As far as I know, front end and brake parts are mostly the same between diesel and gas on these trucks. Most of the work I've done on my truck has been unrelated to the engine, and the same kind of repairs I've had to do to every truck I've ever had: suspension, steering, brakes, tires.

 

my 18 year old truck is far more reliable than my girls 01 jetta 1.8t. this thing is literall is in the shop every 2-3-4 months. It drives nice, gets 30mpg highway, but it will scrape on a soda can on the road and the check engine light like to come on when im broke. We need to sell it and get an Outback. It is good to have vehicles for different purposes. I remember a time in our childhood when the family car was my dads "new" 82 ford f350 , 12 ft dump. this was in 89 so it was still a nice truck, but im sure my dad would of rather had nice car to drive his 3 kids around in, but the truck pays the bills, so if only one vehicle can be had, with out question, a well built 1990 dodge is my choice.

 

For me it comes down to the longevity of the truck.. Plus I tow a lot and I have used Gassers and they are terrible at towing ( what I want to tow).. so I will always be a deisel guy.. and now that I am converting to Grease there is NO WAY I will ever go gasser again..

 

Twice today..
Had a hard time easing into a spot and feel sorry for the guy that parked (on the line) next to me because he couldn't get in his car .... He waited at least 30 mins for me to come out since his other door was parked next to a pillar. I even saw him getting out and caught up to him and let him know and he was too busy talking on his cell phone. Idiot shouldn't have parked sideways on the line, not my fault. Plus I had to hang out into the lane far enough to open my door!

At lunch I couldn't get into a garage in downtown, lol. Had to park on the street.

So yeah I see what you mean a 1500 GMC or Tundra would have the same issues IMO. Except parking garages, they aren't my friend.

 

Oh yeah... That's a big one I can't believe I forgot. That's a problem almost everywhere. Even in Las Vegas, you'd think they'd build biggger garages, but I couldn't make it in some and others I had maybe 2 inches between the top of the cab and the roof of the garage. The whole time I was sweating bullets that I'd hit the top if there was a small imperfection in the ground that bounced the truck up.

Now would a Tundra or 1/2-ton really have that problem? I don't think so. My friend has an '03 Tundra and he gets around very easily. I don't think 2wd Ram Diesels have that problem either.That's interesting to know. I thought TDI's were pretty reliable.

Anyway, I'm going up to the mountains again tonight and it's supposed to be snowing heavily. This time I'm actually taking the Accord with chains. I keep thinking maybe I should just take the truck but I decided I'm going to give the Accord a shot. I probably would take the truck but none of the speakers work because of something about the factory amp (I've tried narrowing it down with no luck, just have to rewire the speakers straight form the deck) and also I'm a bit uneasy with the CAD, last time it wouldn't engage into 4wd all the time...

 

well i cant go w/o driving my truck, when me and my gf go out and when she wants to take her car i always tell her no. I HATE CARS. i dont have the cold weather problems cause i live in south east texas. seriously i drive my truck every where i go, i really dont like riding with somebody elese in their truck either i always want to take mine. to me my truck is superior that gassers. i used to own a gas and it wouldnt tow worth a crap. i usually haul tractors, forklifts, dozers, and other heavy equipment. hauling these with a 5.7L vortec or a 5.4L triton the load didnt want to move. just my 2 cents.

 

Standard garages are 6'8" around here add a little lift and some 35's and it's no cigar. Even 7' is too close for comfort to me.

I think you're not having a problem with Diesel Trucks but with your 12 year old truck. Older trucks generally are gonna have problems.

 

he said 1.8T that's not a TDI...

 

Agreed....

 

I think one could have that mentality with the 1-St and
2-nd Gen Truck's But with 3-rd Gen trucks They have more HP Stock are Quieter have better Fuel pumps less litte things that go wrong with them . I am getting
23-MPG wih a Safer to Drive Vehicle , More than 500 RWHP, 7000-plus LBS Truck That just happens to be great in all driving conditions, considering there is 1/3 Less moving parts in the Engine, ( Less Things to go Wrong ) I can still pass Any Car in the Blink of An Eye , And with the Thuren Suspension system The handling Far exceed's Stock, along with about Nearly 4" inches of Lift in the Front. So my outlook is you can base theries on 1-st & 2-nd Gen's peraps. I owned a 2-nd Gen and can agree with you on some minor Mechanical challeges there.
And grant it the increased cost for Diesel which seems insane as it is so much Less re-fined. A friend Has a
2006-Toyota Tachoma he uses for his pool maint business and he is getting 15-17 hwy. So the increase in Diesel VS the MPG Gain Still out performs Gasoline.

 

Oh whoops... I automatically assumed.

With a tape measure I measured 6'5" (+/- 1") to the top of my cab. And you're right about the 12 year old truck...

 

I think the 3rd gen qc sb 4x4 is 6'6-6'7'' per chrysler's website. So not a lot of room but i've seen stock ones in one of the garages at my work that's 6'8''.
I probably could fit in a 7' one but only as last resort.

 

i agree it can be slightly annoying driving a diesel all the time but mainly for me thats because i need to replace a tie rod, and quite a few other front end parts, and i need to have my tranny built cause its pretty shot, and maybe a muffler wouldn't hurt my truck, but the fact that it has 4.10's kinda makes me wish i had a 99 tdi jetta 5spd which i plan of buying this summer or a lifted jeep cherokee, so i can have something to drive thats nice and quiet and fully capable offroad, and can sneak by peoples houses. but nothing beats the nice deep tone of single 6" stack and the turbo whistling away, just wish my torque converter didn't suck so much.

 

Just got back from my trip. On the way back two "hot shots" in lifted diesel trucks (one Duramax w/ stacks and one Flowerjoke) swerved passed me on a two-lane highway. Times like that I wish I had my Cummins with 600 horses under the hood so I can put both of them to shame.

Anyway, the Accord was great. Putting cables on and off was very easy. Overall, it was very comfortable. Although I must say I missed my truck especially after passing so many big rigs. I'm pretty sure I'm going to hold on to it even if I don't drive it too much now. I'll fix it up, add a muffler, and eventually reach the desired hp level.

BTW, I agree with all your comments and try to respond to as many as I can. Lots of great ideas out there, which makes for a good discussion.

 

Many good points pro and con....my deal is I just like driving the dang thing. The kids love it too, all three always ask if we're taking dad's truck. Gotta love that, my daughter has already 'claimed' it for her first truck. She's only 6!