Replies

1. 
   caseyr | Jun 18, 2004 08:10am | #1

   The diesel truck craze is somewhat of a recent phenomena.  I think that they didn't really produce that many diesel pickups early on.  I bought a 1994 Chevrolet 6.5 diesel pickup last year for $5000.  It was high mileage (over 200K) but pretty clean.  From 1994 on, 6.5 Chevy diesels have used an electronic injection pump, a part of which has given some users problems.  Prior to 1994, a mechanical injection pump was used which a number of users swear by and some owners of later pickups have converted back to this type of injection pump.  Before the 6.5L, the Chevy and GMC diesels were 6.2L and were basically the same as the 6.5L with the mechanical injection pump.  Prior to the 6.2L, I don't remember what it was...

   The general buzz I hear is that Chevy (and GMC) diesels tend to be the most refined and get the best fuel mileage whereas the Cummins (Dodge) makes the most power (but doesn't get as good of mileage). 

   There are discussion groups for Chevy, Dodge, and Ford diesels.  For Chevy and GMC, it is:

   http://forum.thedieselpage.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

   Do a search on 6.5L diesel discussion, Cummins discussion, Dodge diesel discussion, Ford diesel discussion, etc., and you should find lots of information. 

2. 
   IMERC | Jun 18, 2004 08:30am | #2

   NOT A FORD.............

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming....

                                                                      WOW!!!   What a Ride!
   

3. 
   caseyr | Jun 18, 2004 08:42am | #3

   Oh, and if you want my opinion on the BEST diesel truck - I would nominate the Mercedes Benz Diesel Unimog:

   http://www.eurotruck-importers.com/dieselmogs.htm

   http://decker.colorado.edu/Fasick/Unimog/

1. 
   PhillGiles | Jun 18, 2004 04:50pm | #5

   Great fun, especially in the rough going, but a smaller Hino is a much better paved road vehicle..

   Phill Giles

   The Unionville Woodwright

   Unionville, Ontario

1. 
   brownbagg | Jun 18, 2004 11:10pm | #6

   we got 14 ford diesel 4wd at work, so far no problem

4. 
   kostello | Jun 18, 2004 10:06am | #4

   you should be able to run it on veggie oil without any mods.

   you need to let the oit settle and then strin it and add 3%(i think) paint thinners.

   my uncle has been doing it in his fiat for years. the only trouble he had was when he didn't strain it and got a french fry stuck in the fuel pipe!!!!

5. 
   caseyr | Jun 19, 2004 04:15am | #7

   If you want to go older and smaller then Toyota, Nissan, and Isuzu imported compact diesel trucks in the mid-80s.  Toyota imported three diesels engines: 1L, 2L, and 2LT - the latter being a turbo charged diesel.  The 1L was 2.2 liters and the 2L and 2LT were 2.4.  None of these are going to win drag races.  The 2LT comes in at 86hp and 139lb ft of torque while the gasoline engine of that vintage was 105 hp and 136 lb ft for the carburetted engine and a bit more for the fuel injected one.  A few of these trucks are available on the used market and tend to bring a premium over the gasoline equivalent.  I would guess a 1984 diesel Toyota could be found for just around or over $2000. 

   Some enthusiasts have been importing 2.8 liter turbo diesel engines from Japan which reportedly fit right into the engine bay on these earlier trucks.  The used engines run around $2000 on up, however, and parts aren't generally availble in the U.S.

   I forgot to mention that most of the later Chevy, Dodge, and Ford diesels are turbo diesels, including my 1994.  Most of the earlier models did not come with turbos and the turbo definiately makes a marked different in performance.  Of course, an after market turbo can generally be added. 

1. 
   brownbagg | Jun 19, 2004 05:22am | #8

   I would love to have a small toyota diesel, just cannot be found around here.

1. 
   caseyr | Jun 19, 2004 05:50am | #9

   There is one for sale in Louisiana for $2500, rebuilt engine but rusty pickup bed reportedly

   http://www.toyotadiesel.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=311

6. 
   sawdustmaker | Jun 19, 2004 04:52pm | #10

   My buddy just got a Chevy with the Duramax diesel. I believe it's made by Mitsubishi. Great motor, and quiet. Performance is great, too. When you drive it, noise level in the cab and performance is close to a gasoline motor.

1. 
   caseyr | Jun 21, 2004 07:38pm | #14

   My buddy just got a Chevy with the Duramax diesel. I believe it's made by Mitsubishi.

   The Duramax was designed in conjunction with Isuzu, which seems to have emerged as one of the leaders in diesel design.  As far as I know, the all Duramax engines are manufacturered by General Motors in Moraine, Ohio.

   http://www.62-65-dieselpage.com/news9.htm

7. 
   ponytl | Jun 19, 2004 06:49pm | #11

   anything i can get in diesel vs gas i get it... bobcats,,, trucks... rv's... even smaller equipment... gas prices are  going down around here ($1.69 i saw yesterday) but diesel never went above that and i got it for $1.58 yesterday...

   that being said... older truck...

   I'd go with a ford late 80's early 90's  with the 7.3 intetnational  nomally asperated (non turbo) they are all mechanical  no electronics and run forever... my everyday truck is a well kept 92 f350 extended cab loaded everything but leather... cleans up well enough to use for anything but i can still pull trailers full of equipment... i got it used with 120,000 miles about 2yrs ago for 6k now has about 160,000 miles  i've put front brake pads... and front tires on it... and a new belt... change the oil every 3-4k and she drives great... i'd go anywhere in it... i have 2 others pretty much like it... and would buy another if i needed it... very little to go wrong ... the autos trans are a little weak on these "AEO40's i think" ... but i haven't had the problems others seem to have...  just my 2cents... but it looks as good and drives as well as all my friends 50,000.00 trucks and i don't worry about mine or pay'n notes

   now sit'n in my back yard (wife not real happy about it) is the only truck i purchased new... a 1981 datsun king cab diesel std shift... i think it has about 70,000 miles on it.. i know it needs tires, a battery... and whatever else u need when a truck has sit for over 6 yrs... i do go put a battery to it and turn it over maybe 2x a year...  i'd make someone a deal on... it got an honest 40+ mpg on the  hwy and i once pulled a 35ft houseboat with it (another story)... i'd love someone to have it... it's start'n to get rusty fome be'n parked on dirt... and i can't think of a use for the engine & trans and don't have time for another project... 

   i started out with nothing... and have most of it left

   Pony

1. 
   brownbagg | Jun 19, 2004 07:15pm | #12

   where you at

8. 
   maverick | Jun 19, 2004 08:42pm | #13

   ford diesel has way more power than chevy. Chevy is much quieter.

   My neighbor bought a chevy diesel. He has to go up a big hill to get home. Had to down shift 3 times pulling his trailor. He bought a ford and could get it going faster as he went up. Proof enough for me.

   I bought a '99 ford 7.3 liter turbo diesel. Its not the fastest thing on the road but I catch everyone on the hills. 18 MPG always. I have had too many other problems with the truck (suspension, rear end) but I still like it.

   Dont know about dodge. all I know is my brother bought a 3/4 ton dodge and sued for his money back and won every penny, even with 23,000 miles on it.

9. 
   MalibuJim | Jun 22, 2004 12:05am | #15

   I have a '96 F250 with the 7.3 L Powerstroke made by International.  With over 128K miles I have never had a problem (large or small) with the engine. 

   Jim