Re: Transplant truck chassis
 

those old non computer 6bt's can get 30+ mpg and pull a house down..im not a dodge fan at all..but economically its a sound idea and nothing can touch them for economy and power..plus..youd be a car show hero when ya roll coal...anything with a diesel here, at the cruise will clog up and stop the show if it has a diesel..rat rod or show stopper resto...they just love them things


BBC..12 mpg maybe
sbc maybe the same
my 6 liter HO in my newer Chevy truck gets 9 mpg with a load pulling a 22 ft trailer loaded with a car and parts

6.0 ford gas..the new one..we have one of those..8 mpg with a load no matter what..its a pig

my bosses duramax loaded gets 12 if ya baby it loaded etc

7.3 powerstroke mid to high teens...with a tuner and a bunch of work..we owned a few of them too

dumb old smoking 6BT...30 to 32 is not un common..mid 20s all day long with a load and i mean a load..and what ever you put on that car hauler..its going to pull it along..no prob

Ive owned and driven big block roll backs and wedge bed haulers...and a few small block trucks too...and they are gas pigs..and really lug down on hills etc..

not trying to convince ya..just trying to give some options, thats all

Re: Transplant truck chassis
 

That is interesting about the MPG on your 6 liter, I do a little over 10 on my 2001 2500 HD Silverado with the 8100 gas motor, 3.73 , and Allison pulling a 22. I am glad I got it when I did.
Shame they quit making the 8100

Re: Transplant truck chassis
 

I would be OK with the Dodge but for:
1. I can't find one at a good price,
2. I can't work on a diesel.

Fuel economy isn't a big concern, as I won't be hauling cross country.
This is just for local stuff.

Re: Transplant truck chassis
 

Rethinking this.
Don't know that I want such a short wheelbase. I like having the short stake bed for the dump bed, but that is really going to restrict what I can put on it.

Will probably wait until a real dually pickup comes available, preferably a crew cab which will give me the longer wheelbase.

Re: Transplant truck chassis
 

So... there is no reason for me to rush this, but if the right truck comes alone as a donor (i.e. cheap) I would consider.

Just for my information. How are the Ford and GM diesels on mileage and reliability. Just trying to figure out what the options are.