It's still a win for diesel.

Figures are for Fords. I don't know anyone with a 5.4L in a SD. I've got a 4.6L V8 in an F-150 std. ca shorty, can't get much lighter then that, and I can get 19 MPG highway if I'm careful.

MPG diesel = 19

MPG 6.8 V10 gas = 14

Fuel prices at 2 stations today. These prices are on the high end a Chevron in Zip 93611 (Clovis, CA) and low ARCO in Zip 93727 (Fresno, CA). Next to the price/gallon is the cost per mile, based on the above highway mileage.

Chevron:
#2 Diesel 3.099 16.3c/mi
87 octane 2.599 18.6c/mi

ARCO:
#2 Diesel 2.659 14c/mi
87 octane 2.459 17.6c/mi

If we chose the Chevron 87octane as a base, diesel would have to go to about 3.53/gallon before cost/mile were equal. For that price you could run biodiesel which is even cleaner burning than "dino".

On the maintenance side, you will pay more for oil/filter changes. The diesel will run you about 3.3c/mile for oil, oil filter and fuel filter changes, while the gas will go for less than 2c/mi.

Looking up price on Kelly Blue Book's site, the 6.0L PSD will bring you an additional $6325 (2005, over the 5.4L, or $5580 over the 6.8 V10) to $5720 (2003, over the 5.4L, or $5030 over the 6.8L). I didn't go back before '03 because of the change from the 7.3L to 6.0L. The diesel option is $5,000. Around here that will OTD cost you $5400 (sale tax.) 2005 prices are based on 15K miles, while 2003 are based on 45K (15K / yr). So you will pretty much get your investment back on the motor.

With the increased mileage, you have to stop fewer times as well. On 20 gallons of fuel, you're going an additional 100 miles. Taking that, and based on 15K miles per year, the diesel will save you an additional 70.4 minutes at the pumps. This is based on pumping 4 gallons per minute.

Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

 

Dang, the reg gas here was 2.10 this morning.

 

Gotta love CA. Now they'll have to come up with a new excuse to charge us more for gas...EPA killed off the req. for MTBE (nasty carcinogen) or ethonol. Back during the huricane our gas was actually cheaper than other places! It was nice while it lasted. Prices have retreated about 10 cents from the latest rounds of increases.

And to think 5 years ago we were paying less than 90 cents a gallon.

And all of the base fuel stock around here comes out of the same tanks. They mix the special additives (like Techron for Chevron, etc.) there and put it in the trucks for shipment.

Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

 

Just this week they are talking about raising the gas prices in Cali for "global warming" fees.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif[/img] This state is a bunch of Cr@p[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img] I need to move out [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

 

Brother's 2005 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab S.B. 4x4 6.0 gas with 410:1 rear gears gets 13mpg empty and 8-9 pulling his aluminum deck boat 22 foot, But he was getting 10mpg with his 1998 1 ton dually 454, he is pissed until yesterday, fuel is $1.89 in KC Missouri area.

He has been to Dealer 4 times trying to find better fuel mileage, no good, The new Tahoe 6.0 is rated at 22mpg highway.

He wants his old truck back, it was paid for.

 

Gotta love those Chevy bigblock! I traded my 1998 1 ton reg cab long bed 4x4 for my crew cab. That 98 got 11 on a very good day empty and no matter what I hooked to it, it got 10 all day long.

 

Right now my 2005 Z71 Extended Cab H.O. is getting about 17mpg, but it is winter and blasted cold. Last fall I moved my sister-in-law back to school (desk, futon, her entire closet) and I got 22mpg driving to green bay, around green bay for a day, and then back home. I was very satisfied with that.

Towing my 6,000lb camper I got about 12-13

 

My 2004 Chevy crew cab 4x4 with a Duramax gets high 12's to low 13's towing a 30 ft 5th wheel with my Harley Dresser inside (about 9000 lbs.) Wind, stop/go traffic, tow speed, are the biggest variables. I run the 4 in. exhaust,Hypertech stage 1, Amsoil air filter,and Amsoil synthetic oil. I can pull this 9000 lb load from Michigan to Florida or South Dakota without downshifting on the hills, and I have topped some of the biggest hills at 75 m.ph. just to see what it would do. It really feels neat to have the power to pass on a two lane with the 5th wheel on the back. I get from 16 to 20 m.pg. empty depending on temp. and how I drive it. I just LOVE the sound from the 4 in. exhaust!

 

get the duramax who cares about gas milage when you have 360 Hp and 650Lbs of torque!!!! Thats stock, if you add a bullydog chip and exhaust and better cold air intake you can get it near 400 Hp and 700Lbs of torque!!!

 

I care about fuel mileage a lot when I'm only 17 and don't have a full-time job yet. Fuel takes a big chunk out of my profit, especially when mowing season is over and I don't have much money coming back in. But yes, 360HP and 650lbs of torque does sound very nice.