Looking for USED F-350 - Which year/engine/model is best?

[Bigfoot62]

BF62,

Problem is that the F-150 is a terrible commuter car, and it is not so great as a grocery getter for the wife (she prefers I leave her Flex at home for her).

Right now I'm thinking my whole plan is a mess regardless...

My commute is basically at least 160 miles each day I have to "go to the customer".

It is decent weather now and I plan to ride my Harley most days (but my carpal tunnel might have other ideas, it is giving me fits on my left hand now).

The truth is it would be ridiculous to drive a F-350 4x4 to work everyday, and worse to leave it for the wife. Plus I really do not NEED it yet, I just WANT it so I can get a gooseneck trailer, and then get more toys etc. I would then need to go find a commuter car for the rainy days when I can't ride my Harley...

Fact is I am not done with the chores I have. I'm foolish to try to add to the list with haying or bush-hogging, or anything until I'm done with what I need to do now. I suspect if I NEEDED to get my tractor or my horses somewhere tomorrow I could borrow a truck & trailer.

I need to settle down and get some stuff done first, and quit trying to catch up to all of you guys way ahead of me on this journey.

Basically, do my chores first, then play later.

But your advice is solid and I am not discarding it. I appreciate all the great advice I get here on TBN, especially from those whom I consider my friends and advisors. Like you, Hawk, EastTX, here on this thread (and many others on other threads).

Thanks & Be well,
David

David,
(from the bottom) My advice, or the advice of anyone else here on this site, reminds me of what an old preacher friend often says, "That, and 50 cents, will get you a half cup of coffee in some places."

You're not in a race, and there's nobody you have to catch up to. It's easy for us "armchair quarterbacks" to help spend your money.

Sounds like you're figuring that out. :thumbsup: Just do what's right for you and your family. That's all that matters. You'll be fine.

 

[SLHawkins]

Just do what's right for you and your family. That's all that matters. You'll be fine.[/QUOTE]

Amen to that:thumbsup:

Hawk

 

[Soundguy]

It all depends....

I didched a 1/2 ton truck ( 98 dodge 4x4 ram 1500 360 gasser ) to get my 99 f350 drw 7.3psd.


I have to be able to hitch to a trailer both bumper and gn, at 'any' time needed. that might be once a month.. or daily.

i drive the dually to work every day. it's got 4.10 gears. not as gret as 3.73.. but still walks ok on the interstate. I don't put my foot in it just to see smoke, so i actually am getting competitive fuel milage, unloaded, as that 360 gasser dodge did. loaded.. i actually BEAT the 360 gasser dodge.


since i have too many chores to do.. a commuter car or small truck wasn't in the books for me. could have gone to a 3/4 ton or another 1/2 ton.. but I wanted towing stability.. and to me.. that was excluding a 1/2 ton, unless it was a newwr one with alot of goodies... and for that $$ i could get the 3/4 or 1 ton and not worry so much.


in the end.. it's whatever you feel is the best compromise.

I realize using a 1t drw is not the best commuter car.. but it's an excelent chore truck. since I do more chores than hiway miles to work. chores won..

BF62,

Problem is that the F-150 is a terrible commuter car, and it is not so great as a grocery getter for the wife (she prefers I leave her Flex at home for her).

Right now I'm thinking my whole plan is a mess regardless...

My commute is basically at least 160 miles each day I have to "go to the customer".

It is decent weather now and I plan to ride my Harley most days (but my carpal tunnel might have other ideas, it is giving me fits on my left hand now).

The truth is it would be ridiculous to drive a F-350 4x4 to work everyday, and worse to leave it for the wife. Plus I really do not NEED it yet, I just WANT it so I can get a gooseneck trailer, and then get more toys etc. I would then need to go find a commuter car for the rainy days when I can't ride my Harley...

Fact is I am not done with the chores I have I'm foolish to try to add to the list with haying or bush-hogging, or anything until I'm done with what I need to do now. I suspect if I NEEDED to get my tractor or my horses somewhere tomorrow I could borrow a truck & trailer.

I need to settle down and get some stuff done first, and quit trying to catch up to all of you guys way ahead of me on this journey.

Basically, do my chores first, then play later.

But your advice is solid and I am not discarding it. I appreciate all the great advice I get here on TBN, especially from those whom I consider my friends and advisors. Like you, Hawk, EastTX, here on this thread (and many others on other threads).

Thanks & Be well,
David

 

[RobertN]

Looks nice, but would not want to tow with it. CG is too high, too hard to get a 5th wheel or gooseneck hooked up without a lift kit on the trailer. Even for a bumper pull, would need an extreme drop hitch. Have seen those extreme drop hitches, but they look flimsy.

The big tires have a negative affect on braking power.

Unless it has been regeared, there will be power loss due to effective gearing change due to increased tire diameter.

It would be a pian to load/unload anything from the bed up that high.

Looks like a pretty street truck though...

I found you one 7.3 diesel,154,00milesView attachment 259891 about 30miles from me
Texas Truck Deals - Dually, Diesel, Monster and 4x4 Trucks - Corsicana and Dallas, Texas

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Chris,

This is a most excellent post. I really appreciate you sharing your experience with me.

You WILL know whatever happens.

Thanks,
David

It all depends....

I didched a 1/2 ton truck ( 98 dodge 4x4 ram 1500 360 gasser ) to get my 99 f350 drw 7.3psd.


I have to be able to hitch to a trailer both bumper and gn, at 'any' time needed. that might be once a month.. or daily.

i drive the dually to work every day. it's got 4.10 gears. not as gret as 3.73.. but still walks ok on the interstate. I don't put my foot in it just to see smoke, so i actually am getting competitive fuel milage, unloaded, as that 360 gasser dodge did. loaded.. i actually BEAT the 360 gasser dodge.


since i have too many chores to do.. a commuter car or small truck wasn't in the books for me. could have gone to a 3/4 ton or another 1/2 ton.. but I wanted towing stability.. and to me.. that was excluding a 1/2 ton, unless it was a newwr one with alot of goodies... and for that $$ i could get the 3/4 or 1 ton and not worry so much.


in the end.. it's whatever you feel is the best compromise.

I realize using a 1t drw is not the best commuter car.. but it's an excelent chore truck. since I do more chores than hiway miles to work. chores won..

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Looks nice, but would not want to tow with it. CG is too high, too hard to get a 5th wheel or gooseneck hooked up without a lift kit on the trailer. Even for a bumper pull, would need an extreme drop hitch. Have seen those extreme drop hitches, but they look flimsy.

The big tires have a negative affect on braking power.

Unless it has been regeared, there will be power loss due to effective gearing change due to increased tire diameter.

It would be a pian to load/unload anything from the bed up that high.

Looks like a pretty street truck though...

RobertN,

10000% agreed!

I do not want a gussied up boy-toy truck. I want a working truck...

David

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Just do what's right for you and your family. That's all that matters. You'll be fine.

Amen to that:thumbsup:

Hawk

BF62 & Hawk,

I love you guys...

Some days are better than others, and sometimes the view from my chair gets a bit muddy...

Thanks for the kind words guys... And the solid advice...

David

 

[foreman Etexas]

Looks nice, but would not want to tow with it. CG is too high, too hard to get a 5th wheel or gooseneck hooked up without a lift kit on the trailer. Even for a bumper pull, would need an extreme drop hitch. Have seen those extreme drop hitches, but they look flimsy.

The big tires have a negative affect on braking power.

Unless it has been regeared, there will be power loss due to effective gearing change due to increased tire diameter.

It would be a pian to load/unload anything from the bed up that high.

Looks like a pretty street truck though...

Yeah I just seen it coming back from corsciana and thought it looked cool from interstate and looked it up,not pratical but I would like to do alittle offroading in it

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Guys,

I'm here looking for advice again. I've always heard that two heads is better than one and I need someone to help me think this through.

What if I buy one of the older 2wd F-350 7.3 and just put farm plates on it and find me a small Ranger or Toyota 4x4 for my commuter car? (or just keep my F-150, but 16 mpg on a 160 mile commute 4x a week will kill my budget).

My girls need something here they can throw hay and feed into twice a day and run it up to the horses, and I need something that can tow/haul when needed. That would be a decent useage for a F-350 7.3 (gets started twice a day)...

That really nice green one seems to still be available, but at $14,900 I would HAVE to borrow money... I really like it though...

I think we will be starting a massive remodel effectively blowing the roof off and building a full 2nd story... If the bank will loan me money it will go smooother, if not, there go all my savings... (and then some).

What to do... What to do...
David

 

[Diamondpilot]

Owning a second commuter car never pays off. What you save on gas is ate up with plates, insurance, tires, and general repairs. Bee there done that 3 times and always the same story. Even if your current truck only got 13 like mine does and you got a small car that turned in 33 it did not pay out over the 2 years I last tried this.

Chris