I did the exact same thing... first a '62 F100 4x2, then the "bigger" '79 F250 4x4. When it came time to replace the '79's anemic 400M 2BBL with rusted through floorboards, I was going to go another increment to one ton, but then thought, whatever truck I buy next should be the last truck I'll ever need to buy.

In the late 90's, the crew cab long bed 4x4 F-350 only had about a 1,200 lb actual net load carrying capacity. Dual rear wheels would have helped, but were not available in 4WD in a Ford. The relatively new Dodge Diesel 4x4 dually had more net carrying capacity at that point, but the bed was too high, the A pillar trim was too thick, the Cummins 12V was too loud, and Dodge's reputation for build quality was, well, too "dodgy".

When Ford debuted the F-550 cab chassis in calendar year 1998 as a 99 model, the choice became clear. The 7.3L would run away from the 24V stock for stock, and the new 550 had the largest available brake rotors available in any light truck, 3/8" thick frame material, a 14.2" ring gear, and 19.5" load range F tires, all fitting in a truck that appeared no larger than it's F-350 CC DRW stable mate, and for the same price to boot.

It is enough truck for any and everything that I had and have planned for it to do, but it is still more truck than I need on most days. So if the OP walked up to me in the Lowe's parking lot last night as I was loading 75 2x4's in the truck, and asked my why I needed an F-550 for a job that an F-150 could easily handle, my response to him would be to mind his own business, but in my own mind it would be:

"Because I can't afford to have a Ranger for when a Ranger will do, and F-150 for when an F-150 will do, an F-250 for when an F-250 will do, an F-350 for when an F-350 will do, an F-450 for when an F-450 will do, etc."

I can only afford to have one truck. It happens to be enough for anything I can conceivably accomplish. It also happens to be too much for most things I do day to day. The smartest upgrade I got for the truck was a Prius as daily driver. The dumbest thing for me to do would be to keep trading in trucks every couple of years, paying out higher registration fees, insurance, sales tax, and depreciation repeatedly.

I had hoped to keep my current truck for 40 years. What I did not fully reckon was the acceleration of technology and advancement in material science that lower cost computer processing would empower engineers to make in the areas of reducing emissions. This would be a key reason why I might change trucks after "only" twenty years.

When I bought the 7.3L, believe it or not, it was the CLEANEST diesel engine available in a light truck for sale in the USA from any manufacturer at the time. Now, some 15 years later, it is comparatively embarrassing.

 

What he said.
Clearly it was some one with no ***** he spoke to

 

Too bad the OP can't hear the sarcasm in my post! It was aimed directly at him!

 

I have a friend who pays $800 a month to drive a 2015 6.7 which he is afraid to scratch the bed on and the hitch receiver has never seen a hitch...crazy to me but whatever

 

Maybe the OP got his butt kicked. He never came back.

 

This should be the Quote Of The Week!!!


What really sucks is when someone comes and borrows it without asking!

 

Look guys, the fact is, if it's what someone wants, who are we to judge them. Would you also say that someone that spent $80K on a shiny silver Corvette Stingray would also have more money than brains. Or how about $150K on a Ferrari? Just because someone owns something he (or she) doesn't need, doesn't give us the right to say anything.

Even though I agree. Still.

 

No, probably just a grown-up.

 

A guy who can afford a new truck to tow his fishing boat around, to GO FISHING the dumb one? I guess it has to be in the eye of the beholder.

 

Looks like this one's turned into a bash fest. I guess it was bound to go this way.

Thread closed.