I'm thinking about upgrading my current truck, I'm looking for something with a little bit more power, and more room, I'm looking for an extended cab, short box, now I'm usually driving empty, however I do haul from time to time, I do alot of city driving, mixed in with some highway driving.... I also am planning on going on a few trips in the next few months....
Now here is the question, should I get a F250 diesel? I'm not looking at new, but maybe an IDI or a 95-97 Powerstroke, or would it be a good idea to stick with a 150? What motor should I get if I do stick with the 150?
I'm currently driving a 1990 F150 with the 4.9 six(best motor ever made, PERIOD) but my milage is ****, I'm going through a tank of gas every 5 days... Where I live, I spent 250 bucks driving up island(again where I live) and that was too one area, after that it was about another 175 bucks in gas, ALONE
The truck has been serviced, tune up has been done(3-4 months ago), I'm not sure what to honestly do

 

Ohh and I should also add, maintence is NOT an issue, I know full well that diesels cost more, I work at a oil change shop, so I can do oil changes myself, is milage I'm more concerned about
I'm tired of getting 12-16mpg

 

You won't notice too much of a mileage increase by switching to a powerstroke, or an older idi 7.3. Here in the states, for the most part diesel costs more than gas, so it might end up costing you more to make the switch to diesel.

 

I understand, but would I be getting better then 10 mpg? cause thats about what I'm getting with the 4.9 in my truck....

 

can you get better than 10mpg with an older Powerstroke? maybe, maybe not. Spend sometime on some diesel specific forums for more info on the PS for those model years.

Even my 09 6.4 SuperDuty got like 12mpg, and my newer ones (brand new) get 16-18mpg, but considerably less if I'm towing heavy or driving hard.

 

I'm currently on a diesel site, certain members have told me to go with a diesel, some have said not too
I can get a cheap diesel for around 2500 bucks, I'm just curious though if you think it would be a decent idea
Or should I stick with the 150, do a cold air, and a after market muffler and see what I'm getting then

 

Honestly if your looking at diesel mileage, I've got a 1997 f250 powerstroke that will hover around 14-17 on the highway if im at or below 70 mph. Over that, the engine is out of its torque peak. It's happiest at around 1600-1800 rpms. City mileage is terrible, around 12 with any amount of stop lights/signs. A lot of people forget that with a powerstroke older than 2008, they use pressurized engine oil to fire the injectors, so if the motor is not given a few minutes to warm up the oil, after repeated cycle like that you will have injector issues. It's a great motor and you won't be disappointed but there are a lot of factors to keep in mind. Hope this helps.

 

I usually let my 150 warm up for a good 15 minutes or so before I drive to work in the mornings, its also not just about fuel milage, I want some more power, and torque, but I wouldn't mind getting better milage as well...Tune ups and all that stuff I can pretty much do myself, its not a big deal, I know it is costly, but honestly, I can deal with it when I need too
Now would you recomend a 6.9 or 7.3L? Or would you go with a 7.3L Powerstroke?

 

honestly, if ur just looking for better mpg, all the diesels dont gain enough over your current truck to make the added upkeep work it. my 97 f250 with the 460 gets 10-14 mpg and it only dips down to 9 at its worst. i dont have the added upkeep of more oil for oil changes and a lil more price for diesel. so im happy with it, and it has plenty of power to do anything i want.

even in power, my 460 isnt far off the 7.3ls of this gen.

7.3l powerstroke would be your best bet if you really want one 94.5-97

 

I have a 96 F250 powerstroke and I'm getting just over 20 mpg on summer diesel and about 18 on winter diesel. I had it up to 26 mpg on a all high way trip driving as nice as possible but I do have a chip in it