After comparing, bought an F-550

[GreatWhitehunter]

Builder, how far are you willing to drive for the right trailer? I know of someone up here selling there PJ tandem dual. I could find out the details if you'd be interested.

Matt

 

[Builder]

Builder, how far are you willing to drive for the right trailer? I know of someone up here selling there PJ tandem dual. I could find out the details if you'd be interested.

Matt

You're in my outer range, but if it's the right one, it might be worth it!
Might as well get me the details.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

PM coming at you.

Matt:thumbsup:

 

[Diamondpilot]

I think I'd rather have my truck at this point. The cost per month is crazy for a new truck and I don't see that much advantage.

I'm at a crossroads:
I can keep the truck bone stock and spend $2,500 on an extended warranty to 200,000 miles.
OR
I can spend $2,500 on modifying the engine to run right improve mileage, but void my warranty.
OR
I can do nothing, let the factory warranty run out in 1+ yr.

I would love to add a Banks brake. My service mgr at local Ford dealer doesn't think that would be a problem with warranty as long as I remove it, but doesn't want to see anything that adds power or removes emmissions.

I would leave it alone for now and when the warranty runs out go hog wild.

I know a couple of guys with the 6.4L in F-350's and no issues except they are 12 mpg trucks. Just did not make the mpg the 6.0L did. Thats the only complaint.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Why would you pay to have the brakes done. Its a easy job. I just did my neighbors 07 3500 Dmax and his 78 C60 Dump truck. I ordered all the parts on line. The C60 also got new wheel cylinders. I did the 3500 in about 1.5 hours and did the C60 in about 3 hours and that included doing a wheel bearing job.

Total cost was well under $500 for both trucks.

Chris

 

[Builder]

Why would you pay to have the brakes done. Its a easy job. I just did my neighbors 07 3500 Dmax and his 78 C60 Dump truck. I ordered all the parts on line. The C60 also got new wheel cylinders. I did the 3500 in about 1.5 hours and did the C60 in about 3 hours and that included doing a wheel bearing job.

Total cost was well under $500 for both trucks.

Chris

Never said I would, just pointing out how expensive brake jobs were for a Superduty. Especially if it has cracked rotors like most of them have.

BTW: 75,000 miles on my 3500HD and still has original brakes. Ford is on 2nd set at 44,000 miles. Previous owner paid $729 for brakes over a year ago. Looks like some things never change. My previous Fords needed brakes every 20-30K miles.
Just got a price from dealer to extend warranty. Looks like it's well worth the money. When I stopped in Monday, there were 4 different 6L Fords in their shop with cabs & heads off. One was a competitors truck. Head gaskets took a dump and took out almost everything. $4,000 in engine repairs out of warranty and 3 weeks in shop!!! :confused2:

 

[Builder]

I would leave it alone for now and when the warranty runs out go hog wild.

I know a couple of guys with the 6.4L in F-350's and no issues except they are 12 mpg trucks. Just did not make the mpg the 6.0L did. Thats the only complaint.

Chris

Wish I had the same luck they did. Previous owner had cab off to replace the common Y pipe failure in the 6.4L. 12 hours labor & parts. There was a small fire under the cab when the Y pipe grenaded, too. took out a couple wiring harnesses and the insulation burned.
I've already replaced #5 injector & wire harness. No way I'd trust it out of warranty.
I'm keeping watch for an IH 4xxx series with 4WD that I can afford a few years down the road. Just couldn't find one I could afford this time around.

Oh yeah, average fuel mileage so far (hand calculated) is around 9-10 MPG. If the truck will stay together, I would probably like it. Only time and my wallet will tell.

 

[Bird]

Of course I don't have any heavy duty vehicles anymore, but I can remember when people who got 30k miles on brake linings was doing good, but the way you drive makes a lot bigger difference that the make of vehicle. I've know 2 female drivers who could wear out the front brake linings in less than 20k miles, which is just incredible to me.

When we had a 1983 Ford Escort station wagon, while I was in town one day I bought new brake pads for the front wheels when it had 80k miles on it, figuring it ought to be about time. Well, since I'd already bought new pads, I did the brake job, but the car really didn't need it.

Now I have 82k miles on my Ranger and 62k miles on the Crown Vic and figure someday they may need their first brake job, but not yet.

 

[jenkinsph]

Builder,
I think if you use it to pull the trailer for the most part it will be more economically feasable. Your truck is set up for pulling with a 4.88 rear axle ratio, I wouldn't expect it to get mileage any better than 10 mpg. I use my F250 for running around at about twice the mileage,

 

[Diamondpilot]

So funny how we can have different luck. I have had nothing but good luck with all 3 of my Superdutys. Never needed brakes until around 60,000 miles of hard pulling miles. Never a big deal. New pads and get the rotors turned. Both of my 6L's have been by far the best diesel trucks I have owned. My dmax was the worst.



I am glad you are having good luck with your dmax but its not been the same for me and my neighbor. His ally was just out for the second time last week at 75K for leaking input shaft seal. This is the second tranny issue and he has had to have the transfer case replaced. He is also considering a extended warranty.


Good luck with all your trucks. Ford and GM.

Chris