Since Im almost a newb here, I will start with a newb question

This March I will be purchasing a new truck, some sort of crew cab 4x4 srw.
Typicaly this would be a no brainer for me, but since the new 6.4 and the regen seem to suck azz, I am faced with a dilema, I guess I will go with a gas motor.

So now that opens up a bigger picture for me...stay Ford or go elsewhere.

I know I don't want a 5.4, had one and It couldnt keep up.
So that leaves the 6.8 and I was never crazy about them..I don't know why but it is what it is.

It will be moslty used for pleasure, I will load it up with all the common trinkets, lift, tires, etc.

I tow a 16' toy hauler with tools and bikes a couple times a year from NY to Califonia and Colorado and Florida...I also plow snow in the winter, with front and rear plows.


So tell me...why do I buy a SD over Brand X ?.....and please don't pull out the loyalty card....that don't fly with me.

Give me facts....

 

Go to your local Ford dealer and pick up the DVD "The Truth About Trucks".

If that doesn't get you to buy a Ford SD, nothing anybody says around here will either.

John

 

Well, quite a dilema you have here. If I didn't buy a Ford, I would buy a Dodge. Chevy doesn't have a straight axle up front so there worthless. Plus once you hit about 80-100 k the electical stuff really starts to suck. My last truck, a 2000 Dodge 1500 went 110k without even replacing a light bulb. I sold it because it was in a front end collision and it was not repaired correctly. Personally I would rather have a Hemi than a 5.4 or a V-10. Of course I would never buy a half ton again either, the brakes always seem to be wimpy. I know I'll get hung for this statement , but its my "honest" 2 cents.

 

People get hung around here for stating thier opinions?? hmmm

Well, I havent driven a dodge with a gas motor since 99, I have driven a 08 chevy with the 6.0 and it felt pretty good. But, like you stated, I am not a fan of the front axle

 

Why buy a Ford?

First, drive one. A Super Duty weighs a lot more than the competition's truck. That weight is very important when towing. Even though you're only towing a 16 foot trailer, a 30 MPH crosswind in Oklahoma can make life ugly. Also, the extra weight makes plowing easier.

The solid front axle of the Super Duty supports more weight than the equivalent IFS system. With the proper front springs the truck will better support your snow plow, no more mushy handling when you drive from job to job.

Don't want a 5.4L? The 2005+ 3 valve 5.4L puts out 300 HP. Mated to a 5R110W transmission and a 4.10 rear end you're good for 11,000 pounds towing. I tow around 8000 on a regular basis without any issues, with 3.73 gears!

Need more? The V-10 is an awesome engine, one of the best kept secrets in the truck world. Power and torque to spare, delivered in a smooth but aggressive torque curve that will bring a huge smile to your face. Fuel consumption is just slightly higher than the V-8, but the extra power will make life so much easier when plowing, towing or teaching the neighbor kid in the Dodge Neon how absolute power really does corrupt!

Speaking of the 5R110W transmission, it's one of the best out there today. I would put it against any Allison transmission offered in any GM pickup and it would compare favorably. The 5R110W transmission will laugh at 200,000 miles of hard use.

Styling.....won't get into that. It's a subjective thing. You either like the way the truck looks or you don't.

But, the real reason I am posting; Instead of asking why should I buy BRAND X, BRAND Y or BRAND Z, I would be researching why I shouldn't buy a brand. Which has higher resale value, which has lowest maintenance costs, which will do the job I need better?

 

Good points RedFord,

I haven't owned anything but Superdutys since 99, not counting the freebie that I haul junk around with.

I just assumed I would buy the newest SD with a oil burner, but seems I havent read to much good about the 6.4 and regen, and now Im in a funk.

 

Is brand new an absolute must? Maybe you could find a 6.0 with low miles, a program vehicle or lease turn in? I bought my '03 just over a year ago w/ 62K on the clock and it was in great shape.

 

The 6.4L PSD is a solid engine. The few problems I have read about seem to be more associated with manufacturing flaws instead of engineering flaws (like the early 6.0 PSD engines). I would purchase one if I had the need.

It's one glaring fault is the engine has a mighty thirst for ULSD fuel. At this point the V-10 seems to be able to match the 6.4L in towing capacity and fuel consumption, yet costs about $6000 less. Fuel at this point costs about 50 cents a gallon less, but who knows what that will look like in a year?

As some experience is gained with the 6.4L, ULSD and the regulations governing emissions I looks for the fuel consumption to improve via PCM updates (more so with aftermarket instead of through Ford or Navistar).

 

some times its not just about the engine..... i found it can be difficult ... short of ordering from the factory.... to get all the "other" options you may want on a truck.... let alone motor.. chassis.. cab...

when i was shopping for my truck, i wanted all the bells and whistles... tow mirrors, cab lights, no bucket seats, tow command, etc... (even prefered a manual trans at one time)

i was online configuring both fords and dodges, i even did a chevy once but it was so rediculous that u couldnt get certian configurations that it was just dumb, even dodge was sorta that way .... maybe its a glitch in they're software ...

for instance... you couldnt get certian cab and motor configurations with certian colors ... wtf ?

i wanted a crew cab for family space (upgrading from a 1992 f150 extended cab w/ 302) dodge is one extreme or the other on they're crew cabs, chevy is out of the question for me.

i wanted a short box because....even tho u get a bigger gas tank with a long box... it makes the truck even longer and so less turning radius ... let alone anything i haul doesnt require a long box..(tools, firewood, hay, groceries, etc..)

i'm a bit of a motor head, so i like to be able to work on my own vehicles.... and i unfortunetly dont know much about diesels.. and a V10 even tho i'm sure its great ... ( and i did test drive a V10), almost seemed not worth it to me.... even now with all ive done to my 5.4 V8 .. its feels like it has just as much power if not more hp then the stock V10 i drove.....

(theres another thing ... my ram air intake hood ... would not have been functional with a V10.... )

I tow a 6k lbs camper and 1500lbs boat (and alot of times both at same time) and this truck can more then handle them with ease. I tow my camper once a year from montana over to the seattle area (thats over 4 mtn passes) fully loaded with 3 other guys and not once did i regret my decision on this truck... only thing that bugged me some times is the auto transmission... the truck seemed like it had the power to pull a hill in a higher gear but the tranny didnt want to let it ... wouldnt have made much difference other then rpms and mpg.... (65mph up the pass)

some day when i wear out my stock tires and have the money i'll probably invest in a 4 or 6 inch lift and either 35 or 37 tires and prob a gear swap to 4.30, i have no doubts my truck can handle it awesome.

oh and i like the looks of the fords better .....

ok i'll get off my soapbox... just my $0.02

 

I was getting 11mpg with my 01 5.4 on 38.5 it was way under geared with 3:73, but it was just a crusier.
My 99 psd on the other hand gets about 14ish mostly stock, it's the work horse.

Fuel mileage isnt a huge concern for me, as long as its in the double digits, I can live with 12mpg +.

I drove my buddies 06 psd with full a Bully Dog set up in it and I was very impressed.
I wish the new 6.4 was on par becuase it would be an easy decision.

I don't need a diesel, but like anything , bigger is better
I would go with a v10.....I think....maybe....

 

The 6.4 PS, like the 6.7 Cummins, is having 1st model year teething problems. An '09 6.4 powered Super Duty should be more reliable with (hopefully!) the bugs worked out.

As Redford stated, the V-10 is an awesome engine, especially since it's backed by the TorqShift.

I like the Cummins engines but the Dodge Quad-Cab is quite small compared to the Ford. The cavernous Mega-Cab has a very long wheelbase with only a short-bed available. If you don't mind navigating a land yacht like that then the Mega-Cab is an option to look at. Are you looking for short or long beds?

 

I would be going with the short bed, to tough to get were I need to go with the long bed

 

I say if money isnt the issue and your gonna order an 08 how u want it.... get it all..... 6.4L crewcab srw short box, options, options, options.....

"its better to have and not need.. then to need and not have"

you will get alot more truck from ford for the money then you would with the competition...

curious on fords website ... the F-450's are less MSRP then a comparable F-350/F-250 ... configured the same...

 

That's why I've got a CCSB Yeti, that extra foot or so of wheelbase makes a huge difference in city parking lots. Makes a difference on hunting trails as well.

 

Have you tried a new 08 out yet. They are really nice trucks. Makes my 2003 look bad really. Its my personal opinion that Ford trucks hold up better over the long haul with less problems. Thats leaving the motor out off it now. Jjust the truck itself. The only complaints about the 6.4 so far is fuel mileage. Have you good luck with your superduties another question to ask. Out off all the trucks the Ford superduty has the highest loyalty off any truck out there. They say 90% buy another one. I have friends with Dodges an Chevies an heres my take. The Dodges are unconfortable. There seats are less then desirable an you will feel it at the end off the day. Build qualty Ford is better. I think most people will tell you that. As far as Chevies are concerned I have not tied out the new ones but the lack off a solid fron t axle I would never consider one. Good Luck an try out the new 08s to get a good comaprison.