Hey Guys,


I currently work for a company that has me driving as a service tech anywhere from 100-500 miles per day, mostly highway mileage.

I currently drive a 97 S-10 2wd standard cab 2.2 4cyl 5spd truck. It gets about 25mpg on average, and has served me well. I'm in no hurry to upgrade, but the standard cab and lack of go (uphill in NY and PA required downshifting to 3rd at 50mph and foot to the floor) are dictating that I move up to a larger truck with some more *****. Being that highway mileage is important, and I may haul (but not tow, yet) things since i'm into cars and building things, I figured a diesel truck would be the natural fit.

I'm predisposed to GM, but not limited to them. I've been looking to pick up a GMC Duramax truck, but the idea of a 7.3 powerstroke, or a cummins powered dodge isn't out of the question.

My only minimum requirement is extended cab (or crew) and the ability to install a double din navigation radio. That leaves a huge plethora of trucks at my disposal.

Body styles aren't too important, although i'm not a huge fan of the 03-06 chevy nose (GMC is ok).

I wouldn't mind an older truck if the cost was much less, and the mpg was still good.

I was initially leaning towards 2wd (for better MPG, and maybe lowering it for a semi-unique combo), but the scarcity of them and the thought of my truck being paralyzed in the snow has me looking at 4x4's too.

So, without turning the thread into a "my truck is the best ever" fest, can anyone give me some useful honest info regarding truck choices?

Searching through the forum seems to point out that gearing and trans choice make a big difference in MPG, as does driving style.

That being said, I tried sticking to 70-75mph on the turnpike, and I think I can do that regularly.

I'm no diesel pro, but I expect to be doing any moderate duty work at home in my driveway, so ease of maintenance and such is important.


So, Cummins? Powerstroke (7.3 since the 6.0's are said to be problematic)? or Duramax?

Input is greatly appreciated, especially specific years/models.

Thanks!

 

Well I get around 26 mpg in my 95 2wd auto Cummins, love it! Buy a Dodge, but get a 5 speed, you'll love it

 

Well since he said he doesn't want a my truck is better fest, I'll lay it out, plain and simple drive a few of each brand get a feel for What YOU LIKE, no anyone else, the 6.0 powerstroke isn't a bad truck my uncle has one bone stock 130,000 miles loaded four door not one single problem at all and he pulls religiously for his landscaping company AND plows with it in winter months. It's a great truck comfortable and gets 16-19 mpg in town don't know about highway but I'd say 21-26, and like you said any trucks mpg depend on how oh drive it. Now maintenance is another thing most things with the right tools, and time you can fix dodges are going to be easier to repair because their 6 cylinders. But ford 7.3 are quite easy ad can't say about Chevys, I replaced the glow plugs in my 99 f250 in 7 hours which only because I had a bastard child that was seized into head but I had the one side done and back together in less than an hour, so I spent 4 hours fixing the stuck glow plug. Honestly it's all personal preference I think dodges interiors are "cheap" some may not think so but that's MY opinion, Chevys have nice interior typically but they are way higher than dodge or ford in price, some years of the chevy or gmc have go through injectors like I change my oil quite often. Drive a few once you narrow it down to a certain brand get on here in the brand specific forum and ask around what to look for as gearing and so on. Also having a truck with a lift and big tires will kill your mpg so stay away from them unless you don't mid the drop, hope this helps man welcome to the addiction!


Strokin' Away

 

I thought about looking for a stick truck, why the 5speed endoresement if you have an auto?

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1999stroker, what kind of mpg do you see with yours?

 

It really depends bud, anywhere from 14-18 in town I don't drive highway hardly at all. I have a diy 6637 mod for intake, gauges, ts 6position chip, but I got 35 inch tires which sic for fuel mileage but they were on there when I bought the truck. I started out with 9-11 mpg and grew to what I'm at now though. Making sure all the routine maintenance is done like tires balanced, fluids, filters, and little thugs can Greatly help mileage. You have to think any big diesel is like driving a brick wall through wind it's higher off the ground and basically a sqaure box not as aerodynamic as a little car.


Strokin' Away

 

Oh and I wouldn't like a manual transmission personally on hilly terrain down and up shifting would get annoying especially with a load behind you, if you go with dodge I'd get a manual though or at least a semi built auto trans there known not to hold up with towing and performance mods one of the pro's ad con's of every truck I was talking about

Adam


Strokin' Away

 

18mpg city is def passable for me. I'm good with anything over 20mpg highway. I'm thinking the mpg difference is within 1mpg between 4x4 and 2wd?

 

Don't know for sure bud. But I drive like 16 miles to work just enough that my truck gets good and warm. It's not always 18 mpg.and you have to factor in the hills which may hurt a bit on mileage I'm flat in Ohio. I'd I had smaller tires and drove my truck like a 70 year old grandma I'm sure I could do better but I don't.

Adam


Strokin' Away

 

my input here is this might not be your best bet for what you do, to get really good mileage in a bigger truck you will need a 2wd, and the hills in PA will kill you in the winter

mileage in a diesel is more related to it's power level, more power more fuel less mileage so your right foot is the decision maker, older trucks with less power will naturally do a bit better.

I have an 06 duramax and my only mod is an basic edge evo programmer and my daily drive is about 5mi city and 12mi highway to work and then the same back and it will average about 17.5 on winter fuel with the tuner on 1 or 3, closer to 15 with it fully up, i cruise about 75 on the highway and it takes a bit more than when i stay at 65.

 

So what would you recommend? I need something I can throw a motor in the back of, can haul my tools and parts, and has space? My S-10 is barely cutting it, and my passenger seat is often overloaded.

If it's snowing, I wouldn't be making long trips anyway, so PA hills wouldn't be an issue. I could purchase a 2wd, but I was getting the impression that it was only ~1mpg difference, in which case the 4wd might come in handy.

I'm sure power is regulated by your right foot, same as fuel, and being that i'm truly driving 100 miles without any stop lights or stop and go, I was hoping that diesel mpg would be acceptable. I don't expect to get the 25mpg my S10 got, but ~20 is acceptable.

I know the 06 was the first to see the 6 speed allison. Do you have stock tires? Lift? What gears? How are you calculating your MPG? by hand? or on the truck readout? Is your truck crew cab? Long bed? too many variables I guess.

I might have a line on a cheap 6.5 diesel gmc. I know they're the supreme underdog, but supposedly they get good mileage, and make "enough" power. Their problems are supposedly easy to solve too.

Anyone have any firsthand input on one of these?