I have been considering purchasing a diesel powered truck 3/4 ton as a towing vehicle for a 26ft 5th wheel.


I have been looking at a 95 Ford 250 long box 7.3 power stroke and a 95 Chev 2500 long box 6.5 ....both vehicle have close to the same mileage. I am torn between the two as I like the power of the 7.3 but the ride is very, very stiff. The ride in the Chev is much smoother but the power seems dramatically less. I am told, empty, the Ford will get 18 -20 mpg and the Chev about 18. My current towing vehicle is a 76 Ford with a 460cc.


Any and all commment swould be appreciated, thank you.

The fords have strong roofs. I know because I was riding in a 96 once(back in 1996) and my head hit the ceiling over a bump so hard I was surprised it didn't dent it.http://dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ouch.gif (I wasn't expecting the bump because I usually was in a 90 chevy and wouldn't even notice the bump in it)


What is the gear ratio in the Chevy? 4.10's will make a big difference in power over 3.73's.Edited by: whatnot

if you are woried about how it rides get a car. you get a truck to do work and have fun not to ride like a bmw. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif my f-250 is a 2001 and the ride is not that bad unless you hit one hell of a hole or bump. i am verry happy with my 7.3L plenty of power and still a lot waiting to be let loose with mods. i dont know much about the chevy because i am a ford man. as far as fuel mileage mine gets about 18 city dont do a lot of highway just a lot of stop and go and short trips. just to let every one know i am not bashing chevy hell i like your guys trucks. i am just puting my two cents in because newdiesel asked

The 6.5 is the best value for a used turbodiesel. I see them listed for $4500 for '94-96 c2500. When you can buy the whole truck for the cost of the engine and installation, that's a deal. The only parts that are overpriced on the 6.5 are the front disc brake rotors. I had to buy one from the dealer and it was $700. Edited by: quantum mechanic

The only parts that are overpriced on the 6.5 are the front disc brake rotors. I had to buy one from the dealer and it was $700.


Is that a 2wd? They only cost about $70 for 4x4 rotors.

if you are woried about how it rides get a car. you get a truck to do work and have fun not to ride like a bmw. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif my f-250 is a 2001 and the ride is not that bad unless you hit one hell of a hole or bump. i am verry happy with my 7.3L plenty of power and still a lot waiting to be let loose with mods. i dont know much about the chevy because i am a ford man. as far as fuel mileage mine gets about 18 city dont do a lot of highway just a lot of stop and go and short trips. just to let every one know i am not bashing chevy hell i like your guys trucks. i am just puting my two cents in because newdiesel asked


He said he is looking at a 1995 which the old style. I have never rode in a new style Superduty but I would hope they improved the ride a little.

Whatnot,


That's K3500. The old rotor had a bad bearing and nobody could help me with a replacement. Maybe it was $500-600 i couldn't say.

The bearing isn't part of the rotor. (but I think you can buy the whole assembly from GM)


The rotor comes off by pounding out the 8 studs and off the back. Not very hard after doing a couple.

I still have my old unit. The only thing bad was the bearing.


How would I get a new bearing? GM didn't offer it.

You have to get the whole hub. It is pressed together.


Autozone might have them. They do for the new style for about half of the GM price.


I would just get a used one and a new rotor. They can easily go 300k miles unless something ruins them.


(my brother bought a truck that came from Texas and it came with a bad hub bearing. When I pulled it apart it was full of sand)

I was going to see if I couldn't find the right machine shop to press the old one out and match it up and press in a new one.

You can get a used one for $50 so it probably isn't worth it.