New diesel???

[quackerkiller]

Thinking of a new truck but don't know what brand... What puts out the best, best fuel economy? Any suggestions? Really like the chevy/gmc.... What about the new dodges?

[Deltaquack]

Don't even worry about fuel economy if you are buying a truck. Honestly, they are all going to get about the same depending on what engine you get. Then you can add things like a programmer, K & N FIPK kit, etc. to improve it.

[duramax]

Before the recent changes to diesels with all the exhaust restrictions with the regen deal, duramax trucks got the best mpg's. The 2007 and prior Duramax's would commonly get up to 20mpg.

But coming from a diesel truck owner, don't buy a new diesel truck unless you really need the extra power. The better fuel economy will never make up for the initial investment cost of getting a diesel. You can buy a lot of extra gas with the $5000+ price difference.

The new diesels do not get great fuel economy. Whether it's the ford, dodge, or GM, you'll be lucky to get better than 15mpg avg.

Speaking to several owners, a lot of folks are very happy with the new Ford 6.4L Powerstroke. The Duramax has the most power, but their emissions system is not as good as the one on the Ford.

[LAWAYNE]

I have an 08 Dodge 2500 4x4 with the 6.7 Cummins and 6 speed auto and I average around 17mpg in town and upwards of 21 mpg on the road. My truck is not super low geared (3.73:1 rearend) and I am very particular about thing such as air pressure. The beauty of the Cummins is it's a 6 cylinder and this means less moving parts, plus Cummins is one of the oldest diesel engine makers out there. And just for the record we have both Fords and Dodges and the Cummins gets by far the better mileage of the two. With the new trucks you can't add things such as programmer chips without spending a lot of money to get rid of the government mandate crap they are required to have now, Thanks a lot California!

[sab316]

Most all the Diesel's are the same. Ford, Dodge, Chevy/GMC as far as power goes.

If you need a diesel get the Duramax with the 6-speed Allison Transmission. Its a hoss.

If you don't need a diesel looks at a 1500, with the 6.2L engine and the 6-spd tranny. Its a beast as well.

(I'm a GM guy )

[kevinw]

If it's brand new, you definatley gonna forkout some $$$$$$ due to that urea tank on them. I heard that stuff is like $20/gallon. I forget how long a tank is good for. But I know a fellow who is definately not hurting for money and needs a diesel, but he said the new ones with the urea tank is too rich for his blood and he got the gas model.

[aweyerman]

WTF is a urea tank?

[quack_a_tack]

[duramax]

[quack_a_tack]

Ah, I learn somethin new everyday. Well then I new there was an 8 cyl. somewhere.

[grant_c]

I'd get an older ford with a 7.3 in it! I'm rollin 290,000 miles on mine and she's still a beast!

[Faithful Retrievers]

I would be mor worried about the 60k than the fuel.

[slim jim]

all i've heard so far on new 6.7 in the f250's and f350 is good

[Coldtrain_1]

I have owned two diesels. I have had a 7.3 powerstroke and I currently have the 5.9 cummins. Both trucks were strong as an ox and both got relatively good mileage. The best I got out of my ford was 19.5 and it was 4x4 auto. I currently average about 20 out of my 4x4 manual dodge and it only has 75k miles on it. I do know a few guys that have put quite a bit of money (about 4000) in their cummins and are getting close to 30 on the highway and 25 pulling a loaded 6 horse trailer. It really depends on what you are doing. If you are looking for comfort, Chevys/GMCs are hard to beat. If you need brute strength and towing power, Dodge can't be beat.

[MudHog]

The urea tank is the new emissions control system and called Diesel Exhaust Fluid. The urea scrubs nitrogen oxide out of the diesel exhaust and helps with emissions. DEF is not $20 a gallon and is only about $3 a gallon. It is at every gas station that sells diesel and larger truck stops have dedicated pumps as OTR trucks have DEF tanks these days.






How new of a truck are you wanting? The 6.4L Ford is doing great with people taking the DPF off the exhaust system and getting 21+ mpg highway, this is the engine that came out in 2008. The DPF is the diesel particulate filter and was the initial cause of the 6.4L engine throwing flames out the exhaust tailpipe. The duramax is still a great truck and Chevy is the only one that hasn't changed engines in a few years (like Ford was with the 7.3L). Dodge, I still rather the 5.9L 6BT over the newer engine.