Posted 2006-10-31 12:11 PM (#50904) Subject: Gas 3/4 Tons
Member
Posts: 40 Location: Richmond, VA
Ok, folks. I've decided to go w/a gas truck and just downgrade my trailer to a 2H BP.
What's the scoop on the big 3 and their gas engines? I know everybody has their favorites, but I'm looking for known issues (like the Ford 6.0 Diesel).
I may wind up buying used, so I'd also like to hear happy/horror stories of used truck buying.
Thanks! What an amazing depth of knowledge on this forum!!
Posted 2006-10-31 1:33 PM (#50907 - in reply to #50904) Subject: RE: Gas 3/4 Tons
Hurricane Survivor
Posts: 61 Location: training in South Louisiana
Just purchased used 2004 Chev. 3/4 ton w/ 365 vortec eng. LOVE IT.. gas.... looks like I get about 12 miles w/out being hooked up.. so far that is the only down point.. had 25,000 miles for $19,000.. its not the HD but the LD... I do not live around hills...
Posted 2006-10-31 1:43 PM (#50908 - in reply to #50904) Subject: RE: Gas 3/4 Tons
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
GM didn't put a 400 cid gas engine in a 2004 model truck. The Duramax diesel is a 403 cid. You either got a 365, 6.0 liter gas or a 496, 8.1 liter gas, they were the gasoline engines in the 2500's. I got a 496 gas with the Allison in a 3500 and it does well for me. Some have had trouble with a piston slap issue in the early 6.0 gas GM engines but I have yet heard of anyone having one fly apart or blow up.
Posted 2006-10-31 2:23 PM (#50911 - in reply to #50904) Subject: RE: Gas 3/4 Tons
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
I bought a dodge 2500 deisel. It had 40,000 miles on it and I love it. The only problem I have had was a set of keys slid up and over the dash. I had to have the dash removed to get them and the guy didn't put the dash back in right and now its cracking. We are going up to talk to the gen manager of the dealer to see if he will fix it. Here's hoping.
Posted 2006-10-31 4:02 PM (#50918 - in reply to #50911) Subject: RE: Gas 3/4 Tons
Elite Veteran
Posts: 671 Location: THE GREAT NORTHWET, OREGON(THE REAL GODS COUNTRY)
Originally written by Terri on 2006-10-31 12:23 PM
I bought a dodge 2500 deisel. It had 40,000 miles on it and I love it. The only problem I have had was a set of keys slid up and over the dash. I had to have the dash removed to get them and the guy didn't put the dash back in right and now its cracking. We are going up to talk to the gen manager of the dealer to see if he will fix it. Here's hoping.
Thanks for sharing that...course no Ford basher will believe it...so thanks!!!
Posted 2006-10-31 7:07 PM (#50924 - in reply to #50904) Subject: RE: Gas 3/4 Tons
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544 Location: Claxton, Ga.
That kind of stuff happens no matter what kind of vehicle it is. It is very unfortunate. Hope the dealership will step up to the plate and make it right.
Posted 2006-10-31 9:26 PM (#50930 - in reply to #50904) Subject: RE: Gas 3/4 Tons
Member
Posts: 21
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
I have 2 chevy 8.1 gas duallies and they're great! Both my trucks have the 6 speed manual trannies and I get 14 MPG on the Highway empty and about 8 MPG with a loaded 6 horse trailer.
I'm getting ready to replace the one duallie and since GM is dropping the 8.1, I'm going with the Duramax.
If they still made the 8.1 with the new bodies, I would definitely get another.
- Dave
Posted 2006-10-31 9:53 PM (#50933 - in reply to #50904) Subject: RE: Gas 3/4 Tons
Member
Posts: 23
Location: Albuquerque, NM
I have a 97 Ford F250 with the 7.5L gas and 145,000 miles on it. The truck pulls great but does bog down on the steep hills when pulling my 2 horse gooseneck. I would recommend however to keep up on the tuneups after going over the 100K mark even more so than normal. I let one go by me and had serious starting problems last winter until I changed out the cap, rotor, plugs, and wires twice in three months.
Posted 2006-11-01 8:00 AM (#50937 - in reply to #50904) Subject: RE: Gas 3/4 Tons
Member
Posts: 47 Location: Kress, Texas
I just bought a Chevy 2004 2500 6.0 2WD. I love it. I average 15mpg hwy., with the trailer about 11mpg. My trailer is a Sooner 4-h with a 3' dressing room. I usually only haul 2 horses though.
Posted 2006-11-01 9:38 AM (#50941 - in reply to #50904) Subject: RE: Gas 3/4 Tons
Veteran
Posts: 198 Location: Iowa
2000 Dodge 2500 with the V10. Pulls my 3H Gooseneck without any trouble...even up steep hills I have been able to keep up with my diesel-driving buddies. Those big block engines have a lot of pulling power. But I only get 10 mpg empty and 7 to 8 pulling. But I only drive it 3000 miles a year...so it works for me. Has been a very reliable truck for me...bought it used over a year ago with 70,000 miles on it, and have had no problems.
Posted 2006-11-01 9:57 PM (#50968 - in reply to #50904) Subject: RE: Gas 3/4 Tons
Member
Posts: 48 Location: Kansas
1999 F-250 Super Duty, V-10, automatic. Sweet truck for running errands or pulling my 16' steel GN. Power is never an issue. Fuel- with trailer probably 10-11mpg. Highway, unloaded and I'll get 15, once got 17 on the highways in South Dakota. Around town, 11-12. It just turned over 100,000. I've just replaced the fuel line flow regulator, ball joints and a spark plug or something to do with that, could have been a cylinder. That cost $100 to replace and it has something to do the the "10" part of the V-10 because I remember thinking "$100 down, $900 to go." There still may be something "off" with the fuel lines because the truck "shimmeys" from time to time, like it's straining, doesn't seem to be related to being cold or hot and the RPM's never surge, just feels odd for a few moments.
Posted 2006-11-02 3:44 PM (#51014 - in reply to #50904) Subject: RE: Gas 3/4 Tons
Veteran
Posts: 238 Location: West Coast
My sister-in-law has a Chevy 3/4 ton with the 6.0 and auto transmission. She is happy with her truck, she pulls a 2 horse Sundowner with it. It has decent power, although she struggles to keep up with us on steep hills.
Posted 2006-11-03 7:31 AM (#51045 - in reply to #50904) Subject: RE: Gas 3/4 Tons
Regular
Posts: 63 Location: Illinois
Bought a new 2004 2500HD with a 6.0 and 410 gears. Pull a Cherokee Super Chief 3H with an 8ft short wall and full living quarters. I get 15.5 empty and around 10 with the trailer loaded. Would not trade it for anything. The diesel boys have to deal with the price of the engine, the price of the fuel, and now the uls fuel.
Posted 2006-11-03 9:21 AM (#51054 - in reply to #51045) Subject: RE: Gas 3/4 Tons
Veteran
Posts: 238 Location: West Coast
Originally written by Tim on 2006-11-03 5:31 AM
Bought a new 2004 2500HD with a 6.0 and 410 gears. Pull a Cherokee Super Chief 3H with an 8ft short wall and full living quarters. I get 15.5 empty and around 10 with the trailer loaded. Would not trade it for anything. The diesel boys have to deal with the price of the engine, the price of the fuel, and now the uls fuel.
I've towed with my sister-in-laws 2005 Chevy which is similar to yours, she pulls a two horse trailer. It's a good truck and pulls nice, but, I don't ever want to go back to a gas truck, I'll stick with my diesels. In my opinion for power (we have a much heavier trailer, she struggles to keep up with us on hills), fuel mileage and longevity the diesels are well worth the extra $.
Gas 3/4 Tons
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