- Thread starter rick1
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I've still got my 85 Ford diesel. When I bought an 07 in September I kept the plates on the old one to use around the farm. The 07 is a gas. With more than a dollar difference in fuel prices,I'm glad I did it. The wife's 02 Explorer Sport Trac has something like 285,000 on it. No complaints.
I've had 3 Chevies,68,72 and 77. Junk,every one of them. If they ever made a better truck,I'll never know. Those three were so bad I'll never try another one.
My son bought what he thought was a nice low mile 99 2500 a year ago last spring. Nice body on it,but the trouble started within less than a week. First a flywheel,then a starter,finally blew the engine this spring. Reminded me why I never want another one.
I've had 3 Chevies,68,72 and 77. Junk,every one of them. If they ever made a better truck,I'll never know. Those three were so bad I'll never try another one.
My son bought what he thought was a nice low mile 99 2500 a year ago last spring. Nice body on it,but the trouble started within less than a week. First a flywheel,then a starter,finally blew the engine this spring. Reminded me why I never want another one.
Unless you are driving at least 100K per year, a diesel is impractical. Even if you keep it for 5-6 years. Go with a gas. It is cheaper to own and maintain. I've have an 05 E350 with the 5.4 with 325K on it and all I have ever done to the engine is change the oil. It still has the original sparkplugs. My pickup is an 05 with 112K and it is still all original. I have had one diesel pickup, and I will never own another one.
Super Trucker
Member
If you can justify a diesel the new 6.7 is absolutely amazing for power and quietness. We have 3 running on the farm and love them. They will out run my 7.3 with a chip hands down. Trucker
If you don't know if you need gas or diesel you DON'T need a diesel!As for Ford trucks,I've had good luck with them.They seem to be just a little better built than the other two.However where they fall short is in the paint department.The last 2 new ones I've bought needed paint within 4 years. People say it's because you live in the N/E and the salt used on the roads in the winter.I don't care if you dunk the truck in the Dead Sea,for the money you pay the paint should hold up better.
A few years back their auto X/miss. were pretty much junk but so were GM and Dodge.Even the Dodge manual wasn't so hot either. The nut that held the O/D gear on was prone to backing off or so I'm told.The ZF X/miss used in the Ford and some GM's ,in my opinion is the best X/miss ever put in a domestic pickup.Now a manual isn't avalable in any but Dodge maybe.
Seems to me, new or used is a crap shoot.
Allan in NE
Well-known Member
I was the same way.
Spent a large portion of my young life working for GM dealers and had the "blinders" on as well. :>)
"IF" you can swing the $60K, go grab a Power Stroke. Anything and EVERYTHING will seem like the cheap seats from then on.
Once you buy into the diesel, you'll always get your money back at trade in time. Hard part is buying in the first time.
Allan
Spent a large portion of my young life working for GM dealers and had the "blinders" on as well. :>)
"IF" you can swing the $60K, go grab a Power Stroke. Anything and EVERYTHING will seem like the cheap seats from then on.
Once you buy into the diesel, you'll always get your money back at trade in time. Hard part is buying in the first time.
Allan
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
I'm driving a 1995 GMC half ton four wheel drive with the 4.3 V6 engine, it now has 200k trouble free miles and the paint is still like new.
It lacks power on hills when I pull a trailer and doesn't get any better gas mileage than a V8
There is no rust on the body anywhere.
It lacks power on hills when I pull a trailer and doesn't get any better gas mileage than a V8
There is no rust on the body anywhere.
My last company truck had a utility bed and crane on it.3500HD.The fleet manager ordered it with a gas motor.GMC with a 454.Had all the power it needed.
We live on the Mississippi and have access to Missouri.They have a lower fuel tax than Illinois .Today at the closest station gas is $2.39,diesel is $3.49.
Kinda no brainer.
Good Luck.
We live on the Mississippi and have access to Missouri.They have a lower fuel tax than Illinois .Today at the closest station gas is $2.39,diesel is $3.49.
Kinda no brainer.
Good Luck.
Would that be the model with the twin I beam front axle or a 4 wheel drive? I had an 86 F250 2 wheel drive with that twin I beam axle and could not keep it on the road if I had a trailer behind and that is all I used it for. Was in 3 different alignment shops and different stearing gear installed and nothing helped. My 74 Chevy half ton handled any trailer better than that Ford. At the time I drove a 89 F350 4 wheel drive for fertilizer plant and it did not have any problems keeping it on the road. Don't know if they made that twin I beam any better or not but think I would go for the 4 wheel drive and definatly gas.
i know i dont need a diesel but i will retire with the next truck i buy.i will put around 160000 miles on it in five years.then i will have regular bed put on it and keep it around the farm.but i can get by just the same with a gasser.just have gut feeling that diesel is gonna get expensive to keep sometime down the road.
RICK
RICK
I am a big fan of the diesel IF you need that kind of power. Just using a utility bed; not pulling trailers and big loads; the gas will do the job for you just fine. Near the same fuel mileage and cheaper fuel. As far as the Ford goes: I am as big if not bigger fan of Ford as I am Minneapolis-Moline. I have owned and driven Ford trucks since 1978. (with the exception of 1 Dodge; Bad Idea; never again). I had 1 that used too much oil; otherwise all have been impressive. The 2002 dually w/7.3 I now have has 116k miles and still polishes up like new. Ford has their "act together"; especially in the super duty line. (my opinion----you asked)
1370 pwr in ne
Member
Do a lot of research on the ford motors and trannies before you make the switch. Transmission shops always have them in abundance and i've heard the new motors have camshaft bearing issues. Stay with the Heartbeat of America. There is good and bad in all of them!
My personal opinion is only own a diesel if you can keep it under warranty. I've had several Ford diesels, after the last one I went gas. My knees hurt just thinking about fuel injectors... I have a 6.8 v10 now, have hauled up to 11 ton on a trailer, it was a load, but got the job done. If you want to haul heavy in mountains is a good use for diesel. With big loads, my gas cost less per mile than my last diesel. Just riding around the gas hurts the wallet more. That said, I have heard good things about the 6.4 hemi, if i was shopping, I would look at Ram too.
rick1, I and my house Eat, Breath, Sleep the Big Blue Oval Ford Trucks, Currently Run a 01,F-350 Crewcab, long box on Singles /w 7.3,Auto, 4x4 I have 245K on it & is Still a Monster with a trailer.
I am with Allan Here ! Go get you a F-350 Dsl.
The New 6-Speed auto Is great
NOW, Instead of Looking at all the All whistle and Bells... Lariat, XLT, King Ranch, Harley Davidson Specials Go look at a Dealer that has a selection of XLs On the Commercial Line If you can find one in stock or even Order You will pull 20K off of the usual 60/65K price tag
My 01, XLT I mention above, Is in the 60K range depending on options New, on the Commercial Line
40to 45K You can get what you need and still save some serious Coin!
Also the 6.7 has tremendous Aftermarket support if Mods are in order, But they are pretty salty straight out of the Box!
The 6.2 gas is a great engine, I am just not liking the Longevity of that motor over 150K
Either way get the extended drive-train warranty.
You will not want to buy a create motor or tranny out right!
Hope this helps!
Later
John A.
I am with Allan Here ! Go get you a F-350 Dsl.
The New 6-Speed auto Is great
NOW, Instead of Looking at all the All whistle and Bells... Lariat, XLT, King Ranch, Harley Davidson Specials Go look at a Dealer that has a selection of XLs On the Commercial Line If you can find one in stock or even Order You will pull 20K off of the usual 60/65K price tag
My 01, XLT I mention above, Is in the 60K range depending on options New, on the Commercial Line
40to 45K You can get what you need and still save some serious Coin!
Also the 6.7 has tremendous Aftermarket support if Mods are in order, But they are pretty salty straight out of the Box!
The 6.2 gas is a great engine, I am just not liking the Longevity of that motor over 150K
Either way get the extended drive-train warranty.
You will not want to buy a create motor or tranny out right!
Hope this helps!
Later
John A.
If you pull heavy and pull alot..... the diesel will be a clear winner..
With the gas glut... and just a normal run around truck... and occasional short pulls... gas will be a winner. Yes a smaller engine and you will have to go slower and take your time on the few pulls, but it will work well and save you money.
If your pulling over 13000 every day, get a diesel.
Really would make sense to have a daily runner and a puller but who can afford it?
tedregentin
Member
The 6.7 diesel is an amazingly complicated engine. I don't work on them my self, but I sent one of my techs to a class on them and read through the class material. It made my head spin. Do a little research before you buy. Time will tell whether the 6.7 will be better than the 6.0 and the 6.4. The 6.0 is just an expensive disaster. A local towing company that has always run powerstrokes for their light duty tow trucks has now switched to all v10 gas rigs.
Got a 2014 f250 xl, 6.7 diesel. Only options I ordered were - diesel, 4wd w/ locking rear, cab steps, chrome bumpers. I believe with all the discounts, then adding taxes, it was $36000. My brother has a 2015 f350 4 door lariat diesel. They'll pull 10000 lbs as fast as you want to go up the mountains here in western Maryland. My truck has a ladder rack, boxes, and 1000lbs of tools. I'm just about always hooked to dump trailer with 5000lbs of shingles in it. It's leveled off at 13.9 mpg. Has 12,000 miles on it. If I leave the trailer off, I've averaged around 15.5 mpg, which I was very happy with considering the un-aerodynamic toolboxes and ladder rack. No trouble so far. Love the automatic transmission they have now. Downshifts when I want it to, plenty of gears. The new trucks have an exhaust brake on top of that yet. Adding exhaust fluid isnt a big deal once you get used to it. $15 twice an oil change. Even with the increased cost of the diesel, fuel, and oil changes- I figured mine would be even cost with the gas engine at 120,000 miles. But the diesel came with a 100,000 mile warranty, gas did not. The trucks are as solid as they come. Owned quite a few superdutys the last 10 years and never had trouble with the chassis and cabs. And I think this new diesel is finally a good one. I currently also have a 2008 f350 with a gas 5.4. 12mpg running around empty, no toolboxes or towing. I wouldn't think twice about getting another 6.7. It's a great truck.
Gonna be looking myself in a couple months. I asked a friend who was a Ford tech up till last summer (pulls wrenches for the county now).
This guy is a die hard Ford man. He said all the gassers are decent machines (Ford, Dodge, Chevy). His comments were that Ford was still having problems with the Diesals. to quote him "If you want a rattler get a inline 6".
jt
This guy is a die hard Ford man. He said all the gassers are decent machines (Ford, Dodge, Chevy). His comments were that Ford was still having problems with the Diesals. to quote him "If you want a rattler get a inline 6".
jt
I would steer a way from a new diesel unless your driving a lot of miles each year. The up front cost and the on going maintenance is a killer on the newer diesels. The Ford 6.7 is a better motor than the 6.4 and much better than the boat anchor 6.0 diesel.
A friend has 6 Ford F250s with the 6,4 in them. He is spending money all of the time on EGR issues and particulant filter problems. I have tried to get him to delete the EGR and particulant filter but he does not want to spend the money to do so. Even though he is spending that on EGR repairs.
Just a word of caution: Ford has not had the best luck with their gas motors either. The 5.4 is notorious for throwing spark plugs out of the head or stripping the threads in the head removing/replacing the spark plugs. Then several of the smaller motors had timing chain issues.
I like the cab on the Ford trucks but would be scared to death of their motors.
A friend has 6 Ford F250s with the 6,4 in them. He is spending money all of the time on EGR issues and particulant filter problems. I have tried to get him to delete the EGR and particulant filter but he does not want to spend the money to do so. Even though he is spending that on EGR repairs.
Just a word of caution: Ford has not had the best luck with their gas motors either. The 5.4 is notorious for throwing spark plugs out of the head or stripping the threads in the head removing/replacing the spark plugs. Then several of the smaller motors had timing chain issues.
I like the cab on the Ford trucks but would be scared to death of their motors.
Rick, I had an 89 f-250 4wd 7.3 diesel, 351 k miles when I sold it, 2003 f-250 4wd 7.3 and now an 08 5.4 gas f-250. Really happy with all three of them, replaced starter and rebuilt transfer case on 89, catalytic converter on 08. the 5.4 gas gets about 15mpg on highway and pulls trailer with tractor on it nearly as well as the 7.3's. The only drawback is they ride a little rougher than the GM and Dodges. My sons Chevy is a smoother ride, but mileage is terrible, he has big v-8 to pull fifth wheel camper.
rustred
Well-known Member
yep second that, and to add... if you need engine work done on the diesel the cab has to come off! such as turbo's as that's a problem area. and injection pump work also. for example the cab is removed just to change the gasket on high pressure pump which is common. big labor to remove cab for small $ gasket.
even to replace the power steering pump the whole grill and front end of truck has to come off!
even to replace the power steering pump the whole grill and front end of truck has to come off!
Rick I have owned 5 ford pickups in my life, some used for both commercial business and some for the farm, both gas and diesel models. I have never spent so much money on tow bills, engines, transmissions, etc. They kept our local towing company in business. The older building we used for our tire shop would draw moisture inside, The 1 ton gas powered ford we had was left inside at night. It would get wet and not start in the morning. Would have to raise the hood and let the overhead furnace dry out the motor. It always had carb problems, the diesels we had including 7.3's were NOT reliable, there were tranny issues and motor problems all the time. The last 1 I had ford wanted $10000.00 to fix the 7.3. They wouldn't give the truck back till they had ordered and installed all the ford updates. I now work for a used car dealership, Boss is a huge ford man, but he will not buy another till he is convinced they have the current problems straightened out. If we get 1 in on trade they do not go on the lot, they go to the auto auction. That said Drive them for yourself, compare the difference.
If you like going to the casino and gambling buy a Ford, if it's a good one you're okay, if it's a bad one realize the warranty only has value if they print it on Charmin. If the dealer doesn't feel like fixing it you'll be without your truck for months and it won't get fixed. Ford will tell you things that will happen and when it goes to the dealer those things don't happen and Ford won't do squat. I'm a proud owner of a F-150 I bought new with the 4.0 V-7 (one cylinder is dead but "They're all that way there's nothing we can do") and the leaky rear window (they're all that way there's nothing we can do) Heck took them 3 tries to do the seat belt recall, the cruise control recall means I don't have cruise control anymore (connection rotted where they scabbed the jumper harness in). We have a newer Dodge, moved after we bought it both dealers have been professional and accomplished any needed repairs right the first time.
fixerupper
Well-known Member
I have no personal experience with newer pickups so I have to go by hearsay and you know how accurate that is.
A local fertilizer handling equip mfgr who sells and services their equipment all over the US and Canada used to have Dodge duallies with a Cummins as their service trucks. They put a huge service body on them and sent them out to do their job. The Cummins held up well but the chassis didn't stand up to the stress so they went to Ford 450's. The Fords stood the weight but gave trouble mechanically so now they are back to Dodges. In my view these pickups are expected to do the job of a real truck and this comparison isn't close to what you would expect out of a service truck so take it with a grain of salt. They did have one of the Fords sitting by the highway with a for sale sign on it and it looked pretty darned good from the outside. It probably would have been a good buy for a local mechanic or farmer.
jon f mn
Well-known Member
What I see on the road is mostly Ford's, especially for the high mileage guys like those who deliver campers and such. Also some Dodges but only a rare Gm. That's just what I see on the road. My personal experience has Been that I have the best luck with Ford's. Never owned a diesel tho.
Wheatfarmer
Member
I am on my third ford. They have all been great trucks. 6.9 and 7.3 Diesels. Diesel's are to be pulled and ran hard, and that is what I do. Single axel and my pay loads are normally around 5 ton. six speed. I shift about 2500-3000 rpm.
Pair-a-dice farm
Well-known Member
I can't say about the new Fords but from what I've seen they are top notch. I've got 2 Chevys now and I'll never own another both are POS. If I was going with a diesel I would look hard at a Dodge. Personally my next one will be a Ford 250 or 350 gasser.
Interesting. Guy ask about Fords and get told to buy a Gm or Fiat by some.
I've owned 2 Dodge pickups at once, my first and my last. Never again! And now that they are really a Fiat not only no but XXXX NO!.
I've had good service from both Ford and GM. I agree that unless you are doing a lot of driving gas is the way to go. 8K for the diesel and a buck more a gallon offsets any savings including trading in. That diesel is only going to add so much to the value but not the full new option price. I know several people who own newer Ford gassers that are very happy with them. All the farmers around here with diesels don't do enough hauling to really justify them. Most are hauling grain in tandem axle trucks or semi's. So they are not doing much hauling.
Good luck with whatever you do.
Rick
I've owned 2 Dodge pickups at once, my first and my last. Never again! And now that they are really a Fiat not only no but XXXX NO!.
I've had good service from both Ford and GM. I agree that unless you are doing a lot of driving gas is the way to go. 8K for the diesel and a buck more a gallon offsets any savings including trading in. That diesel is only going to add so much to the value but not the full new option price. I know several people who own newer Ford gassers that are very happy with them. All the farmers around here with diesels don't do enough hauling to really justify them. Most are hauling grain in tandem axle trucks or semi's. So they are not doing much hauling.
Good luck with whatever you do.
Rick
chucksoliver77
Well-known Member
WheatFarmer, Not to change the topic, but I'm curious as to how much distance does the trailer with the jd on have between the fenders? Thanks, Chuck
Straw Boss
Well-known Member
Opinions are like belly buttons, everybody has one. Rather, go to the sale barn on sale day and observe the real world working trucks coming and going with their triple axle stock trailers. 2/3s will be Ford diesels. The balance will be Dodge with a smattering of Chevys. That said, I do have a high opinion of Fords but stay away from the 6 and 6.4 liter motors. The 7.3 is bulletproof and the 6.7 is a DREAM to drive.
Around here if its a diesel its a dodge more than likely, my opinion you can't beat them gas or diesel, but the cummins is a whole level above the rest, there's a mix of gas trucks around here, either hemi's or the Chevy 6.0. There's a few fords and for one reason only people buy them because there cheap and don't hold resale as good, around here you can have all three brands, same year, similar options, don't matter gas or diesel and the ford is always 2-4k cheaper than the dodge or chevy. Dodge has the motors. Chevy has the transmission, Allison. Don't know what ford has
LOL most of the mileage on those "working" trucks as you call them are without a load or trailer. A once or twice a month trip to the sale barn doesn't show a working truck. The cattle buyers work their trucks but they are at 3-4 sale barns a week. The guys delivering campers have working trucks. Lot of contractors have working trucks that haul some type of load 3-4days a week if not more. But most farm pickups haul a load less than one day a week on average. Having owned a diesel I won't own another. Just doesn't have the pay off. Guy I know crops about 1500 acres. Owns a diesel pickup. He also owns a gasser. The diesel sits in the shed except for when he is going to pull home a new implement or Sunday. His daily driver is the gasser. Some working truck! Another family here 1/2 farms (beef and grain) the other 1/2 is in earth moving. All of them are driving Ford Diesels. The farming side seldom work their trucks while the other side are always pulling small dozers and skid steers. The farming side sells enough beef at once that they have semi's coming in to get them and use big trucks for grain. So what is the point where a guy can honestly justify the extra expense of a diesel? I'm not against diesels. I don't really care if someone owns one. I just don't like someone saying something just to justify what they want. A simple "I like them" is good enough for me. Just fail to see the sense of em. Must be getting old. Sounding a lot like my dad about things like this.
Rick
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