F250 diesel has similar capacity, doesn't get the fuel economy (and diesel costs more), and costs roughly $11,000 more.

How would you ever justify the $11,000 gap?

[gr8fl4porsche]

We only tow light trailers but truck gets 50,000 plus miles per year carrying 1000-2000 lbs in the bed daily including the Tommy Lift.

Have some opportunities with new hail damaged vehicles and leaning towards the diesels to save in fuel costs.

[gr8fl4porsche]

What do you think about putting a lift gate on a half ton?

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

..........leaning towards the diesels to save in fuel costs.

There is no savings.

And you can't make the justification with "resale value"

You'd be better served with gas and save the money up front

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

What do you think about putting a lift gate on a half ton?

Why would it make any difference? An F150 1/2 ton 8200 GVWR, or a F250 diesel 3/4 ton 9900 GVWR are only 1700 pounds apart in what truck+fuel+passengers+cargo can weigh (total gross weight).

BUT the F250 diesel weighs more. So it has a 3550 max payload versus the 3120 pound max payload of the half ton. The big diesel will only carry 430 pounds more. But it's constantly lugging around the extra weight of the truck.

The GAWR of the rear axle on the F150 is 4,800 pounds. The truck itself weighs a little under 5,000 pounds. No problem hanging a lift on the back and then carrying 2000 pounds in the bed.

[gr8fl4porsche]

Thanks for your help!

[kaisen]

But hey, if you want to spend an extra $11,000 to save zero in fuel costs, at least it's a diesel.

The unknown here is the repair/maintenance costs to drive it to 500K miles

Even then, I can't imagine it bridging the $11K gap

[speeder]

Originally Posted by kaisen

The GAWR of the rear axle on the F150 is 4,800 pounds. The truck itself weighs a little under 5,000 pounds. No problem hanging a lift on the back and then carrying 2000 pounds in the bed.

This is something that I've never understood. How can you carry 2000 lbs. in the bed of a *1/2 ton* PU truck?? What does 1/2-3/4-1 ton actually mean when it comes to PU trucks?

[mdj930]

I have a 2011 2500hd diesel got 21.6 mph on the trip to pick up my kid from school 800mi. I got a good deal in this truck or I would have gone with the Ford. Both are very nice power wise

[porsche4life]

Used CNG 3/4ton chebby......

[1990C4S]

Eric needs his own forum....

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Eric needs his own forum....

I'm not sure how to take that....

[UconnTim97]

Quote de 1990C4S

Eric needs his own forum....

I'm not sure how to take that....

I thought it was a compliment to your overall car knowledge.

PS: Thanks for all of your help in my car search.