Opinion: Cascadia or Prostar!

I wouldnt buy either one

 

Drove a prostar while my pete was getting worked on what a piece of garbage!maxxforce engines are terrible!!

 

My question is,2010 modell with 2009 engine,or you talking about 2010 engineyear

 

Basicly you need a engine with DEF.
That's what Gerardo is pointing at.

 

08-09 engines rely on a DPF system and the way they are programmed is not very good. They usually have many issues with the regen systems and also get the worst fuel mileage. You have to remember that fuel is your biggest expense as an O/O. The 2010+ engine have a DEF system and it relys on using the DEF fluid to assist the regen in burning out the system and causing a better running engine and less issues with the regen due to this. Also, the 2010+ supposedly get better MPG and I've heard that the newer modified systems in the '12+ DD15 is one of the best out there. I prefer to run a pre-04 engine myself as repairs are easy, and cost is much less to operate and rebuild. If you plan on running California, then you are stuck with a 2010 engine in a few years anyways, so you might as well spend the extra $$ now to get what you will be needing anyways after 2016 i believe it is..... just my view tho.

If you do not plan on running the truck in California, you might want to look at rebuilt and refurbished trucks. i have seen many 95-99 trucks that have basically been rebuilt from the ground-up for about $35k. You'd be getting a basically new truck for 1/2 the cost of doing it yourself. Plus, parts are much cheaper on an older truck (Pete/KW/FTL) and less things to go bad. If you have basic mechanical skills, you will be able to repair most things yourself as well, saving about $100 hour at a shop for labor rates.

 

SHC,the only reason the OP is looking for another truck,is because he has to run California.

To the OP:
I think you have 2 choices.

1°fit a DPF to your 04.
Most likely the cheapest option but it has only limited shelflife.
Also i don't know how many issues you might have with this.

2°buy a 2010 or younger engine.(with DEF)
This might be the more expensive option in the short term,it will be the cheapest option in the longterm.
The '10 engines will also be much more fuelefficient.
And fuelprices will rise in the future.


ps on another forum where i'm a member,a Nevada driver recently posted some pictures off a Police intervention he underwent.
It was the Enviromental Police.
They do check under the hood and they do have computers which they use to read the software off the engine.
So those who advocate running with sabotaged EGR's and other engine changes..........be warned,it can happen that you get checked and/or fined.
This was not in California but in Nevada.

 

my 2010 detroit used 125 gallon of fuel to regen every 45000 miles. some of that is why the fuel mileage looks so bad. only real trouble i had with it was there was a ss waterline to the egr from the back of the motor and it kept breaking. (4 times 4hrs labor to replace a $12 line.) however it were me i would stay away from 2009 an 10s if at all possible. lots of luck

 

I would go look at 2010 models as others have suggested. The first years of the dpf system were not that good. I would personally go with a cascadia with the DD15. Best combo out there. Just my .02.