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Super- Duty Advantages??
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Livermore Maine
Super- Duty Advantages??
This is not a flame starter, I'm just trying to be objective about spending the hard earned cash. I'm looking to buy a 2000-2002 F250 Super-Duty 4x4 supercab with a 6' bed and the Power Stroke Diesel. Was wondering what advantages these have over the GM trucks of a similar model?? Don't worry, I have the undersigned Ford truck and want to stay loyal to Ford but, I'll have to live with my next truck a long time and want to make an informed choice. In a previous thread I thought I would get a 97 regular cab but, I really could use the supercab with the door or doors that open the backseat-storage area.
I'm also curious as to how these trucks really ride. I do not know anyone who has a Super-Duty and I'll probably try one out at a dealer in the near future.
I'm also curious as to how these trucks really ride. I do not know anyone who has a Super-Duty and I'll probably try one out at a dealer in the near future.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,153
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From: Roseburg OR.
Super- Duty Advantages??
In my opinion there is no comparison. If you want a truck then buy a Ford. They have solid axle front ends and leaf springs. It's a time tested and proven design. If you want a car like ride then some independent suspension might be right up your alley. I personally hate it. Everyone I know that offroads even lightly has problems keeping them in alignment.
Almost every business I know of that really uses their trucks buys Ford. Most companies with large fleets have Fords. This is for a reason. I'm sure they have done cost per mile studies to see which is the best. I know at my Railroad all we buy is Ford.
Almost every business I know of that really uses their trucks buys Ford. Most companies with large fleets have Fords. This is for a reason. I'm sure they have done cost per mile studies to see which is the best. I know at my Railroad all we buy is Ford.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: On top of a big hill...
Super- Duty Advantages??
Superduties have:
Solid Dana front axles
Manual locking front hubs
Alot higher body ground clearance & ride height (which is a main reasons I bought a Superduty)
They don't ride as smooth as GM's pickups but you have to give that up with the solid front axle. My last pickup was an '00 Chevy and it was a good truck with some good features-I think the interiors are nicer than Ford's but the sheet metal on Ford's pickups seems heavier (No, I didn't measure it) and the paint is better quaility. GM has some good engine options right now but I think Ford's are built more substantially in my opinion.
Solid Dana front axles
Manual locking front hubs
Alot higher body ground clearance & ride height (which is a main reasons I bought a Superduty)
They don't ride as smooth as GM's pickups but you have to give that up with the solid front axle. My last pickup was an '00 Chevy and it was a good truck with some good features-I think the interiors are nicer than Ford's but the sheet metal on Ford's pickups seems heavier (No, I didn't measure it) and the paint is better quaility. GM has some good engine options right now but I think Ford's are built more substantially in my opinion.
Last edited by MountainHound; May 26, 2003 at 09:22 PM.
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From: Medford USA!
Super- Duty Advantages??
Ditto on the "Buy a Ford pickup if you want a truck, and buy a Chebbie pickup if you want a car.
Ch's have that ugly frame that hangs down below the body, and the wimpy IFS. I think their interiors are o.k., but overall the truck is kinda ugly.
The 7.3 is a great engine, second only to a Cummins in my humble opinion. I like the straight six in the Cummins...easy to work on and bomb. They are REALLY NOISY though. The 7.3 has oodles of potential hop-up too. A simple $400 chip can get you 80 HP
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The 7.3 also makes the ride of the truck fairly smooth with the help of all that extra iron up front. They ride smoother (yet lower) than my V10.
Ch's have that ugly frame that hangs down below the body, and the wimpy IFS. I think their interiors are o.k., but overall the truck is kinda ugly.
The 7.3 is a great engine, second only to a Cummins in my humble opinion. I like the straight six in the Cummins...easy to work on and bomb. They are REALLY NOISY though. The 7.3 has oodles of potential hop-up too. A simple $400 chip can get you 80 HP
. The 7.3 also makes the ride of the truck fairly smooth with the help of all that extra iron up front. They ride smoother (yet lower) than my V10.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
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Super- Duty Advantages??
Three words- Izuzu made diesel. That should say it all but I will add some more. I looked into the Chebbie and the motor was the deciding factor. International or Izuzu is the real question.We all know the the answer to that one.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,742
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From: OK
Super- Duty Advantages??
I've owned a 2000 F250, a 2001 F350 and a 2003 GMC 2500HD...
Overall, Ford is a better work & off-road truck, but GM has some incredible features for the 90+ percent of owners who simply use the truck as a commuter/tow vehicle.
IMO, GM gave Ford a huge wake-up call with their 2000+ model line of HD trucks. Either brand should provide years of service, so get the one you like best.
Overall, Ford is a better work & off-road truck, but GM has some incredible features for the 90+ percent of owners who simply use the truck as a commuter/tow vehicle.
IMO, GM gave Ford a huge wake-up call with their 2000+ model line of HD trucks. Either brand should provide years of service, so get the one you like best.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,136
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From: Scenic Wisconsin
Super- Duty Advantages??
I concur with all of the previous posts.
I just bought an F250 with the PSD, while a friend of mine, against the recommendation of his mechanic, bought a Chebby. When he picked up his truck, I thought I was looking at and riding in a car - way to soft a ride IMO, but he really liked it just because it was more like a car. He looked at SDs, but didn't buy because of the ride and lack of interior gadgets.
It really boils down to what you prefer.
I just bought an F250 with the PSD, while a friend of mine, against the recommendation of his mechanic, bought a Chebby. When he picked up his truck, I thought I was looking at and riding in a car - way to soft a ride IMO, but he really liked it just because it was more like a car. He looked at SDs, but didn't buy because of the ride and lack of interior gadgets.
It really boils down to what you prefer.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Livermore Maine
Super- Duty Advantages??
You folks have pretty much confirmed most of the notions that I've had about the Super-Duty. I need a truck that can work, the wifey has a cushey SUV we can use if we need a "CAR" like ride! The International Diesel is my first choice, I know the Cummins is a great motor in a problem riddled truck and the GM(Izuzu) has yet to make it's mark on the market. As soon as my present vehicles are liquidated, the Super-Duty is in! Can't wait!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,067
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From: Central Illinois
Super- Duty Advantages??
Originally posted by NoMo
... but GM has some incredible features for the 90+ percent of owners who simply use the truck as a commuter/tow vehicle.
... but GM has some incredible features for the 90+ percent of owners who simply use the truck as a commuter/tow vehicle.
NOMO,
In all my years of driving Fords, I haven't owned a Chevy. What are some of these gadgets that I am missing out on? Just wondering.
Matt
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 353
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From: South Dakota
Super- Duty Advantages??
I don't have any experience with the new chevy HD's, but I'm not impressed with the lighter duty models. They maybe do have a few neat gadgets, but I don't think the seats are as good as the SD's and they seem small. My grandpa has a 2001 GM 2500 and my dad just bought a 2002 Chevy suburban this spring. Both of them seem to have free play in the steering wheel so you have a tendancy to "wander" down the road. They do ride smooth, but they sit low too. We have a '97 Chevy 2500 for a ranch pick-up and I'm not at all impressed with it. It'll over heat if you stop in the pasture (or get warmer than I like) and constantly runs at 210. It doesn't have the clearence of a Ford, and the seat was wearing through at 50,000 miles when we bought it. I do like the chevy and dodges because they're beds seem to be heavier built than the Ford, but that's about the only thing I like. Then again, I only have about 9,500 miles on my SD so we'll have to wait and see. I just hope it's as good as my dad's '90 F-250HD with 150,000 miles without any major problems. If you get the Ford I doubt you'll be dissappointed.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,742
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From: OK
Super- Duty Advantages??
Originally posted by nafzimo
In all my years of driving Fords, I haven't owned a Chevy. What are some of these gadgets that I am missing out on? Just wondering.
In all my years of driving Fords, I haven't owned a Chevy. What are some of these gadgets that I am missing out on? Just wondering.
While I didn't have it myself, Onstar is pretty cool.
Driver Information Center (DIC) is awsome.
Cubby-holes galor- all lined with rubber anti-slip pads.
Real nice Bose stereo system... IMO better than Ford's system.
XM Satellite radio.
Theater lighting.
Instead of lighting the cargo light, their remote-entry system lights the mirrors, drls, and back-up lights so you can see what you are walking up to.
Carpeted & lighted door panels.
Rear window defroster.
Heated mirrors and a lot of other stuff that comes standard in their SLE pkg (= Ford's XLT) that only Ford offers with the Lariat pkg (= GM's SLT).
A lot of the stuff is just "fluff", but it is "fluff" that Ford leaves out of their trucks, but charges just as much GM.
Oh yeah- did I mention REAL guages?!?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 1
From: Central Illinois
Super- Duty Advantages??
Originally posted by NoMo
REAL Guages!
While I didn't have it myself, Onstar is pretty cool.
Driver Information Center (DIC) is awsome.
Cubby-holes galor- all lined with rubber anti-slip pads.
Real nice Bose stereo system... IMO better than Ford's system.
XM Satellite radio.
Theater lighting.
Instead of lighting the cargo light, their remote-entry system lights the mirrors, drls, and back-up lights so you can see what you are walking up to.
Carpeted & lighted door panels.
Rear window defroster.
Heated mirrors and a lot of other stuff that comes standard in their SLE pkg (= Ford's XLT) that only Ford offers with the Lariat pkg (= GM's SLT).
A lot of the stuff is just "fluff", but it is "fluff" that Ford leaves out of their trucks, but charges just as much GM.
Oh yeah- did I mention REAL guages?!?
REAL Guages!
While I didn't have it myself, Onstar is pretty cool.
Driver Information Center (DIC) is awsome.
Cubby-holes galor- all lined with rubber anti-slip pads.
Real nice Bose stereo system... IMO better than Ford's system.
XM Satellite radio.
Theater lighting.
Instead of lighting the cargo light, their remote-entry system lights the mirrors, drls, and back-up lights so you can see what you are walking up to.
Carpeted & lighted door panels.
Rear window defroster.
Heated mirrors and a lot of other stuff that comes standard in their SLE pkg (= Ford's XLT) that only Ford offers with the Lariat pkg (= GM's SLT).
A lot of the stuff is just "fluff", but it is "fluff" that Ford leaves out of their trucks, but charges just as much GM.
Oh yeah- did I mention REAL guages?!?
Hmmm... Sounds neat, but still not interested.
Matt
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,496
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From: Calgary Canada
Super- Duty Advantages??
Originally posted by kanertop
Sounds like GM needs to throw in bells and whistles to sell thier trucks. I guess thats what you have to do when you sell an inferior product.
Sounds like GM needs to throw in bells and whistles to sell thier trucks. I guess thats what you have to do when you sell an inferior product.
IMHO, they lose a lot of business because the SD is so spartan. If you spend a lot of time in your truck, as most guys who use an SD do, either for work, hauling your fifth wheel, etc... those little touches that GM and Dodge have start to add up.
I know a guy that traded a loaded up GM 2500HD on a Ford F350 after 2 weeks, at a BIG loss, because he thought the Ford seat was more comfortable. Little things like that, even cup holders, can have big impact on people's buying decisions. I've talked to a lot Ford people that are giving the new Dodge and GM a hard look because they offer a lot more interior comfort.
I for one would like to see Ford put a little more effort into the "ergonomics" of the SD line. After all, who doesn't like increased comfort and gadgets?
Waxy