F350... thoughts?
 

Looking at trucks this week. We've found a few F350's that look more than interesting. Any thoughts?

That is, other than holyshitthattruckishuge...

ONSSP's stepdad has one... Dually, lifted like 10", semi-truck wheels, train horn, diesel... it's a fucking beast.

Something happen to the 2fiddy?

Why?

My first thought.

Are you looking to upgrade or go newer?

The 250 and the 350 are the same truck.

Because.

My husband likes our truck, but hates that it doesn't have a full back seat. So, he started looking at crew cab F250's to replace ours. Now, finding F350's that have his interest.

Our current truck is a beast - the new one will certainly be a diesel.

What do you pull with said truck?

Houses.

:lol: Kidding. We use it as a crash and tow vehicle for the track [bikes and cars]. We don't own it for it's high tow capability.

My parents have a 99 F350 diesel that they bought new.. it's around the 200k mile mark, and it's still a beast. Hell, I steal it when I can, if I'm up visiting. Little girl in big truck makes me happy :D

My only qualm would be the predictions I'm hearing of $5.00/gal gas...which would probably mean $6-6.50 for diesel. What kind of mileage does a 350 get?

I say if you can afford it, go for it.

4x4, Crew Cab, extended bed, tow package, cow killer grill guard, the works, etc..

High 20's with all the management crap ripped off.

What I'd really like, the military vehicles to go back into non-use. The price of diesel might drop...

Oh shit...high 20's? I wouldn't worry about it then, rock the F350 all night long!

High 20's!!!??? :lol

Who told you that? :lol:




Are you looking at a 2011?

No doubt. I don't get that in my Titan going downhill with my foot off the accellerator.

Your chain... someone's yanking it.

EPA estimate is listed at 22-23.

Google search turned up someone who had a '10 diesel crew cab that typically got 14 city 20 hwy

Hello... without the management crap. My 250 is currently getting 26. I'm happy over 20.

An F250 getting 26mpg? Please PM me your secret if you're not comfortable posting it here. I just can't even imagine that from a truck.

Hmm maybe it's time someone else around here got a new truck too.

15mpg on regular sucks it

As long as 20 is the goal you'll be fine.

Expect high 20's and you'll be dissappointed.

And hello, if you are getting 26 out of your 250, why would you expect the same truck with a different badge & rear springs to get better?

If you are stepping up to a 2011, you may increase your mileage but why would you want to disassemble (read: void warranty) a brand new and unproven engine?

All of a sudden, the 14mpg I routinely get in my V6 Ridgeline sounds MUCH, MUCH worse... :td:

Yeah but the extra 20 or 30 grand in your checking account can buy a lot of gas.

That just seems like a gigantic waste of money if you aren't even using it, but that's the saver in me.

I have a 2004 with a 2006 motor that has some performance tweeks. I love my mechanic.

Looking at trucks now. I hate vehicle shopping.

I am not a huge fan of the newest F250/F350 bodystyle, personally I like the Dodge or Chev better for looks alone. if you're not stressing on the tow capabilities I think all of them are in the same league as far as reliability etc.

350 versus 250 the only difference is how much weight you can carry in the bed unless you want dual rear wheels.

I've been looking around to, now that the better half always has my truck. I think I'm going to go used and rebuild one though myself. debating between 2 and 4 wheel drive. I don't use 4WD a lot but when you use it you're glad it's there. I don't need a daily driver so taking a few months to put one together wouldn't kill me. although the new ones sure are nice.

guess it depends on if your mech is powerstroke specific or can he work on any diesel. when he "preps" the engine.

otherwise I would have to say I love the trucks overall.

Real trucks don't have spark plugs and can tow things in 5 digits.

Says the guy with a wannabe PT Cruiser.

Shit... F the PT. Even the chrysler mechanic says my HHR is way way way better than the PT.

No way. I hate both, but that HHR kicks PT cruiser ass.

:lol:

I thought the PT was cool until I saw one in real life and it was about half the size I thought it was.

HHR/PT, it doesn't matter, they are both ugly ass midget herses.

:lol:

Ford powa

So, today I traded in my 2004 for a 2008... it was a hellova deal, couldn't pass it up. Let the modding commence. Those bug/wind guards are going to be the first thing to go...

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...107_171944.jpg

nice truck

beautiful truck and totally agree on dumping the plastic crap

u say this, but it serves a purposes ...

But, it looks like crap...

Wheels ordered. I like new toys!

You didn't try to swap parts over?

Very nice azoomm.

nice what style? going bigger with tires at all?

Diesel engines will run for FUCKING EVER. Some farming friends have an old dually ford deisel, the thing has like 570,000 miles.

my dad just bought an '10 or '11 F350, cab n half, duelie. he did his research before buying it....

700ft/lbs of tq...........WOW

but he uses his truck on the farm , to tow............horse, cows. combine headers........whatever. this is the first truck he's kept the bed on, all his other trucks have those metal stake beds

Did you know, we could get 37's for this thing???/

holy crap!! please tell me you have those. LOL although 35's would probably be best for everyday driving.

If they're still getting 20+mpg on 37s, the Titan is going in for trade the day I read it.

Very nice upgrade, azoom! :dthumb:

I doubt if a big truck like a 250 is getting 26mpg over a typical city/highway fuel tank. More like 20.

My uncle "claimed" he was getting "50" mpg with his Cummins diesel...I was like yeah OK. :lol: Dude was prolly looking at the instaneous fuel economy when the injectors were being turned OFF during a coast.

That's a big-ass truck :eek:

Yeah, 37's make me laugh tho!

Exactly! It gets super buggy around here and I'm very glad that I have my shield!!! To each their own though.:wink:

Nice truck, Zoom!

Thanks.

I just have it waxed - and we end up with more bugs on the grill below the shield anyway :lol:

No doubt! Here I am looking at a Sport Trac Adrenalin or maybe a F150....:lol:

Well, if I ever need a house moved, I know who to call!:lol:

Yesterday, we went down to the track with the truck and the Miata. My husband hates driving on the street. Like, loathes driving around other vehicles unless he's on a track. Now, he drives the truck... I was laughing at him yesterday. He said it was because now he's higher than the rest of "them" :lol: And, y'all thought I was an elitest prick... LOL.

Nice ride!

Now you need to go here http://www.spartandieseltech.com/ to get you the proper "additions" (read deletions) and tuners to get you the mileage you need and the power you want.

Not really. I see those daily... many of them. But then again I'm in Motor City.

She's in Texas... they do everything big out there.

You have a point... Half the people I knew back in Mi had a full sized truck, including me and my GF had a GMC 2500 HD quad cab/long bed with a body and suspension lift.

I hope he has the option of stopping Regens. I'm sure he would hate to see that Hay field go up in flames:lol:

If it's an 11, how much Urea is he going through?

I love Diesels but I hate all this DPF/Burning Piss stuff:bash:

If it only has 700 lb/ft torque, it's a 10.
Neither one has the option of stopping the regens without turning off the engine.
From what I've heard, the average is about 4 gal of urea per 5k miles or so. Of course, this depends on driving style and how much pulling/hauling they are doing.

OK. A few weeks ago I did some upgrades and deletions. Let me tell you how much I love my mechanic. I'm taking it to the track on Friday to *train* the transmission. Should be interesting...

Current average mileage according to the truck:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...2_2011_535.jpg

After filling the tank, my math put it at 23.8. Not bad for a beast. I'm THRILLED.

Wow.

What kind of driving?

Around town?
Highway?
Any towing or hauling?

Were you "babying" it to get those numbers?

Regardless of the answers, those figures are IMPRESSIVE! :dthumb:

Around town, some freeway, no towing (yet).

I haven't babied it, frankly I'm surprised y'all can't hear my maniacal laughter as I 'git it. Holy crap but it pulls some torque.

Damn thats some good mileage, but a very quick search of the internet says that there seems to be a huge variety in the mpg that folks seem to get, anywhere from a low of 6 to a high of the mid 20s. Yeh it looks to be on the better side of normal, but that still better than my uninformed opinion would have expected.

Before taking it in the truck was getting 13ish.

good improvement

Amazing what they've accomplished in the name of the environment, isn't it? :skep:

The majority of what we took off was put on for California emissions rulings. I mean, the damn filter in the exhaust that was sprayed with fuel to clean it... sounds like a ridiculous idea, doesn't it? Yay!! Let's take a vehicle that already doesn't make awesome fuel mileage and let's dump some randomly [usually when you NEED it].

I have the opportunity to put it on a dyno within the next month... I've never dyno'd a truck before.

Shit, with the roof racks on, my Jetta gets that even if I'm babying it. Might be time to change vehicles.

But damn, I don't want all my friends calling me when it's time to move. :lol:

Nice truck. :rockwoot:

James

Thanks, James!

Where have YOU been??

What did you put on for a tuner?

I have been around off and on but have haven't said much.

Lately I have been trying to get back in shape after being sick for over a month. :td:

James

XRTPRO

Www.hsperformance.com

It's plug and play, not bolt on. Right now I'm not even on the top setting and the response is more than dramatic.

Nice. From what I've read they are tied for the top spot for tuners of the 6.4L. :D

Moira, do you have to add the crap to the fuel every time you fill up? or did that start on the 2010 models?

I don't have to.

I actually run about a gallon of filtered/used transmission fluid through it every other tank instead of any additive. It cleans it, lubricates it, while being cheap and this motor will burn damn near anything...

It's urea, and it started on the 2011 models for Ford and Chevy/GMC. Dodge will get by through the '12 model year, and then have to revamp emissions to meet the new stricter regs.

It doesn't actually get added to the fuel either. It has it's own seperate tank, and is injected into the exhaust stream after the cat to clean up some of the pollutants.

That one is finicky compared to the 7.3!

[QUOTE=Cutty72;453898]It's urea, and it started on the 2011 models for Ford and Chevy/GMC. Dodge will get by through the '12 model year, and then have to revamp emissions to meet the new stricter regs.

It doesn't actually get added to the fuel either. It has it's own seperate tank, and is injected into the exhaust stream after the cat to clean up some of the pollutants.
QUOTE]

yeah and they were soooo discrete about where they hung the tank. on the chevy anyway it is right under the passenger door. dealer said it needs a gal per 1000 miles of that stuff. course they didn't know where to get it or how much it would cost.

Ford stealership here sells it for $9 a gallon

Can't you get urea at any parts store now?

Nice truck.

Im in the process of buying an 06 F250 FX4 Diesel atm, not 100% sure im buying it, but ill know in the next week or two. Less than 100000km (60k miles), club cab, loaded w/ leather, and owned by my uncle so I know it was never abused and was always well maintained. total cost is $13900 with taxes. Too good of a deal to pass up.

If it's a 6.0 run like hell! regardless of who owned it

I know multiple people running them, and none of them have ever had a problem witht hem. And a couple of them are contractor trucks, so they are well abused from day one.

Those seem to be the only ones that stand a chance. It seems like the harder they're worked, the better they do. We have had fleets of them and more often than not they are crap. The only way to save them is to hit the internet and start modding them to eliminate the weak points.

Last night I watched an 03 with a 7.3, 4x4, 4 door, loaded, under 90,000kms, in amazing shape, etc...

Sell for about $9,000.

Where? Auction?

What are considered the 'weak points' of the 6.0 Jon? If I was looking to mod it for reliability, where would I start?

The ones I've personally known to give issues were mostly gaskets. But it was gaskets BURIED in the engine.

Actually last Thursday right after I posted about the 6.0, my buddy Tim (with a 2001 6.0 ext cab 4x4) had to take his to the shop for a blown gasket. He's facing about $3,500 worth of work at a trusted mechanic.

2 other 6.0's I personally knew about (not that 2nd hand rumor shit) had turbo AND gasket issues and for SOME reason, the cab had to be unbolted and lifted up to access the problem. Seems that's cheaper than removing the motor :idk:

No one I've known with a 7.3 has ever had those issues.


Pick up a copy of 8-lug trucks magazine and you'll see 3-4 ads in there about companies making parts to make a 6.0 reliable..but I've never priced what they're advertising....hell it's probably $3000 or more

I'm going with a 2003-2007 common rail cummins. Mainly because my best friend is a mechanic at cummins atlantic and he can fix anything on that rag :rockwoot:.....despite it being a DODGE :td:

Ya it was at an Auction.

Off the top of my head...We've seen

Heads warp/crack
Hundreds of EGR valves (Excessive idling can cause this)
Leaking EGR Coolers
Clogged Oil Coolers.
A LOT of injectors. (Oil, Oil/Fuel filter changes are very important. Low fuel pressure destroys Injectors. We stay on top of maintenance but still went through a lot.)
A few Turbos went bad but I can't remember what caused most of it.

Then there's the Ford stuff. Annual Brakes and Ball Joints, etc:lol:

I hear ditching the EGR and an aftermarket oil cooler does wonders for them. I cant say much about that though because, obviously, we dont mod them. Just slap on more OEM parts and restart the Tow Truck countdown again. :lol:

If you're interested in a 7.3, take a good look under it. The oil pans are known to rot out and are very costly to change. My friend changes them for one of the lowest rates around. About $600 plus parts. Most shops want many multiples of that.

That's a little high, but close. I've seen it in truck stops for about $5/gal and $12 for 2.5 gal.
I believe the fill for GM's is under the hood.

I would have been all over that 7.3!

As for the weak points, pretty much what everyone has already listed.

Pull the cab and replace the headgasket, and put in ARP studs while you are at it. Delete the EGR cooler, or get an aftermarket replacement if you are somewhere that gets inspected. Get some new injectors and turbo while the cab is up, and you should be reasonably reliable.

New Wheels:

Before:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...0/P4180040.jpg

After:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5.../P41800402.jpg

Comparison:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...0/P4180042.jpg

Close up:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5.../P41800412.jpg

Awesome. Those are the exact wheels I want!

I love black wheels. But I actually may like the before wheels first. Were they stockers?

Yeah Gas, those are stock.

Well in typical fashion of ford lately... stocks are real nice.

My biggest prob is I like the style of the 20" wheels, but want them in 18", and the 18's they offer suck

www.rimzoneonline.com

ATX. :)

We actually purchased them on their eBay store and got a bit of a better deal.

Yeah, we took off 20/275 and put on 18/295. I love the look of these with the wheel wells and bumpers. Winch is coming....

no pics here at work. I'll have to check it out tonight. I found a place in florida duallywheels4u that had some nice rims to choose from. haven't made the final choice yet for mine. this year I think is going to be mostly mechanical next year will be comsmetic for mine.

rims look very nice. i like the looks of black rims.

Got rid of the step...

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5..._2011_5904.jpg

Replaced with automatic retractable step...
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...9_2011_625.jpg