GM 6.5 TD or Ford 7.3 TD

bigdan

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I plan to build myself an offroad capable van for a road trip in the US ......

It will be converted to 4x4 , high roof and all the camper stuff .....
It will be used in moderate trails , lots of highways ( 15,000 milles/year ) ( I need added traction not extreme articulation )

To start the project I just cant decide between :
1) 98-2001 GM van with 6.5 TD
2) 97-2000 7.3 TD ( powerstroke) Ford Econoline van ......

N.B : Reliability and fuel consumption are my main criterias ......

the vans dimensions are quite similar ,
they both have a real frame ,


I did a roadtrip last year with a 94 Eurovan westfalia with 1.9 TDI modified to 135 hp /280 ftpd ......averaged 30 mpg us 7.5L/100 kms
good power and great fuel consumption .....but coulndt go off road at all in the BLMs.....

This time we would like to head into some national forests trails for boondocking
this is the reason of my new project .....

I dont want to start a war between GM /Ford ( i`m from the muscle car era and I lived that war )
but honestly there are always some great and not so good points about every engine/vehicle combo
this is what id like to hear about before I start my project....

I will do most work myself ......
I`m on a budget ....so forget the buy a new quigley or sportmobile etc.... Ill do it myself , I have the skills and this will activate my creative side ;-)



your advices will be apreciated
thanks ,
Dan
 
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79jasper

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Either would be a good choice.
The 6.5 should get slightly better mileage.
What year 6.5 engine?

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79jasper

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Either or.
I'm actually a pretty big fan of both engines. Tough choice.
The powerstroke will have more power.
I guess pick which body/interior you like better.

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bigdan

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seems that the fuel consumption is quite different between those two ....


I spoke to a lot of powerstroke owners .....they average 15L/100 or 14mpg US.....
 

bigdan

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Ill probably go for the chevy 6.5TD then ,,,,,,

I heard regurarly 12L/100 , 18mpg US
 

bigdan

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found a good prospect : 1988 Econoline camper , so clean !!!!

problem is it has a 5.8L gas with a C6 3 speed auto : gas guzzler
I may trow a 6.5TD in it !

then 4x4 conversion ...........
 

fordgirl4by4

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I can say as a owner of TWO 1978 Ford e250 Pathfinder 4x4 vans that they are great, forget the chevy!!! Mine are 5.8 and 7.5 gassers but a 6.9L diesel in one is outstanding. Think: 6.9 5 speed zf5!!!!!! My vans are rusty and retired for the most part till I source a good diesel body
My F350 crew cab 4x4 srw 4.10 gears 5 speed gets 17mpg same weight as the vans
My 1988 Suburban with a gm repower 1996 vintage 6.5 non turbo 4.10 gears t400 gets 18 same weight

Power!!!! All 6.9 non questions, both are non turbo, 6.5's tend to overheat just be worned
 

Waystro

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Wow Second person talking about putting a chevy in a Ford. Way it's going there will be no Idi's in fords just cummins and Chevys
 

Turbo OM617

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I'm more wondering why people are even considering the 6.5 at all. GM made the worst diesels on earth until they collaborated with Isuzu to make the Duramax, and even that took a few generations to actually get "right".
DD's two-strokes are the exception to the GM rule.
 

Andertusa

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Could get overly 'ambitious' and buy a Dodge B-series, jack it up, add a full frame, install a D70 -Dana front axle, a D60-or-D70-or-D80 rear axle, and install a 5.9 Cummins from a 1 ton Ram. :rotflmao :rotflmao :rotflmao :rotflmao
 

Andertusa

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By the way, this is in the wrong place, the vans you are discussing are 'light duty' as even one tons are 'light duty', medium duty would be like the larger school bus sized vehicles, larger than 'regular cars', but still not a Class 8 'Heavy Duty' truck( think Semi)
 

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