I have had the following:
85 6.9
93 7.3 idi
99 7.3
02 7.3
11 6.7

The 02 7.3 got the best mileage and dependability out of all of theM. The 02 was a super cab 2wd and regularly got 19-21 hi way and 14 in town. I currently have an ecoboost 150 and I don't even get what my 7.3 did.

 

What were the IDIs like? Thats what I'm kinda looking at, if not one of those, maybe, just maybe a 4.6L but I'm unsure at this moment, I wanna be able to work on my truck, not always have to rely on a shop to do it
I'll have a bit of cash to throw around, but I also don't want something I'm fixing every day

 

I loved my IDI, pulled great, not quite as strong as the powerstroke but achieved the same mpg as my 99 did. The IDIs just don't last as long as a powerstroke. The 6.9 and 7.2 idi gave up the ghost around 230k ish.

 

Is it going to be worth it for me, owning a diesel? I can do my own oil changes and stuff, but if in the long run, would it be better for owning one? I'm getting ready to dump my old truck, and possible in the next month or so buy something better
I get told that a 5.0, or 5.8, would be a great next motor, but for a 20 year old guy, I need something that won't be breaking my bank on gas, and won't be breaking down every two seconds
Whats your opinion?

 

15 minutes warming up is why your mileage is so bad. I know it's cold in your neck of the woods, but anything more than 5 minutes is just like flushing cash down the drain and 0 miles to the gallon.

 

Huh, thats surprising, I thought warming it up for a little longer would be better for the motor, makes sense though...
I've noticed my milage is getting better, I pay about 60-70 bucks to fill up in my area, and that lasts me about a week or more, depending on how much driving I do

 

Diesel will get better mileage but the difference in price on gas and diesel will negate the mpg difference. Now if you are planning on getting a 3/4 ton gas then get the diesel but 3/4 diesel to 1/2 gas, the gasser will be cheaper to run. you might consider the ecoboost, drives like a diesel but I get the same economy in the eco as I did in the diesel.