Thinking about buying a diesel...

[mattmo2005]

Currently, I am in college and drive a 2001 Ford Ranger, but I want to get a bigger truck. I would like to get a 1/2 or 3/4 ton pickup. I would get a gas job but the gas mileage is horrible for them. I'm hoping with the diesel to get around 18-20 on the highway. This summer I will be working out of Houston, Texas on oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. If all goes as planned, I will have a nice chunk of change at the end of the summer to buy a truck with. I have been looking on e-bay for trucks in the Houston, TX area, and I think I can get an early 2000's F-250 with around 100,000 miles for around $20,000. I want to get a truck with a 7.3 diesel for its reliability and fuel mileage. The only problem that I have is that I live 1.1 miles away from college. So the truck would only be run for a short time during the week. Will running the truck a short distance harm it in some way? Is this a good enough reason not to buy a diesel? I would really appreciate any and all input that you guys have.

[tylerp]

it is kind of hard on them I have heard I have never seen damage done because of it. However does not mean it is not hard on it. Depending on how much longer you plan on living that close. Or you can do what most college kids do and ride a bike. Not sure if your school makes you buy parking permits or not. But most people ride their bikes to school when they live that close to save on fuel and parking costs.

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

18-20mpg is gonna be hard to get out of a 7.3 ....... if your only looking for good gas milage i would get a dodge cummins... that will get you the gas milage you want... the 7.3 youll prob be getting aroun 12-15mpg a 6.0 will be a lil higher but not much

[Marty]

If you want 20mpg get either a common rail cummins or a 12v (98.5 or older).

I'd get a bike or a an econo box if you're only going 1 mile to work. Just can't justify such a long lasting expensive truck for such a short drive.

[mattmo2005]

Originally Posted by tylerp

it is kind of hard on them I have heard I have never seen damage done because of it. However does not mean it is not hard on it. Depending on how much longer you plan on living that close. Or you can do what most college kids do and ride a bike. Not sure if your school makes you buy parking permits or not. But most people ride their bikes to school when they live that close to save on fuel and parking costs.

I live off campus so I can really only ride my bike when the weather is nice.

[mattmo2005]

Originally Posted by Maintain

If you want 20mpg get either a common rail cummins or a 12v (98.5 or older).

I'd get a bike or a an econo box if you're only going 1 mile to work. Just can't justify such a long lasting expensive truck for such a short drive.

I've read some posts on this site where some people are getting around 18 mpg on the highway and around 14 mpg around town with a 7.3. I usually drive 300-400 miles a week even though my apartment is so close to school. I drive back to my home every weekend and I drive quite a bit over the weekend.

[power95]

if u get a tuner u might push 18 at the very max.....4x4 or 2x4??.......and i would get a remote start and a turbo timer so it can idel before u leave and when u get there...i agree go with a cummins if u want mileage...hell even a dmax will get better mileage

[phrog]

I live about 1.5 mi from work and drive everyday. In the winter(I live in jersey) if its realy cold 20 or under I let it run for awhile to warm up after I get to work or home. What you also can do is just plug it in if it has a block heater that way its always warm as I do and have never had a problem.I get 18 on the highway but my 1999 7.3 just turned 60k.

[mattmo2005]

Originally Posted by power95

if u get a tuner u might push 18 at the very max.....4x4 or 2x4??.......and i would get a remote start and a turbo timer so it can idel before u leave and when u get there...i agree go with a cummins if u want mileage...hell even a dmax will get better mileage

I've heard alot of bad things about the injectors going bad in the duramax's and I don't really like dodges to much.
I'm not a big fan of tuner's. If I get a powerstroke it would definitely get a performance intake and exhaust for mileage purposes.

[mattmo2005]

Originally Posted by power95

if u get a tuner u might push 18 at the very max.....4x4 or 2x4??.......and i would get a remote start and a turbo timer so it can idel before u leave and when u get there...i agree go with a cummins if u want mileage...hell even a dmax will get better mileage

4x4.......