what would you buy
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what would you buy
Hey guys this is my first post so be easy.
I am looking to by a 97 and older f350. I am looking for a crew cab 4x4. Mainly it will be used for hauling a load of wood or gravel. I can't imagine towing anything more than like a trailer with a car on it and that will be few and far between.
Question is should I go with a 351w,460, or a diesel. Also should I get an auto or manual tranny. I would like to be able to drive 70 on the expressway no problems.
Thanks
Jimmy
I am looking to by a 97 and older f350. I am looking for a crew cab 4x4. Mainly it will be used for hauling a load of wood or gravel. I can't imagine towing anything more than like a trailer with a car on it and that will be few and far between.
Question is should I go with a 351w,460, or a diesel. Also should I get an auto or manual tranny. I would like to be able to drive 70 on the expressway no problems.
Thanks
Jimmy
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well, i have no experience with diesels so i couldn't make a recommendation there. between the 3 gas engines, it's mainly a gas mileage thing. either one will be able to handle what you need. if you're not doing that much heavy hauling, i'd go with the 351W.
as far as trannies go, a manual is more reliable by nature. the ZF 5-speed that you'd be getting (HD if you got a 460, and LD if you got a 351W) is a notoriously stout tranny that rarely gives anyone problems. only thing is that some aren't comfortable towing with a stick, but if you're not one of those types, go for it!
Mike
as far as trannies go, a manual is more reliable by nature. the ZF 5-speed that you'd be getting (HD if you got a 460, and LD if you got a 351W) is a notoriously stout tranny that rarely gives anyone problems. only thing is that some aren't comfortable towing with a stick, but if you're not one of those types, go for it!
Mike
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well, my 89 F250 2wd std cab long bed has a 351W, 5-speed, and 3.55 gears. i run around with both tanks full all the time, so i'm carrying a lot of extra weight. i get about 12 around town if i keep my foot out of it and 15-16 on longer highway drives if i keep it under 70 or so. with a newer truck, you'd likely get MAF rather than my speed-density, which leads to the opportunity for more MPGs.
as far as the 460, guys i know with that engine in my era truck got around 10 all day long, maybe 12 on the freeway at slow speeds with a good tail wind, lol!
Mike
as far as the 460, guys i know with that engine in my era truck got around 10 all day long, maybe 12 on the freeway at slow speeds with a good tail wind, lol!
Mike
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Seems like th mpg varies quite a bit. I did a search and it seems some people post 8-10 and as high as 15-16. If I can get at least 10 mpg with a 460 that would be good enough for me.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Actually, the ZF is the same tranny whether you get the 351 or the 460. The only difference is the bellhousing. All the internals are the same.
The biggest difference between the two is mileage. I also think the 351 is going to be less common than the 460. It depends on how much you plan on driving it. Not too much, I'd say go with the 460.
The diesel is going to cost quite a bit more, but you'll get better mileage with it, and you'll also get more out of it when you sell it. The diesel trucks I've found are almost invariably more beat up than the gassers, though.
Any truck you buy will have no problem doing 70, unless there's something wrong with it.
The biggest difference between the two is mileage. I also think the 351 is going to be less common than the 460. It depends on how much you plan on driving it. Not too much, I'd say go with the 460.
The diesel is going to cost quite a bit more, but you'll get better mileage with it, and you'll also get more out of it when you sell it. The diesel trucks I've found are almost invariably more beat up than the gassers, though.
Any truck you buy will have no problem doing 70, unless there's something wrong with it.
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Senior User
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From: Goodrich IL
Always better to have more than you need rather than not enough.
My last 3 new trucks were diesels and I never had to much truck.
The price of diesel fuel ran me right out of my last one,
went and paid cash for a older 250 with a 351.
The 351 serves me fine but wish I had the 460 or even a diesel
seeing how my truck is no longer my daily driver
Also if you do find a CC 4X4 with a 351 I myself would hope it had 4.10 gears.
Good luck.
Gene
My last 3 new trucks were diesels and I never had to much truck.
The price of diesel fuel ran me right out of my last one,
went and paid cash for a older 250 with a 351.
The 351 serves me fine but wish I had the 460 or even a diesel
seeing how my truck is no longer my daily driver
Also if you do find a CC 4X4 with a 351 I myself would hope it had 4.10 gears.
Good luck.
Gene
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Milpitas, CA; Tyler, TX
Good luck with that. I lusted after an F350XL 460 4x4 5-speed Crew Cab, an ex City maintenance truck...but only had the money for a "lowly" 92 Bronco with a 302. So I'm a little envious of anybody who has one or can afford one :-)
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I've got a 97 F250 with the 460 and I get 11mpg city, and 14 highway if I stay out of the gas and cruise at 75 on the highway. Just make sure it has a good alignment, cause before the alignment I was getting 10mpg all day long, didn't matter if I was towing ( F150s, CJs, and ATVs), cruising, or mashing the pedal.
