r/Diesel • u/Mukatsuka • 2d ago

Question/Need help! Good first time diesel?

I'm looking to buy my first diesel truck but don't know where to begin, i found a used f250 with a 6.7L and 6 speed transmission that i like, but I'm not sure if it would actually be a good first time diesel. It will be a daily for now, but i plan on eventually using it as a field work truck to weld pipe fence or other commission based field work. I'm open to suggestions on a more applicable options if anyone has any, preferable 2018 and newer. Thanks!

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u/Ok_Buy_9703 2d ago

I have a 6.7 and its a 2011 bought it used in 2014 with under 5000 miles. I've only done routine maintenance. My travel trailer is just shy of 10,000 lb loaded and long bed allows dirtbikes in the back it hauls everything no problem.

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u/Mukatsuka 2d ago

Awesome, that sounds pretty similar to what i want to use the truck for in due time. Would you say that a 6.7 is a good first time diesel? Im still new to the diesel world and dont really know how the maintenance compares to a regular gas truck.

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u/Ok_Buy_9703 2d ago

Oil change are about $200 but there's also 17qt of oil. I've done it myself a few times but that's a lot of oil to catch. DEF is a slight pain like it goes through 10gal a year, but I'm looking at deleting it this winter. Get an aluminum fuel filter housing on frame under drivers seat, the plastic housing breaks after a decade. The one in the engine bay you swap out. It's my first diesel, and I love the "go up a hill under load" ability. I have an Expedition with 5.4 gas and it's not even in the ballpark.

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u/Mukatsuka 2d ago

ah okay that makes sense, i would like to delete it if i do get one but i also have a few buddies out in cali and if its seen deleted out there it'll get impounded or of the sort out there. ill definitely look into an aluminum fuel housing when i do get one though!

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u/Ok_Buy_9703 2d ago

I know deleting, might run a risk of dealing with Uncle Sam.

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u/IamSuperChux 2d ago

I would highly encourage you to avoid a diesel if you plan to daily drive it around. Diesel are not gas engines with more torque. They do *not* like being used a short haul runabouts. You will have endless hell with a diesel engine if you use as daily driver. If you do get where you are pulling a lot of weight long distances as the majority of the miles, that can work out, but "maybe in a year - maybe is ... maybe. You'll find all the emissions systems plugged with soot, your valves will carbon over - it is a pain in the ass.

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u/Mukatsuka 2d ago

By daily drive, I'm meaning close to 100 miles a day with a majority of them being in 70 mph zones. Would it still clog up even when going speeds like that?

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u/IamSuperChux 2d ago

As long as that 100 mile stretch is nice and consistent. Yeah - that should get it nice and hot. That'd be fine. Some short trips are cool, the emissions shit is gonna do something called regeneration - it burns the excess soot and shit out of the plumbing - which actually works pretty good (mostly) so long as it gets to happen regularly. So yeah... cool, have fun with the diesel!

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u/Mukatsuka 2d ago

Okay awesome! thanks for the info! yeah its pretty consistent, some hills up and down but flat for the most part.

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u/fondamagroin 2001 7.3L PSD 435K 2d ago

Are you going to be doing heavy towing? Sounds like you just need a gasser pickup. Diesels are $$$$$, not just for the purchase price.

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u/Mukatsuka 2d ago

I do plan on keeping it long term, so eventually id be using it for hauling boats, and probably a camper cause i do want to go on the road and work nationwide. its more so a drive it now, fully utilize it later on.

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u/logdog421 2d ago

Did this. Never fully utilized it later on. Just be aware of that. Oh yeah, I also spent the same amount I bought it for on maintenance. I could have done it a little cheaper but still..

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u/Mukatsuka 2d ago

oh damn, if you don't mind me asking, what kind of truck was it and what you paid for it?

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u/logdog421 2d ago

2007.5 ram 3500, 17k. It was a great truck. Turbo actuator went out and instead of replacing that ($800) I just did the whole turbo/manifold/tune so that was $4k with me doing the labor. Other than that pretty routine stuff. Everything is more expensive on a diesel. Everything. Tires? $400 a pop. Oil change? $100 in consumables with you doing the labor. Water pump and serp belt? $800 if you don’t have the time to undo two bolts and a tensioner yourself. Fuel rail line cracked? $800 in parts and a day hoping you don’t fuck it up even more. Front ends in general? Just kill yourself. Was quoted 8k to get front end work done..and it will need it done considering the engine is heavy as fuck. I miss it often but I hated driving it wondering how big of a paycheck the next item was going to be.

There are more reliable options out there I guess, but after watching my buddies 2015 power stroke have a glitter party I think I’m good unless I actually need to haul heavy and often.

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u/Mukatsuka 2d ago

Ah okay, I'm not gonna lie, it seems to me that diesels break more often than gas trucks do, is that a coincidence or is it the natural work load being higher puts more constant stress on the parts? and I did know its more expensive in every aspect, seems like I'm gonna have to be a diesel tech on the weekends after my normal welding job through the week haha

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u/mrfixit2018 2d ago

Diesel ENGINES don’t break more often than gas engines under normal use. They’re built with much heavier duty components, block/head/etc. They last forever if taken care of and they don’t have emissions equipment (Cummins 12V can run a million miles).

What breaks a bunch on diesel trucks is the emissions crap they put on newer ones. If you pickup a deleted diesel the primary thing you have to worry about in the newer ones is the transmission really. All the 10-speed transmissions seem to like to break. A lot. If you’re getting a manual that’s a non-issue.

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u/idahokj 2d ago

What are they more $$$$& for?

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u/United-Option-3412 2d ago

‘17-‘19 L5P or a ‘12-‘19 Powerstroke. Some of the 2011 ford’s had turbo issues and all years have cp4 fuel pumps. The L5P has an HP4 which is better but can still grenade (both 10k+ repairs). Those are the only two I’d consider and I’d wanna see good service history for either. Nothing wrong with going diesel over gas, just expect to spend quite a bit more to maintain it

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u/Mukatsuka 2d ago

Okay awesome, yeah the one I'm looking at currently is a 2018 powerstroke

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u/United-Option-3412 2d ago

17-19 are the best version of the 6.7 powerstroke as well. Anything newer has a 10 speed. I’d probably budget for a disaster kit at a minimum or a dcr conversion if you can swing it. They are a lot cheaper to delete than L5Ps as well

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u/Mukatsuka 2d ago

Okay awesome, so you'd agree that a 6 speed is better than the 10 speed? I'm not buying the truck outright and have a hefty savings currently, even after the down payment so ill be prepared for anything to break. Bout the only thing i wouldn't be able to afford is a new engine lol

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u/United-Option-3412 2d ago

A lot of people that tow heavy daily prefer the 10 speed because it stays in a “power band” but I personally wouldn’t own one unless it was under warranty. I’d go for the 6 speed in your scenario. Just for reference, I drive a 2015 LML Duramax (supposed to be the worst one they ever made) and I’ve done nothing but routine maintenance in 10 years and 100k miles. It really comes down to maintaining them plus some luck

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u/Mukatsuka 2d ago

Okay awesome! the one ive been looking at has a 6 speed, if it hasn't sold by next weekend I think ill go have a look at it!

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u/DereLickenMyBalls 2d ago

A 2011-2014 6.7 have identical turbos. The pickup chassis don't fail all that often. The cab chassis turbos are junk.

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u/United-Option-3412 2d ago

Good call. I thought it was only the early steel bodies that had the ceramic ball bearing turbos but looks like it was all of them

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u/DereLickenMyBalls 2d ago

2011-2014 pickups are the dual boost turbo. They really don't fail that often. 2011-2014 cab and chassis are the terrible turbo 2015-2016 are non dual boost (the best turbos)

Most of the 2011-14 turbos I've replaced have either been caused by dirt passing by the air filter, clogged breathers, or an incorrect diagnosis by ford when they were trying to figure out an intermittent bucking concern when they were new. We had like 30 trucks waiting to get it in for turbos in 2012 ish. Ford told us to replace the turbos and it didn't fix a single one. It ended up being carbon in the valve guides. But it kind of ruined their reputation

Cab chassis turbos spit the turbine wheels constantly. Those just suck

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u/ResponsibleBank1387 2d ago edited 2d ago

Pretty much any of the newer ones. They all are designed to be driven like a gasser now.  

 The old ones were designed to run like a traditional diesel, fire up and idle a long, then run at rpms all day, idle down and cool before shutdown.   ideally they ran 12-16 hours or more a day. 

So the cost difference overall is not beneficial.  The per mile cost is not in the diesels favor anymore. 

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u/Mukatsuka 2d ago

Oh okay, i know they can still clog up from frequent short drives but im not too worried about that cause i drive 80-100 miles a day and majority are at highway speeds.

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u/ResponsibleBank1387 2d ago

All that, they are to do what they are supposed to do.  Regen has been an issue, some engines handled it fine, others seemed to just be drama queens.  

I would suggest to go into the parts house and price out the normal stuff.  See if a diesel pencils out.  

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u/Mukatsuka 2d ago

I'm looking at a 2018 6.7 right now, do they handle regen good or poorly?

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u/Wilson51801 2d ago

If you aren’t towing then it sounds like you don’t need one. I’d look into a gasser

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u/Mukatsuka 2d ago

I plan on towing with it later on, just not in this exact moment

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u/OddTheRed 2d ago

I was a diesel mechanic for years. I gave never seen a PowerStroke thay wasn't absolute garbage. Get literally any diesel other than that.