Just about out of high school and selling the 1995 F-150 302 for a diesel truck. The current list is F-550 reg 2000 with 7.3 5 speed dump bed 130,00 asking $18,500, 2004 F-250 ext auto 24,000 6.0 asking $28,000, 2003chevy ext 2500 6.6 auto 35,000 26,000. Worried most about shifting the 550. drive the old gas grain trucks w/ 4 by2's without problems. Is there a big differance in shifting gears in the gas or diesel? What is the better truck? Planing on put in overtime to get this new toy paid for fast. Do landscaping/hauling/Ag driving/...truck will be a daily driver.

 

insurance on a 550 will cost you...but its a good work truck and the dump would be great for landscaping..shifting is just like a gasser..I wouldn't ever own a 6.0 but there fun to drive..they have had too many problems with them...and id never buy a Chevy..I'm a true blue ford man..this poly isn't much help to you..but I'm not buying the truck..you are..

 

I'd definately go with the 550, 7.3L truck. 130K is nothing for these motors, and it's the least expensive. Not a big difference in shifting between gas and diesel, just the diesel is running less RPM. If anything, you'll have to do less shifting with the diesel because of the expansive torque curve. Plus with your job, the dump bed would surely come in quite handy.

 

It's a no brainer - the 550 Dump bed for you're line of work - pay itself off!

Cheers!

 

Check here for some things to look at before you get it. The Ford will last alot longer than that Ch....... Ch............. Ch.......... dang I cant even say it, other truck.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...questions.html

 

Yep i choose the f-550 as well. Sounds like a nice truck for you and you landscaping/hauling business. How big is the body? Is it four wheel drive? That link Alan posted is what i was going to post, take a good long look at that thread.

 

Kris,
Depending on the size of the body and wb, the truck may weigh enough for 4x4 to be obsolete because of the weight?

 

it depends on how much your towing. if it isnt really that much then i would go for the duramax, it will be a much better daily driver than the 550. i have a 2000 7.3 and love it but if i had money i would have the dmax or wait until the 6.4 proves itself because i like ford trucks better, but the dmax/allison combo is one hell of a drivetrain, especially when chipped. if your 302 could handle the weight you pull then the 550 would be a little overkill

 

I second this oppinion, 6.0s are just too risky, a chevy with that engine/tranny would be a good DD. I love my 7.3 ford, but since you said you want to drive this truck as your DD, it may just be more feasible for a regular pickup then to take your 550 dump to the drive in on a saturday night.

 

I think the F-550 is a work horse especially with the 7.3. Fuel milage is going to suck on it though because of the low gears and the weight. I would not even think about the Chevy. The F-250 with the 6.0 would be more practical. I hear lots of good things about the 6.0 in 05 and 06 but not sure about in 04. I know the first year of the 6.0 had lots of problems so I would do some homework on that one.

 

IMO i wouldnt touch a 6.0, especially not before 2006, when they claim to have them fixed. Its pretty sad to know that less then 15 mins on the phone with a lemon law lawyer can have one bought back by ford, all you have to say is 6.0 powerstroke and thats pretty much all they need. The people that say they wouldnt ever touch a chevy, need to drive one. Im not starting a manufacturer battle, but the chevys with a duramax are pretty well built. Im not a fan of IFS on a work truck, but its obvious that it holds up to the general public, or they wouldnt use it anymore. The frames are solid, and beef, they also use a aam 1150 rear axle, with a 11.5 inch ring gear. The only killer on a chevy is the front suspension.

 

Very easy to drive these trucks with a manual trans. So much torque it is hard to stall unless you have a load. The only downfall is a daily driver is kinda pain if you don't like a stick to begin with. I'm for the F550 for price and I love my six speed (not used as daily driver).

 

i agree. a chevy 2500hd will ba able to tow just about anything the 7.3 can because it has much more power. the payload may not be as much but also fuel milage will be much better. being in collegge myself i know i wouldnt want a f-550 dump 5 speed as a daily driver. sure the straight axle is stronger but you wouldnt notice a difference unless you were into hardcore off roading or rock crawling. im not bashing ford at all but you couldnt give me a 6.0 and between the choices i would rather have the duramax

 

correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought you couldn't get a 2000 7.3 with a 5 spd. I thought that you could only get that trans in the old body style?