Diesel vs standard engine for overlanding

[thevol]

Thank you for the GREAT, thought provoking replies. I would be doing a diesel delete if I got the diesel. I recently did one on my BMW X5d and it is like another world. Greater acceleration, torque and 20-25% better MPG. I live in Texas, which helps. It seems to me it is a toss up depending on the variables pertaining to each person and scenario. I can' help but to think that a deleted diesel will outlast a conventional gas engine in this day and age.

If you are prepared to delete it then yeah that will help with weight and reliability and sort of evens it up with the 7.3. Not sure about outlasting the 7.3, these new diesels are wound tight with 1000ft lbs of torque, not your grampas old school diesel that runs for 500k with little maint. Obviously the jury is still out on the 7.3 but by most accounts its way overbuilt for the power its putting out, suspect its a 300k+ engine.

 

[RedZilla]

Thank you for the GREAT, thought provoking replies. I would be doing a diesel delete if I got the diesel. I recently did one on my BMW X5d and it is like another world. Greater acceleration, torque and 20-25% better MPG. I live in Texas, which helps. It seems to me it is a toss up depending on the variables pertaining to each person and scenario. I can' help but to think that a deleted diesel will outlast a conventional gas engine in this day and age.

Keep in mind that the CP4 is the weak link. IF you do a delete, I assume you would be installing a different fuel pump as well. I would do plenty of research, I'm sure others are sharing stories of real world experiences doing the same thing and the lessons learned in the process. One other thing to consider, regardless of precautions taken, the new Super Duty with the 6.7 is almost impossible to work on anything engine wise out in the field. Good luck and share your adventures when you get started. ?

 

[RedZilla]

Keep in mind you can buy a complete 7.3 engine including fuel and ignition system for less than the price of replacing your 6.7 fuel system.

 

[hedge]

The overlanding word gets thrown around a lot, if you truly mean using it to travel the world then a modern diesel is not ideal as you may not even be able to find Ultra Low sulphur diesel fuel, gas should be easy to get. Also mechanics around the world/south america are likely not equipped to patch up an exotic diesel. $0.02

 

[Pompey]

If you are considering some remote trips to some far corners of the world, or even through South America I’d consider gas, or an older diesel or possibly a newer, deleted diesel (all through I’m not sure that will solve all the worries).

That being said, I’m in a diesel and am happy with it for what level of adventures I think I’m going to be facing in the next handful of years.


From what I’ve read and seen, not my own experiences, gas is a lot more prevalent in some of those far flung corners of the world and while the fuel is questionable on either side of the aisle the gassers seem to do better with bad gas compared to modern diesels getting into some bad diesel.

If you’re considering trips like that, want to learn more or are just interested I’d checking out Dan Grec and his books/YouTube Channel The Road Chose Me. He’s got some good insights and has definitely earned his strips traversing the PanAmerican Highway over the course of 2 years and then circumnavigating Africa for another 3 years. It makes for some interesting insights on to that level of travel.

In Australia diesel is the fuel of choice in remote areas. That’s because agriculture and transport all use diesel. Range is another factor again because of the vast distances between fuel stops. Diesel is better in hot conditions, and it doesn’t get anywhere near as cold here as it does in other parts of the world.

Unleaded is available though, but the quality varies and away from the big towns is only available in the lowest grade. In even more remote Aboriginal communities, they use a special blend of fuel which is low in aromatic content to make it less appealing to sniffing. I’ve not come across that type of fuel but I hear it’s not good for vehicle performance.

These days almost all 4WD’s are diesel, even in the city and the Ford Ranger, for example, is only available with a diesel.