Gas vs Diesel 17 F350
06-11-2018, 04:36 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Gas vs Diesel 17 F350
So pondering STILL on whether I should just go for it and get the Superduty now instead of a few years later. In the next year or two I plan to upgrade my trailer to a larger one with slideouts and three or more rear bunks from my fixed bodied double rear bunk. If I stick with an F150, I know a Platinum can handle my current trailer and I did find a few models that fall within the same GVWR that I have now, but that does limit it to just that few, and I may not be able to actually find one when the time comes.
So weighing that with the option of a SD, I am going through everything, F350 Platinum with the 6.2 and the 6.7. Not concerned about payload with the F350, not looking to pull a palace, and in 12 years when I retire and do go for the palace model, it will be time for a new truck anyway.
Here is what I have so far. Compiling numbers, I can see getting a ballpark of 18 in the Diesel, been there, done that, exceeded it with my 99. I know that the 17 with DEF and other junk decreases fuel economy, but considering my daily drive is 95% highway, and very little if any idle time, the PF burns should be far in between. On a couple that I test drove I was seeing the Lie-o-meter exceed 20 and 19, and that was in cold weather on a cold engine on winter blend, so basing Diesel FE at 18 MPG.
On the gas however, that is more difficult as not every one drives rural roads at 60 MPH for 60 miles at a time. The couple I came across were seeing 14, so basing the 6.2 FE at 14 MPG.
On average I drive 32,240 miles just to work and back per year. Currently my truck is getting between 17 and 18, so rounding up, call it 18.
32,240 miles / 18 MPG gives me 1791 gallons used (which is pretty close to the Fuelly numbers, but only have 44K and change logged in 16 months)
32,240 miles / 14 MPG gives me 2302 gallons used.
Based on todays current fuel prices, the costs are
87 @ $2.80 gallon
18 MPG = $5012
14 MPG = $6445
Diesel @ $3.20 gallon
18 MPG = $5731
So that means the gas 6.2 will cost me $1433 a year over my F150 in fuel and the 6.7 Diesel will cost $719 a year.
I looked up oil and filters for both the 6.2 and the 6.7 and a DIY on the 6.2 is roughly $33, and $70 for the 6.7, and fuel filters twice a year, with the water separation filter, is roughly another $100.
Subtracting the $33 from the $70 for the oil changes, 5 changes per year, Oil changes will be $185 more than it is now, and with the fuel filters I am looking at just under $300 more per year for Maintenance. I did not include DEF since I consider that no different than windshield washer fluid, and the costs are maybe $30 a year?
In the long run, just in DD the Diesel will cost me maybe $1000 more a year to drive than my current F150, but can tow more, and get better MPG while doing it. The Gas will cost $1400 more in fuel alone, and if I have the dealer change the oil, it will cost more than the 3.5 due to the extra oil capacity.
Of course there are always little things that have to be taken care of, such as Coolant SCA, something I can have the dealer check, or buy the kits, though not crazy about the $65 price tag and short shelf life for a twice a year thing. (Edit: found a one shot test kit for $30, while it costs more over time, it doesn't go bad between tests)
So now I have to shop around and find apples to apples used '17 6.7 vs 6.2, see the difference in prices and amortize down over a few years to find true TCO/CPM. Something tells me that even with a $4-5K difference in price, the Diesel will still come out ahead.
So weighing that with the option of a SD, I am going through everything, F350 Platinum with the 6.2 and the 6.7. Not concerned about payload with the F350, not looking to pull a palace, and in 12 years when I retire and do go for the palace model, it will be time for a new truck anyway.
Here is what I have so far. Compiling numbers, I can see getting a ballpark of 18 in the Diesel, been there, done that, exceeded it with my 99. I know that the 17 with DEF and other junk decreases fuel economy, but considering my daily drive is 95% highway, and very little if any idle time, the PF burns should be far in between. On a couple that I test drove I was seeing the Lie-o-meter exceed 20 and 19, and that was in cold weather on a cold engine on winter blend, so basing Diesel FE at 18 MPG.
On the gas however, that is more difficult as not every one drives rural roads at 60 MPH for 60 miles at a time. The couple I came across were seeing 14, so basing the 6.2 FE at 14 MPG.
On average I drive 32,240 miles just to work and back per year. Currently my truck is getting between 17 and 18, so rounding up, call it 18.
32,240 miles / 18 MPG gives me 1791 gallons used (which is pretty close to the Fuelly numbers, but only have 44K and change logged in 16 months)
32,240 miles / 14 MPG gives me 2302 gallons used.
Based on todays current fuel prices, the costs are
87 @ $2.80 gallon
18 MPG = $5012
14 MPG = $6445
Diesel @ $3.20 gallon
18 MPG = $5731
So that means the gas 6.2 will cost me $1433 a year over my F150 in fuel and the 6.7 Diesel will cost $719 a year.
I looked up oil and filters for both the 6.2 and the 6.7 and a DIY on the 6.2 is roughly $33, and $70 for the 6.7, and fuel filters twice a year, with the water separation filter, is roughly another $100.
Subtracting the $33 from the $70 for the oil changes, 5 changes per year, Oil changes will be $185 more than it is now, and with the fuel filters I am looking at just under $300 more per year for Maintenance. I did not include DEF since I consider that no different than windshield washer fluid, and the costs are maybe $30 a year?
In the long run, just in DD the Diesel will cost me maybe $1000 more a year to drive than my current F150, but can tow more, and get better MPG while doing it. The Gas will cost $1400 more in fuel alone, and if I have the dealer change the oil, it will cost more than the 3.5 due to the extra oil capacity.
Of course there are always little things that have to be taken care of, such as Coolant SCA, something I can have the dealer check, or buy the kits, though not crazy about the $65 price tag and short shelf life for a twice a year thing. (Edit: found a one shot test kit for $30, while it costs more over time, it doesn't go bad between tests)
So now I have to shop around and find apples to apples used '17 6.7 vs 6.2, see the difference in prices and amortize down over a few years to find true TCO/CPM. Something tells me that even with a $4-5K difference in price, the Diesel will still come out ahead.
Last edited by acdii; 06-11-2018 at 04:46 PM.
06-11-2018, 05:00 PM
#2
Senior Member
So pondering STILL on whether I should just go for it and get the Superduty now instead of a few years later. In the next year or two I plan to upgrade my trailer to a larger one with slideouts and three or more rear bunks from my fixed bodied double rear bunk. If I stick with an F150, I know a Platinum can handle my current trailer and I did find a few models that fall within the same GVWR that I have now, but that does limit it to just that few, and I may not be able to actually find one when the time comes.
So weighing that with the option of a SD, I am going through everything, F350 Platinum with the 6.2 and the 6.7. Not concerned about payload with the F350, not looking to pull a palace, and in 12 years when I retire and do go for the palace model, it will be time for a new truck anyway.
Here is what I have so far. Compiling numbers, I can see getting a ballpark of 18 in the Diesel, been there, done that, exceeded it with my 99. I know that the 17 with DEF and other junk decreases fuel economy, but considering my daily drive is 95% highway, and very little if any idle time, the PF burns should be far in between. On a couple that I test drove I was seeing the Lie-o-meter exceed 20 and 19, and that was in cold weather on a cold engine on winter blend, so basing Diesel FE at 18 MPG.
On the gas however, that is more difficult as not every one drives rural roads at 60 MPH for 60 miles at a time. The couple I came across were seeing 14, so basing the 6.2 FE at 14 MPG.
On average I drive 32,240 miles just to work and back per year. Currently my truck is getting between 17 and 18, so rounding up, call it 18.
32,240 miles / 18 MPG gives me 1791 gallons used (which is pretty close to the Fuelly numbers, but only have 44K and change logged in 16 months)
32,240 miles / 14 MPG gives me 2302 gallons used.
Based on todays current fuel prices, the costs are
87 @ $2.80 gallon
18 MPG = $5012
14 MPG = $6445
Diesel @ $3.20 gallon
18 MPG = $5731
So that means the gas 6.2 will cost me $1433 a year over my F150 in fuel and the 6.7 Diesel will cost $719 a year.
I looked up oil and filters for both the 6.2 and the 6.7 and a DIY on the 6.2 is roughly $33, and $70 for the 6.7, and fuel filters twice a year, with the water separation filter, is roughly another $100.
Subtracting the $33 from the $70 for the oil changes, 5 changes per year, Oil changes will be $185 more than it is now, and with the fuel filters I am looking at just under $300 more per year for Maintenance. I did not include DEF since I consider that no different than windshield washer fluid, and the costs are maybe $30 a year?
In the long run, just in DD the Diesel will cost me maybe $1000 more a year to drive than my current F150, but can tow more, and get better MPG while doing it. The Gas will cost $1400 more in fuel alone, and if I have the dealer change the oil, it will cost more than the 3.5 due to the extra oil capacity.
Of course there are always little things that have to be taken care of, such as Coolant SCA, something I can have the dealer check, or buy the kits, though not crazy about the $65 price tag and short shelf life for a twice a year thing. (Edit: found a one shot test kit for $30, while it costs more over time, it doesn't go bad between tests)
So now I have to shop around and find apples to apples used '17 6.7 vs 6.2, see the difference in prices and amortize down over a few years to find true TCO/CPM. Something tells me that even with a $4-5K difference in price, the Diesel will still come out ahead.
So weighing that with the option of a SD, I am going through everything, F350 Platinum with the 6.2 and the 6.7. Not concerned about payload with the F350, not looking to pull a palace, and in 12 years when I retire and do go for the palace model, it will be time for a new truck anyway.
Here is what I have so far. Compiling numbers, I can see getting a ballpark of 18 in the Diesel, been there, done that, exceeded it with my 99. I know that the 17 with DEF and other junk decreases fuel economy, but considering my daily drive is 95% highway, and very little if any idle time, the PF burns should be far in between. On a couple that I test drove I was seeing the Lie-o-meter exceed 20 and 19, and that was in cold weather on a cold engine on winter blend, so basing Diesel FE at 18 MPG.
On the gas however, that is more difficult as not every one drives rural roads at 60 MPH for 60 miles at a time. The couple I came across were seeing 14, so basing the 6.2 FE at 14 MPG.
On average I drive 32,240 miles just to work and back per year. Currently my truck is getting between 17 and 18, so rounding up, call it 18.
32,240 miles / 18 MPG gives me 1791 gallons used (which is pretty close to the Fuelly numbers, but only have 44K and change logged in 16 months)
32,240 miles / 14 MPG gives me 2302 gallons used.
Based on todays current fuel prices, the costs are
87 @ $2.80 gallon
18 MPG = $5012
14 MPG = $6445
Diesel @ $3.20 gallon
18 MPG = $5731
So that means the gas 6.2 will cost me $1433 a year over my F150 in fuel and the 6.7 Diesel will cost $719 a year.
I looked up oil and filters for both the 6.2 and the 6.7 and a DIY on the 6.2 is roughly $33, and $70 for the 6.7, and fuel filters twice a year, with the water separation filter, is roughly another $100.
Subtracting the $33 from the $70 for the oil changes, 5 changes per year, Oil changes will be $185 more than it is now, and with the fuel filters I am looking at just under $300 more per year for Maintenance. I did not include DEF since I consider that no different than windshield washer fluid, and the costs are maybe $30 a year?
In the long run, just in DD the Diesel will cost me maybe $1000 more a year to drive than my current F150, but can tow more, and get better MPG while doing it. The Gas will cost $1400 more in fuel alone, and if I have the dealer change the oil, it will cost more than the 3.5 due to the extra oil capacity.
Of course there are always little things that have to be taken care of, such as Coolant SCA, something I can have the dealer check, or buy the kits, though not crazy about the $65 price tag and short shelf life for a twice a year thing. (Edit: found a one shot test kit for $30, while it costs more over time, it doesn't go bad between tests)
So now I have to shop around and find apples to apples used '17 6.7 vs 6.2, see the difference in prices and amortize down over a few years to find true TCO/CPM. Something tells me that even with a $4-5K difference in price, the Diesel will still come out ahead.
I am just know learning about diesel engines but from what I have learned so far, you'll come out better eventually with the diesel.
The only real negative I can think of is that everything is going to be more expensive, not just the things you've listed here...
06-12-2018, 11:06 AM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
That was an extremely well thought out post Brother...well done.
I am just know learning about diesel engines but from what I have learned so far, you'll come out better eventually with the diesel.
The only real negative I can think of is that everything is going to be more expensive, not just the things you've listed here...
I am just know learning about diesel engines but from what I have learned so far, you'll come out better eventually with the diesel.
The only real negative I can think of is that everything is going to be more expensive, not just the things you've listed here...
At this point it comes down to the best deal I can find. While I would really like a 2017 Platinum with the adaptive cruise, I doubt I will find one for under $50K, but found a few 2016 plats. When I can finally part with my current truck, if I find a new 2018 Platinum F150 for a good price, or if I find a decent deal on an F350, it will come down to that. At the very least I know what to budget for now, and that will determine the price point of the truck, the only outstanding I have is what I get in trade and what I get from Ford. I have an idea of what I need as a down, so it really comes down to waiting.
06-14-2018, 01:43 PM
#4
Money aside, the selling point to me was the absolute power in the 6.7L. It really is a pleasure to drive. I was more than willing to increase operating costs after feeling the torque.
06-15-2018, 08:29 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
My main concern is I need to get 10 years out of the truck, or in my case 330,000 miles. I have my doubts the F150 I have can do it, while I had complete faith in my 2014 F150. In the long run, the 6.7 should work out as well as my 99 7.3 did, keep it up and they last a long time. The engine was in great shape when I got rid of it, can't say the same for the transmission, but 99 tranny's were trash too.
06-21-2018, 04:13 PM
#6
You might want to adjust your figures. I've got a 6.7L CCLB with 3.55 gears (SRW) and don't get anywhere near 18 MPGs. On a recent trip to Florida with a 9000lb 5th wheel in tow, I averaged about 10.5 MPG over 2000 miles. Unloaded on the highway I can get up to 18mpg but bombing around town gets me only about 14mpg. I've heard that if you delete the sputnik, you can get low 20's all the time, but I prefer to keep mine stock until warranty is gone.
06-21-2018, 05:08 PM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
You might want to adjust your figures. I've got a 6.7L CCLB with 3.55 gears (SRW) and don't get anywhere near 18 MPGs. On a recent trip to Florida with a 9000lb 5th wheel in tow, I averaged about 10.5 MPG over 2000 miles. Unloaded on the highway I can get up to 18mpg but bombing around town gets me only about 14mpg. I've heard that if you delete the sputnik, you can get low 20's all the time, but I prefer to keep mine stock until warranty is gone.
So basically my current truck on average is between 17-18 MPG, and if a Stroke returns the same on average my cost per mile will still go up, but by only a slight margin, and compared to the 6.2 the cost per mile would have a rather large increase. Even with the higher maintenance costs of the diesel I would still come out ahead of the 6.2, and even though it would be roughly $1000 more per year, it is still less expensive in the long run than having two vehicles, one as a DD the other as a DTV, along with insurance and license fees.
The only thing that still weighs heavily is the unknown future. Will Diesel remain where it is over the next few years, or do what it did in the mid 20's and shoot up to $5 a gallon. That and how well the 6.7 holds up with all the newfangled crap the EPA forced on it. Between the injection system being ultra sensitive and the DEF system being snarky. both big ticket repairs, it does give me pause if I want to go this route. A lot to think about.
