We need some advice please. We currently have a 2000 F-150 swb/4X4/short box 5.4 automatic with 60,000 trouble free miles (been to the dealer once in its lifetime since I bought if off a parking lot in GA at 17,000 miles).

I use it to pull boat trailer (6,000 lbs guesstimate) and a few hauling jobs etc. Not my daily driver.

The lack of a back seat is becoming a real inconvenience as we can't take guests or grandchildren when we tow the boat etc. We are planning to get something with more room and are considering another F-150 (new or used) in crew cab configuration or a XLT F-250 powerstroke in same configuration. Truck will be used for a few long trips and weekly short hauls with the boat etc.

1. Is there any significant difference between 2000 and 2006 (7) F-150 in terms of performance, comfort or reliability ? In comparison to a new truck whould I be just as well off with good used 02-06 model crew cab ?

2. Have they worked the problems out of the 6.0 powerstroke so that i could buy a new F-250 diesel and have reliable transportation ? I have read some real horror stories in the diesel forum. Are there earlier models of the F-250 diesel that are relatively trouble free as low mileage used vehicles?

Appreciate your guidance and words of whisdom

thanks,

 

Stay away fromt he PS is still a piece of crap my local dealer has 17 turbos waiting to be changed as we speak, if I were to buy a diesel today it would be a dodge with the cummins HO and as far as gas engines just don't know my 04 5.4 3V is slow as a pig the 04 and up trucks are much heavier I am putting on a magnaflow cat back system to see if it will help much but don't expect much think an edge tuner is about all that will really help guess they are good that is IMO??

 

As far as the Powerstroke is concerned, I'd say ask the man who owns one.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=465074

 

What ever you buy do it before OCT 2, on any 2006. Ford is throwing in 5/50K powertrain warranty. After Oct 2nd, Buy an 07.


Ed

 

Well if you get an '06 or '07 F-150 Super Crew, you'd be able to get a longer bed at 6'5" - an extra foot over the '04 & '05 models years (they still make short boxes for '06 & '07 too).

The Super Duty's are close in price when equipped similarly. It won't ride as nice but you'd have a little extra space in the reat seats and also in the bed (6.75' or 8').

Keep in mind that the Super Duty is due for a re-design for the '08 MY and also a new diesel. I don't know anything about diesels other than what I read here. There are many concerns (how warranted - I don't know) over the 6.0, especially the 2003 MY.

If you are only towing a 6000 lb boat, you probably don't need a diesel or a Super Duty for that matter.

Best of luck,
Eric

 

Thanks everybody for your advice. We have about come full circle now and went out looking at 2006 F-150s today - probably crew cab and definately 5.4 V-8. Probably not as much fun as a F-250 powerstroke but hopefully trouble free and about right for the tasks at hand