ok, I'm looking for a new truck to tow the Explorer with. I was originally using my mother's Yukon, but she's getting rid of it in the next year or so, so I'm starting my search for a new truck. I originally was looking at 3/4 or 1 ton Powerstrokes, b/c of the great towing capacity, power, torque, life, yada yada yada. But I've come to realize that a used powerstroke is more expensive than a new F-150.... so here's my question. I'll be towing around 9,000 lbs including truck and trailer behind this new truck, and the new F-150s towin capacity is around the same, while the 3/4 and 1 tons are anywhere from 11K to 17K depending on cab arrangement, bed size, 2wd or 4wd, and so on........ would it be worth it to just spend the extra money on a 3/4 or 1 ton and put a LOT less stress on the drivetrain, or do y'all think an F-150 would hold up alright?

--Ryan

 

I would go with at least 3/4. I was towing a trailer today and everything including the truck weighed in at around close to 11K. The old 4.6 towed it fairly good running down the highway at 70mph but then a Powerstroke blew by me with two cars on it's trailer.

 

Look at some older years like 95 to 98 Power Strokes they will have the towing capacity and be cheaper than the F150.

 

Definetlly 3/4 ton!!! The thing you need to remember is when they rate a truck as 1/2, 3/4, or 1 ton they aren't just talking about how much wieght the suspension will stand, the brakes are designed to stop that much and they usually come with tranny coolers and oil coolers. along with all the other stuff like stress on bearings etc.

Duane
Southeast Kansas Coordinator

 

Yeah for sure you wan tot look at a 3/4 ton at least.

 

I perfer towing with the Powerstroke, To me it wouldn't matter 3/4, or 1 ton. You can find good deals on the '95 to '97, I have actually seen them with under 100,000 which isn't even broken in for a diesel.
There are things that you will need to be aware of when looking for a used powerstroke, if you go that way.

 

I've been lookin at used powerstrokes. I know a LOT about them, well, I guess I could say, more than most. I am lookin at 98 and newer, for two reasons:: The newer ones are more powerful (better turbos, 97 and newer) and I like the newer body style. I have been finding some for around $30,000 which is sorta in my price range, but its from private sellers, and, for some reason I'd kinda like to get one from a dealer, maybe I'm dumb.

--Ryan

 

Be sure to ask about injectors, chances are if it's got more than 80,000 on the ticker #'s 1,4 and 5 are needing replacement. Also, I sugest checking the air filter box for signs of "dusting" seems if you tried to use a different brand air filter than Motocraft they never fit right and had a tendancy to "dust #5 and #2 cyl.'s Just my 2 cents

Duane
Southeast Kansas Coordinator

 

wow, thanks for the info.... now, these injector problems, are these only on the "late model" 7.3s? and by checking for "dusting" do you actually mean physically looking for dust and other parcipitates in the box?

 

The 7.3's all had injector problems related to the HEUI injection system, but the 6.0 are all better lol. As for the dusting pull the filter out an look into the bottom of the air box, run you finger across the bottom and see if you have dust on your finger, if I remember right the problem was in the corners between the filter and lower housing and you can see where the dust has been getting by the filter.

BTW, if you want my honest opinion, you don't need the power stroke!! That's right, I said it. If all you plan on pulling around is 6000-7000 lbs the old 7.3 IDI motor will do you just fine and are ALOT cheaper buy into and to maintain since they use a standard Bosch BD-4 injector pump instead of the HEUI system. They are just as tough as the PSD as far as longevity. Of course they don't have all the power of the PSD but alot better than a gasser with better miliage. But then again that's just my opinion.

Also, if need be there are plenty of aftermarket Mfg. making turbo kits for these.

If ya really want some good diesel info talk to Gene, he really knows his stuff when it comes to PSD's and getting BIG power out of them.

Duane
Southeast Kansas Coordinator

 

Ryan, Duane is right on the older powerstrokes. A friend of mine just came down from Lincoln this past weekend and picked up a 2 1/2 ton 6X6 that he bought on a surplus auction hauled it home with a gooseneck trailer with two sets of duals. I followed him out of town for about 20 miles and he had no problem pulling it at 60 mph.

Other things to consider is maintenance on a diesel will probably be a little more due to higher oil change costs etc. A gasser 3/4 might fill your needs if you are not pulling long distances alot. The up side of the diesel is that I get around 11 to 12 mpg towing a 5th wheel and 17 tp 20 empty, but right now diesel fuel costs more (5 to 15 cent/gal) compared to regular gas. Up side is diesel engines should run 2 to 300,000 miles easily. But a lot of gassers will do that too. Check the super duty diesel boards for other info. You should be able to buy a decent higher mileage 94-95 diesel for $3500-$5000 if you aren't in a hurry and shop around. I saw a '99 in the Wheelsforyou listed for a little over 13,000 in the May 27 issue.

Del

 

My 2004 V-10 pulls my 9000# fiver with no problem. I bought it new for under $25,000. I looked at diesels (all of them) and compared milage, prices, maintenance, fuel prices, etc.. I needed a pick-up for short hauls and light loads as well as the fiver duty. I felt (and still do) that it was the best choice for what I wanted it to do. The new V-10 is supposed to have more power and better economy than mine does, so don't ignore the gassers entirely. If you get passed once in a while, big deal. Bottom line is that I felt for the type of application that I wanted to use it for.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Gordo

 

thanks for all the info guys. I will be towing closer to 9,000lbs regularly, that's why I've been lookin at the PSDs. and my dad had a 2002 V10 3/4 ton at one point, and I experienced it first had..... I didn't like it overall. yes, it had GREAT power and such, but for a DD, I don't think I could handle the mpg. I'm still looking, and am not in TOO big of a hurry, but I thought I'd just get some opinions from everybody. I'm one of those guys that thinks "if you're gonna buy something, wait, save, and get what you not only need, but what you want too (to a certain extent) so youre not regretting it later down the road"

--Ryan

 

We got a couple 99' F-450's with the V-10 in them, they are going on 220,000 miles on them and they still run great, miliage sucks but hey, the thing wieghs 9,000# empty hehe. Gordon brings up a good point, if your not gonna pull the thing from state to state then you can get by with a gasser, but if your shooting for the long haul then go diesel (IDI, DIT either one)

Duane
Southeast Kansas Coordinator

 

yeah, I forgot to mention, I'll be towing to Manhattan, KS (Tuttle) regularly, but I"ll also be towing to OK, UT, AR, TN, and who knows where else.