I have been driving a diesel pickup for the last 12 yrs. Have had two in that time. About 6-7 years ago I bought a little car to drive to work. Because of this I only average 4 to 5000 miles a years on the truck. I am looking to buy brand new and cannot justify the cost of a diesel to only pull the gooseneck a couple times per year taking the antique tractors to local shows and plow days. Other than that pull the 32' camper 7-8 times per year. Of the miles I put on probably 1000 or less each year are towing. The rest is empty local driving or hauling a load of firewood home from time to time. Current truck is 04 Ford and am looking at new ford with 6.2 gas. Anybody else changed back to gas after years of running diesel? Any thoughts? Anybody know anything about the 6.2 liter Ford? I realize this has probably been discussed before but I am using my phone and could not do a search. Thanks in advance.
- Thread starter hadley
- Start date
I did this a couple years ago. Last had
a 6.0 ford went to a 6.8 v10. I gave up
.5 mpg between the two. Same trailer
and load. Recently did a 100k tune up
for less than the cost of 1 injector in
the diesel.
If you go to a 2017 ford do pay
attention as there will be some
different transmission options with the
6.2
a 6.0 ford went to a 6.8 v10. I gave up
.5 mpg between the two. Same trailer
and load. Recently did a 100k tune up
for less than the cost of 1 injector in
the diesel.
If you go to a 2017 ford do pay
attention as there will be some
different transmission options with the
6.2
Geo-TH,In
Well-known Member
You need to research issues ford has had in the past concerning spark plugs. I think some YT members posted spark plug issues too, not totally sure what engines. Do more research.
Ford spark plug issues
Ford spark plug issues
Steve@Advance
Well-known Member
We've got a couple of F350's here at work. One is a 06, 6.0, the other is a 08, 6.4. They are mostly driven for personnel use, driven very conservatively, occasional light hauling, both in the 200,000-250,000 mile range.
Looking back at the history of the cost to keep these trucks running, my un-asked for opinion, they are money pits! Both are now near ready to be traded in. Both are facing more major repairs.
I don't make the decisions, but personally I would have gone back to gas many thousands of dollars ago!
Looking back at the history of the cost to keep these trucks running, my un-asked for opinion, they are money pits! Both are now near ready to be traded in. Both are facing more major repairs.
I don't make the decisions, but personally I would have gone back to gas many thousands of dollars ago!
BarnyardEngineering
Well-known Member
- Location
- Rochester, NY
The spark plug issues are with the old Triton V8 and V10 engines.
From what I've seen the new 6.2L is nothing but a home run. Powerful, reliable. Have not read a single complaint about the engine yet on the forums I frequent.
From what I've seen the new 6.2L is nothing but a home run. Powerful, reliable. Have not read a single complaint about the engine yet on the forums I frequent.
Mike Groom
Well-known Member
I've had 3 Cummins diesels and have not had any engine problems,the last one I had for 10 years,any problems I had were with suspension and if you go
with a 3/4 ton you will have the same driveline so changing to gas isn't a big savings,I have always gotten a good trade in from a diesel truck so I
would tend to keep it unless it is nickel and dimeing you.Also I have towed with a gas truck before and it makes a big difference when you're used to
diesel.
with a 3/4 ton you will have the same driveline so changing to gas isn't a big savings,I have always gotten a good trade in from a diesel truck so I
would tend to keep it unless it is nickel and dimeing you.Also I have towed with a gas truck before and it makes a big difference when you're used to
diesel.
When I looks as the history of the customer base we have at a new car dealer
there isn't 10% of our customers who can justify a Diesel pickup. But for the
one who have they sure can pull their campers up a big hill fast on 2 weekends out
of the year. If you have the need it's OK, but most do not.
Are there any issues with your current truck? I would just keep the old truck if possible. The cost of a basic 3/4 ton gas pickup is still going to be over $40,000 new. I am doing what you do. I have a basic economy car for getting to work and running errands. I have a 2001 GMC 3/4 ton gas truck that only sees a few thousand miles per year. It keep it inside and try not to drive it when there is a lot of salt on the roads. It will last for another 20 or 30 years at the rate I am using it. I can buy two economy cars for the price of one truck. The operating cost for gas and maintenance for a small car is half the truck.
Andy Martin
Well-known Member
Well I bought a 4 wheel 2015 F-350 for $31,000 the end of 2014. 6.2L gasoline, and are very satisfied with it. Since it's a one ton the fuel economy isn't that great, but it pulls a reasonable load just fine. I average 14 mpg unloaded and 10 loaded. Couldn't pay for a diesel engine with fuel savings.
I like the six speed transmission.
I kept my 94 Cummins for a farm truck and it still starts instantly but I'm no longer going out of state with 300,000 miles on it. plus it looks like chit with all the head butting it's done with cows over the years.
I like the six speed transmission.
I kept my 94 Cummins for a farm truck and it still starts instantly but I'm no longer going out of state with 300,000 miles on it. plus it looks like chit with all the head butting it's done with cows over the years.
There are no spark plug issues with the Ford 6.2. The article you linked to has to do with the 3V 4.6, 5.4 and 6.8 engine - and if you haven't changed the plugs in those trucks switching them out to the newer one piece (been around about 10 years or so) spark plugs are the least of your worries (Ford hasn't put the 4.6 or 5.4 3V in an pickup in 6 years).
preacher man
Member
I have a 2011 Ford F250 4x4 with the 6.2 engine and I love it. Get about 15 mpg when I drive sensibly and about 7-9 when towing. Has 56k miles on it with no problems so far. Getting ready to retire soon and intend for it to last as long as I need a truck.
cant blame you if you are gonna buy a new one with def fluid ,, worst thing the govmt' ever done was mess with our truck engines ,, they use more fuel , run hotter , have argueably less power,and will computer shut down for the stupidest reason when you have no idea why the thing quit ,.. I guard my 95 cummins , it should last me for 30 more yrs ,.22 miles to the gallon with a 5 speed and positive track allows me to go where some halfazd 4 wheel drives cant .
Woodenships
New User
I switched back two years ago and couldn't be
happier. If I worked a truck hard everyday I would
have stayed with diesel but with my occasional
use,gas fit the bill nicely. 2014 6.2 ford
happier. If I worked a truck hard everyday I would
have stayed with diesel but with my occasional
use,gas fit the bill nicely. 2014 6.2 ford
My only vehicle is a 2008 F350 4wd SRW with a V10. Other than oil changes, tires and tune-up at 90,000 I have not spent a dime on it. It
gets 13 MPG on my daily trips and gets 14 on long trips. It can get as bad as 4.5 MPG if you load it heavy enough. It has plenty of power
and you can replace the entire engine for the cost of a set of injectors for the diesels. I feel like it is a no-brainer to buy gas unless
you drive many miles with heavy loads. I owned a diesel for many years but because of the cost of fuel and maintenance costs I replaced it
with a gasser.. I've not any regrets from going gas.
gets 13 MPG on my daily trips and gets 14 on long trips. It can get as bad as 4.5 MPG if you load it heavy enough. It has plenty of power
and you can replace the entire engine for the cost of a set of injectors for the diesels. I feel like it is a no-brainer to buy gas unless
you drive many miles with heavy loads. I owned a diesel for many years but because of the cost of fuel and maintenance costs I replaced it
with a gasser.. I've not any regrets from going gas.
I bought a new 2016 F250 XLT crew cab
last October. It has the 6.2 gas, 6
spd automatic and 3.73 gears. I kept
my'02 dually for when i need a diesel.
7.3 w/ 6 spd manual and 4.10. I do
not haul heavy with the 250. Maybe 16-
19k gvw. The gas will pull that load
just as fast and steady as the diesel:
just in third or fourth gear and 3500-
4000rpm. Takes some getting used to
after being used to my diesel staying
in high gear and loosing maybe 5 mph
on the same hill. I too could not
justify the diesel cost no more than i
haul heavy.
last October. It has the 6.2 gas, 6
spd automatic and 3.73 gears. I kept
my'02 dually for when i need a diesel.
7.3 w/ 6 spd manual and 4.10. I do
not haul heavy with the 250. Maybe 16-
19k gvw. The gas will pull that load
just as fast and steady as the diesel:
just in third or fourth gear and 3500-
4000rpm. Takes some getting used to
after being used to my diesel staying
in high gear and loosing maybe 5 mph
on the same hill. I too could not
justify the diesel cost no more than i
haul heavy.
Destroked 450
Well-known Member
- Location
- Harned, Ky
I have a 04 F-450 with a 12 valve Cummins conversion that I use for hauling hay and farm equipment averaging 8-10k miles a year, this should be the last truck of it's size I'll ever need.
I have an old Toyota beater for normal use and parts chasing.
If we take a trip anywhere we take the wife's gas Z71 half ton.
We also have a Dakota I use if she needs her truck.
If I had to buy a new 3/4 or 1 ton it would be a gas burner, with diesel 30-40 cents per gallon higher plus def fluid, then add an extra $12k for a diesel and heavy duty transmission, I don't see enough fuel savings to justify the cost let alone the higher maintenance cost of the newer diesels.
I sell commercial trucks for a living. Lots of professional fleets are switching to gas, it's simply up for the job. For an example, the 2017
F150 3.5 turbo motor is going to have 470 torque at 3k RPM. That's nearly in line with my 2000 F550 7.3. The SD trucks have a 6.2 and a 6
speed transmission that really does a great job. IMO the 2017 F250 is worth the wait for (you can order one now), but if you want the heavier
transmission you can get a F350 (and even get a payload downgrade package to 10k if that's a concern of yours).
That being said, the diesel trucks are awesome. They just aren't worth the cost unless you actually need them. $7k for the motor, double the
maintenance expense (based on dealer cost of prepaid maintenance out to 125k), and higher fuel cost. Also, out of warranty, it's not hard to
spend $10k on a repair (though its less common than a few years ago).
F150 3.5 turbo motor is going to have 470 torque at 3k RPM. That's nearly in line with my 2000 F550 7.3. The SD trucks have a 6.2 and a 6
speed transmission that really does a great job. IMO the 2017 F250 is worth the wait for (you can order one now), but if you want the heavier
transmission you can get a F350 (and even get a payload downgrade package to 10k if that's a concern of yours).
That being said, the diesel trucks are awesome. They just aren't worth the cost unless you actually need them. $7k for the motor, double the
maintenance expense (based on dealer cost of prepaid maintenance out to 125k), and higher fuel cost. Also, out of warranty, it's not hard to
spend $10k on a repair (though its less common than a few years ago).
Whiskey Bent
Member
I have a 2011 F-250 with the 6.2 and I love it!
rustyfarmall
Well-known Member
Take a good, hard look at what Chevrolet has to offer before you pull the trigger. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
I pull a 10,000 lb trailer once or twice a week with my 1 ton and never could justify a diesel, the numbers would just never work out, the gas is cheaper to run for my business. Currently have a Chevrolet 2004 6.0 gas with a 5 speed, not a speed demon, but does the job for me. I put about 15,000 miles a year on this rig.
Butch(OH)
Well-known Member
Add me to the list that has switched back to gas after owning diesels since they were introduced. Talking new trucks the diesels just don't pencil out any more unless you pile on a LOT of miles and pulling loads and I am not sure they pencil out then given the difference in fuel price. I manage a fairly large fleet and we switched back to gas starting in '08. We buy a diesel now and then so we have numbers to compare and keep accurate records and when everything is totaled up gas engine pick ups are cheaper to own and operate period and when miles are limited they are a LOT cheaper. My current personal truck is a 2010 F250 with the 6.8 V10. Usually dont keep one this long but have no reason to trade it. Dead reliable and cost me nothing but fuel and routine maintenance. Mileage runs from 11 to 13 running around empty and tows any load that should be hauled behind a 3/4 ton.
I like my truck. Only has 126k on it. Doesn't see any salt anymore. Hasn't seen a snowflake in 3-4 yrs. Have oiled underneath a few times and yet it still is rusting under the bed. The body seriously looks brand new. It has spent more of its life sitting in the garage than anywhere else, but the crossmembers that are part of the bed are gone and a hole has developed in the floor around the gooseneck hole. The other thing is the rearend started clicking a few months ago. Only does when you first start out. Forward or reverse. I have disconnected everything and had cover off diff and cannot find anything, beginning to think it has to be something with the posi rearend. Have made up my mind I am ready for new and thinking gas is way to go. 17's are starting to come in and dealers are beginning to discount the 16's pretty good and only going to get better. Need anther crew cab long bed 4x4. Oh one more thing. Tired of shifting gears. Out of five pickups I have owned only 1 has been automatic.
I like my truck. Only has 126k on it. Doesn't see any salt anymore. Hasn't seen a snowflake in 3-4 yrs. Have oiled underneath a few times and yet it still is rusting under the bed. The body seriously looks brand new. It has spent more of its life sitting in the garage than anywhere else, but the crossmembers that are part of the bed are gone and a hole has developed in the floor around the gooseneck hole. The other thing is the rearend started clicking a few months ago. Only does when you first start out. Forward or reverse. I have disconnected everything and had cover off diff and cannot find anything, beginning to think it has to be something with the posi rearend. Have made up my mind I am ready for new and thinking gas is way to go. 17's are starting to come in and dealers are beginning to discount the 16's pretty good and only going to get better. Need anther crew cab long bed 4x4. Oh one more thing. Tired of shifting gears. Out of five pickups I have owned only 1 has been automatic.
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
Careful you may cause an uproar and hurt some feelings. There are some people who believe that diesel is always cheaper , more power , more reliable and lower cost in every application , in every country from the days of Rudolf Diesel to the present time .
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
There are places where road salt renders a 12yr old vehicle unsafe wih a rusted through body, frame and brake lines.
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
Some Cummins engines would split the block and leak coolant .
Blackhole49
Well-known Member
- Location
- White Lake MI
Around me(MI), all the UPS dual wheel delivery trucks are gas now. They put a ton of miles on them, so something must pencil out. I don't think they would change a fleet over to loose money or time.
KCTractors
Member
- Location
- Central Wi
I went back to gas also in 2015. I had a Ford F-250 with the 6.0 Diesel. In the ten years I had it, all I did to it was to get the turbo cleaned and front rotor seized on it. Mechanic said I wasn't using it enough. I went with a 2015 GMC 2500 double-cab (not crew-cab) with 6.0 gas, 4:10 rear-end. It gets 6.5 to 9.0 mpg, depends on what trailer I pull. Bare truck, It will get 12.5 to 15 mpg. I figure about 13 mpg average.
I like the truck, but I still miss the Ford!
I like the truck, but I still miss the Ford!
Rex Simpkins
Member
Agree, Work truck is 2013 F350-- 150,000 not a problem, liked it so much I bought a 2015 just like it for my own truck. The 6.2 is an awesome engine
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