So I've been on a hiatus from this forum for about 8 years. My last Ford was disappointing to say the least (05 6.0), then the wife wrecked it and I bought a Cummins. I had that truck until mid 2010 when I decided to get a 3500 dually and quickly realized that the 6.7 used twice as much fuel as the previous 5.9 so I sold it. I've been driving an old 1990 cummins Ram 4wd regular cab when I can't ride my bike and while I love the truck and can't complain about it mechanically I am sick and tired of being hot in the summer and cold in the winter so I'm gonna get a new(er) truck.

My requirements are actually very simple. Must be 4 wheel drive, Must be an extended or crew cab, must be a diesel, and must have a 40/20/40 bench seat up front. I was tempted to pick up another Cummins Ram because I'd prefer to get a manual trans and Ram is the only one offering that plus the 100,000 mile power train warranty.

But I've also been looking at the Ford and GMC trucks, and I love the aggressive look of the GMC and how they've gone square but at heart I'm a ford guy (car wise anyhow) and figured I'd see if the new PS has lost the "joke" moniker that I've read on the cummins sites.

With that said what should I be looking at with the new Ford diesels? I've got a couple of offers in the works.

'15 CC XLT 4wd, 355 (non-locking) for 45,100
'15 SC XLT 4wd 355 (elec locking) for 43,300

Does this price seem fair? What problems should I expect?

 

I have a 2013 DRW F350. Have owned it a year and have 17K miles on it. 90% heavying towing.


Never been back to the dealer.


Does that help?

 

We have an '11 F450 that tows 15k+ lbs daily. It's @ 255k miles as of a month ago. Only major repair was the rear diff. We were going to order a '15 and decided to wait for a '16.

 

Problems? None really...

I don't own one and won't own one, but from what I've been reading and the people I know who have one they don't have any problems and love their truck.

If it were me, I'd make sure you got as much room as you needed up front. I.e. Crew Cab, either long bed or short bed, with 4wd and the available elocker. The aforementioned is like having a gun: You'd much rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. These are also things I wouldn't chalk up to "it's just more to break".

 

4wd, long bed, and locker are all definite must haves. Just not sure on the cab configuration yet. Gonna go look at a few today and make my decision then. I'm leaning towards having one ordered built as follows:

350 XLT, SRW 4wd, CC, LB, with value package, 3.55 locker, powerscope mirrors, idle shutdown, cab lights, 40/20/40 and thinking about the but unsure about the need for the operator commanded regen. Thoughts on that option?

 

Don't forget the trailer brake controller and consider the 5th wheel prep too.

 

Yeah the lariat comes with the brake controller, and I optioned that on the XLT. I don't need the 5th prep as I don't plan on a trailer that requires it unless I win the lotto at which time I'll just buy another truck ha ha

 

Ok so I've some XLT option question... I'd like to know if the base model radio is upgradable to an aftermarket unit in these trucks? I've got an APP radio that I'd like to install if I were to buy one if possible, but if not I'll need to consider the lariat option. Thanks in advance.

Also does the idle shut down option work as a turbo timer of sorts, and is it worth getting/having?