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Engine Specific Info and Questions => Non VW Group Diesel => Topic started by: drrtybyl on July 16, 2009, 01:55:42 am

Title: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: drrtybyl on July 16, 2009, 01:55:42 am
Just wondering if anyone has recommendations on non-caddy diesel trucks available in the US.  We're looking for something capable of towing up to a 4-horse trailer.  I realize options are probably limited to Ford F-series, Dodge Ram, and Chevy Silverado.  Any first-had experience, info or suggestions regarding different models is appreciated.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: BlastIt on July 16, 2009, 11:14:12 am
I have a f350 with 7.3L that i pull heavy trailers every day. It has 212,000 miles on it a still going strong.
My sister also has f350 with the 6.0L she pulls a 4 horse trailer with living space in the front of it. She only has
about 40,000 miles on hers and loves it. The biggest repair I had on mine was the flywheel cracked and had to be replaced.
No problems other wise.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: bajacalal on July 16, 2009, 04:55:53 pm
Best = Cummins in a Ford. (http://www.fordcummins.com/) This is the truck America should have built.

Seriously, the cummins 6BT (5.9l straight 6) diesel engine, used by Dodge, is the best truck engine offered by the big 3. The F350s just seem to be more comfortable and durable than the Dodges even though I like the Dodges. For some reason I have no love for any GM products at all...

These types of conversions are common enough to turn up in the local classifieds every now and then. Of course, you're dealing with a homebuilt conversion so buyer beware.

Also see http://www.4btswaps.com (http://www.4btswaps.com) specifically the 6bt section.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: maxfax on July 16, 2009, 05:14:29 pm
I kinda agree with bajacalal..  The 6bt cummins is a great engine, but the rest of the Dodge trucks are questionable..  That is excluding the early 6.7L cummins (introduced in 2007.5) first attempt at a "clean diesel" and they were quite troublesome..  I guess by late '08 they got most of the bugs out..    I hope...

Not being much of a GM person the Chevy's with the Duramax don't seem to be horrible..  It's not the engine that the Cummins is, but not terrible either..   The fact the for once GM didn;t design the diesel engine is a big plus!
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Turbinepowered on July 16, 2009, 11:42:51 pm
All of the newest diesels offered (6.4, 6.7, and 6.9(?) Ford, Dodge and GM respectively, I think) are crap. Over emissions strangled, overpowered, and suck fuel down like it's free.

I have no love for the 24v Cummins engines. None whatsoever any longer. The 12v was a much better engine, but is only found in trucks sufficiently old to start showing the problems of years of accumulated abuse. The engine may be willing, but the body will not be; Dodges don't last long anymore.

The 7.3 Powerstroke in the '01 F250 has been fabulously reliable. Two replaced sensors under warranty (coolant temp and fuel temp(?)) within the first year. One failed POS starter. 200k miles on it and it's not even meticulously maintained. Oil changes are when it can be afforded (15 quarts, ouch!), fuel is whatever can be found (I try to use B20), and has consistently returned 18mpg no matter what conditions we put her through: city, highway, loaded, empty, overloaded... it does drop off rather sharply when you go over 70mph, however. I think that's a gearing issue though, it climbs above 2400 RPM when you're cruising at that speed.

Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Turbinepowered on July 16, 2009, 11:55:51 pm
15 Quarts of oil...   :o ;D

Yeah, fifteen quarts of Rotella 15w-40 synthetic and an oil filter the size of my freaking head. Shops were charging $110 to do oil changes.

I started doing them at the house, now they cost roughly $80 (Fuel and air filters, too. :D Especially once I started running the Bio-D)
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: maxfax on July 17, 2009, 02:43:53 am
All of the newest diesels offered (6.4, 6.7, and 6.9(?) Ford, Dodge and GM respectively, I think) are crap. Over emissions strangled, overpowered, and suck fuel down like it's free.


Amen!!   
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: rabbitman on July 17, 2009, 03:27:32 am
I know a family with three dodge cummins, all have over 200k miles....one might even be over 300k. they're ranchers so they're pretty hard on 'em too. Two of them are modded for towing, one quite a bit.
The body's aren't too bad yet either. I like the coil spring front end they have, rides nice and is still tough.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: drrtybyl on July 17, 2009, 12:06:07 pm
Thanks for all of the opinions and insight.. It's too bad Ford or Dodge never made something the size of the F150 with a diesel -- large enough to tow big loads but small enough to get really good mileage.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Turbinepowered on July 17, 2009, 12:52:20 pm
Thanks for all of the opinions and insight.. It's too bad Ford or Dodge never made something the size of the F150 with a diesel -- large enough to tow big loads but small enough to get really good mileage.

Ford has been waffling on offering the F150 with a 4L diesel V8 for the past decade... They were revved up to go with it when gas was $4/gallon, then when the price of oil crashed again they scrapped the plans once more.  ::) :(
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Turbinepowered on July 17, 2009, 12:58:09 pm
Also, with respect to the Cummins in a Ford being the best... nah. Gotta go with a Caterpillar to get the best combo. :D

Drove a mid-nineties F250 with a flatbed and a Caterpillar 6-cylinder under the hood. That was pure torque, my friend. All mechanically controlled like the 12v Cummins, but putting it into the truck was simply a matter of sourcing an F450 transmission and engine supports. Caterpillar engines are an option once you climb past the F350.

There's an ancient Ford-based flatbed tow truck around here that has a two stroke V8 Detroit in it... Loud, obnoxious, and copiously powerful. Leaks more oil than an aircooled VW. :D
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: bajacalal on July 17, 2009, 06:07:38 pm
Drove a mid-nineties F250 with a flatbed and a Caterpillar 6-cylinder under the hood. That was pure torque, my friend. All mechanically controlled like the 12v Cummins, but putting it into the truck was simply a matter of sourcing an F450 transmission and engine supports. Caterpillar engines are an option once you climb past the F350.

I WANT ONE!!! Have any photos?

Was it a 7 speed trans? I've also seen GM medium size trucks (5 ton?) with a DD. 6v-something I think... Of course some old Fords (L series I think) had 6bts.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Turbinepowered on July 17, 2009, 07:18:54 pm
I WANT ONE!!! Have any photos?

Was it a 7 speed trans? I've also seen GM medium size trucks (5 ton?) with a DD. 6v-something I think... Of course some old Fords (L series I think) had 6bts.

Might have pics of a swap in progress before too horribly long. Coworker of mine wants to do the Caterpillar swap in his '95 flatbed F250. :D

I believe it was a seven speed, too, it was a while ago so memory's spotty.

Detroits didn't start the V configuration until they hit the 8 cylinder models, so if it was a V it was probably an 8v71 or 8v92; could have been a 6-71 or a 6-92, as well, as an inline six.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: diesel smoke on July 17, 2009, 11:26:58 pm
Pre common rail Cummins. My dad has a 24V '02 Cummins with over 300 000Km and aside from a water pump, a clutch slave cylinder and regular maintenance. It has never missed a beat. There is also a guy in my home town a '03 Cummins, it hasn't had anything big fail either. He also has a 12V with 1.2 million Km on it, and another with 600 000Km.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: bajacalal on July 18, 2009, 12:43:26 am
Turbinepowered, do you know which CAT engine was used? I'm curious as to what size came in a 90s 2.5+ ton Ford truck. Also, now you have me scratching my head. I thought there was a 6v71 and a bigger v6 too. And they had inline engines with the same displacement per cylinder. I thought the "71" engines went all the way from 1 cylinder to 20-something in every V and inline configuration imaginable.

That would be the best of both worlds for me: my little VW diesel for running around and a big 3/4 ton 4x4 with a real deal truck engine for big jobs. I do have a need for both...

drrtybyl, the F150 is not enough truck to tow big loads (you're thinking a 4 horse trailer). Have you ever had a trailer push your truck around on the highway? Have you ever had a trailer that keeps going after the truck has stopped? I have (was young and dumb) it's not something I wish to repeat.

What I would like to see more, is those trucks like the Isuzu NPR. They can handle big loads but the engines are small enough to get good mileage with the right gearing. I live in a small town in SoCal where raising animals is very popular, it's big time horse country. Usually you see F-series or Dodges with a few oddities like an International for a tow vehicle.

Everybody else, I totally agree that the big 3 went the wrong direction with diesel engines by catering to the "bigger = better" crowd. The new diesels are all too complicated (new Fords don't like Mexican not-ULSD diesel, a lot of people involved with Baja offroad races are pissed) too powerful, too uneconomical and too fancy. Come on, people, it's a work truck. They catered to the crowd that hands over $60,000 and tows a gooseneck on the interstate at 90 mph in the fast lane (which is illegal, dangerous and totally irresponsible).

I have actually been looking to buy a 1st generation 3/4 Dodge cummins. I like the look of these better than the Fords even though the F-series is supposedly more durable. I also like the simplicity of a leaf springed, live axle front suspension (on a truck, not a car).
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: drrtybyl on July 18, 2009, 01:52:32 am
drrtybyl, the F150 is not enough truck to tow big loads (you're thinking a 4 horse trailer). Have you ever had a trailer push your truck around on the highway? Have you ever had a trailer that keeps going after the truck has stopped? I have (was young and dumb) it's not something I wish to repeat.
You're right -- it would most likely be hauling 1 or 2 horses.. 4 horse trailer would be an absolute max load.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Turbinepowered on July 18, 2009, 02:40:34 am
Turbinepowered, do you know which CAT engine was used? I'm curious as to what size came in a 90s 2.5+ ton Ford truck. Also, now you have me scratching my head. I thought there was a 6v71 and a bigger v6 too. And they had inline engines with the same displacement per cylinder. I thought the "71" engines went all the way from 1 cylinder to 20-something in every V and inline configuration imaginable.

Believe me, I've hunted for a 6v detroit simply because I wanted a V6 diesel and two-stroke would have been awesome.

Detroit's naming scheme was (number of cylinders) (V for V engine, - for inline) (Cubic Inches Per Cylinder). So a 1-71 was a single-cylinder 71cid two-stroke, while an 8v92 was a V8 with 92cid per cylinder.

You could get 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 cylinder engines only in an inline configuration. Beyond that there were 8, 10, 12, 16, and 24 cylinder versions, available either as inline or v configurations. 71 and 92 were the common per-cylinder displacements, with 124 (or maybe 128?) being the big mother engine available.

I'd love a 4v71, too... but they didn't make those either. :(

I'm looking for my pics of the Cat-in-F250 swap. Tim (my coworker) wants to put a 3126 in his Ford. Big engine...  I believe it's also called a C7? 7.2L of inline six Caterpillar diesel if that's the case...
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Patrick on July 18, 2009, 07:51:49 am
Pretty sure that DD made a 6V53 and and a 6V71, I know they made a 6V92. Have seen a 2 53 (inline) and a 4 53 (inline) as well as a 3V71 in an early 70's chev pickup (homebuild)

Doesn't take a lot of horsepower to pull a big trailer, it takes torque.
My homebuilt truck is a 1988 4 door GMC  2500 longbox. Has a 354 Perkins out of a mid 60's Dodge pd600, no turbo, rated at 120 horses at 2800 rpm. Max rpm is 3150 from the factory, max torque is 375. Pulled a 4 horse gooseneck with a big changeroom 31 feet long for years, now pull a 2 horse with a small changeroom.
Got a call last weekend from a freind who broke down, went and collected his 3 axle gooseneck trailer that had 2 tractors on the deck  (4 or 5 ton load plus 2 ton of trailer) and had no trouble running whatever speed I wanted.  Doesn't accelerate fast, but has all kinds of pull and gets just shy of 30 mpg empty and 20 mpg pulling a big load. Go for torque if you're pulling, not horsepower.  I'd go Cummins 12 valve next time, but I'm happy with what I've got.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Turbinepowered on July 18, 2009, 06:07:37 pm
Pretty sure that DD made a 6V53 and and a 6V71, I know they made a 6V92. Have seen a 2 53 (inline) and a 4 53 (inline) as well as a 3V71 in an early 70's chev pickup (homebuild)

A 3V71? As in a v 3 two stroke diesel? Two cylinders on one side and one on the other bank?

I will concede the 6v92; I pulled out my series 92 service manual and it does indeed indicate a 6v92 was built. I now want one, and Tim may well put one in his truck instead of the 3126 Caterpillar. :D
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Patrick on July 19, 2009, 09:00:12 am
Pretty sure that DD made a 6V53 and and a 6V71, I know they made a 6V92. Have seen a 2 53 (inline) and a 4 53 (inline) as well as a 3V71 in an early 70's chev pickup (homebuild)

A 3V71? As in a v 3 two stroke diesel? Two cylinders on one side and one on the other bank?

I will concede the 6v92; I pulled out my series 92 service manual and it does indeed indicate a 6v92 was built. I now want one, and Tim may well put one in his truck instead of the 3126 Caterpillar. :D
Sorry, I got ahead of myself, it was an inline 3 71.......  The 6V92 is pretty big and heavy for a small truck. New a guy that had one rated at 350 hp in an old Astro cabover, pulled a 3 axle dump, 115,000 gross wieght. I think you'll be happier trying to mount/carry something a little smaller.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Turbinepowered on July 19, 2009, 05:48:05 pm
Sorry, I got ahead of myself, it was an inline 3 71.......  The 6V92 is pretty big and heavy for a small truck. New a guy that had one rated at 350 hp in an old Astro cabover, pulled a 3 axle dump, 115,000 gross wieght. I think you'll be happier trying to mount/carry something a little smaller.

The 3126 isn't precisely a light engine either, at 1500 pounds (only 500 lighter than the 6v92). The 6v53 would probably be more than adequate, too, and is about the same weight as the 3126. Smaller, too. :p
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: OM617 on July 20, 2009, 07:00:38 am
71 and 92 were the common per-cylinder displacements, with 124 (or maybe 128?) being the big mother engine available.

149.

How about a 1600hp 39.1L 16V149?

(http://www.kitmondo.com/images/listing/16v149%20002.jpg)

Might be a tad heavy for a pickup.

15 Quarts of oil...   :o ;D
Only 15 quarts? The semis I work on take 10 gallons. The engine pictured above holds 50 gallons.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Turbinepowered on July 20, 2009, 08:26:37 am
15 Quarts of oil...   :o ;D
Only 15 quarts? The semis I work on take 10 gallons. The engine pictured above holds 50 gallons.

Explains the four oil filters, mmm? At least I'm guessing that's what the big orange things on the bottom are.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: catlin_cava on July 21, 2009, 01:28:04 am
71 and 92 were the common per-cylinder displacements, with 124 (or maybe 128?) being the big mother engine available.

149.

How about a 1600hp 39.1L 16V149?

(http://www.kitmondo.com/images/listing/16v149%20002.jpg)

Might be a tad heavy for a pickup.

15 Quarts of oil...   :o ;D
Only 15 quarts? The semis I work on take 10 gallons. The engine pictured above holds 50 gallons.

I found the diesel i'm going to put in my jetta ;D
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Patrick on July 21, 2009, 06:13:44 am
Quote
How about a 1600hp 39.1L 16V149?



Biggest one I saw on a tour of the plant was a 20V149. Coolest was a PAIR of 24V71's (on left rotation, one right) being built for some shiek's boat. Bright red with lots of chrome. Neat!

Another option. Once saw a small cat V8  (1066?) that looked like the size of a V8 in a car, not sure of the displacement. Was not as big as a 3208.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: bajacalal on July 23, 2009, 12:55:48 pm
Turbinepowered,

This guy has pics of a 6V53T in an old Ford pickup, but I think the swap was done when the truck was new! Its in your part of the country too:
http://community.webshots.com/user/Grigg3 (http://community.webshots.com/user/Grigg3)
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: rabbitman on July 23, 2009, 02:37:45 pm
71 and 92 were the common per-cylinder displacements, with 124 (or maybe 128?) being the big mother engine available.

149.

How about a 1600hp 39.1L 16V149?

(http://www.kitmondo.com/images/listing/16v149%20002.jpg)

Might be a tad heavy for a pickup.


I found the diesel i'm going to put in my jetta ;D


More like ON your jetta :D
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Turbinepowered on July 23, 2009, 03:07:25 pm
Turbinepowered,

This guy has pics of a 6V53T in an old Ford pickup, but I think the swap was done when the truck was new! Its in your part of the country too:
http://community.webshots.com/user/Grigg3 (http://community.webshots.com/user/Grigg3)

Sweeeeeeeeet. Looks like it fits; granted that's a '61 Ford F350 rather than a '95 F250, but it looks like there's plenty of space to play with. We can always beef springs to handle the weight, there's already a 5k pound iron flatbed on the back to balance it out. :D
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on September 04, 2009, 01:55:52 pm
so many of you guys dont like GM products... why?
my dad has an 06 Duramax with over 220k miles on it. the only things it has had wrong with it, was a leaky trans cooler line, and a glow plug went out. both were covered by the warranty. other than that it has just had the fluids changed regularly and been loved. same with all the other duramaxes in my family, except those ones are not loved and cared for like our rigs are.

and on another note, that was a GREAT design to mount the friggen oil filters up side down on those big detroits.  >:(
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: bajacalal on September 11, 2009, 12:49:29 am
I've hated  GM since I was 16. I don't know exactly why, maybe there stuff is too mainstream for me, maybe it's the fact that the first car I ever owned was a first generation S10 with that 2.8 liter v6 (had the acceleration of a VW NA diesel with the fuel economy of a small block v8) and leaked/burned 1 quart of oil for every tank of gas used. It also developed a new electrical problem every month. Anyway, that truck was abused so maybe it's not GM's fault but it soured me on GM products.

Then there's the fact that they've become Government Motors which irks me because I think an American car company should at least be able to dominate the competition in their own home market (please no debates right now about what is and what isn't American or foreign).

I think the Duramax is a good engine but I dislike the rest of the truck. I don't like the front suspension they are with their heavy duty line of pickups. I know the general trend has been in that direction of independent front suspension but it's not what you want in an heavy load/towing/offroad situation IMHO.

Like I said, best truck = 1987-1997 Ford. Best engine = 12 valve Cummins 6bt. Luckily, this combo is a viable option and is relatively common.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on September 11, 2009, 01:11:59 pm
late 80s GM 3/4 or 1 ton pickup somethin like an 85

                     with

either a duramax, or a Cummins 12v

i just dont like how the front ends dont last under the fords, unless you get a 1 ton with a D60 in the front. then ya got er dick'd.

and im not trying to start a feud on what truck is best with what engine, im just stating thats what i would do. a fummins is too main stream. everyone and there brother has one now. who do you see driving around old chevs with a cummins or a d-max swap in them? not many... sure the d-max adds alot of electronics and other stuff the cummins doesnt have, but the isuzu is so quiet and POWERFUL.

and as for the S10 you were talking about, i love GM products, but i can not stand an S series vehicle or many GM vehicles manufactured after 1987. S10's were the biggest abortions ever. the cranks broke, the front ends fell out of all of them, and the transmission/TC/drivetrain was garbage also. and i think thats probably how the front ends under the duramax's will be too. you cant put a huge diesel over an independant suspension system and expect it to live as long as a dana 60. honestly i think that would have been a better answer, use a tough straight axle under the front.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: 8v-of-fury on September 15, 2009, 01:52:30 am
You guys know what I want to do? put a Detroit in my '67 Cougar ;P

what would be best matched do you think? inline 6? v6? V8 :O (that would be so bad ass) maybe a 6v92? Exist?
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: 8v-of-fury on September 15, 2009, 02:49:40 am
what does 6v53T mean? v6 with 53ci cylinders.. what does the T stand for?
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: 8v-of-fury on September 15, 2009, 12:48:19 pm
so apparently a 6v53 is friggggan huggggggggge;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whXagelxg-8&feature=related
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: 8v-of-fury on September 15, 2009, 01:04:17 pm
4-53's are HUGE AS WELL!

Wow I just found a new love! lol
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on September 15, 2009, 02:51:59 pm
they made 2-53's and 3-53's as well. they made them in the 71 series too.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Turbinepowered on September 15, 2009, 08:57:45 pm
what does 6v53T mean? v6 with 53ci cylinders.. what does the T stand for?

6v53T is a six cylinder two-stroke Detroit diesel, 53cid per cylinder, with a turbocharger. And yes, they're enormous. ~1700#, according to what information I've been able to find, 223hp @2500RPM. A 4-53T (no v engines with fewer than six cylinders. :( I so want a 4v53t) would have stock 175hp @ 2500, and weigh 1300# apparently.

3-71: 113hp @ 2100, 1500#.

They're all freaking enormous dimensionally, too. 6v53T apparently measures 39"x37"x41" LxWxH. Little bit bigger than your average V8, and much heavier.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Pat Dolan on November 08, 2009, 10:04:08 pm
We seemed to have lost Drrtybyl, but it would be nice to know the price range.

Let's start with the towing requirement, and the desire to have a small pickup for mileage.  An F150, C/K10 or D100 is EXACTLY the same size as an OLDER F350 (chagned with the StupidDuty), C/K30 or D300/0.  You can have a reasonable size truck AND good mileage by sticking with the '90s versions of these trucks in one ton, single wheel format.  Once you get to the one ton size, it can easily be fitted out as a decent tow vehicle.  I set up an '03 Dodge 3500 for my best bud, single wheel, put on 19.5 forged alloys (Rickson) and run 225-75 10 ply rubber.  You can stiffen the back end up with air bags, and run really good shocks (Billstein).  Amongst several other things, it pulls a four horse trailer quite well.

If towing is the real deal, though, it is impossible to beat a REAL TRUCK rather than idiotic little toys.  IHC, Freightliner, etc. make perfect mid-size, "lo-pro" vocational vehicles (in 2WD only, or I would have one instead of an F450).  These things have real axles, brakes, transmissions and most of all ENGINES.  Instead of crowing about the miracle of 200k, you think more in terms of million mile life.  Believe me, I tow heavy with one of the "big 3" POS, and it costs a LOT more than my class 8 semi to keep on the road (and not much different in mileage).  There are also Japanese alternatives (cabovers from GM/Isuzu, Mistu, Hino, etc.) but they tend to be a bit light on the horsepower end.  If you are into really exotic stuff, I have a D220 Iveco (sold in the US in the late 80s or so) that I have pulled big loads with.  At 120 HP, not much happens in a hurry, but the fuel economy and reliability are awesome.  There are still a few around, and they are still supported by the factory (Fiat).

Finally, there is the business of engine swaps.  While it might seem neat having a GM two cycle under the hood, if you ever put fuel in one, or listened to the racket running down the road, you would realize that they are not in any way useable these days.  They are also EXTREMELY heavy.  We used to bring in Japanese diesels in the days before there was much else around, and my absolute favourite conversion was 6D14T in F350 (starts at the rad, ends at the dash, requires raising the cab off of the frame - but HOLY SHEEP SHYTE BATMAN, DO THEY EVER PULL!!).  6BD1 Isuzu is another one that really belongs under a daily driver hood (it is a lot smaller and lighter than the big Mits, but still very powerful and genuinely commercial in reliability).  But, these days, I would have to question why anyone would swap in any engine except the Cummins 6 bangers.  They are so cheap, easy to find, and fantastically supported by the aftermarket, there just isn't anything better around.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on November 10, 2009, 11:13:40 am
what do you think of the chevy pickups? the newer 1 ton duramax/allison trucks?

im going on from what ive seen. my dads 06 chevy d-max has over 250k miles, the only things that have gone wrong in its life, was one of the trans cooler lines developed a small leak up by the radiator, and that was covered by warranty. the other thing was it needed #5 glow plug. other than that, its just had its normal maintenance and love. runs like the day he bought it.

i can not say such good things for the newer fords and dodges tho. my brothers 2005 F250 is on its 16th transmission. it needed a new trans before he had 5000 miles on it. all his u joints went out before he had 60k miles on it. he has already had to rebuild the front end. and were talking this truck has under 150k mi on it. hes on his 3rd or 4th turbo also. its also had a couple different sets of head gaskets.

and as for cummins engines, the 12v engines are spectacular, and anything based from it. i cant say much for the newer more complicated cummins engines tho. one of my buddies called my dad from canada the other day with an exploded cummins. wanted a tow back to the states, as hes 1600 miles from home.

not saying chevy or dodge or ford is better, im just going by what i see around me.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Turbinepowered on November 11, 2009, 04:20:04 am
what do you think of the chevy pickups? the newer 1 ton duramax/allison trucks?

im going on from what ive seen. my dads 06 chevy d-max has over 250k miles, the only things that have gone wrong in its life, was one of the trans cooler lines developed a small leak up by the radiator, and that was covered by warranty. the other thing was it needed #5 glow plug. other than that, its just had its normal maintenance and love. runs like the day he bought it.

Wow, 80k+ per year? Thassalotta miles.  :o

So he's doing a set of nozzles every two years? :D

It's about time to do injectors on the Great White Whale ('01 F250, 7.3L). It's starting to smoke when you get on the go-pedal and start a little harder on cold mornings. Figure a fresh set of nozzles and a check of the glow plugs would cure both of those woes. But at $160 apiece, x8... Ouch.  :(
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on November 11, 2009, 10:48:22 am
nozzles every 2 years? why change your nozzles when you take such good care of the fuel system? there hasnt been a drop of regular diesel in that truck. it always gets lucas fuel treatment or something good dumped in every time he fills up. none of the injectors sound louder than other ones like most. you know, when you can hear one injector firing alot better than the other ones? anyways, what about injector nozzles now? truck still runs like the day he bought it. he does alot of cross country towing with it. thats where all the miles come from..
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Turbinepowered on November 11, 2009, 07:38:13 pm
nozzles every 2 years? why change your nozzles when you take such good care of the fuel system? there hasnt been a drop of regular diesel in that truck. it always gets lucas fuel treatment or something good dumped in every time he fills up. none of the injectors sound louder than other ones like most. you know, when you can hear one injector firing alot better than the other ones? anyways, what about injector nozzles now? truck still runs like the day he bought it. he does alot of cross country towing with it. thats where all the miles come from..

Mmmm, guess all highway miles would be easier on the injection system, but I know in the PM schedule on the Ford they're supposed to be replaced every 75k or so miles. Even without running D2 through them, they're still wearing and eroding, and there are particles in biodiesel as well.

With the older pintle-type nozzles (not sure what an '06 D-max uses, probably piezos?) you also have to look at the wear from the pintle slamming back into its seat several thousand times a minute during cruising operation.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on November 16, 2009, 11:03:12 am
yea, in late 05 they went to piezo injectors. i dont know how they work, but they work good. dads truck doesnt have any loud injectors or anything.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Turbinepowered on November 16, 2009, 04:02:47 pm
yea, in late 05 they went to piezo injectors. i dont know how they work, but they work good. dads truck doesnt have any loud injectors or anything.

I can explain how they work if you want. :D It amounts to what is essentially electrical and materials engineering voodoo, though.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on November 17, 2009, 10:56:49 am
yea, in late 05 they went to piezo injectors. i dont know how they work, but they work good. dads truck doesnt have any loud injectors or anything.

I can explain how they work if you want. :D It amounts to what is essentially electrical and materials engineering voodoo, though.

yes, could you please elaborate?
Title: Best Non Caddy Diesel Truck Available in the US
Post by: expanty09 on December 30, 2009, 11:34:21 am
Whats the best non-Nintendo console? Whats the worst?

I think the Playstation 2 is still the best non-Nintendo console, but Im not sure what the worst would be. Maybe the original X-Box?
Title: Re: Best Non Caddy Diesel Truck Available in the US
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on December 30, 2009, 05:55:04 pm
Whats the best non-Nintendo console? Whats the worst?

I think the Playstation 2 is still the best non-Nintendo console, but Im not sure what the worst would be. Maybe the original X-Box?

i think the best non-nintendo game console ever is the turbo diesel powered one that billows black smoke.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: dennis on January 13, 2010, 11:51:05 am

Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US? A stretched Caddy with just a bit more leg room.
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: 8v-of-fury on January 13, 2010, 01:34:11 pm
Whats the best non-Nintendo console? Whats the worst?

I think the Playstation 2 is still the best non-Nintendo console, but Im not sure what the worst would be. Maybe the original X-Box?

Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US? A stretched Caddy with just a bit more leg room.

Neither of these entries count :P  ;)

Best non caddy diesel.. 1987 Ford F-350, Quad cab, 8ft box, DUALLY, 5 speed, 6.9 turbocharged IDI  ;D that thing hauled it all..
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: catlin_cava on January 13, 2010, 06:23:22 pm
2004 Chevy C4500 6.6 Duramax 6 speed,
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on January 14, 2010, 01:05:24 pm
2004 Chevy C4500 6.6 Duramax 6 speed,

2005.5 and 2006 had a better engine... that was the only years of the LBZ. then they re designed it and called it an LMM and it had all sorts of emissions garbage on it. probably not in the heavy duty trucks tho, but everything has emissions crap on it now..
Title: Re: Best (Non-Caddy) Diesel Truck Available in the US?
Post by: catlin_cava on January 14, 2010, 04:46:50 pm
2004 Chevy C4500 6.6 Duramax 6 speed,

2005.5 and 2006 had a better engine... that was the only years of the LBZ. then they re designed it and called it an LMM and it had all sorts of emissions garbage on it. probably not in the heavy duty trucks tho, but everything has emissions crap on it now..

Emissions systems? when I'm booting it....You can see it there is a trail of black behind me. Our Peterbilt is the same thing, steady streams of smoke....Real Trucks lol