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Author
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Topic: new truck opinions
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cookie_monster
Journeyman Posts: 22
From: south, central, us
Registered: Nov 2005
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posted 11-30-2005 11:38 PM
   
It's getting time for me to start seriously thinking about a new(er) truck to replace my '95 F150. I will probably be looking for a F250 this time around as I will be pulling some serious loads (24' box trailer with the race car inside--around 10,000 lbs fully loaded). I am torn between the 6.0 Diesel and the 6.8 V10. I see that the '06 V10's got the 3v heads. I also know that the PSD has some issues and that it is very expensive to maintain in comparison to the V10. A buddy has one and claims he gets a best of 16 mpg unloaded/around 10-12 loaded with a similar load--with the PSD.I would like to have the PSD, but is it REALLY worth it to spend and extra $5000+ initially, then spend $75 each time I want to change oil & filters? Does anyone drive an F250 with a 6.8? I would like to hear the pros/cons. If/when I decide to buy, the truck will be used mostly on weekends pulling the race car around. I have my '84 SVO as a daily driver---for now (32 mpg is nice!) or at least until it breaks. I won't be using the truck to go off-roading or anything like that, an occasional 300-400 mile trip about once or twice a year maybe and that's about it. All this depends on whether I can get over the sticker shock. I didn't pay as much for my friggin house for crying out loud.
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Daniel Jones
Gearhead Posts: 898
From: St. Louis, MO
Registered: Aug 99
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posted 12-01-2005 09:08 PM
I don't know if it's a temporary supply issue but diesel is currently 70 cents per gallon more expensive than regular unlead gasoline. The diesel would need to get substanitally better fuel economy to make up for the fuel cost difference. Dan Jones
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hwyman3
Gearhead Posts: 1646
From: Southern Maryland, USA
Registered: Jul 2004
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posted 12-01-2005 10:18 PM
Well, '06 is supposed to be the last year for the 6.0 PSD. Ford is planning an all new Super Duty for 07 and the diesel will be a 6.5L Twin Turbo PSD, still made by International. ------------------
Greg W.
M&M #3962 MCA #52100
2002 Laser Red GT Coupe The Highwayman 3
1991 F-150 XLT 4x2 5.0 Ole Faithful
Southern Maryland Mustang Club
http://mustangsandmore.50megs.com/MembersPics/hwyman3.html
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Catmando
Gearhead Posts: 223
From: Vermilion, OH USA
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 12-02-2005 12:58 AM
Have not driven a newer diesel. For me, when I bought my f250 I knew I was going to keep it till it rusts back into the earth and I would do all the work possible, I had to choose the gas motor. I have a 5.4 / 3.73's and like it. I tow my car on an open trailer with no problem. At work, we have a new Excursion with the V-10. Lots of low end torque! Would have liked to have that, but I got my truck used so it came with what it came with. No regrets though!
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Catmando
Gearhead Posts: 223
From: Vermilion, OH USA
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 12-02-2005 01:02 AM
Oh, also I had a diesel years ago, 7.4 with mech. fuel injection. Awesome motor! If that was still possible to get, maybe. It was a nice simple and reliable motor. All these turbo, injection jobs just seem to have made a very simple thing overly complex. My .02 !
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73torinoqcode
Gearhead Posts: 434
From: Buffalo,NY,USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted 12-02-2005 02:17 PM
Check out the Open Road Forum you can get there from the Camping World web site. They have had this discussion a ton of times. You will get pages upon pages of good reading material on the V10 vs Diesel debate. From real experienced campers who put on tons of miles loaded and towing.
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MLariviere
Moderator Posts: 4120
From: Biddeford,Me.USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 12-08-2005 10:31 PM
I'd go gas too. Cheaper getting into a truck,cheaper parts and maint.,cheaper fuel. To me the marginal power isn't worth the $5k+.
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cookie_monster
Journeyman Posts: 22
From: south, central, us
Registered: Nov 2005
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posted 12-14-2005 12:00 AM
Yesterday I went down to a couple different dealers, and told each one what I wanted to do. Each one told me I needed the PSD (of course!! They wanted the $$$). I told them I'd like to drive both the 6.8 V10 and then the 6.0 PSD. There was not a V10 powered F250 anywhere, in fact, there's not a NEW 6.8 anywhere in the state. So, I guess I'll have to drive to Tx to find/drive one since the dealers here don't want to deal with me. I would seriously like to know if the new 3V 6.8 gets any better fuel economy than the old 2V did. I did drive a '01 model F250 ext cab with a V10 and I was impressed. Smooth, quiet, torquey. Kind of like the old 4.9 big six. But, it only got 10 mpg at best according to the previous owner, who traded it in for the then-new 6.0. I will not be towing every day. Maybe twice a month, and perhaps I may drive a long trip once in a while, and some commuting around town. I have my SVO to drive on a daily basis (as long as it runs anyway) so the truck usually will be sitting in the garage, just as my '95 F150 does now.
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Dave_C
Gearhead Posts: 1069
From: Gadsden, Al
Registered: Aug 99
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posted 12-14-2005 01:37 PM
Just my .02How long do you plan on keeping the truck? I keep mine a long time. 4 yrs and counting on the current one. 9 yrs on the one before that. If it's a long term deal I woudl get the PSD. It'll work out in the long run. It will get better mileage than the gas, tow/haul better, etc. The maint. costs are not bad if you DIY. A DIY oil change costs me ~$35 every 5 k miles. A fuel filter ($16) every 15K and a bottle of coolant additive ($6) every 12K. A K&N took care of replacing the air filter. That's it. Mine is an 01 F350 with the 7.3. Have you thought about looking for a low mile 01/02 with the 7.3? Buddy of mine has an 01 F350 with the V-10. Towing almost identical trailers mine will leave his in the dust and get 4-5 mpg better. About 6 mpg better running empty. I love my diesel. The only way I would want a gas engine would be if I lived up on the frozen tundra like Mike  where I had to plug it in every night. David Cole
------------------
557 BBF Powered, alcohol injected rear engine dragster. 4.88 @ 143 1/8 mile. 1.09 60'. I've got to be crazy to drive this thing.
SC/ET #2729
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MLariviere
Moderator Posts: 4120
From: Biddeford,Me.USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 12-19-2005 08:35 PM
How about if your garage is attached to your home? Does a diesel gas out your house? That is a big concern for me. I wouldn't want my house smelling like a truckstop.
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427Fastback
Gearhead Posts: 383
From: N.Vancouver.B.C
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 12-19-2005 11:06 PM
Not to take away from the knowledge base here but I would go spend some time on the Dieselstop.com.They have forums for all the (Ford) trucks including those with the V10.Cory
1992 F250 4x4 Diesel....currently plugged in ------------------
68 Fastback 427MR 4 spd.Deluxe interior,8000 tach,140 speedo,am/fm,tilt.
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Dave_C
Gearhead Posts: 1069
From: Gadsden, Al
Registered: Aug 99
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posted 12-20-2005 02:17 AM
quote:
Originally posted by MLariviere:
How about if your garage is attached to your home?
Mine is in a detached garage. But....I have not noticed any kind of smell in there if the truck is just sitting. I think the fuel system is pretty well sealed. It uses the same tank, lines etc as the gas trucks. Just different pumps. There would be some smell if you started and let it idle up to temp. With the block heater there is no reason to have to let it warm up. If it's going to be below 20 deg (detached garage is unheated) I plug it in if I plan on using it early in the AM. I use a heavy duty timer (same one I use on my pool pump in summer) I set it to come on 2 hrs before I need it. On startup the temp is already up enough to have heat. David Cole
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MLariviere
Moderator Posts: 4120
From: Biddeford,Me.USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 12-20-2005 09:46 PM
That's cool. I just wondered. How do these trucks start in stone cold overnight? When I was on nights a guy had a 94 F250 with the 7.3 DI and when he started it everyone knew it. Some mornings it wouldn't. IIRC,it had 2 batteries. Are they 24V?[This message has been edited by MLariviere (edited 12-20-2005).]
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427Fastback
Gearhead Posts: 383
From: N.Vancouver.B.C
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 12-21-2005 03:31 AM
They will start with out plugging them in but they have a cold advance (4-6 degrees) thats kicks in with the fast idle when it is cold out.The advance is what makes them sound like they are going to come apart when first started.Plugging them in warms them up enough to by-pass the god awfull noise and pissing of the neighbours at 6am.
I am sure the engine appreciates it also..Two very large 12volt batterys are standard issue,but still 12 volt.. ------------------
68 Fastback 427MR 4 spd.Deluxe interior,8000 tach,140 speedo,am/fm,tilt.
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427Fastback
Gearhead Posts: 383
From: N.Vancouver.B.C
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 12-21-2005 03:34 AM
Hit the enter button to quick....
My info is based on my 92 7.3 IDI,not sure about the new computorized diesels..Cory ------------------
68 Fastback 427MR 4 spd.Deluxe interior,8000 tach,140 speedo,am/fm,tilt.
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Dave_C
Gearhead Posts: 1069
From: Gadsden, Al
Registered: Aug 99
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posted 12-21-2005 05:38 PM
Winter......Living in Alabama, not too cold here. The coldest I have started mine w/o the block heat was 5-6?. It started no problem. It was a little louder for the first few seconds. If the outside temp is under 40? and the engine is cold the computer will bring the idle up to 1000 rpm from it's normal 750 rpm idle. It will stay there until warmed up or until you touch the gas, brake or gear selector. Touch any of those and it drops back to 750 rpm. One little trick: when you turn the key on there is a "wait to start" light for the glowplugs. Cycle the key on/off twice when cold and it'll be happier. On a warm engine, there is no need to even wait for the wait to start light to go off. In the winter I also run Power Service fuel additive. $10/3qt jug. I run 6 oz/tank. It's cheap insurance against any winter fuel problems. David Cole
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cookie_monster
Journeyman Posts: 22
From: south, central, us
Registered: Nov 2005
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posted 12-22-2005 10:03 PM
Thanks, Dave. I seriously looked at several dealers the other day. I looked at Dodge's 2500 with the CTD and then the F250's. The Ford dealer had nothing but $50,000 Harley trucks; nothing that I could even remotely afford. Yes, I'll be keeping it a while. I've had my '95 since '99. I've never had a vehicle for less than 4 years...which was my old '84 mustang GT. The F150 has been a great truck, and will continue to perform well for another owner...there is absolutely nothing wrong with it, and I do all the maintenance myself--and yes, I'm very anal about squeaks, rattles, etc. It drives like a new truck, at least compared to a GM truck with the same mileage. I will do all my own maintenance, at least as long as I can anyway. There may be a time when I simply cannot do it, whether it be due to illness or whatever...but 99% of the time, I'll do everything myself.So far, it looks as if the used truck market is (for me) non-existant. A good used F250 Ext cab with a PSD will cost me around $30k...doesn't seem to matter whether it's 2wd or 4wd or whether it's got 10k miles or 99k miles. That's right up there with new truck pricing, and out of my price range...so it looks as if I'll be driving the '95 for a while. EDIT:
Well, I went & did it. I was driving through town a while back and saw a '03 Lightning sitting in the Ford dealer used lot. I just HAD to stop & look at it. It was immaculate, had one scratch on the bed where someone's dog had his paws up on the tailgate. Other than that, I can't see a thing wrong with it. Next day, I drove it. I let it sit for a couple weeks to see how long I could hold out....and last Monday I bought it. Those 2 weeks were pure hell...no sleep at night, selling everything I could to gather up a down payment....And now I am finally the new owner. I really like it. Smooth, quiet, powerful...and best of all, CLEAN! 45,000 miles on the clock. It's silver, and by far the nicest truck I've ever sat in. Kinda miss my old '95 though (traded it in). Everything I've driven in the past 15 years has been a standard transmission with the exception of my dad's 2000 F150 and my race car (powerglide). I still catch myself reaching for the shifter at a stop light LOL.
[This message has been edited by cookie_monster (edited 01-27-2006).]
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