This truck is a tool and makes money (when not putting $8000 in to it that is), that particular money was going for a new F150 I was going to get towards the end of the year now I'll wait till next year instead and enjoy the V10 power a little longer.

 

This weighs heavily in deciding whether to repair something----at least it would me. If a vehicle needs "only" a new engine for $8K I ponder what new-to-me vehicle could I find for that same money? If the faulty engine vehicle suits the job as its configured and the new engine returns it to service or making money biting the bullet and making the repairs is the best choice at the moment.

The nationwide warranty adds to the value which is peace of mind if nothing else. Considering anticipated cost of $5K max for a used engine the slight bump in price is still good value--IMHO anyway.

Scraprat I admire your "oh well.........." attitude here----you've got this fully in perspective!!

 

Something that I personally have to figure in to this is that when I get a vehicle I keep the vehicle for it's full life and then some. I drive them for 4-5 years (200-250K miles) when I'm done with them I give them the wife for another 4-5 years. She'll put on minimal to normal miles on it. The truck itself is still in good shape, maybe the seat is crushed down and a couple scratches or a small dent. I'm replacing the wear and tear parts along the way myself to keep repairs/ maintenance cost down, where I can I work in it myself when possible.
Also, when I do purchase the vehicle I'll order them the way I want it with what gears and goodies in it. The key is being happy with what you have and not wanting the new thing after 2 years. Let's be realistic here these are just trucks even though sometimes it feels as if it's connected to my ars a lot.
When your younger having a cool truck jacked up with all the bells and whistles is one thing, but unfortunately we get older and have to think about the family at the present time or retirement one day, working for ever to keep up with the Smiths and Jones gets old after awhile.

Enough babbling... it is what it is.

 

You are a wise man. Even if we love them, they are still just a truck. Your reasoning is why I my toys are few and far between. I want to retire as early as I can so I can do what I want, not what I have too. This means more to me than having a garage full of new toys.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>

 

It's funny because I feel the same way now. I'll be moving into my new home for life very soon and the priorities are changing so fast. I've even debated selling the truck and just getting a purpose based truck like a used dump truck or single cab truck although I got this truck for a really good price and I will probably just hang onto it for a long time. I'd rather not be tied to payments anymore. I'll let all my friends be tied to their debts of being cool. I also remember "customizing" my first truck with all the ridiculous things that just wasted my hard earned cash. What a waste.

 

[quote=scraprat;11675307]was going for a new F150 I was going to get towards the end of the year (quote]


Scraprat,

I doubt that any F-150 is up to the task of hauling your trailer (2005 Carriage Cameo 32RLS )which is rated UVW 10,300 Lbs and GVWR 14,230 Lbs. An F-150 neither has a sufficient payload capacity for your trailer's hitch weight nor the gross trailer towing capacity . Are you going to downsize the trailer ?

Good luck with the repair and safe trailing .

 

Wolfboro, I wouldn't get rid of the V10 it would still be for pulling the 5th wheel.

Last summer
The truck...

Steer 4040#
Drive 4120#
Gross 8160#

With the Cameo...

Steer 3920#
Drive 6540#
Trailer 9380#
Gross 19,840#

Boucher ----------Actual loaded
Pin -- 2,180#---- 2,420#
dry -- 10,560---- 11,680#
Load capacity 3,620#
Trailer gross 14,180

This year I'll be a 1000 miles away from NH so no running back for the forgotten items, so I'm sure it will be heavier when pulling out for the summer.

No a F150 wouldn't handle that but it sure would make for a nice daily driving truck with the capacity to carry something within reason.

 

Good to hear you are getting it fixed up! Even with a big price tag at least like you said it will have the warranty. With a new engine that truck should be good till 500K now. We run our trucks up to 500K and then retire them. Not because of problems but because the frame itself can't go any more mostly because of rust. Every make of vehicle has a few that just break, I am sure this motor is that deal, just one flawed part from the factory that couldn't hang on any more. It happens. At least you won't have to worry about exhaust manifold bolts!

 

At 4pm today they had it back together and took it out for a test drive there was a miss. They pulled the new plug and something was wrong with the that one and was waiting to get a replacement plug (they didn't have it in stock) getting from a part store.

When they took the intake off they heard a rattle and there was a small piece of metal (1/4" X 1/4" square maybe 1/8' thick), They figured it was from the valve that went. Tomorrow morning should have the truck back and can't be soon enough because the Sentra I rented is a far cry from a dually truck. The mileage though isn't bad at 28 mpg compared to 11.

 

Picked the truck up today and sounds like a new truck (nice and quiet). Came in at $8074.03. Will put a 1,000 miles on it by Monday that should see if everything was put back together alright. Anyone ever notice after you haven't driven the truck for a while it feels so good and especially after having a car for 6 days.

The old engine had 4,649 hours on it when the intake went.

 

Yes. I drive a car 5 days a week and garage my truck in the winter. With spring here and summer around the corner the truck will be getting put to use more. But yea it's nice to get in and drive. Also it's much nicer being high up rather that scraping the ground in the car. But 24 mpgs is better for commuting 80 miles/day than 10.

Glad it got fixed for you but sorry about the $8k price tag.

 

I might have missed it, but how many miles were on the truck?

From the 4649 hours, it looks like it would have been 160-180K miles?

 

188,687 miles.

 

Wow, never heard of a failure like this. Glad to hear you got it fixed right though, it seems like you take great care of your truck and it should last you awhile longer with a new engine.

 

I put 900 miles on it now and all feels good. Winds where pretty hefty through IN and IL but still got 10.7 at 73 mph. Glad I wasn't near the tornado's. Would of sucked to fix the engine to lose the truck. If anybodies in those areas hoping everything good at your places.