How many miles do you guys have on your trucks ?
#812
03-28-2007, 10:03 PM
#814
03-28-2007, 10:45 PM
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#817
03-29-2007, 09:07 AM
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#818
03-29-2007, 03:27 PM
#822
03-29-2007, 08:11 PM
#823
03-30-2007, 02:36 AM
Originally Posted by RussellF
Well what do you think so far?
Had a 2005 Ranger (4L, 4x4, 4.10 auto tranny) for towing my tintop race car. Acquired lightweight open wheel track car meant needed an enclosed trailer (Cargopro Series 3000 7'x18', plus v-nose) and so needed a new tow vehicle.
Test drove the 2007 F-150 XLT (5.4L, 4x4, 4.10 auto tranny) and it felt like driving my living room couch. Of course some people love comfort, though prefer to have some feel of the road and brakes. Loved the feedback the Ranger provided and the lighter weight made the truck 'tossable' if a bit twitchy due to light rear and the usual jumpy solid axle rear tendencies due to the Ranger's setup.
Test drove the 2008 F-250 SD XLT (5.4L, 4x4 on the fly, 3.73 tranny) with off-road FX4 package (skid plates bits), snow plow option, 9200 GVWR package... The bad, you can definitely feel the weight as compared to the Ranger of course. Naturally my gas milage will go to heck compared to the 4L Ranger, though as i max tow 6k lbs felt the 5.4L would be fine with 3.73 and no one seemed to have the V10 in stock (and funds kept the diesel out of reach).
After some more miles here in mountain steep roads with frost heave New England... Engine power is good and useable, the 5-speed tranny appears to have a super high first gear ratio to get the truck moving. If you only gave me one word to use for the engine and tranny package it would be 'smoothness.' She has a smooth, confident power. The brakes provide good, if a bit muted feedback as compared to the Ranger. The driving position feels is a bit more forward of center as compared to the Ranger, while the F-250 SD feels much more willing to turn in than the Ranger (call it less understeer). The rear end of the 2008 F-250 SD is very much planted to the road and this inspired confidence that the rear solid axle will not suddenly jump and cause snap oversteer.
As my nearly 1/2-mile long hard pack (not paved) driveway includes a few steep sections (nearly 1000 feet total elevation) and this is mud season, the F- 250 SD's traction control is useable for the street where sand is still present due to winter, yet switching to 4WD High is a better option for the driveway. The LT265/70R17E OWL all terrain tired grab nicely.
Of course going from a Ranger to a F-250 SD is like going from a lightweight Miata to a upper line Mercedes. The added weight and torque allow for a heightened mix of driving capabilities.
Cab is quiet, the radio/CD sound system is ok (not great, not bad but nice to see an AUX input), the build quality looks very solid, the 5.4L engine is a known good, and the Ford tweaked 5-speed tranny has beefed up bits compared to 2007 so the truck is, quite frankly, overkill in many respects for my use. Then again can easily off-road on my property and the F-250 brings about more confidence if my desire ever calls to going 4WD LOW and having at it.
Apologies for long post and could say more, yet am a professional high-end audio reviewer and not an automotive journalist. Funny thing is, my three vehicles are nearly polar opposites with heavy truck for towing, old school exotic for street/track, and dedicated super light open wheel track car.
Am very glad that finances were able to stretch a bit to the 2008 F-250 SD. Ford seems to have really paid attention as compared to their 2007 offering by fine-tuning the tranny, crafting a beautiful interior, and tweaking the suspension. You can feel the road as the truck provides good feedback, yet is easy to drive and willing to do the task at hand.
It beats pushing my car to the track
#825
03-31-2007, 02:44 AM
