As some of you may know, I want a diesel, really bad. Once I sell my ford im getting a new truck... Im spending about $600-$800 on gas a month with my ford gasser :( I dont really expect to spend much less with a diesel, If I could save $50 a month with a diesel i'd be happy.

anyway, what usually gets replaced the first year? Like what fluids get changed besides the oil the first year? do the diff's get changed? fuel filters? what all gets changed on the diesels?

Basically, I want to know how much I should budget for service maintence on it. I also would be using this for landscaping, I'd have a ezdumper or truckcraft in the bed and be towing a 18ft enclosed trailer, and sometimes a dump trailer and sometimes a skidsteer.

My business is growing at a fast pace, so im thinking, get a truck that I want and that will do its job, and that way for the next crew, I can just get the barebones 2500hd gasser for the employees to drive because ill have my diesel :ro)

thanks guys. Now, hopefully I can sell this gas drinkin, money pit ford (in the past 6 months ive put 2 trannys in it, oil pump, rear main, and so much stuff i cant even think, and tommorrow it'll have new ball joints and brakes) so I can get one badass money making truck! I got my dakota sold so now the only thing left to sell is this FORD! Oh, and I cant even do a burn out in the ford cause it'll blow the trans! LOL. I tired burning out in it because I just got done working on it, and ive never done one before in that truck because ive always been gentle to it cause im scared of something else breaking, and well the tires wouldnt even spin, I heard a loud bang and then it wouldnt go in reverse! LOL. Built for tough? I dont think so!

sorry for my :rant:, I just hate that ford, I hadda get it off my chest, im sure you guys understand!

Thanks guys!!! Burn them TIRES! :ro)

Engine oil and Filter. 11 qts does the job. Fuel filter every 10 to 15K. About 90 to 100 bucks if done at dealer. Differential fluid at maybe 1000 miles. Overall a few more bucks than a gasser but not enough to break the piggy bank. Mechanic friend of mine recommends changing the ATF and filter every 25K.

Tranny filter will have to be replaced at the 7500 mile marker, per your maintenance manual. then since you are towing, every 25k for tranny fluid and filter. You can do the spin on tranny filter more often if you like, like 5k intervals. your oil change will be at a 10k interval, unless your truck tells you earlier on the DIC, or if you feel like it. Fuel filter will be every 15k or whenever you get bad fuel. Tire rotation every 7500 miles. differential fluid every 12k, if using 4wd often maybe transfer carse as well. otherwise, transfer case every 25k with the tranny. lube all 11 zerks every oil change.
i think that about covers it.

awesome... thanks guys for the fast response.

If you perform your own maintenance, which is pretty easy, then I really don't feel you'll spend much more than you would on a comparable gas model.

You're only using an extra 4 quarts of oil over most gas engines, which isn't a considerable amount. Fuel filters aren't outrageous, especially if you do them yourself and buy them from a vendor on here.

Much better mileage partially offsets the extra maintenance costs.

thanks guys... im getting pist. I just spent like $160 on gas in like 4 days. WTF!!! its killing me. Im getting a whole 9mpg!!! Thats not even pulling my trailer, tommorrow im pulling my trailer, im scared to see what i get!!!

DIESEL HERE I COME!