Non MB diesel question... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MikeTangas · #1 06-29-2003, 12:27 PM

OK y'all, I getting an urge to replace the Suburban. First off to me a Suburban isn't an SUV it is a station wagon/work truck so pleeeeease no SUV bashing. My only possible candidate is the Ford Excursion due to it interior capacity.

I have plenty of friends who have the 7.3L diesel in their trucks and Excursions, so I am well aware of the cam sensor problem. I know most of the folks I know also average about 15-17 MPG with the 7.3.

Does anyone know anything about the new 6.0L diesel Ford is offering now? Problems, strong points, mileage?

If I should replace the Suburban (w/7.0L 454), it will have to be a diesel. The amount of people and gear I have to haul around at times dictates the size and limits me to another Suburban or an Excursion.

Thanks y'all.

Maxwell · #2 06-29-2003, 02:01 PM

For anything relating to Ford/IH Diesel just go to TheDieselStop.com, they have a great forum about the old F250 IH 6.9 Diesel My Dad has. They also have forums about the new 6.0 and 7.3 powerstrokes

http://forums.thedieselstop.com/ubbthreads/

engatwork · #3 06-29-2003, 02:08 PM

I don't know that much about the 6.0 Mike but are you looking at purchasing new? Are you stuck on the Excursion/Surburban type body style? If I were in the same position and looking at purchasing new I would at least stop by the friendly Freightliner dealer and take a look at the Sprinter - 22 mpg. If you can wait till next spring you will be able to see them at the Dodge dealer. It is my understanding that they are going to replace the full size Dodge van. I think they are pretty neat vehicles.

MikeTangas · #4 06-29-2003, 02:41 PM

Thanks for the link Maxwell. I'll check it out later on.

Jim, I'm not stuck on new, I have no problem looking used. In fact used, I have seen several versions with under 30K miles, about 2 years olds, for $20K+ less than new. The Sprinter/Freightliner is a viable option depending on when I make up my mind. My only question on the Sprinter is what kind of ground clearance does it have, because I don't always follow the paved path. 4WD is not necessary and 4x2 is preferred.

After hitting the post button, another question on the Sprinter popped to mind. How well do they handle trailers, specifically a horse trailer? Any idea on the towing capability?

engatwork · #5 06-29-2003, 02:52 PM

Mike - the reason I asked about "new" is because that would pretty much put you in the price range of a new Sprinter (low $30k). My wife wants a van and I am trying to hold her off until Dodge has the Sprinter (versus Freightliner which is 60+ miles away). Anyway, you can read all about the Sprinter here

http://www.dodge.com/sprinter/capability.html?context=sprinter-index&type=left

Looks like towing capacity is 5k pounds. Not sure if they will list ground clearance or not but it may be on the attached site somewhere.

Jim

psfred · #6 06-29-2003, 04:07 PM

Another thought for horse trailer towing (since most horse trailers are WAY overweight...) is a used railroad International Crew Cab truck. 5th wheel, (a real one), lots of room, better milage that a Suburban with a big trailer, and much cheaper. Safer, too, since it has the brakes and suspension for a big Sundowner, unlike most pickups.

If you are towing a single horse trailer, it's overkill, though.

Peter

coachgeo · #7 06-29-2003, 05:22 PM

Unimog U500

So its just a LITTLE...... overkill but would certainly be fun

The Warden · #8 06-29-2003, 06:33 PM

Mike, I second Maxwell's recommendation of TheDieselStop.com; I've been a regular over there for over 3 years now, and actually found out about this site through there. It's a wonderful resource, and I would easily put it on par with this site.

In all honesty, if you want a 6.0l, I would strongly suggest waiting a year. From what other board members over there have said, there are a lot of bugs (injector issues, oil leaks, etc) that need to be addressed. However, unless they changed their minds again, Ford planned to discontinue the Excursion within a year or two...

But, in all honesty, I would vote for a 7.3l. They have the "cackle" issue on some engines and have too much electronics for my personal taste (but, the only way to avoid electronics in a diesel is to go to a pre-'98 Dodge or a pre-'94 Ford {no, I don't consider GM an option where a diesel is concerned

}), but at the core it's a good engine, has been proven (Ford's been using it since '94, and the internal design is basically the same as the old IDI's like my 6.9l, although the PSD is a direct-injection unit with an HEUI design), whereas the 6.0l is a ground-up design.

Here's another thought, though...depending on what you haul, what about a crewcab pickup with a camper shell? If overall length isn't a concern, you could have an 8' truck bed behind the back seats, and would still be able to seat 6, and if you opted for the 6' bed, except for passenger capacity and having a wall in one spot, you'd have about the same overall room. This would also allow you to have a manual transmission if you so wish, and would also allow you to expand your choice somewhat (Dodge would be an option, and I personally put Dodge and Ford on the same level as far as the rest of the truck is concerned, and I would take a Cummins over either PSD any day).

Just some food for thought...good luck with your decision!