My 2008 F450 XLT 4x4 6.4L

   / My 2008 F450 XLT 4x4 6.4L #11  
The main reason to keep the oil fresh in the 6.4 is because it suffers from fuel/oil dilution more than the previous and current models, due to the regeneration process. It's not just a 6.4 thing though, it's an issue with both the 6.6 Duramax and the 6.7 Cummins of the same model years. Before DEF was introduced, the regeneration process basically consisted of the engine computer injecting large amounts of diesel fuel into the cylinders to get the EGT's up to super high temperatures, 1200F+, to clean out the system of any built up soot. Having that much fuel going into the cylinders though causes a good portion of it to end up in the oil, thus diluting it more than previous and current models. Keep the oil changed regularly and you shouldn't have a problem. Sounds like your happy with the truck so far. My future father-in-law just picked up an 08' 6.4 F-350 w/ 4.30 gears and it's a pretty nice truck as well.

:cool:
 
   / My 2008 F450 XLT 4x4 6.4L
  • Thread Starter
#12  
My truck is in the shop getting the gooseneck hitch put in it right now. I'll know how it tows in a few hours.

Brian
 
   / My 2008 F450 XLT 4x4 6.4L
  • Thread Starter
#13  
I really like this truck now. Makes me wonder why I didn't upgrade sooner. It tows my trailer nearly effortlessly compared to my GMC and my buddy's F350.

Brian
 
   / My 2008 F450 XLT 4x4 6.4L #14  
Do you have the built-in brake controller? Also, any fuel mileage numbers while towing so far?
 
   / My 2008 F450 XLT 4x4 6.4L #15  
brain55 said:
I really like this truck now. Makes me wonder why I didn't upgrade sooner. It tows my trailer nearly effortlessly compared to my GMC and my buddy's F350.

Brian
Click to expand...

I told you it would!
 
   / My 2008 F450 XLT 4x4 6.4L
  • Thread Starter
#16  
Dmace said:
Do you have the built-in brake controller? Also, any fuel mileage numbers while towing so far?
Click to expand...

Yes, it has the built-in controller and it works very well.

For the 646 miles I drove without the trailer the computer said I got 12.7 mpg, my math said 12.3 mpg.

So far with the trailer hooked up the computer says 7.5 mpg over 50 miles of driving. My GMC got a little over 6 mpg on average towing.

I was able to pull the mile long 7% grade coming towards my house at 50 mph and didn't feel like I was over working the truck. In my GMC that 8.1 would be screaming at 4500 rpm. The 450 did it at a little over 3000 rpm.

Brian
 
   / My 2008 F450 XLT 4x4 6.4L #17  
brain55 said:
Yes, it has the built-in controller and it works very well.

For the 646 miles I drove without the trailer the computer said I got 12.7 mpg, my math said 12.3 mpg.

So far with the trailer hooked up the computer says 7.5 mpg over 50 miles of driving. My GMC got a little over 6 mpg on average towing.

I was able to pull the mile long 7% grade coming towards my house at 50 mph and didn't feel like I was over working the truck. In my GMC that 8.1 would be screaming at 4500 rpm. The 450 did it at a little over 3000 rpm.

Brian
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7.5 mpg seems low. I have a 06 F-350 and my neighbor has a 07 Dmax 3500 and we can both get high 12mpg pulling similar loads.

I knew you would like that truck. The brake controller is sweet. You will never want to go back to using a aftermarket unit. I have had a Ford Diesel with the built in controller since November 2005 and its been flawless.

Chris
 
   / My 2008 F450 XLT 4x4 6.4L #18  
brain55 said:
I was able to pull the mile long 7% grade coming towards my house at 50 mph and didn't feel like I was over working the truck. In my GMC that 8.1 would be screaming at 4500 rpm. The 450 did it at a little over 3000 rpm.

Brian
Click to expand...
Technically, your comparing a gas engine with a rev limit of about 5500 rpms to a diesel engine with a rev limit of about 4500 rpm's. So neither were really "screaming" in terms of engine speed.
Either way, I was hoping to see a little better mpg's since your pulling pretty much half what the truck is rated for vs. a truck that was pretty maxed out.
 
   / My 2008 F450 XLT 4x4 6.4L
  • Thread Starter
#19  
I think that 50 miles is too small of a sample to fully determine what kind of mileage I will get overall towing. I'd really like to see 9 mph, but we will see.

Brian
 
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