My truck has the 11.5 rear end. The only reason the spring rates are different is for the weight of the diesel engine. The rest of the truck is pretty much the same. Same frames, same brakes, same axles.
Seems I recall you said or had a picture of a Power Wagon? IIRC those have a 10.5 rear. Are you sure you're not confused between the two rears? Unless something has changed in the last year or two, gas trucks came with the smaller 10.5. GVWR is not always the same, it depends on the package the truck was ordered with from the factory. But, rest assured the heaviest package availabe is always with the diesel option. Fords were a perfect example of this. You could get an F350 setup for 9900gcwr, or all the way up to 12K IIRC.
No way you get 200k from ball joints unless you drive like gramma. Even then they last 60k tops. My last truck was a 140k mile 2500 gasser on its originals.
Last truck I did a major front end over haul on was my '01 2500 Cummins. Original ball joints and steering components changed at 205K. Have an '06 3500 with original everything at 190K. Truck was just aligned too, so obviously not worn out up front. Another '06 Mega cab (my sled trailer truck) with 94K, lifted, big tires/wide rims, all original. '02 3500 170K all original and aligned last year. These trucks all work in a farming application most of the time pulling goosenecks hauling tractors.
These trucks are not as "light" as you might think. It's not that much more weight. Put a big steel bumper on the front of your gasser with a winch and I guarantee you are just as heavy on the front axle as a stock Cummins truck. You're idea of this 60K tops is simply put, inaccurate.
The 410 hp 6.4 is not enough power for you? Plenty for me.
Not when that 410HP is generated from a measly 400+/- ft lbs of torque. The Cummins makes more torque below it's power band (say 1300rpm) than that gasser does in it's peak power band.
Dumbest argument ever. The NADA book shows an average of $6k for the diesel and you paid 7-9k for it up front. I have had no trouble selling my last two 2500 gassers. There are people who seek them out.
How so? It's simple. Take, say an '01 2500 Dodge 4x4. Good clean Cummins version sells for $14K and you have people knocking your door down wanting to buy it. Same truck with a 5.9 gas or that 8LV10 and it's worth $7K, and it's a ghost town, waiting for someone to come along that wants it.
I have owned 6-7 Cummins trucks, 2 d-max, and a powerstroke. I know exactly what it costs to run one. You are lying to yourselves if you do not think there is a big difference in maintenance costs.
Where it costs, is under the hood when there is a problem. A turbo, injectors, etc.. everything is a grand or more. I'll give ya that. Not sure on this fuel filter deal. I buy fuel filter from Carquest for $10 and change it. Oil changes are negligible when you factor mileage range.
It's kinda like snowmobiles really... do we want to ride little 550 fan sleds in the mountains or do we want to be a big boy and ride an 800 Pro with a 155, even though it may initially cost more? Don't know about you but I'd rather stay home on the couch and give up than ride a 550 fan.
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