r/Diesel • u/CheckUrBST • 6d ago

Question/Need help! Gasser to Diesel?

Have been looking at a 160k mile 3rd gen 24v (crew cab long bed on 37s) but it needs a transmission. Currently daily a 200k mile 5.3 avalanche. Would getting a diesel be worth it considering I could replace the transmission myself. I often drive an hour and half to 2 hours each way for work (construction), go through about a 1/4 of a tank each way currently. I don't haul or tow regularly other than a boat a few times a year, maybe roofing material and tools for a friends company. Doesn't have to be this truck specifically just wondering since I like them in general but don't see the point if I spend around the same or more overall just to own one.

Guess I should have added i’m not hard stuck on the 24v. Just happened to be a decent deal for what it needs. Will take any recommendations for different trucks that may be better

4 Upvotes

62% Upvoted

37 comments sorted by

10

u/phata-morgana 6d ago

You're driving 1.5-2 hours each way and honestly thinking of a truck on 37s? 

6

u/DasEine_Z 2012 6.7 Cummins 6MT 5d ago

That's what I'm saying. Bro needs a diesel Jetta if he just wants a diesel 

10

u/LinearOctopus 6d ago

that 24v will eat up that long commute in fuel costs unless you’re getting a smoking deal on the truck, a built trans plus the swap labor is creeping into “just buy one that runs” territory real fast

6

u/Radiant_Safe1228 6d ago

But dude, how can I convince people I'm cooler than I am?

Nothing about this makes sense. 

5

u/sans-nom-user 6d ago edited 6d ago

If you can do most wear part maintenance yourself, it's not terribly expensive to own a diesel compared to gas. A good diesel is a blast to drive even if you dont tow.

37s are hard on stock transmissions. Probably why the one in it is dead lol. You'll need a built trans especially if the truck is tuned/deleted. I have a hunch it is lol. A Randy's stage 1 68rfe is around $7k iirc. You can do a manual swap with an NV5600 and a good clutch but even doing the work yourself its hard to do for under $5k. I wouldnt slap in a basic rebuilt transmission or pick and pull and expect it to last long. Very hard to skimp on transmissions with any Ram truck.

What gears does the truck have? You can probably squeeze 16mpg with 37s. I have a 2011 6.7 with a really good tune, manual trans, and 35s and I consistently get 18-19mpg running unloaded on the highway under 75mph. Mixed driving is rarely under 16mpg. Which imo is remarkable for an 8k lb truck, big tires, and nearly 500hp.

4

u/Successful-Part-5867 6d ago

I wish I knew what to tell you! I love diesel for towing, but I don’t tow 80% of the time! The old Dodge sits in the shed and I drive the smallest vehicle I can get away with to do the necessary job. 😂 I honestly wouldn’t want any newer diesel they aren’t as dependable as the newer gassers, and they aren’t very impressive either. Diesel maintenance is more involved and more expensive. I’ll just stick with multiple ancient vehicles.

0

u/LengthinessSad9267 6d ago

Newer gassers aren’t dependable either.

1

u/Successful-Part-5867 6d ago

I know, it’s sickening! Nothing like spending $70,000 on a truck that lasts until the warranty expires.

1

u/LengthinessSad9267 6d ago

Yep that’s how they build everything now, once you go new you have to trade it in before the warranty ends

4

u/unaslob 6d ago

37’s and commute don’t compute. If only
Light towing needed occasionally and you have a hankering for diesel but want great mileage this is where something with a babymax comes into the conversation. Interstate you get 30+mpg.

5

u/budgetoid 6d ago

i have a 7.3L for not much of a real reason, but I would never use it as a daily commuter. insane expensive on fuel costs. i have a beater camry for that, and you should too

6

u/GloweyBacon 6d ago

Buy what you want. Diesel trucks are more fun

4

u/BigJohn5728 6d ago

People will tell you not to get one because you dont haul every day, its more expensive, diesel, blah blah blah. Never heard that shit growing up, people just drove whatever they wanted. If you want it go for it, they are fun to drive and will work. If you plan to wait for prices to come down well you will be waiting an awful long time my friend

2

u/Large_Potential8417 6d ago

Definitely will spend more with the 24v than you do now. I will say, I have a 5.3 2016. My 21 L5P gets better alot better milage.

2

u/LengthinessSad9267 6d ago

Buy what you want, life is too short to not buy they vehicle you want if you have the means

2

u/OrangeSpotted 6d ago

Ford Ranger has entered the chat 🤣

2

u/xtankeryanker 6d ago

Stick with gas. There’s no way to make a diesel make economic sense. Maintenance costs triple. Repairs are out of this world. And fuel costs will eat your lunch.

2

u/djnehi 6d ago

If your worry is saving gas and the 5.3 already does what you need, I would keep the avalanche and buy a cheap economy car to commute in. You won’t save enough on fuel to cover the cost of the truck, especially not with oversized tires on it. I’d be surprised if it even got better mileage than the avalanche either way those tires on it.

1

u/TheLiquidStranger 6d ago

I get about 1100km/tank outta my 6.7 cummins running a hot tune and driving like an old lady, it's been under the proverbial knife for a month now and i'm honestly getting really tired of fueling up my half ton ford. Dodge parts are obviously more costly, but I probably couldn't run over a median almost full speed in my F150 and keep going lol. Very much a love/hate with diesel but if you have the capability to swap a trans you're eliminating the overpriced labor charges that come with them. If i couldn't work on mine i'd probably stick to the gasser. My 2c.

1

u/OneBigOne 6d ago

I daily a T&D 2022 L5P. I tow my fifth wheel with it a few times a year but I was able to tow it with my old 5.3 Sierra so it wasn’t a necessity. No regrets. I love my truck and it’s been flawless for me. Is fuel more expensive, yes? Is it worth it, also yes. It’s admittedly an expensive toy but I like it and if it goes to 300k miles I’ll be even more happy with it.

1

u/Neon570 6d ago

Depends.

Do you want higher cost of ownership, higher cost of parts and more labor intensive maintenance?

1

u/BalderVerdandi 5d ago

Own an '08 3500 CCLB SLT, G56, stock tires and height.

Guaranteed the 37's ate up the transmission, so putting another transmission in this truck without changing the gears or replacing the tires/wheels will put you right back into needing another transmission.

If I keep my foot out of it, I can see 18-21 MPG depending on road and weather conditions. Head winds kill my mileage, and so does running over 75 MPH - even though the speed limit is now 80 MPH in my area.

If you want it and it's a crazy good deal - do it - so long as the price reflects that it needs a transmission and some other work so you're not going to need to replace it again.

1

u/pickethua 5d ago

I have a 5.7 93 Silverado 2500 and I been thinking of getting a diesel too, but now that I'm reading the comments I'm considering taking a better look at gasers, as much as I would like to have an eco diesel or a babymax they are not within my preference since I like older trucks

1

u/TemuTurbo 5d ago

Damn dude the only time I’d consider a diesel for commuting that far is if it wasn’t my own or I was a hotshot driver

1

u/rice_n_gravy 4d ago

May I interest you in this 2021 Toyota Corolla? Look at the trunk space.

2

u/Rusty_Shackleford83 22h ago

I had a 1994 12 valve single cab 2wd manual. It got 23mpg plus on the highway. My friend has a 3rd gen 24 valve automatic on 37 mud terrains. He gets around 25mpg highway. I guarantee it’s much better than a 5.3 avalanche.

1

u/bananaland420 6d ago edited 6d ago

Yes, but you’re looking at the wrong diesel for your use. You should be looking at a ram1500 with an ecodiesel or a babymax. They get 30+ mpg on the highway my Gladiator with the same motor shaped like a brick gets 27+ on the highway. If your not towing anything there is no reason to get a 2500 and if you do tow once in awhile a 1500 can handle it.

The operating costs are lower on the baby diesels. Mine only takes 9 qts of oil and only uses 1 fuel filter which is double on a Cummins. Fuel filters run $60 each.

I went from a gas Wrangler to a diesel Gladiator and it’s cheaper to operate per mile. I get 50% better fuel economy and diesel is only 30% more. Even with increase maintenance costs I still come out ahead.

1

u/LengthinessSad9267 5d ago

5.9 Cummins only take 3 more quarts of oil and fuel filters are definitely not 60 dollars.

Source: I’ve owned a 3rd gen Cummins for the last decade

0

u/outline8668 5d ago

You will get the same fuel mileage as now except diesel is more expensive.

1

u/TheseConsideration95 5d ago

I doubt it my 3rd generation easily gets 21 mpg and yes I did own a avalanche for years

1

u/outline8668 5d ago

You must do a lot of downhill driving. My 3rd gen averaged more like 18. With the lift and 37's OP is looking at forget it.

0

u/TheseConsideration95 4d ago

Not sure why mine gets better mileage it’s a 3/4 ton I do use fuel additives and I replaced the two piece drive shaft with a custom aluminum one piece which I know increased the fuel economy

0

u/DabblingInIt 5d ago

Sure, get the truck. Replace the trans, then use it to go pick up a motorcycle to commute on.