Question for the ford guys

[Guest]

Re: Question for the ford guys

I have a 2010 F150 Crew cab 4x2 posi with a 4.8L and it tows my 87 Doral 22' (boat and trailer weigh almost 5,000 lbs) no probs although I would say if the ramp is a little too steep I do have to put it into low to get up and out.
Ford does make a King Ranch witch is the top of the line for acc. and it comes in any of the models from F150 to the F450. But then you are talking mega bucks for those

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Question for the ford guys

I have read several replies questioning why you need a diesel just to pull 3500 lbs. My experience is going from a 1977 3/4 ton Dodge with a worked on 360 v8 to a 1999 Ford F-250 SD standard cab with the 7.3L diesel pulling just a little more weight at around 4000 lbs. While my Dodge pulled it ok, the Ford pulls it GREAT. The Ford is a ton heavier (literally! 3250 lbs vs. 5600 lbs) and the extra weight seems to help with stability. The power of the diesel is good for staying up with traffic, getting up hills, and the turbo helps a LOT in the mountains. And to top things off, I get much better gas mileage with the diesel while towing. Bottom Line: I'd do it again in a heartbeat!


Wayne

I know what your saying.... I think the answer to the question is why not! Love my Diesels and will never own anything else

 

[rch10007]

Re: Question for the ford guys

I've only owned mine since March 2010 and I've only put 27K miles on it so far. It came with 97K.

2003 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercrew 2WD
5.4L SOHC 2 valve (100% stock)
AVG MPG overall = 16.4 (I have all fuel receipts from Day 1 and a spreadsheet to calculate mileage)
Best MPG = 24.4
Worst MPG = 10.9 (this was bringing a motorcycle back from Arizona - running 80 most of the way with the trailer)
HP - 260 @ 4500
TQ - 350 @ 2500

Curb weight - 4,758
GVWR - 6,600

Trailer towing
Towing - 8,000
GCWR - 13,000

Axle - 3.55 LS
Transmission - Automatic 4R70W

You can see that it's more than adequate for towing 3500 but I see you concern is more bed loads. I would suggest spending about $400 on a Firestone Ride Rite airbag setup with an onboard compressor and small tank. You can install a gauge in the cab along with a switch to control the air pressure in the bags. When you put a load int he bed, just pump up the bags until the ride height is level and carry on! So much cheaper than buying another truck that is way overkill!

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Question for the ford guys

I don't think the posts were saying that the diesel isn't a great truck/option. It's just that using a diesel is a bit of overkill as far as capability is concerned. It's like using a bucket loader to move 3-4 shovels-full of dirt. Sure it will work, but it's more costly to do so. A half ton pickup will do the job just fine, will cost less in acquisition and in fuel/maintenance.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Question for the ford guys

I don't think the posts were saying that the diesel isn't a great truck/option. It's just that using a diesel is a bit of overkill as far as capability is concerned. It's like using a bucket loader to move 3-4 shovels-full of dirt. Sure it will work, but it's more costly to do so. A half ton pickup will do the job just fine, will cost less in acquisition and in fuel/maintenance.

You can't use fuel costs in your equation since you get much better gas mileage with a diesel and it doesn't matter if your towing or not also I have had a diesel for 11 years now and until 3 or 4 years ago diesel was the same as low grade unleaded or less, you also fail to mention the longevity of a diesel motor is 3 to 4 times that of a gas motor. I understand your trying to make the best case for a gas truck, but if were going to have a fair debate on a gas vs. diesel truck were going to have to agree on a few base facts first. I concede that diesels are more in purchase price, I will give you begrudgingly that maintenance costs are more even though everyone I know changes there oil at 5000miles compared to 3500 miles on gas trucks but fuel is less MPG and the diesel pays itself off when you consider that you will need two gas trucks to last as long as one diesel since I don't know anyone that runs a gas truck more then 200,000 miles, I could say three gas trucks but I am being conservative. Overkill? I disagree, its a sound financial investment that is better on our environment and safer for my family.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Question for the ford guys

I would stay away from the newer ford diesels, the 7.3 was a pretty good motor. However repairs on diesels are more expensive and fuel in my area is about 30 cents more per gallon.
It really comes down to how many miles you are driving per year and the repair costs. Also how many miles you drive towing something.
Most guys where I work their 7.3's are in pretty poor shape by 200,000 +, needing glow plugs turbos and other, one of our guys lost the whole motor at around I believe 250,000.
I would probably opt for a lower mileage gas pickup with a 5-6L engine vers A high mileage diesel. Really up to you and what you find. 7.3 or gas.
Why are you stuck on Fords, chevy makes a good truck especially if you are looking for a gas motor.

 

[xeddog]

Re: Question for the ford guys

I don't think the diesel would be overkill. At least not to any significant degree. If you pull your boat over flat ground all the time and don't go any long distances, then just about anything will probably do. If you start going over mountains or tow long distances, go diesel! The more you can stay with the flow of traffic, the safer you will be. The diesel will be a heavier vehicle and that will give you more stability and so also greater safety. The maintenance costs will be a little bit higher (my Ford takes 17 qts per oil change), but for me the additional power, better gas mileage, and greater safety out weighs the modest additional cost of maintenance.

and besides, what happens when you get the bigger boat?


Wayne

 

[vintageglass]

Re: Question for the ford guys

I think a diesel is the better choice if your buying new and plan on keeping it long term.
I'd also keep in mind that diesel fuel is more per gallon, so unless your gaining almost 1/3rd more per gallon, your not saving much that way. I fueled up my work truck today and paid $3.11 for diesel, while regular gas was only $2.77. That truck is a Ford E450 with a 7.3L, it gets about 15 mpg on average. A gas truck would do about the same give or take. The diesel will run for a good 200K plus, maybe even 400k with proper care. Being a company truck, that's not likely. Several other similar trucks needed motors around 180K due to loss of compression. One did run to 241K. I'm sure if it was my truck and it got perfect maintenance and less abuse I'd have no problem getting 300K or better from one of those motors. Transmissions seem to go no more than 120K, regardless of the drivers. None of these trucks tow trailers.

If I were paying the fuel bill alone, I'd probably look at a gas truck right now, especially considering the cost of maintenance on the diesel trucks.

I wouldn't opt for a diesel just to be able to carry 15 sheets of drywall either. If that's the only time you need to carry more weight, then maybe a good utility trailer is in order?

Going heavier will no doubt mean more fuel, going diesel will mean more per gallon and not that much better economy if any at all.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Question for the ford guys

A diesel 350 doing the 1/4 in 13.2 Your kidding right?

From another ford guy, 13.2 ET ! Holy Moly imagine, my 1970 GT500 gets smoked by a work truck.

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Question for the ford guys

Thanks for the input, I haven't been specifically looking for diesel but I'm wanting to upgrade to 3/4 for the daily loads. The problem is that all the 250's in my area with the body style I like seem to only come with diesels.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

Re: Question for the ford guys

Just like boats, diesels command a higher premium price but also hold there value much better than a gasser. I'm getting 21 mpg on the highway at speed (60-65mph) and over 24 when I do 55 mph... That's pushing an F350/7.3 Fx4 Super duty with a programmer set for towing. As far as maintenance... cost is relative... I pay the same hourly rate as any Ford at the shop. I have not had any out of pocket costs yet and its a 2003.

 

[madman2021]

Re: Question for the ford guys

why are you looking into a diesel to tow 3500 lbs? my boat weighs 3500 lbs and i tow it all the time with my 4 cylinder lowered ford ranger no problem. pulls it 75 mph on the interstate. but if u just want a diesel truck you cant go wrong with a good ole 7.3. best diesel built. ive owned a 7.3, 6.0, and a 6.4. i still have the 7.3 cause its the best one. now if you cant deal with the cost of maintnece of a diesel go with a 5.4 f250. driving without a trailer it gets the same milage as a 6.0 diesel. it will tow anything but it will feel like its struggling with more than 10000 lbs. personally id stay away from the v10. its not that its a bad motor, its just horrible mpg. i had a 2001 ford excursion v10 4x4. truck was all stock. city 5-7 mpg and 8-11 highway. ton of power and fast. my 2000 ford excursion 5.4 2wd city 14-15 mpg highway 16-19 mpg. my 2004 ford excursion 6.0 diesel 2wd city 15-16 mpg highway 17-20mpg. now the best of all is my current 2002 ford excursion 4x4 lifted 7.3 diesel its modded dyno 412hp. city 18-24 mpg highway 22-27 mpg. the 6.4 f250 is my dads truck. single cab 2wd city 8-10 mpg highway 12-15 mpg. 6.4's suck. hope some of this info helps you out.

 

[madman2021]

Re: Question for the ford guys

A diesel 350 doing the 1/4 in 13.2 Your kidding right?

how does that seem impossible. my buddys 2008 6.4 f250 does 12.8 in the 1/4. it has a few goodies

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Question for the ford guys

I just think most normal people can't contemplate a 7000 lb one ton 4X4 diesel truck that can run the 1/4 mile with a respectable time, I think my old Ford was the ultimate sleeper! Now its just my daughters daily driver......but I took the injectors, turbo and chip out of it before I gave it to her!! she has a the back to stock version with a modest chip in it now, I gave her the chip mostly to fix the tranny shift points and get rid of the governor.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Question for the ford guys

Well, if you're buying new, then it's hard to beat the 6.7L Scorpion diesel Ford has. That thing is a monster, but just like Chevy/Dodge, the mpg's are getting lower due to all of the emmissions crap on them. They still get high-teens in the city and mid-20's on the highway though.

I have heard/experienced just the opposite with the Triton V10. They say if you don't want to go diesel, the V10 has tons of torque and gets the same mpg's as the 5.4L V8 in such a heavy vehicle. The V10 is pretty much problem-free as well, so maintenance is the only real cost. I drove a V10 F-250 for a week or two and got the same gas mileage as my old '98 F150 w/5.4L at the time.

 

[tswiczko]

Re: Question for the ford guys

My boat is 4025 empty throw in 55 gallons of fuel, gear, and trailer. You are looking at 5000+pounds. I haul it with a 2000 1/2 ton chevy 5.3L vortech (tow capacity 8000) with 169K miles on it

Most people I have talked to agree you don't really need a diesel unless you are going over 6k. but as far as the ford diesel you are looking at, if properly maintained can go over 400k a friend of mine has one (7.3 power stroke) with over 425K and still runs strong.
and all he has ever done to it is change the filters and oil regularly(he uses amsoil and swears by it)

 

[Tim Wagner]

Re: Question for the ford guys

Way Overkill.
You dont need all that to pull that boat.
That truck will pull a trailer with a team of Clydesdales in it.

 

[spazie]

I have 1999 ford lightning 11.26 1/4@121mph fast but i have been out ran by some7.3

I have 1999 ford lightning 11.26 1/4@121mph fast but i have been out ran by some7.3

Nope, the sad part is I wasn't even in the top 20 in my class.

 

[mxfever]

Re: I have 1999 ford lightning 11.26 1/4@121mph fast but i have been out ran by some7

Re: I have 1999 ford lightning 11.26 1/4@121mph fast but i have been out ran by some7

The truck I have now is my first diesel. It's a 03 F250 7.3. One of the last of the 7.3. I can say it will be the last truck I buy for a VERY long time. The thing is an animal! I've owned 1/2 ton trucks from both Ford and Chevy and I won't go back. The diesel doesn't even blink when it's got something hooked to the back and still get better mileage pulling than any 1/2 ton just driving around. Sure maintenance is more money due to the amount of fluids but it's well worth it in my book. Like someone else mentioned I think the only down fall is manuverability (mine is a crew cab short box). Tight parking lots, forget it. I'm getting 18mpg just driving around after installing 4" straight pipe and removing the air box. I've heard the 7.3 is capable of mid 20's with a tuner just don't have the extra money at the moment. If you are really looking at a diesel I would suggest joining a site like Powerstroke.org and do some research. You can find out what to look for and avoid getting burned.

 

[dbkerley]

Re: I have 1999 ford lightning 11.26 1/4@121mph fast but i have been out ran by some7

Re: I have 1999 ford lightning 11.26 1/4@121mph fast but i have been out ran by some7

My early 7.3 manual CCLWB F350 DRW got 18 average mixed use after mods. It had some goodies and they definitely helped the economy. It could pull 43k pounds. I saw the scale tickets.

I also have an 09 F350 CCSB SRW auto with the 5.4 and it is a dog. 7k behind it and you know it is there because the 5.4 is working it's behind off. The truck handles the weight fine. It is just not enough motor for it. Current avg mileage is 12.4.

I'm currently riding a '97 Toyota T100 SR5 loaded auto 4.10 rear that outworks most of the 3/4 ton gasser trucks I've had. It gets around 20mpg on the 3.4 v6 and has no complaints about pulling 5k. Just don't get in a big hurry.

I also have a Dodge B2500 conversion van with the 318 in it and pulled our 30+ foot Formula back from Detroit with it earlier this December. It averaged 17mpg unloaded on a road trip this past weekend.

By far the diesel was the most expensive to operate and maintain. It was also the most interesting and strongest. The Toyota is boring and cheap to operate. The others fall somewhere in between. I sold the diesel because I just couldn't justify the expense for something I wasn't using to capacity.

I am also a member of the Tennessee Powerstrokes and there are some very quick 7.3s out there. There are also several Cummins that can catch them. There is some old video on YouTube of Gus Farmer's truck beating a Dodge Viper like it was parked. That was before he got really fast. Play on YouTube for a little and you'll find plenty of go-fast trucks. The reason I mentioned Gus's truck was because he did the exhaust for mine.

If you see it around, give it plenty of room. I understand that the guy that got it added more goodies. BTW - that truck weighed in closer to 9k empty.