Interesting thread,
One tip, as you are set on a dually.. Have you driven one? Like you I have always loved the way they look, and when I was your age (not that long ago, about 10 years) a crew cab Dually was something I really wanted. Now I have minimal desire for one at least as a daily driver.

I know what you mean wanting something specific. I am looking hard for a 1990 or 91 supercab long bed 7.3 5 speed 4x4. I like the pre 92 body style much better (partially nostalgia as my parents had an 89 new and I have lots of good memories). Like you I am looking for this truck to fix up and keep forever. Also I do t need a 350 but look to get a race car and trailer in the next few years so a little higher capacity than my 250 would be nice.

One thing to be aware of.. 5 speed will really limit the availability. I refuse to buy an automatic truck so it's a tough market. Personally I plan to stick with the naturally aspirated 7.3 idi. I get 18mpg in my current truck, it has all the complexity of a tractor engine, parts are cheap (look up cost of injectors for an idi compared to power stroke, and remember there are 8 of them). I really haven't had any issues with mine power wise. My dad has a 2003 7.3 auto trans and I would rather drive mine. 360 lb ft of torque isn't much compared to the new stuff but it's not exactly gutless, and I figure people made due in 1990 so I can figure it out today. Take a good look at the pre 92 trucks and see which you like better, they are more different than I used to think.

Good choice on the degree also, same as me, got a job right out of college working for that truck company with the chrome dog on the hood. Job market still looks good for the engineers.

 

I don't mean to come across as a jerk, BUT................A F-350 DRW is a piece of heavy EQUIPMENT, not a daily driver.

You can do as you please with your $$$, but a F-150 would serve your needs and not become a yard ornament because it's too expensive to operate.

If you must...............460 with E4OD, my F-250 with that package and 4:10s has netted 12mpg on one very unique occasion. Expect 10.5-11mpg mostly.
Parts for the 460 are CHEAP and plentiful too.

 

I am young just like you and absolutely LOVE the truck you're describing. I actually found one that I fell in love with but just couldn't get my hands on it, you would have loved it (picture of it at the bottom) though. And I'm basically in the same situation as you. Haul wheelers and dirt bikes, a tractor every now and then, and maybe my race car. My '84 F150 would totally be up to these tasks, especially in the power department. But I didn't WANT to use my F150. So I had to pass on the CC dually F250 I wanted so bad and I ended up buying my single cab long bed 460 truck. It's even overkill for what I do but do I care? Hell no. It serves it's purpose, it's a good truck, and I love it. So I justify me getting it because I love it and don't give a d*mn what other people think. Do what you want man!
Here's that truck I said you'd love BTW

I still get a stiffy from this truck lmfao.

 

Good luck finding a 4wd dually pickup since Ford did not make them.

Towing capacity is the SAME for a F250 and F350 Dually

As for injectors costs? Look up Rosewood diesel. $500 for rebuilding Your 8 Powerstroke injectors.

And look up an Injector Pump for the IDI(500+). They are designed to last 150k, Same as the injectors.

As for the 1990 idid truck. The speed limit was 55 back then. Now it is 65+

 

Go for it, I bought my first diesel when I was 21. By the time I was 29 owned 3 PSD'S and a peterbilt semi, now @ 30 I added a diesel Jetta. Only one gets "used"...... I know your dead set on a dually but a single wheel reg cab PSD with a 5-speed and 3:55 gears can get 20 MPG.....

My crew cab shorty gets 17 and that's doing 70-75 on the interstate.

As for options, most are either loaded with power doors and A/C and carpet. or they have manual doors, A/C and carpet. Not to many trucks out there without A/C or vinyl floor mats. look for the truck you want then look at the options, odds are it will already have the options you want.

Diesel Rod

 

what does that mean really?
just like back in 1990,the idi trucks can still do 85-95 mph is so desired without a turbo in proper tune.

 

Towing? yeah, i didnt think so

 

i dunno how fast they'd go at max gross.likely 85-95mph i suppose,given enough time to get there.i wouldn't recommend trying.
65mph is plenty.don't expect to maintain those type of speeds uphill of course with well under 200 ponies as n/a.but on the flat,in proper tune,there shouldn't be any issues.if there are,it's past due for a tune up.
being purely mechanical,things get all out of whack as the medium ware items ware.for example over time the fuel screw needs to be turned up slightly,and the timing also alters as injectors lose their pop pressures.then of course in enough time,the parts just need to be replaced and timed again.every 100k being ideal.
there isn't any computer to auto tune like the psd's.must be done all manual and periodically.this is why most older idi trucks are real super slugs today.iv seen 'em so out of tune,they could barley move themselves anymore.you'd never dream of towing anything with 'em like that.

 

That truck is awesome, what year and specs? Also what is the price over the window called, a visor? I gotta get one with that. It looks awesome. Is that aftermarket paint or did they come with that as an option

 

Well I think you misunderstood.. I said I no longer want a dually.. I want a srw long bed supercab 7.3 5 speed 4x4. Although strangely enough I did come across a 4x4 dually (was converted). You said tow rating is the same for f350 and 250.. Tow rating on my truck is 7,000 lb you're telling me that was the max tow rating you could get then? I'll have to check my owners manual on that one.

I've got nothing against the power stroke but I like the pre 92 body style better and simplicity.

 

Yes. tow ratings are the same.

7.3, 5speed, 4.10 same cab configuration all have the same tow rating weather it is F250 or F350. The GVWR is higher on a F350 but the TOW rating is the same

 

Interesting... well I rarely tow anyway, but I'm surprised at that.

I'd be preferring a 3.55 rear end anyway for the fuel milage (love my 18mpg now... I'm sure the 4x4 and ext cab will drop that a little but oh well)

Did Ford actually make an F250 dually??

 

I'll throw my two cents in here.

Basically, the "newest" truck we're discussing here is a 1997, that's 16 years old (newest).

I bought a 96 F150 standard cab, 300, and the M5OD last year. I tried getting the best shape one I could find. But, as I get into it, I'm starting to think I should have gotten a F250 (with the beefier frame) due to the rust aspect of it.

Thus, I totally understand about buying more truck than you need.

 

when I bought my truck, based on CL listings there was minimal price difference between an F150 I-6 and an F250 diesel for the same year and configuration. Now I'm looking at 250's and 350's and see minimal price difference between the two (other than condition) so now I'm preferring the idea of a 350.

 

If you're replying to me, try quoting my posts, it makes it a whole lot more simple and people know who you're talking to
And the truck I posted had some aftermarket package done to it. I want to say it started with a C, but it wasn't the Centurion package. It had leather seats front and rear, CB built into a sweet over head compartment, and the exterior mods were a part of it as well (running boards, handles, color scheme)
The truck had title issues so I couldn't get my hands on it. But it was a 2wd 7.3 E4OD truck, which is just the kind of truck I was looking for. And yes it's called a visor. You can get them from Summit Racing