[jensend]

Looks like we'll be trying to find a used late model (2006- on) truck in order to be able to take my '02 Z28 off the road and make it a dedicated track car. The truck would need to be able to tow the car and an open trailer safely at highway speeds. Would prefer a club or crew cab for the extra space an longer wheelbase. Right now I'm thinking gas as opposed to diesel since the truck will get limited use other than for track events and few camping trips annually. It will also be available to my two grown sons as needed. Want the space of an 8' bed so I can carry plywood, etc., when needed. Durarbility and reliability are major requirement. Capable of doing most maintenance and repairs on my own on a gas powered vehicle, but I'd like to have something that was practical to use and maintain. Looking for recommendations on what to buy/avoid, average real world mpg figures, etc.. Thanks in advance for your input.

[Steve91T]

Looks like we'll be trying to find a used late model (2006- on) truck in order to be able to take my '02 Z28 off the road and make it a dedicated track car. The truck would need to be able to tow the car and an open trailer safely at highway speeds. Would prefer a club or crew cab for the extra space an longer wheelbase. Right now I'm thinking gas as opposed to diesel since the truck will get limited use other than for track events and few camping trips annually. It will also be available to my two grown sons as needed. Want the space of an 8' bed so I can carry plywood, etc., when needed. Durarbility and reliability are major requirement. Capable of doing most maintenance and repairs on my own on a gas powered vehicle, but I'd like to have something that was practical to use and maintain. Looking for recommendations on what to buy/avoid, average real world mpg figures, etc.. Thanks in advance for your input.

Well, I've got a 99 F250 Powerstroke. It's a 4x4 super cab with an 8' box. I've had it for about 5 years now, and got it with 137,000 miles. It's not got about 205,000 miles on it. I did an intake ($50), turbo back exhaust (4" w/ muffler $350), and got an 80hp flash on the PCM ($75). It's a 6 speed manual, with a manual transfer case and manual locking hubs, which I absolutely love. The truck weighs with fuel and me in it, about 7300 lbs.


I know you don't really want a diesel, but I think you should at least really consider diesel. My 7.3 is not the most powerful, quiet, or efficient of all of the diesels, but it does a damn good job. I hand calculate my fuel milage at every fill up. I get about 16-18 MPG doing all around town driving, and to be honest, I don't baby it. My average is usually a little over 17 MPG. Empty with highway driving, I get mid 19's. My best (several times), has been 19.8 MPG. This is maintaining 65 MPG. And I live in the mountains, so I'm sure if I lived in Idaho, I'd be getting over 20. Even if I'm cruising at around 70 MPH, I can get just under 19.5, usually about 19.2 MPG.

I've been doing oil analysis since new. I just did my last at 200,000 miles. Their report said my truck doesn't seem to care when I change the oil (4-10,000 miles), and shows absolutely no signs of wear. Their exact words were "this engine is easily going to last another 200,000 miles).

When I town my 97 SS on a Uhaul, I could honestly not feel it back there (except when accelerating and braking). The only thing I noticed is I had a smoother ride. When I town my boat, same thing.

Highway towing will get me about 14-15 MPG. Again, this is 65 MPH and in the mountains. When headed up hill, 18 wheelers are in their climbing lane crawling at 30 MPH, I am maintaining speed in 6th gear! I have NEVER had to downshift for a hill. I can actually accelerate with a combined weight of 12,000-14,000 lbs.

Diesels are easy to work on. They are bullet proof engines. I love my hand shaker. It's much more durable than the auto's, which need to rebuilt fairly often unless you build it up (which most do).

While my truck does show signs of wear (seats and carpet, paint, exc...) nobody believes me that I've got over 200,000 miles.

Knowing what I know now, if I were to do it all over again, I would get another 7.3. It's one of the most durable engines you could ever own. Stay away from the 6.0, which runs from somewhere around 03-07.

You can pick up very nice, low mileage 7.3's for less than $15K.


I looked at the V10, and I know a few people with that engine. Empty, around town, they get around 11 MPG. Single digits when towing. Of course gas is cheaper right now than diesel.

My 36 gallon tank lets me go over 600 miles between fill ups when empty on the highway. That's really nice.



I have a bed extender (gate), that allows me to have 10' of secured space. It's unreal how much I can fit.

Anyway, I hope this helps. I change my oil every 8,000 miles with dino oil, and about 10,000 miles with synthetic. I've honestly done nothing more than replace an alternator, the oil, and a clutch in nearly 70,000 miles. I've got some glow plugs to replace this summer, but that's about it.

(IMG:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Steve91T/77356043.jpg)