BajaNomad

diesel VS gas trucks in Baja

blackwolfmt - 8-14-2014 at 04:39 PM

looking for opinions on diesel Vs gas for a 3/4 ton truck for exploring baja, I have a 2500 cummins 97 12 valve, I have heard they are easy to work on and to get parts for in north and south Baja, I think chuckie has one and luvs his, thanks nomads

[Edited on 8-14-2014 by blackwolfmt]

desertcpl - 8-14-2014 at 05:29 PM

nice rig

here my take on it,, but keep in mind it was about 10yrs ago

I had a ford diesel

I was not able to find fuel in a lot of places

aguachico - 8-14-2014 at 05:49 PM

Have had both in baja. hauled weight with both in baja.
If you are hauling something besides your butt. diesel performs better.
I can remember being worried the gas truck would run out of gas between Guerrero negro and El rosario.

The diesel with the same amount of fuel has went from Guerrero to TJ.

Diesel is more costly to maintain.

blackwolfmt - 8-14-2014 at 05:58 PM

Mainly just haulin a toy or 2 and the cabover camper soft side popup and have 2 tanks for just over 60 gallons at 20+ MPG up here at 2500 ft elevation so not really worried about a fuel since I could maybe squeak out 14-1500 miles per fillup, What ya guys know about repair cost compared to up north usa

dtbushpilot - 8-14-2014 at 07:01 PM

I have a 2006 Dodge 2500, love it in Baja. Most stations have diesel but my fuel capacity/mileage makes it a moot point. Yours is old enough to where you should be able to find someone to work on it if the need arises especially around port areas (think marine diesel). Parts might be more but labor will be less. Just do it, don't worry.

rts551 - 8-14-2014 at 07:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by blackwolfmt
looking for opinions on diesel Vs gas for a 3/4 ton truck for exploring baja, I have a 2500 cummins 97 12 valve, I have heard they are easy to work on and to get parts for in north and south Baja, I think chuckie has one and luvs his, thanks nomads

[Edited on 8-14-2014 by blackwolfmt]



sounds like your mind is already made up. Have had both. diesel for 40 years. gas the last 2. gas makes more sense for me now that I don't haul around my house with me anymore. gas mileage is getting better and diesel more expensive.

liknbaja127 - 8-14-2014 at 07:26 PM

I like my ford 99 f-250 diesel! many miles in Baja on it! hardly no problems finding fuel. And when we pull, It is great! and I also have BFG,s on it :bounce:

brewer - 8-14-2014 at 07:57 PM

You have the perfect truck. A mechanical 12V diesel. A million mile engine if you take care of it. 1/3 less moving parts than a V8. I have the same truck. Has never let me down, knock on wood. 228K. Will never sell it. If you put yours up for sale, let me know.

steve5555 - 8-14-2014 at 07:59 PM

It used to be diesel fuel in Mexico was cheap compared to gas. Like $2.3/gal compared to the states at $4/gal. Now it is about even.

If you already own a diesel truck I would stick with that and it will be fine.

steve

Doug/Vamonos - 8-20-2014 at 09:20 AM

Don't try to stretch every mile out of your tank and expect the next Pemex to have diesel. Because they often don't. Moral of the story is fill up often.

rts551 - 8-20-2014 at 09:23 AM

diesel makes less and less sense from strictly an economical standpoint and I owned diesel trucks for years.

chuckie - 8-20-2014 at 10:28 AM

I have been driving Dodge diesels in Baja since 1990...Never a problem of any kind, diesel related....Current 1996, gets new tires tomorrow...Baja Ready! The old 1990, my son still has it, has over 800,000 miles on it, never had the head off..Would I buy a BRAND NEW ONE?. Likely not...

SFandH - 8-20-2014 at 10:34 AM

IMHO it's a good idea to drive a vehicle that you can get parts for and that baja mechanics are experienced with. Therefore I drive a gas F-250.

I spoke with a guy once in Mulege that was getting ready to take a bus to San Diego and back to get a part for his pickup's diesel motor.

chuckie - 8-20-2014 at 11:57 AM

I spoke with God a few times, but that's not typical...