After comparing, bought an F-550

[toddbailey]

Nice looking truck! would love to have a F450 flat bed but the lack of funds are holding me back

 

[dodge man]

Nice looking truck! I like it.

 

[drivadesl]

Thats a beauty! I like the flat bed and I see it has stakes for sides. For me I would add a dump option, but thats me. Best of luck.

 

[Builder]

Thats a beauty! I like the flat bed and I see it has stakes for sides. For me I would add a dump option, but thats me. Best of luck.

I'd really like to do that in the future, too.
When this economy gets turned around I'd like to go to an Eby aluminum body with a dump.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

My first impression of the 6.7 is that it's a very powerful engine, no turbo lag, quiet but still has a good sound to it. The 6 speed trans must have been configured a lot like the Allison. This trans will hold any gear and you can manually shift it also. Engine has an exhaust brake. I'm anxious to try this out because the system on my '08 worked very well with the integrated brake controller and downshifting the trans as you use the brake. The F-450 pickup comes standard with diesel, 4x4, wide track front axle, crew cab and 4.30 axle ratio. Rated at 33,000# GCWR, they are one serious towing machine. I really liked my '08 and almost didn't buy this truck. I do wish they still used the 19.5" commercial tires and wheels on the F-450 but the 17" wheels look good.

That is a NICE truck! :thumbsup:

 

[jenkinsph]

Builder,
Did you decide on a trailer yet?
I think once you start using this truck for your original intentions you will find it will do the job. When you think about it the 4.88 gears are less strain on the drivetrain than the 4.30 gears and over time will be the better choice with heavy loads.

Having used these F550s' since 1999 the repair costs out of pocket have been minor. I wouldn't get lost in all of this, hook up your trailer and go with the program.

 

[Builder]

Builder,
Did you decide on a trailer yet?
I think once you start using this truck for your original intentions you will find it will do the job. When you think about it the 4.88 gears are less strain on the drivetrain than the 4.30 gears and over time will be the better choice with heavy loads.

Having used these F550s' since 1999 the repair costs out of pocket have been minor. I wouldn't get lost in all of this, hook up your trailer and go with the program.

Haven't found trailer yet, but have come very close.
I think I'm so particular about what I want, that it might force me into a new trailer. I've looked at a few used units. It's surprising how little some people know about their own stuff. Nobody knows what their trailer weighs empty. Therefore payload is only a guess. I suppose I could borrow their trailer, pay $10 to have it weighed at a nearby scalehouse then return it, but that's a real hassle.

When the 550 got its' PA inspection sticker 2 weeks ago, the inspecing mechanic told m I had 5/32 left on all 4 sets of brakes. I asked him for the cost when they need replacement. He said $225 per axle, but most all Superduties of my era need front rotors, too. Total brake job cost will run over $1,000. Ran it by my own personal mechanic and he backed that up.
My 2 99 Superduties I ran through 2007 warped rotors constantly and a lot of ball joints, too.

I have no doubt this truck will cost far more to repair/maintain than my 4800 4WD dump, but I still like it so far and it's really the only readily available swiss army knife truck I could find.

 

[jenkinsph]

If the rotors are okay I would replace the pads and keep going. Last ones were just over $50 bucks /set.

For running gear work (simple stuff) I do myself, any thing that requires more complex repairs for instance computer related I have done at the dealership. I haven't had to do much of the work you mentioned above but I did have to turn a rotor on the 350 while under warranty.


I tend to do my own research while plotting and planning what to build and/or buy. So I can relate to your finding the sellers seem to have little knowledge of the products. When looking for a flatbed body for the 350 I didn't see anything that would do what I wanted for a reasonable price, so I built my own with two side mount tool boxes and added a large jobox in the center. This has a 30K foldaway hitch too. Had everything powder coated and haven't had any rust issues for the last six years. The side boards are removalable and the bed is a full 96" width.

 

[Builder]

If the rotors are okay I would replace the pads and keep going. Last ones were just over $50 bucks /set.

For running gear work (simple stuff) I do myself, any thing that requires more complex repairs for instance computer related I have done at the dealership. I haven't had to do much of the work you mentioned above but I did have to turn a rotor on the 350 while under warranty.


I tend to do my own research while plotting and planning what to build and/or buy. So I can relate to your finding the sellers seem to have little knowledge of the products. When looking for a flatbed body for the 350 I didn't see anything that would do what I wanted for a reasonable price, so I built my own with two side mount tool boxes and added a large jobox in the center. This has a 30K foldaway hitch too. Had everything powder coated and haven't had any rust issues for the last six years. The side boards are removalable and the bed is a full 96" width.

That's really cool how you did the tool boxes on the sides. I guess the locks keep the drawers from sliding open? I really need something like that. All I have found so far are the typical underbody boxes. You must be quite a welder/fabricator.

 

[jenkinsph]

Builder,
I consider my self a jackleg welder at best, I can stick it together and make it hold. Here is another pic of the 350 with the 2005 550 in the background. The last two pics of the first one I built back in 98 (1999 F 550) this one has alot of boxes for plumbing tools and parts, over 100 drawers. Will be taking these apart one by one to clean and refurbish if the economy allows this winter, paint is looking crappy.