Talk me out of buying a diesel ?

[JoeCO]

99% of people will trade theirs before it hits 120k anyways.

Another reason I went 7.3.

I tend to keep trucks just a few years. I’m getting close to retirement and will buy my “forever” truck soon and it’ll most likely be the diesel because I’ll keep it longer and travel more.

Until then, Godzilla is just fine.

 

[LetsGoBrandon]

You crack me up so much you ended up in my signature

That's awesome. I always wanted to live somewhere rent free.

 

[Optimus🤖]

That's awesome. I always wanted to live somewhere rent free.

Now that's the liberal talking!

 

[Phillbo]

Buy the diesel

 

[TxTremor]

I think I need to be talked out of a diesel... Currently have a F-350 with the 7.3L on order, but I'm considering switching to the 6.7L HO simply because it's badass.

Truck will be used for a roughly 120-mile daily commute (mostly freeway, split between stop/go traffic and open highway), running around town with the wife/kids, long interstate road trips, towing a travel trailer a couple of times a year, and as much off-roading as I can find time for.

I'm meticulous about maintenance and don't mind the additional costs associated with diesel ownership. What gives me pause is the added complexity, particularly the emissions equipment, since I live in California and don't anticipate deleting the truck.

One thing I'm especially curious about is extended idling. With young kids who inevitably fall asleep in the truck, there'll be occasions when I'd like to leave it running for 30–60 mins to keep the HVAC going. Would occasional idling like that be a concern for the DPF/emissions system over the long term, assuming the truck otherwise sees plenty of highway mileage?

I've been drawn to the 7.3L for years because of its simplicity, reliability potential, and lower long-term repair costs. But part of me feels like I'll regret not experiencing the PS, especially since this is my first SD truck and I plan to keep it for at least 10–15 years, hopefully 250k+ miles.

Those who DD their diesels unloaded and plan to keep them well past 100k miles, would you make the same choice again? Is the HO worth the added complexity for someone in my position, or am I overthinking what is already a great truck with the 7.3L?

I spent 6 years with the 7.3 and just traded for the 6.7. I have nothing bad to say about the 7.3 it did everything I needed no problem, I simply came across a good deal and wanted to try the 6.7, this is my first personal diesel truck. Honestly I think the 6.7 or 7.3 will handle just about anything most will throw at them. The 6.7 will more than likely do it with more ease than the 7.3. I did do several trips towing 10k around 1500 miles round trip with the 7.3 and it was no problem. Averaged 8-10 mpg towing and around 13 unloaded, with the 6.7 I’m at 17.5 mpg unloaded, I have not done much towing with it yet but I’m sure it will do much better, it is like a freight train with power.

Each engine is going to have its quirks and neither is problem free. If you just take care of it, I think you could see decent longevity out of either option, just know what you’re getting into. For any engine excessive idling really is not ideal and I don’t think one is going to handle that better than the other.

This is how I look at it the 7.3 is more than capable for most situations. The 6.7 is an upgraded option that will provide more power and fuel mileage to get the job done with a bit more ease but you do pay for it. To me it’s like putting a full Carli kit on the truck then saying meh factory was pretty much the same. No if you spend $15k on suspension you want to be able to say definitively what improved and why it was better. So while the 7.3 is fully capable, when you spend the money to go 6.7 you want to be able to say you have more power, better mpgs, etc or who would even buy it.

 

[LetsGoBrandon]

Now that's the liberal talking!

Well now that's just silly.

 

[thatdood]

My old truck was a 6.2L 1500, it would scoot pretty good. Added lift and 35’s, felt more like a 5.3L. My son drives it now. My 6.7 diesel, stock, felt like a rocket. Lift, and 38’s, feels like a heavier rocket, but I still smile when I get on the gas.

My son drives my SD every once in awhile because the 11 year old Chevy 1500 continues to be a money pit in repairs… I digress, but he comments how much fun the diesel is to drive