BajaNomad

Used Diesels MPG reliability buying tips

mojo_norte - 9-29-2008 at 07:42 AM

I'm shopping for used Diesel Pickups- probably late 90's given my budget. I need to haul a trailer one way all the way down from Colorado. The rest of the time it will haul an overhead camper and do misc. utility duty. Annual mileage will probably be 3000 Baja 3000 US. Up here diesels 4.50/gal so I'm wondering what MPG I can get with the various models and which have reliable drive trains and what to stay away from- tranny's etc.. Perhaps there's a good online forum on this?

boe4fun - 9-29-2008 at 09:06 AM

Last year I bought a 2005 GMC 3500 Crew Cab Long Bed with 4X4. It had less than 10K miles on it when I picked it up. When towing my 25' Alpenlite 5th wheel I manage to get 15 MPG on average. The best mileage I have yet to get was when me and my wife visited my daughter in San Diego (not pulling anything and with truck only loaded with suitcases and us). We got an amazing 24.4 MPG on average between Norwalk and S.D.!! Of course, I drive at around 57 MPH, and have found this to be about the best speed for economy. I would suggest a model year (prior to 2007) truck that will burn either LSD or ULSD, as the latter may be hard to find in Mexico for a while. Buena Suerte, Paul Boe

Dodge 24 valve six cyl.

vgabndo - 9-29-2008 at 10:49 AM

The rig below will get about 21 mpg all day long up hill and down, headwinds included. It is a 2001 with an old BullyDog chip. Otherwise it is stock. It does slightly better on the Baja highway because my average speed is probably closer to 40-45 mph.

HPIM4035.JPG - 17kB

tripledigitken - 9-29-2008 at 11:54 AM

Vag,

That is pretty impressive mileage. Do you know what the ratio of the rear end is?


Ken

Skeet/Loreto - 9-29-2008 at 12:18 PM

I have a 2002 Ford F250 Ext. Cab, 7.3 Diesel. Purchase with 35,000 Miles 4 years ago now has 89,000 or so miles. Most milage pulling n 18 Ft. Texas Roll Back Trailer converted to a Utility hauler. Now Pulls a 2 Horse Slant Horse Trailer.

Facts:No Tow running 72 Miles per hour basically flat roads ---22MPG

Towing 3200Lb. Horse Trailer 2 Horses--65MPH 16.5


I am a Light footed Driver.

Caution if you find a Ford after 2004 with the 6.0
Caution: Do not buy a Converted Chevy v8

Ideal Truck if they made them: Ford 7.3 with an Allison Transmission.

Good Luck

vgabndo - 9-29-2008 at 03:06 PM

Ken, the rear end is stock. I don't know the ratio. It runs 65 mph at about 1700 rpm. General around town driving and short 35-50 mile runs gives about 17-19 mpg. All of these are about 3-4 mpg lower with the BullyDog out of the system. The chip makes a really noticeable difference in performance and economy. I also have a very light foot, and I can really tell the difference if I don't do that. :lol:

tripledigitken - 9-29-2008 at 03:18 PM

Vag,

What Bully Dog Chip do you have and how many modes/settings does it have? I'd buy one in an instant with a reliable 15-20% increase in MPG's like you're getting.

My guess is you have a pretty tall geared rear-end , 3.5-3.7+- judging from the speed/rpm's.

Ken

vgabndo - 9-29-2008 at 03:38 PM

The BullyDog must be about 8 years old. It is not programmable. You get OFF, MID RANGE, and EVERYTHING ITS GOT. I think I remember I read that it boosts HP by about 60 at the max.

I should add, Ken, these milage readings are coming from the truck's computer. I tend to trust them because the few times I've done the math it was real close. Before I replaced the fuel pump and lift pump, the readings were way off. I used to have two gallons in the tank with the "miles to empty" saying zero, now when it reads zero, ya' better pull over and shut it off if you don't want to bleed the system!:fire:

[Edited on 9-29-2008 by vgabndo]

Baja-Brit - 9-29-2008 at 03:58 PM

Excuse my ignorance but why are N Americans so obsessed with running such big, thirsty engines?

I'm thinking it has much to do with being "Macho".



As you were.

BMG - 9-29-2008 at 03:59 PM

We had a 1993 Ford E350 Econoline with the 7.3L Northstar diesel for 10 years or so. Sold it last year about this time with about 200k. It was still running strong. Main problems over the years were injector pump (replaced twice) and glow plugs (replaced all at least twice).

Used it to pull a 14' dual axle utility trailer, mostly on the highways. Both the van and the trailer were always loaded with stock. Would normally get 14-15 mpg. Bucking a headwind would sometimes prevent me from being able to cruise in overdrive and mileage would drop to as little as 10 mpg.

I hear the Power Strokes are a better engine than what I had, but have also heard the way to go is with the Cummins. Any of them will be more expensive to repair than gas engines and, like you say, with diesel fuel so expensive, I'm not sure if you come out ahead running diesel or not.

tripledigitken - 9-29-2008 at 04:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Baja-Brit
Excuse my ignorance but why are N Americans so obsessed with running such big, thirsty engines?

I'm thinking it has much to do with being "Macho".



As you were.


Most of the posts in BN regarding Diesel Trucks are by people that are towing heavy loads, overhead campers, trailers, and boats. No choice but to have these beasts to do that work.

Ken

vacaenbaja - 9-29-2008 at 04:40 PM

We are not running big thirsty engines when we run diesels.
It's all about towing at an economical rate. Diesel does it best.
Especially when diesel in Mexico, at least for the time being ,is cheaper than gas. Ask yourself why most of the CARS in europe run on diesel. Guess why?
Hard to tow and travel baja in a Mini Cooper.
All about being macho? No that would be pushing your hopelessly overburdened Mini Cooper all the way through Baja.

Bob and Susan - 9-29-2008 at 06:20 PM

yea...just paid $2.25 a gallon for diesel here in mulege...yea

the new pump is "right on"

BajaNuts - 9-29-2008 at 08:55 PM

Here's a good link for gas mileage comparisons for all makes and years.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymanu.htm
you can even select different models to do a side by side comparison.

another good vehicle research site is http://www.edmunds.com/

First hand knowledge is valuable and looking at what has made it on the BCN&S roads in the past is a good place to start.

Hook - 9-29-2008 at 09:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Baja-Brit
Excuse my ignorance but why are N Americans so obsessed with running such big, thirsty engines?

I'm thinking it has much to do with being "Macho".



As you were.


Yes, it was ignorance. And, no, you weren't thinking.

Please dont be........."as you are".

[Edited on 9-30-2008 by Hook]

Diver - 9-29-2008 at 10:07 PM

The '99 - '02 Ford 3/4 ton with the 7.3 Power Stroke and a 6 speed will get you close to 20 mpg with no tuner or chip.
They are go anywhere, last forever trucks.

Diver - 9-29-2008 at 10:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Baja-Brit
Excuse my ignorance but why are N Americans so obsessed with running such big, thirsty engines?

I'm thinking it has much to do with being "Macho".
As you were.


What is this "as you were" stuff ??

Many of us drive trucks so we can haul our trailers, campers and other loads.
We work and play hard in the US !!

vgabndo - 9-29-2008 at 11:24 PM

In the Marine Corps, we'd have to jump to attention everytime some second louie came into the room. Waiting for him to say "As you were" before we could go on with our lives. Still kind of gives me a case of monkey butt every time I read it.:fire:

Baja-Brit - 9-30-2008 at 02:57 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by vacaenbaja
Ask yourself why most of the CARS in europe run on diesel. Guess why?


The UK government actively encourages people to drive diesel cars.

I chose diesel because it affords better economy.

Unfortunately Diesel is now around 25c per liter MORE expensive than petrol, which cancels out much of the economy benefit.


As you were.

[Edited on 30-9-2008 by Baja-Brit]

Baja-Brit - 9-30-2008 at 03:46 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
Yes, it was ignorance. And, no, you weren't thinking.



Perhaps you're right Hook.

However I comfortably pull a 3,500 Ib caravan with a 2.2 litre HDI diesel.

Therefore I am wondering if smaller, better tuned, more economic engines are the way forward, better fuel economy and better for the environment!

I wonder if fuel prices in the US reached the same high levels that they are in Europe (particularly in the UK) would peoples attitudes change?


As you were.

David A. - 9-30-2008 at 06:06 AM

2005 Dodge 4X4, Cummins diesel, quad cab, long bed, camper shell, 373 gears, Auto trans. Last weekend, we drove to San Quintin from Angelus Oaks. Round trip, 21.5 mpg. average.

Bob and Susan - 9-30-2008 at 06:09 AM

the bigger the better...

Hook - 9-30-2008 at 06:59 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Diver
The '99 - '02 Ford 3/4 ton with the 7.3 Power Stroke and a 6 speed will get you close to 20 mpg with no tuner or chip.
They are go anywhere, last forever trucks.


I think the 03 model year can also be included in this category. Also, I believe there was a switch in mid-year 1999, to the 7.3 engine version that so many like. So, if you see one that is a 99.5, that is considered one of the good ones.

the 04-06 year has the 6.0 liter PSD, which some claim is a POS. I dont know. The 7.3 liter has a better reputation, anyway.

Mines a 2000. I use a programmer, but I understand there are better ones out their. In about 140,000 miles of use, I've had to replace the water pump at 100k which, I am told, is typical of engines that used the FW-16 coolant additive to alleviate cavitation. Now, I run Final Charge in it, so hopefully that will take care of that.

I have done some other mods. I put in an aftermarket accumulator body in the tranny to stiffen shifts and it's made with better components. little over 100.00, self installed.

I also replaced my stock Ford torque converter with a triple disc model, for safety's sake. The stock ones from 99.5-03 were single disc which led to lots of slipping under loads, which led to lots of heat, which led to a fair number of failed trannies. Hence, the reason someone mentions the desire for the Allison tranny. I found the TC from a Ford dealer on line for around 300.00

That's it except I run synthetic tranny fluid and I found a way to install a 19.95 filter mount and put it inline with my tranny hoses. On the 2000 (and possibly other years), you have two sections of rubber hoses where the tranny lines go to and from the tranny cooler system in the radiator complex. I just disconnected the return line to the tranny, connected it to one side of the filter and purchased a length of hosing to complete the connection back to the tranny. I mounted this inside the passenger side wheel well with an "envelope" of galvanized mesh around it for protection. Now, I have filtration down to much smaller particles than the internal screen and I never have to mess with cleaning that screen when changing out my fluid. Slightly larger fluid capacity, too. The mount is a simple Derale 13005 and I use a basic PH8A-FL1A-51515 filter on it.

I recently got 17 mpg on a roadtrip doing 70-75 with about 500 lbs of cargo, not counting about 400 lbs of passenger. On the same trip I got over 18 doing 60-65. 3.73 rear axle, stock tire size, AT, 4wd, single rear wheels.

Hook - 9-30-2008 at 07:06 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Baja-Brit
Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
Yes, it was ignorance. And, no, you weren't thinking.



Perhaps you're right Hook.

However I comfortably pull a 3,500 Ib caravan with a 2.2 litre HDI diesel.

Therefore I am wondering if smaller, better tuned, more economic engines are the way forward, better fuel economy and better for the environment!

I wonder if fuel prices in the US reached the same high levels that they are in Europe (particularly in the UK) would peoples attitudes change?


As you were.


What is this engine mated to?

For many of us, the decision to go with vehicles with such large engines is, in part, because of the relative strength of the tranny associated with the package.

A 2.2l diesel engine might well pull some significant loads. But is the tranny built for that or is the whole drivetrain built for economy from a diesel? That's a big consideration when you're pulling 8k lbs in 100 degree heat.

Baja-Brit - 9-30-2008 at 07:10 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook

What is this engine mated to?



It's mated to a standard 5 speed manual gearbox, not so many people drive auto over here.


As you were.

Skeet/Loreto - 9-30-2008 at 07:12 AM

A good Test for Information might be if someone could contact the "Hot-Shot Haulers" and find what they are using. Here in the Texas Area I have noticed mostly Ford Duallys but when I got over in Tenn. I noticed lots of Dodge Duallys.
It would be interesting to get their Imput.

Skeet

woody with a view - 9-30-2008 at 07:43 AM

Quote:

That's a big consideration when you're pulling 8k lbs in 100 degree heat.


hey Hook

i'm willing to go out on a limb by saying it ISN'T a consideration "over there".

Hook - 9-30-2008 at 07:54 AM

It's not much of a consideration any more. The truck has done most all the heavy towing it's going to do. The trailer will eventually be moved three blocks over on to our lot. The drive to the ramp is about 3 miles at about 30 mph, so not much heat can develop on those runs.

We will be taking the truck and camper back to the States from around July 15-October 1 each year. That will be it's only heavy work now. Camper is about 2500 lbs, loaded. May tow the Wrangler, not sure.

Those temperatures dont seem to exist over here, though. Have seen 96 once, generally everything is in the low 90s for Aug-Sept.

woody with a view - 9-30-2008 at 08:01 AM

i was refering to britain, and their sub 100 degree temps. but it's nice to hear of your plans...good luck!

Hook - 9-30-2008 at 08:09 AM

But, of course!

Yeah, what he said.........

BMG - 9-30-2008 at 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by whistler

BMG,"Navistar"."Northstars" come in Caddys.



Did I say Ford E350? I meant Cadillac E350 with some sort of STAR engine. Looked kinda like that Johnny Cash car he sang about.:lol:

tripledigitken - 9-30-2008 at 08:48 AM

My 1997 Ford Powerstroke Diesel is a Navistar engine. Not sure if they are still the supplier for diesels to Ford now though.

"Northstar" is the 32 valve V8 used in some Caddies.

Ken

steviecroc - 10-2-2008 at 11:38 PM

IMHO, have spent 2 Mulege trips with a a 92 chevy 6.5 turbo diesel, auto,4x4, 4.10 gears pulling a 6K trailer without a bobble then day trips over to Mag bay camping and fishing. Rock solid performance with 14mpg with trailer and 17-19 with just camping gear and tin boat on top. Gave that rig to youngest son for his business. Bought 2004.5 GMC duramax/allison 4x4, 3.73 gears used with 67K. avg 12.5 mpg on last years 6K trip to the south and over the rockies with 8K trailer in tow and tinboat on top. with boat and camping gear in shell it runs 16-18 mpg.
Very comfortable quadcab 1 ton . did install prefilter for fuel and synthetic fluid in trans and front & rear ends & transfer case, edge chip for power and mileage although don't know why as it goes much faster than i do. A bit clumsy off road with the long wheelbase but am learning to get around with it. Do YOUR shopping, there are some great deals out their right now with $$ being tight.