Re: [a/s] FW: [VAC] Diesel Engines -- Long

["Sandy Noyes" <boojum@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Spencer -

On the basis of my experience with the Dodge/Cummins I would say buy
it.  On the basis of the reputation of Isuzu diesels I would say buy it
now.  I have been driving the Cummins for more than a year now and love
it.  I get 13 - 15 mpg pulling a 30W Excella on the highway in open
country.  The worst I have gotten is 9.5 in west Texas in hilly country
against a headwind driving at 70+ mph.  The best I have gotten is 19.nn
on I-5 at between 55 and 60 mph in open country.  These are towing
figures and I track all mileage and have for the last 18 months on this
truck.  The best I have done not towing is 22+ mpg in open country.  I
was getting 14 mpg in town driving.  The diesel works best at its
ambient temp so getting it warmed up is what makes it run best. 
Running at its most efficient speed is what it does best, too.  The
small amount of short haul driving in town that I do is more than
balanced out by the highway driving I do.

I like the torque of my diesel (600 ft lbs) and that at cruising speed
I am at peak torque.  Diesel fuel is usually cheaper, too.  And the
damned thing sounds pretty gnarly and mean.  I guess I am a closet
trucker.  Routine maintenance is a bit higher in that the oil is
changed more often.  I change mine every 5,000.  I change the tranny
oil every 10,000.  Oil filter change at every oil change and fuel
filter change at every second oil change or every tranny oil change.

The maintenance upside is that at 250,000 you just do a bottom bearing
change for less that $1,000 and drive another 250,000 miles.  Try that
with a gas engine.  I have spoken to a number of truckers on the
"bottom end" thing and that seems to be right.

If you plan to keep your vehicle for a long time the diesel is the way
to go.  If you need torque the diesel is the way to go.  I love mine.

Happy Trails.

L8R