Go Diesel or stay 6.0?

[bpeters5814]

Alright guys. You all helped me early this year in helping me decide whether or not to buy a diesel. I didn't, opting to go for an '07 2500HD with a 6.0. I didn't need a diesel at the time because I wouldn't do much pulling. Seems things might be changing.

I have a meeting next week to make sure it's for sure, but it looks like I'm going to start selling seed corn. I'm taking over a guy's client list, and I'll be looking for more clients. This means starting next February I'll be delivering seed, probably through May. I'll probably be hauling 4-6 pallets or pro boxes at a time, which equates to 8,000 to 12,000 pounds at a time (or more if I'm hauling beans).

The little I've pulled with my 6.0, coupled with the 6 speed tranny, I haven't been impressed. I'm trying to decide what to do - go diesel, or stay with what I've got. I'd be looking at an '05-'06 Duramax, or a Dodge with a 5.9 Cummins. I've also thought about going with an 8.1, but it seems they're pretty hard to find.

Thoughts? Any and all are welcomed. I'm just spitballing at this point, but if this seed thing works out, I'll probably be looking more intensely when harvest is over this fall.

[truckdude239]

I got several customers with the 6.0 that haul that all day with no problems just have to make sure the tranny has the towing package installed

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by bpeters5814

Alright guys. You all helped me early this year in helping me decide whether or not to buy a diesel. I didn't, opting to go for an '07 2500HD with a 6.0. I didn't need a diesel at the time because I wouldn't do much pulling. Seems things might be changing.

I have a meeting next week to make sure it's for sure, but it looks like I'm going to start selling seed corn. I'm taking over a guy's client list, and I'll be looking for more clients. This means starting next February I'll be delivering seed, probably through May. I'll probably be hauling 4-6 pallets or pro boxes at a time, which equates to 8,000 to 12,000 pounds at a time (or more if I'm hauling beans).

The little I've pulled with my 6.0, coupled with the 6 speed tranny, I haven't been impressed. I'm trying to decide what to do - go diesel, or stay with what I've got. I'd be looking at an '05-'06 Duramax, or a Dodge with a 5.9 Cummins. I've also thought about going with an 8.1, but it seems they're pretty hard to find.

Thoughts? Any and all are welcomed. I'm just spitballing at this point, but if this seed thing works out, I'll probably be looking more intensely when harvest is over this fall.

I whould go Diesel. Even though im not a big fan of the late model "common rail" diesels its still better than any gas engine when it comes to heavy towing.

[C10-Driver]

I had a 2500HD with the 8.1L and Allison transmission. It had plenty of power for pulling and I could pull a 28' travel trailer uphill in the passing lane at 75mph. The only downfall with the gas engine is that it didn't have the same kind of grunt a diesel does and I had to get the RPM's up a fair bit to build the power needed. The other downfall is mileage. I averaged about 11-12mpg around town and about 7 when I was pulling something on the highway. Without a load, I was getting around 13-14 highway.

I have never been a fan of diesel engines (for anything other than a tractor) but a friend of mine has a newer Chevy and you can hardly even hear it run. If I did it again, I would probably go with a diesel.

[Boog]

In a commercial application I think the diesel is the way to go. Yes diesel costs more per gallon and yes the towing mpg is about like a gas burner but the extra grunt will handle those kind of loads better. I guess it amounts to using the right tool for the job so to speak.

[sams60gmc]

I'd go diesel.

[usmcchevy]

Keep your 6.0. It has more than enough for what you are wanting to do. Diesel you just get to deal with the increase in maintenance costs, expensive fuel and cold start problems. Sure they pull great and are cool but you need to tow A LOT for a diesel to pencil out.

[JohnC]

I would keep the one you have and see how it does. When I pull with my 1500HD 6.0 I usually pull around 10,000lbs. It doesn't start off from a start as well as our 2500HD with the duramax, but once it's going it does fine. You may find that your truck handles it fine enough to not have to buy a different truck. However if it doesn't, then you will know first hand.

Congrats on the increase in business. In these times that's a good thing!

[bpeters5814]

Thanks guys. JohnC I think I'm headed to your conclusion: I might as well keep it and give it a shot. If I were pulling year around I might make a change. I'm just not sure I want the extra hassle of a diesel. And besides, if it doesn't pull like I want, I'll just steal grandpa's GMC with the 8.1

[HDGasser]

I dont see why you didnt get a diesel the first time!!

My previous truck was an 02 2500hd CC/SB 4x4 with a 6.0.... i owned the truck for a total of 6 months before i blew it up and sold it and i was only pulling a 26' toyhauler.

I have since upgraded and ill never look back.... well i guess i should say ill never buy another gasser again... NEVER!! been debating throwing a Dmax in my 66 too!

Anyways i currently own an 06 1ton CC/LB 4x4 dually, its leveled on 33" bfg at's. it pulls ANYthing i put behind it and with about 3 times better gas mileage then my old truck.

If im empty and i keep my foot outta it i usually get about 20mpg. Pulling my trailer out to the desert at about 75-80mph i get anywhere from 16-18mpg depending on where im going.

Now the best part about it is that with some simple modifications these trucks WILL give most cars a run for there money! rice rockets.... dont stand a chance! mustangs and camaros will look at you like "HOLY $%^$&"

Buy the diesel, you will NOT be dissapointed.

[JohnC]

Nice looking truck HDGasser!

[HDGasser]

Originally Posted by JohnC

Nice looking truck HDGasser!

Thanks John!

Just a side note.... I think it's funny when people say "extra hassle" of a diesel or "expensive to maintain" a diesel. My oil changes are more expensive.... Of course they are but I go 10-11k mi on an oil change. Fuel filter every oil change and take about 4 minutes to change. Not much other maintenance difference compared to the gassers.

Diesels cheaper here in my neck of the woods but doesn't matter to me, my truck is a daily driver and I fill up every 3-4 weeks at about $75-80 a tank. My last truck was cheaper to fill yes but at $50-60 every 2 weeks.

Your grandfathers old John deer tractor diesels are a thing of the past, the old stinky rattling slow diesels are looooong gone.
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[treveiger]

What ive been finding out from talking to people that pull things all the time(weve been debating the same thing) diesels are the way to go because of the power and the ease of pulling you can get out of them. From what ive heard once you go diesel youll never go back and that seems to be proven true lol. My father halls trailers all the time that can be around 10,000pounds with his 04 GMC 1500 and wants to upgrade and has decided to go with a diesel between 05-07 duramax.

[69trk]

I love my 06 lbz duramax. Has a ton of power and gets decent fuel milage. I won't own another gas truck after buying this...

[palposity]

I used to drive a 2500 w/ 6.0. I traded up to the 6.6 Duramax. Best truck move I've ever made.

[howard_m18]

I have a 2002 2500 HD that I bought on E-BAY. Flew to TX & drove it back home to MI. I have a 10k 5th wheel that I pull around AZ. It used to get good MPG, 17/20 BUT after changing things around, it now gets as high as 20 city & 25 across TX. It has the air box reworked , the ECM redone for MPG & a 4" exhaust with 5" tips. YES, you jump on it & it throws black smoke behind you as you are walking away from most cars!! FYI, A DIESEL get 25% more power & MPG than a gas. This has always been the way it is.
As far as the gas engines, here are the problems with them?
The first 6.0s only came with 4:11 gears - thus it got the same MPG as the 8.1. The 8.1 is a reworked 454 & you know the gas they get. 11-13 towing or not.
I do oil changes when the light comes on at 7,500 miles & you can get a oil change for as low as $65. FYI, they are 10 quarts.
The greatest feature of the 2500HD is the allision trans & the tow haul mode feature.
I also bought the horse before the cart knowing the cart might change & I'd have to upgrade!

[treveiger]

My father just bought o 05 duramax today. Ill tell you how we like it.

[silverspeed04]

I have a 05 6.0 ECSB and it does good for what I need except at the pump. I do regret getting a desiel though. There is more tunablility (if that is a word) in a desiel then your neighbors Honda and the rewards are so nice. I have a buddy that has a Excursion on 35's and still pulls about 20mpg on the highway. Yes he has invested some money in Banks but it has paid off for him and thats his daily. Look into Biodesiel as well. Its becomming less secretive and is averaging out cheaper then gas if you make it yourself. My next upgrade will be a CC/SB Duramax so I can get that wonderful toy hauler/sleeper I have been drooling over.

For money reasons I would say stick with what you got and try it, for ****s and giggles, I would say get a desiel and tune the hell out of it.

[Boog]

Originally Posted by howard_m18

I have a 2002 2500 HD that I bought on E-BAY. Flew to TX & drove it back home to MI. I have a 10k 5th wheel that I pull around AZ. It used to get good MPG, 17/20 BUT after changing things around, it now gets as high as 20 city & 25 across TX. It has the air box reworked , the ECM redone for MPG & a 4" exhaust with 5" tips. YES, you jump on it & it throws black smoke behind you as you are walking away from most cars!! FYI, A DIESEL get 25% more power & MPG than a gas. This has always been the way it is.
As far as the gas engines, here are the problems with them?
The first 6.0s only came with 4:11 gears - thus it got the same MPG as the 8.1. The 8.1 is a reworked 454 & you know the gas they get. 11-13 towing or not.
I do oil changes when the light comes on at 7,500 miles & you can get a oil change for as low as $65. FYI, they are 10 quarts.
The greatest feature of the 2500HD is the allision trans & the tow haul mode feature.
I also bought the horse before the cart knowing the cart might change & I'd have to upgrade!

Dang Howard. After I have convinced myself I don't really need a late model diesel you go and tell us about yours and the excellent mpg with the tune. Is it the white crew? Most of the examples I've seen get about the same or less mileage as a gasser. I'm impressed.