Half as much? never heard that one before.
3,000 miles is 3,000 miles....

...I don't know anything about Chevy's or Fords. Just know that the transmission is the weakest link and that engines are always detuned for automatics. Plus, automatics slip by design...

 

Yeah I would take that over cloth, I've seen some that look pretty good.

 

3000 miles is 3000 miles, true but what is your point? thats not what im saying, your service intervals are much longer on a diesel than gas powered engines

this hasn't been true for probably 10 years now.... if you buy a 01-05 duramax with the ZF6 or the allison they will both be 310hp... same as the cummins powered dodges, they stopped doing that in 03... you buy a truck for 325hp you should get it regardless of transmission

 

I agree with the other guy that in the past engines have been more often detuned for autos than standards, but this about the duramax is true.

 

I try to change the oil on my '94 cummins every 3,000. And the oil get's pretty gritty after 3,000. I can't really see how it would wise to let it go much further than that (but then I do mostly city, stop and go driving, don't do much highway driving) Synthetic bottles say stuff like 6,000 miles or 10,000. But I always wonder if the oil filter is capible of filtering that much oil. Anyway here's the maintence schedule of my '94 Cummins.... My knowledge is outdated it seems. Routine Maintenance Says to change the oil every 3,000 miles for severe duty and 6,000 for normal duty. I guess I could follow the normal recommendations, but I really don't plan on ever buying another truck. And that oil does feel real gritty after only 3,000....

As for the second paragraph that was in response to the post after yours. And yeah, my info is outdated.... I don't plan on buying another vehicle.... ever.... if I can help it.

 

I see where is says 6000 miles for normal service, 3000 for severe service
its your pocket book, and your excess oil to clean up, but my truck falls under the normal service bracket, I run good synthetic 15w40, and i change it every 6000-8000 depending on what my DIC says(it factors on many things like idle time, load, etc.) not just mileage, GM designed that life meter for a reason, why waste when you don't have to

But hey, if you like spending $100+ every 3000 miles that's your prerogative

 

Oil has come along ways since that truck was built even though it's only been 17 years. If the oil is bad after just 3,000 miles (even in the city) then you better start getting some better oil. I run rotella 15w40 and rotella 5w40 synthetic in mine. I change the oil every 4,000 miles (i mainly do half in town, half outta town driving) and the oil is still good, doesn't feel gritty at all or even look bad. The only reason i change it every 4,000 miles is because i want to. I would feel comfortable going 5-6,000 on non-synthetic, but good oil in my truck. At our construction company we run some expensive oil and we go 10,000 miles between oil changes in the gravel/over the road trucks. The oil doesn't even feel gritty or anything.

 

I think you guys are sort of on the right track here:
Autos have come a long way. If you want one or that is all you can find, I would go ahead and get it. The Dodge auto is actually a lot tougher than most give it credit for. In fact, I would put it up against an Allison because it will win!! The 48RE has had it's run of bad solenoids and what not, but those are easily and affordably replaced. If you want to go with a lot more power, the Dodge tranny can be built to hold that too.
As far as the 'feel' or look of your oil, don't go by that. If you want to know if your oil has any life left in it, send it off for an analysis. I like Blackstone Labs and have had mine tested a couple of times now. Most newer diesels can easily run the oil at least 5,k or more. The only real way to know for sure it it's still good though is by having it tested. In the long run, even switching to a little longer interval between changes will save you some real money.
Diesel engines last a lot longer as well. Now days even a gas can easily last more than 200,k so don't worry about buying one with 100,k on it!!
Make sure you get one that fits you though. You may have a long road ahead trying to wear it out so you can get another.

 

I change my oil every 5,000 miles, I use ROTELA, DEL-VAC, & DELO, Which ever one on sale.

 

hello everyone... Im brand new to the forum, in fact... first post!

I was gonna ask for advice but since this thread was already started i figured i better just post here...

I'm looking to buy my first diesel truck. It will be a budget build for now. I'm wondering which of the three:
1. easy to make torque gains from stock
2. availability of used/new/aftermarket parts
3. decent auto tranny, transfer case, 4x4

I've seen some gm 6.2, 6.5's in my price range, a few 7.2 powerstrokes and some first gen dodge cummins... duramax is out of my price range and probley anything newer than 98 or so...

Let me know what you guys think and what was a rare setup so i can stay away from those as it would affect ease/price of finding parts