Ford F-250 Super Duty® Diesel Gets More Accolades

For truck owners, this has certainly been an exciting time as regards what the Big 3 automakers have been doing. True, the past year has been dispiriting with the absence of events. Fortunately, the engineers and designers who manufacture the vehicles that define us have not been sitting on their hands doing nothing. 

Today I wanted to return to the F-250 Super Duty Diesel that we wrote about at the beginning of February. The trigger was a web page listing Ford slogans through the years. Many quite familiar. Three of my favorites have been Ford Has A Better Idea, Built Ford Tough, and Quality Is Job One. Built Ford Proud was introduced in 2018, but I like "Tough" better. Last year's Bronco dropped the word Ford and simply went with Built Wild. That's a pretty wild slogan. It sounds fun and seems to capture the spirit of the Bronco name.

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The Ford F-250 Super Duty Diesel has certainly generated its share of buzz and for good reason. It seems to be model of all these slogans rolled into one. On Monday this week Mike Geylin of The Brake Report shared the following collection of observations in a story titled Numbers Tell the Ford F-250 Super Duty Diesel Story. 

Geylin's approach to this story is understandable. He liked numbers very much, so he starts there. 475 horsepower. 1050 pounds-feet of torque. The 6.7-liter V8 diesel engine is not ashamed to flex its muscles. Its towing and load capabilities are nothing to scoff at. But what impressed him most was its fuel economy, 20.1 mpg. A nice set of numbers all around for a 7009-pound truck.

The author makes a quick comment that there's a little extra cost for that benefit, then veers into all the additional features of the truck, from its 10-speed transmission to the off-road suspension package, 35-inch Goodyear max traction tires on 18-inch wheel. This setup gives him plenty of clearance underneath and the ability to chug three near three feet of water if need be.

The luxuries continue inside the cab. Seats that can be electronically adjusted for your contour, offering lumbar support, massage functionality and heat. In fact, there are so many interior features that Geylin doesn't even mention them all. It begs the question, What is a luxury and what is a necessity. However you answer that, the impact is impressive.

By the end he does spell out the price tag that accompanies all this wonder. You're looking at mid-60s to mid-80s depending on how many whistles and bells you require. You'll find all the details here at The Brake Report.
https://thebrakereport.com/numbers-tell-the-ford-f-250-super-duty-diesel-story/

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Edmunds Review on the 2021

By way of contrast, you don't have to go whole hog to own a Super Duty Diesel. The 2021 F-250 fully capable of satisfying your performance ambitions. Reese Counts writes:

No other class of vehicle on sale today has quite the breadth of features, body styles and engines as pickup trucks. That's especially true of full-size heavy-duty trucks such as the 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty. Whether you're looking to haul a trailer to a job site or drive a luxed-out truck with all the features, there's an F-250 for you. Ford even offers the Super Duty Tremor package that increases this truck's capabilities off-road.

The 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty is available in six trim levels: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Limited. Of the six, Reese Counts suggests you look at the XLT. To learn more, all the details can be found here:
https://www.edmunds.com/ford/f-250-super-duty/

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At one time Ford called itself Leader of the Pack. Based on what we're seeing here, it's apparent they want to maintain that title. As we all know, the competition never sleeps.

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Related Links

According to Car and Driver, This F-250 Is the Quickest Diesel Pickup They've Ever Tested

Explore the 2021 Ford Super-Duty®

Are You a New Diesel Owner? A Few Things to Think About

First time diesel owners quickly learn that there are differences between diesel- and gasoline-fueled engines. How does this impact the oil change maintenance regimens one has developed as a vehicle owner?  

It helps to understand your oil's responsibilities. Oil plays a variety of roles in your engine. Oil lubricates moving parts to reduce friction and reduce wear as well as keeping the engine running cooler. It also creates a seal between piston rings and cylinder walls. In addition, oil helps keep the engine clean by conveying soot and other contaminants away to be collected in the filters.  

The interior of an engine is exceedingly brutal on lubricants. For this reason, oil gets abused and over time breaks down. Additives in the oil also get depleted. This is why oil doesn't last forever and must be changed periodically.

How often we change our oil depends on yet another variable, our driving habits. 

This is why you see shorter drain intervals listed "for severe service." Owner's manuals give specific recommendations regarding the type of oil you use as well as the duration you can safely drive with that oil. 

One example of driving behavior that qualifies as severe service would be towing, especially when frequently carrying loads uphill as in that road up the long incline from Sedona to the Grand Canyon. You may not live in the Rockies but many parts of the country have their uphill grades that put extra stress on an engine pulling a load. 

Stop and go driving does a number on your engine oil as well. This is why it is also considered "Severe Service/Severe Use."

A third type of activity that is harmful for your oil is idling. Some people may think idling is just giving the engine a rest. Why is that bad? In point of fact, because engines that are idling are not operating at peak temperature, the fuel fails to undergo complete combustion. As a result the fuel residue on cylinder walls can contaminate the oil and cause corrosion in other parts of the engine.

Another thing to think about is the where you live and its impact. The diesel owner needs to understand the environment they drive in and how it effects oil contamination from air flow. 80% of all the contaminant in the oil that depletes additives comes from the air stream after the air filter. The dirtier the environment the more frequent you might have to change filters and oil.  Monitoring through oil analysis you  can understand what’s happening including decreasing TBN or increasing TAN. 

For best results, use the correct oil for 
your application. 

Some aspects of driving are counterintuitive. That is, they go against what you might otherwise think. Driving long distances on highways will do less damage to your engine oil than driving half that amount of distance in town. 

Whether driving a Ford Power Stroke, Chevy Duramax or Dodge Cummins, your owner's manual provides guidance as regards what oil to use along with a recommended drain interval. A complete oil change includes changing the filter as well. If you take care of your engine, it will take care of you as well, for a very long time.

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Related Links

Champion Brands Diesel Engine Oils

Uncertain which oil to choose: Ask Jake

Heart-Stopping Power: Gale Banks' 1200-HP Tri_Charged Duramax

When it comes to motorheads, the hunger for power seems near universal. According to Wikipedia, hot rodding was birthed in Southern California in the late 1930s. People raced modified cars on dry lake beds northeast of L.A. with rules established by organizations like the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA). Unofficial street racing took place anywhere where you had more than a handful of teens and a stretch of straight, flat road.  

Most of these teens grew up and moved on, pursuing careers, supporting families. Then there were the others for whom the experience of speed and power ignited a passion that became the fuel that powered their careers. One of these  boys with an aptitude for mechanics was Gale Banks, now president of Gale Banks Engineering. Three parts engineer, one part "mad scientist", Banks has spent a half century tinkering with technology, keenly focused on improving the internal combustion engine. His special interest has been diesel engines.

To give you an idea of just how far Gale Banks is willing to go to extend the capabilities of diesel engines, Greg Acosta wrote this story for EngineLabs.com: More Power With Less Boost: Banks 1,200-HP Tri-Charged Duramax.

One of the things that makes this article so significant is that the author is not only writing about a briilliant engine builder at the height of his powers, we're encountering the rare transparency of a man who is sharing everything openly. Banks has been part of a world where secrets are the norm. Competition means finding an edge, not sharing your edge. 

The Duramax engine Banks has been incrementally improving is suitably named "Mad Max". It's something he's been focused on and fine tuning for two-and-a-half years. In this article we don't just read details about the power this setup can achieve. In addition, Banks provides a breakdown of what all the readouts mean, and what the dyno data really means. As Acosta puts it, "In a world where data is hoarded and protected like the gold in Fort Knox, Banks is freely sharing not only his findings, but explaining the findings as well."

For Banks, one of the key metrics is Manifold Air Density (MAD). Since it's a Duramax he's been playing with, could this acronym be the secret to why he calls this engine a Mad Max?

Acosta writes, Using his preferred metric of Manifold Air Density, Banks breaks down the amount of air he needs to reach his 1,200-horsepower goal, and how, exactly, it will be measured on the dyno. “Manifold Air Density is the best indication of the engine’s power potential. You can forget about boost pressure, because it’s part of the MAD calculation. Manifold Air Density is the bottom line,” says Banks.

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The engine was originally built for a Monster Truck. If you'veever wondered what those monsters had under the hood, this story will peak your interest on that level, too. The photos draw you in, but the details are what make this a valuable article to be bookmarked by any serious gearhead seeking to learn how to make dyno adjustments for maximum diesel power. 

Here's the link to the full story:

More Power With Less Boost: Banks 1,200-HP Tri-Charged Duramax

https://www.enginelabs.com/news/more-power-with-less-boost-banks-1200-hp-tri-charged-duramax/

 

About Gale Banks

Gale Banks is an American hot rodder, drag racer, engineer, and entrepreneur who grew up in Lynwood, California. His company, Gale Banks Engineering, sells performance parts for automotive and marine engines. It specializes in diesel engines, and high end cutting edge equipment, performance parts, and auxiliaries

--From Engine Labs today

Diesel Engines Are Here To Stay

Photo: MathKnight. Creative Commons.

Earlier this week 365 News, a communications arm of CONEXPO-CON/AGG, published a story titled Diesel's Not Done. The six minute read touches on a range of themes relevant to diesel owners and people in the diesel industry. 

The main point of the article is this: Whereas electrification has taken center stage and captured the media spotlight, the benefits and attributes of diesel technology are many and will continue to make a contribution for years to come.

Engine makers have made great progress in reducing diesel emissions for for the past several decades. This is a trend that will continue. At the same time, innovative thinking is also producing many new and interesting developments. 

The important thing for manufacturers like John Deer and others in this market segment is to ensure that innovation does not come at the expense of certain fundamental values. Those values include the importance of uptime and reliability. 

Michael Lefebvre, manager, global marketing support, John Deere Power Systems, says that these are exciting times because of all the technical advances being incorporated into engine design. Many of the advances in this high tech era "include  leveraging virtual analysis and telematics data, using digital tools and advanced simulation, and streamlining overarching power systems in the vehicle." 

“Engines will become smarter and more capable – not only in terms of lower emissions or higher power, but by being more reliable to run in the way applications demand,” Lefebvre said.

The Emissions Question

How low can emissions go? The past focus as has been on reducing NOx (nitrogen oxide) and particulates. In the future, the focus will be on reduction of CO2, said Christer Hedström, a director at Volvo Penta. Hedström said that environmental impact and engine performance are two sides of the same coin. You can't focus on one at the expense of the other.

The truth is, though, that diesel engines have never been cleaner. Marketing communications director Steve Nendick of Cummins stated that the their engines are not only more powerful that ever, they simultaneously meet the toughest global emissions legislation.

Electrification
After detailing the advances that have taken place in exhaust aftertreatment systems, the author underlines another main point, that although diesel technology is not going away any time soon, there will be increased adoption of electrical power that brings benefits to customers.

“We have already started to see electrification where the energy demand is relatively small and where there are good charging possibilities during a standard working day,” Hedström said.

“I think we’ll see electrification move into applications where there is an increased energy demand, but it will take some time before we’ll see it in the high-power, high-energy demanding applications.”

Overall power solutions will need to balance the mechanical, hydraulic and electric power systems, as well as cost. 

A variety of fuel sources are being explored, including
--advanced diesel
--hybridization
--full electric
--hydrogen fuel cell technology

The bottom line in this informative article is diesel, for the time being, has many advantages. Tim Burnhope, chief innovation and growth officer at JCB, noted that currently going all electric is cost prohibitive. People are simply unaware of the power needs of today's heavy equipment. It would cost $208,000 for a single lithium-ion battery large enough to power a 22-ton excavator for an eight-hour shift – not to mention the vast amount of carbon-dioxide produced in the battery’s manufacturing process.

“Diesel, on the other hand, contains more energy than petrol, natural gas, a variety of battery types and many other fuels or power sources,” he stated. “In fact, by mass, diesel contains around 54 times more energy than current lithium-ion batteries.

“Diesel is safe to be delivered to the site easily – even in remote locations,” he said. “Finally, with their high-torque nature and robustness, diesel engines are perfectly suited to heavy-duty applications, including use in construction equipment.”

If you consider the remote areas where much of this massive equipment must operate, you'll recognize that these places are quite far off the grid. Traditional internal combustion engines will remain the only solution for the foreseeable future.

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This article is an attempt to summarize an important story from 365 News. You can read the full account here at Diesel's Not Done.

https://news.conexpoconagg.com/news/Diesel-s-not-done/643.article?utm_source=newsletter&urm_medium=CONEXPO-CON-AGG-365-CONEXPO-CON-AGG-365-11th-March-2021&utm_term=conexpo365

 

One Strong Bold Diesel

The November issue of Diesel Tech featured a mouth-watering story by Colin Peterson about a striking 2006 LBZ Duramax Chevy 2500HD. The owner hasn't even turned 20 yet, but he's certainly demonstrated where his passions lie. It's a long detailed look at not only what this diesel beauty has become, but at the challenges the young owner overcame to make it happen.

One of the best features of this story is the quantity of photos accompanying it. When you start scrolling down the page (on the website) you half wonder if this is only a montage of photography and whether the full story would be there at all, but indeed it's there, with abundant detail.

The owner is Chastin Tollakson of Murdo, Sough Dakota. Murdo, for reference, is on South Dakota's Western prairie between the Missouri River and Rapid City. There's undoubtedly a sign there that says 81 miles to Wall Drug. (Trivia: Did you know that the Missouri River is the longest river in North America? Yes, it is even longer than the Mississippi.)

Peterson begins with a little background, writing that the youth "has worked tremendously hard to get to where he is now with his 2006 LBZ Duramax Chevy 2500HD. The truck is his daily driver as well as his work vehicle. With zero rust, a custom black and white paint job, and a whole lot of big upgrades, this truck is full of character and looks newer than it is. The paint scheme also has a silver stripe between the black and white tones midway up the rig, helping it to stand out even more, especially when someone gets up close to it."

One reason there are so many cool photos of this truck is that Chastin is quite active on Instagram. Evidently he's built up quite a following.

The LBZ began its life as a farm truck, no doubt working its tail off for a few years. Chastin bought it and began personalizing it, turning it into his daily driver. 

Chastin is a model of what it takes to succeed in life. He knew what he wanted, worked very hard and saved his money in order to buy it, illustrating the principle of delayed gratification. Once he owned the truck, he had a lot of the work performed at a pair of top notch diesel shops in Idaho and Montana. He's also learned a little about how to do other kinds of upgrades and how to add accessories. Some of these include "a 7- to 9-inch Cognito lift kit with aftermarket traction bars and Air Lift air bags sitting on Cooper Discoverer STT Pro 37-inch tires wrapped around 20-inch Hostile wheels." 

The work he's done under the hood says a lot. In addition to rebuilding the engine, "every other part on the motor was replaced or rebuilt," he says.

Peterson outlines all the add-ons inside the engine compartment and it's extensive, more than two paragraphs worth. Add the bodywork and his stereo system with Bose speakers and you have a standout venue for any tailgate party. The lights under the wheelwell are as sweet as cherries.

There's much more to this story, so you really need to head of to the full account at Diesel Tech. This young man is well on his way to being a hero in the Diesel Army.

Read the full story here: Strong & Bold

https://www.dieseltechmag.com/2021/01/strong-bold

Kudos to the builders who helped Chastin with his dream:

PowerTech Diesel in Idaho Falls, Idaho
G&J Diesel in Billings, Montana

Full list of suppliers for Chastin's upgrades is found at the end of the Diesel Tech story.

Champion Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil Recommended for Limited-Edition Shelby F-250 Super Baja Pick-Up

In February the story broke about the new Shelby F-250 Super Baja Limited. It was a fun story because for many, this is what dreams are made of. The name alone is iconic, in part because of its celebrated history. It's not every day that you see a car designer featured on the silver screen. (Ford v. Ferrari) Then again, the Shelby story really does at times appear to be bigger than life.

So it with special enthusiasm that I read yesterday's news headline: 

Champion Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil Recommended for Limited-Edition Shelby F-250 Super Baja Pick-Up 

Here's the rest of the story.

Champion Oil, a global leader in performance diesel engine oil now celebrating its 65th anniversary, announced that Shelby American is recommending Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil  for its new Ford Shelby F-250 Super Baja, a Limited-Edition off-roading pick-up truck. 

“We deigned the Shelby F-250 Super Baja pickup to perform under extreme conditions, both on and off-road," said Gary Patterson, president of Shelby American. “With 6.7-liter V8 Power Stroke Turbo Diesel churning out 475-horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque, the truck can really fly. For such an aggressive application, we recommend using Champion’s Blue Flame 15w40 CK4/SN Performance Diesel Engine Oil."  

Built for Shelby in Elkhart, Indiana, by Tuscany Motor Co., and in Las Vegas by the Shelby American team, the trucks will be sold at select Ford dealers in the U.S. Each will be documented in the official Shelby Registry. Production will be limited to only 250 vehicles.

Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils are formulated with workhorse high-zinc performance additives, superior protection, advanced polymer technology, and high TBN, supported by a carrier blend of synthetic fluids. The Shelby F-250 Super Baja needs a total of 13 quarts of oil including the capacity of the oil filter.

In addition, Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils deliver unmatched high temperature film strength and lubricity protection, with the muscle to combat oil shear and maximize sustained cylinder compression. They also inhibit oxidation, corrosive acids, sludge and varnish build-up. 

These robust performance oils keep diesel engines going longer by reducing soot-induced engine wear, controlling abrasive soot contamination and preventing high temperature corrosion, even while allowing for improved fuel economy and lower total cost of ownership. They are proven to increase engine horsepower and torque. https://www.championbrands.com/diesel-engine-oils/

About the company: Champion Brands, LLC, is a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for over 65 years. Champion Brands, LLC also produces and blends over 300 products including fuel, oil, engine additives, and lubricants for the racing, automotive, heavy truck, agricultural, industrial, and specialty markets. For more information about contact Champion at 660-890-6231. Champion Brands, LLC; 1001 Golden Drive, Clinton, MO  http://www.championbrands.com

Ford F-350 Goes 1.3 Million Miles With Original Diesel Engine.

Diesel engines are noted for their longevity, among other things, but the engine on this Ford F-350 seems out of this world. Then again, regular oil changes and routine maintenance can produce a significant service like for your workhorse.

Mircea Panait's March 5 story in Auto Evolution begins by attempting to give us a sense of how far 1.3 million miles is. Since 52 times around the circumference of the earth doesn't have the same wow factor as two and a half trips to the moon and back (plus a little extra) he chooses the latter comparison. Either way, it's a pretty good haul.

If you've ever owned a vehicle for an exceedingly high number of miles, you're probably aware of how the wear and tear of daily use takes a toll on various other parts and components. The owner of this Super Duty detailed all those replacement steps he took along the way. The most shocking stat was the replacement of 12 windshields. Not sure what he did with that truck but I hope no one was hurt. Other replacement parts included "two sets of brakes, four alternators, four radiators, three sets of belts, and two batteries."

Other replacements also occurred during the life of this truck. It's worn out three turbochargers and getting close to needing a fourth. The universal joints have been replaced a couple times as well as the hub lockouts three.

But that Power Stroke V8 has been something else, a stalwart indeed. In part this is because he's dutifully changed the oil and filter every 8,000 miles. He also uses a gasoline additive with every fill and an oil additive with every oil change.

The fellow who put all these miles on that engine was not the original owner. It was purchased in the neighborhood of 98,000 miles, at which time he removed the EGR cooler and diesel particulate filter in or to improve efficiency and performance.

In the closing section of the story Panait describes the meticulous attention he gives to how he drives his truck, thereby lengthening the life of his tires. In short, the owner has been giving attention to every aspect of his truck's "care and feeding." By giving attention to the thing he loves, his F-350 has given him much in return, though I would still like to know why he had to replace all those windshields.

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If you want to take care of the truck you love, here are some Champion products to keep in mind as you baby your own.

Diesel Engine Oils

Diesel Fuel Additives

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Here's the full article at Auto Evolution. Lots of photos help tell the story:

1.3 Million Miles Later, This 2013 Ford F-350 Still Has the Original Diesel V8