Truck recommendation
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Truck recommendation
Hi all,
Just wanted some advice. I've got a RCSB Silverado 4x4 that's great, but I want to step up to an extended cab. I tend to go offroad a fair bit. I was thinking it would make sense to get a truck with a solid front axle. I don't have huge brand loyalties, but right now a basic XL F250 Supercab 4x4 is really calling my name.
Any reason I should reconsider? I really just want something with a little back seat that I can rock offroad in more or less stock configuration - stock ride height, no lift kit, maybe bigger tires and diff upgrades at the most.
So really what I'm asking is if there are any drawbacks to getting a Super Duty for offroading as opposed to, say, an F150 or another brand of truck.
Thanks!
Steve
Just wanted some advice. I've got a RCSB Silverado 4x4 that's great, but I want to step up to an extended cab. I tend to go offroad a fair bit. I was thinking it would make sense to get a truck with a solid front axle. I don't have huge brand loyalties, but right now a basic XL F250 Supercab 4x4 is really calling my name.
Any reason I should reconsider? I really just want something with a little back seat that I can rock offroad in more or less stock configuration - stock ride height, no lift kit, maybe bigger tires and diff upgrades at the most.
So really what I'm asking is if there are any drawbacks to getting a Super Duty for offroading as opposed to, say, an F150 or another brand of truck.
Thanks!
Steve
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02-04 F250/350s with either a V10 or Diesel (not the 5.4) makes a very capable offroad rig in bone stock form. The earlier SDs will more than likely have a D50 front axle and Id stay away from it. The later 05+ trucks are coil spring front and just as capable but I guess that depends on how much $$$ you have to spend on a truck that may or may not get a little tree/rock rash on the trails.
Paul wheels his 03 F350 with ATs not much bigger than stock without issue.
Paul wheels his 03 F350 with ATs not much bigger than stock without issue.
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From: utica il
03-on up v10 on 33x12.50 mt's gets my vote, preferably a manual trans. about a perfect all around truck for work and play, unless you plan to tow often then pay the extra coin for a deezle.
i'd possibly consider a dodge too, but not that much.
i'd possibly consider a dodge too, but not that much.
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Wow - first, thanks for all the input!
Was thinking new or near new, but bare-bones, something like a fleet/contractor truck. Will probably replace my current truck. I agree on the manual trans rec assuming I can find one.
You think the 5.4 is underpowered for off-road use? I haven't had any problems w/my current truck in the power department, and it's just a 4.3 5-speed truck. Seems like 4-LO gives you more than enough low end in any situation I run into. I'd rather have more power but ~300 HP in a ~6500 lb truck is at least a bit of a step up from the ~200 HP in a ~4500 lb truck I have now, which while hardly overwhelming has always been sufficient.
I don't really tow, if I did it would be a 5000 lb camper or something. I really just need an extended cab and I want the SFA. The payload/towing aspects aren't really too important, a 1/2 ton would be fine for my purposes except they are all IFS.
Was thinking new or near new, but bare-bones, something like a fleet/contractor truck. Will probably replace my current truck. I agree on the manual trans rec assuming I can find one.
You think the 5.4 is underpowered for off-road use? I haven't had any problems w/my current truck in the power department, and it's just a 4.3 5-speed truck. Seems like 4-LO gives you more than enough low end in any situation I run into. I'd rather have more power but ~300 HP in a ~6500 lb truck is at least a bit of a step up from the ~200 HP in a ~4500 lb truck I have now, which while hardly overwhelming has always been sufficient.
I don't really tow, if I did it would be a 5000 lb camper or something. I really just need an extended cab and I want the SFA. The payload/towing aspects aren't really too important, a 1/2 ton would be fine for my purposes except they are all IFS.
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As for the diesel it's probably not worth the initial cost for me - I don't drive much. As for why not an older truck, I tend to go out alone a lot. One of my biggest concerns is breaking down in the middle of nowhere. So I carry a portable jump starter, starting fluid, tire repair kit, tools, etc.
Also most people tend to get trucks with at least a few options on them. If you wait until the end of the model year incentives, a lot of times you can get a dirt-cheap base model with nothing on it for about the same as a nicer used truck. I guess I'd rather have a brand new truck with nothing than a nice used one with bells and whistles.
Also most people tend to get trucks with at least a few options on them. If you wait until the end of the model year incentives, a lot of times you can get a dirt-cheap base model with nothing on it for about the same as a nicer used truck. I guess I'd rather have a brand new truck with nothing than a nice used one with bells and whistles.
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From: Joppa, Maryland
If you're going new the newest stupid duties have a 6.2 v8 as the only gas option, or the 800 lb ft monster of a 6.7l PSD (amazing motor, IMO- and there are guys pulling 25+mpg out of them on the highway with hypermiling techniques). The 6.2 also gets better gas mileage than either of the older mod motors. It is a completely new motor, so nothing actually interchanges, but it does share the same basic design, so I think that reliability will not be an issue with this motor. (it's also been in the raptor for at least a year or so with no problems, and been beat to death in baja and what not from ford, so I wouldn't worry about that if you do decide to go brand new.) The fx4 package also comes with an electric locker and some other cool features, like a display in the dashboard that tells you the angle of the truck whiel you're on some steep hills, and hill descent control that slows the truck for you and disables the ABS on surfaces like sand which helps you slow down more, etc, etc- If you really are interested in a brand new truck, I'd take a look at Ford's website and check out the superduty section, it has some pretty cool videos that explain everything.
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From: conroe tx
As for the diesel it's probably not worth the initial cost for me - I don't drive much. As for why not an older truck, I tend to go out alone a lot. One of my biggest concerns is breaking down in the middle of nowhere. So I carry a portable jump starter, starting fluid, tire repair kit, tools, etc.
Also most people tend to get trucks with at least a few options on them. If you wait until the end of the model year incentives, a lot of times you can get a dirt-cheap base model with nothing on it for about the same as a nicer used truck. I guess I'd rather have a brand new truck with nothing than a nice used one with bells and whistles.
Also most people tend to get trucks with at least a few options on them. If you wait until the end of the model year incentives, a lot of times you can get a dirt-cheap base model with nothing on it for about the same as a nicer used truck. I guess I'd rather have a brand new truck with nothing than a nice used one with bells and whistles.
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I built a '11 F350 Crew fx4 4wd 6.7 auto on the Ford website and I damn near shat myself when I saw the 63k price tag. Granted I could probably get it for somewhere in the mid 50s from a stealership but thats too damn much for a truck IMO and certainly too damn much for a truck I plan on beating on offroad.
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Yeah I'm thinking XL Supercab 4x4 with nothing on the side, please, other than skid plates and locking diff. Played around with KBB and Edmunds and seemed like I could get a 2010 for mid-20s with the steep discounts they've got these days. Will probably give it a year and keep chewing on the decision, maybe find a lonely '11 sitting on the back of the lot when the '12's have been out for awhile.
Anyway seems like you guys have confirmed my initial guess that an F250 was a pretty good platform. When I bought my Silverado I didn't know it had an aluminum front diff and you can't get a front lsd or locker for it. So I thought I'd look before I leaped this time.
But that Silverado has been great too. Amazing how stuff holds up when you stick with reasonably-sized tires and go easy on the gas pedal in the rough stuff. But as much as I love my current truck I can't stop drooling over the Ford super duty's these days.
Anyway seems like you guys have confirmed my initial guess that an F250 was a pretty good platform. When I bought my Silverado I didn't know it had an aluminum front diff and you can't get a front lsd or locker for it. So I thought I'd look before I leaped this time.
But that Silverado has been great too. Amazing how stuff holds up when you stick with reasonably-sized tires and go easy on the gas pedal in the rough stuff. But as much as I love my current truck I can't stop drooling over the Ford super duty's these days.
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From: conroe tx
Yeah I'm thinking XL Supercab 4x4 with nothing on the side, please, other than skid plates and locking diff. Played around with KBB and Edmunds and seemed like I could get a 2010 for mid-20s with the steep discounts they've got these days. Will probably give it a year and keep chewing on the decision, maybe find a lonely '11 sitting on the back of the lot when the '12's have been out for awhile.
Anyway seems like you guys have confirmed my initial guess that an F250 was a pretty good platform. When I bought my Silverado I didn't know it had an aluminum front diff and you can't get a front lsd or locker for it. So I thought I'd look before I leaped this time.
But that Silverado has been great too. Amazing how stuff holds up when you stick with reasonably-sized tires and go easy on the gas pedal in the rough stuff. But as much as I love my current truck I can't stop drooling over the Ford super duty's these days.
Anyway seems like you guys have confirmed my initial guess that an F250 was a pretty good platform. When I bought my Silverado I didn't know it had an aluminum front diff and you can't get a front lsd or locker for it. So I thought I'd look before I leaped this time.
But that Silverado has been great too. Amazing how stuff holds up when you stick with reasonably-sized tires and go easy on the gas pedal in the rough stuff. But as much as I love my current truck I can't stop drooling over the Ford super duty's these days.
