'08 Superduty recall

[Builder]

My Ford still has one, it's a 99. But I don't deal with the diesel stuff either, it's a gasser. So much for cheaper diesel. $7000 for the right to pay $.60 more a gallon for fuel.

that's it in the background of my avatar. Crew cab and a very rare 8' bed.

You genius, you. You probably knew in the future that diesel was going to cost more than gas when you bought your truck in 1999, right?

Don't forget that it's been proved that diesel gets you an average of $5,000 more at trade in than a comparable gas truck, so that evens things out a bit, doesn't it?

Wonder if all the gas guys are as happy as you with all that "gas torque" when the 12K trailer gets hooked up?

 

[patrick_g]

Pretty funny stuff. RE the acronyms.

As usual, anything capable of being exaggerated by press, blogs, or gossip mongers is exaggerated and blown out of proportion.

If I got the count right...

Ford is recalling for weak seat welds and flame thrower action (two instances reported but better safe than sued, again.)

I didn't see where anyone mentioned the recall for potential rubbing of the B+ (battery hot) cable which could be a BAD thing. The dealer is to inspect and correct if needed. The correction is to move the cable just a tad so it doesn't rub. Ohhhh, pretty scary stuff alright.

Would someone list the makes of vehicles made in the USA that haven't had a recall on any given year in the last decade.

Same thing but imports...

Recalls for something or the other is pretty standard stuff.

Even Toyota with their terrific record for quality and longevity had recalls on our Prius. Nothing to get excited about but they were recalls. Mostly when it went in for scheduled service they just did whatever was an open recall issue and if you don't read the fine print on your documentation you wouldn't even know it (since they were not big bad safety issues.)

I'm not sure I want my 2008 F-250 Super Duty PowerStroke 6.4 liter diesel reprogrammed. I might just run a vertical stack with a flapper on top like a Peterbuilt or a Mac and let other nighttime drivers appreciate the flames shooting out the stack. Pretty cool, huh? Of course I might have to run a little fuel line to the exhaust to provide the excess fuel needed to make the flames as in normal operation they don't go off like a flame thrower.

On the other hand, leaving the exhaust stock presents an opportunity to "win the lottery" uh, err ah, I mean sue someone with really DEEP POCKETS (FoMoCo) for big bucks. If I can somehow FORCE my truck to put out flames I can drive through waist high dry grass on a windy day and set fires better than using a drip torch and then sue Ford for damages. If I want to get serious I can arrange to have the truck burn up in the conflagration and let my insurance company (yet another outfit with massively deep pockets) sue Ford for the value of the truck and the fire losses as my farm & ranch policy is with the same company as is my umbrella liability policy which will be involved with any collateral damage done to neighbors and any cars damaged due to low visibility when the smoke obscures the highway. Gee, I can be a one man disaster area!

Pat

 

[RobJ]

You genius, you. You probably knew in the future that diesel was going to cost more than gas when you bought your truck in 1999, right?

Don't forget that it's been proved that diesel gets you an average of $5,000 more at trade in than a comparable gas truck, so that evens things out a bit, doesn't it?

Wonder if all the gas guys are as happy as you with all that "gas torque" when the 12K trailer gets hooked up?

Actually I am a genius Builder, you smart guy you.

Actually it didn't take a genius to see that diesel was going to outpace gas in the long run. (but hindsight is 20/20) It's been upside for some time now. Being around the oil patch I also knew there was more in that diesel exhaust than "soot". The more it's run the more the EPA and folks in the CARB were going to look closer. I mean who would ever think that 2 cycle boat motors (and eventually weed eaters) would be on the way out? I believe many lakes around the country ban 2 cycle engines...some for noise I think to. I read years ago that eventually gas walk behind lawn mowers and edgers will eventually be gone because we can produce electricity more efficiently. Not saying I like it, but it wouldn't surprise me that its coming. But I digress...genius word there huh!!

I bought my truck used in 2000 with 20k on it. I never will or ever intended to hook up to a 12k pound trailer. A 2500# tractor and a couple 600# atv's is all I need. At the time an F250 SD was the only CC with an 8' bed. I would have bought a Supercrew if not for the 5' bed and all. Ahh the genius of it all.

And if you pay $7000 more for a diesel truck over a gasser, I hope you get more in resale later. Apples and oranges man.

Haven't we gone through this before?

 

[RobJ]

On the other hand, leaving the exhaust stock presents an opportunity to "win the lottery" uh, err ah, I mean sue someone with really DEEP POCKETS (FoMoCo) for big bucks. If I can somehow FORCE my truck to put out flames I can drive through waist high dry grass on a windy day and set fires better than using a drip torch and then sue Ford for damages. If I want to get serious I can arrange to have the truck burn up in the conflagration and let my insurance company (yet another outfit with massively deep pockets) sue Ford for the value of the truck and the fire losses as my farm & ranch policy is with the same company as is my umbrella liability policy which will be involved with any collateral damage done to neighbors and any cars damaged due to low visibility when the smoke obscures the highway. Gee, I can be a one man disaster area!

Pat

Dudes a genius. hear here people...

 

[patrick_g]

I don't feel like I can rip Dodge, since I have never owned one.

I think Dodge is a good truck with an excellent powertrain.

Never having owned one, how did you reach your conclusion?

Mine is a 1997 and the reason it is set up the way it was, stock, is that the WEAK Dodge tranny and drivetrain could only handle about 450 lb-ft of torque. The Cumins is a terrific engine and is capable of doing, reliably, a lot more than the Dodge will stay put together trying to handle.

The drivetrains have undoubtedly been improved over the years but the most frequent comments I hear from knowledgeable sources is that they still suck compared to what the Cumins can safely continuously produce. The same Cumins B5.9 in marine trim will put out over 400 HP 24-7 till it comes up for scheduled maint.

My tranny is 4 speed auto and the 4th gear is OD. There is definitely a missing gear as the gap between 3rd (1:1) and 4th (OD) is just tooooooo big. I am on my third transmission. I twisted off the input shaft of the trans on the first one. I am now runing an aftermarket beefed up BD brand tranny with the features that Dodge should put into the tranny before attaching it to the wonderful-I-can't-say-enough-good-things-about-it Cumins B5.9 engine.

Pat

 

[JESSE1]

Never having owned one, how did you reach your conclusion?

Mine is a 1997 and the reason it is set up the way it was, stock, is that the WEAK Dodge tranny and drivetrain could only handle about 450 lb-ft of torque. The Cumins is a terrific engine and is capable of doing, reliably, a lot more than the Dodge will stay put together trying to handle.

The drivetrains have undoubtedly been improved over the years but the most frequent comments I hear from knowledgeable sources is that they still suck compared to what the Cumins can safely continuously produce. The same Cumins B5.9 in marine trim will put out over 400 HP 24-7 till it comes up for scheduled maint.

My tranny is 4 speed auto and the 4th gear is OD. There is definitely a missing gear as the gap between 3rd (1:1) and 4th (OD) is just tooooooo big. I am on my third transmission. I twisted off the input shaft of the trans on the first one. I am now runing an aftermarket beefed up BD brand tranny with the features that Dodge should put into the tranny before attaching it to the wonderful-I-can't-say-enough-good-things-about-it Cumins B5.9 engine.

Pat

Well, I've driven lots of Cummins diesels and I know their reputation. I have heard that the trans was a weak link but that's info I've read over the internet and not first hand experience from owners. Personally, The only experience I've had driving a Dodge pickup was a '79 half ton that was a company truck. Slant six, three on the tree. If Dodge had continued to make that quality of truck they would have been gone long ago. I figure that they are bound to be pretty good trucks owing to the fact there are lots of them around.

 

[scesnick]

trucks. For people to say a certain brand is no good when they've never even tried one makes no sense.

I haven't tried a Ford diesel. I didn't have to. My neighbor was a HUGE ford loyalist. Until he bought Powerstroke few years back. He had nothing but trouble. He traded up for another,new and improved 6.0 still nothing but trouble. Then he showed up in a new CTD and he is still driving that truck to this day....

 

[scesnick]

Don't forget that it's been proved that diesel gets you an average of $5,000 more at trade in than a comparable gas truck, so that evens things out a bit, doesn't it?

I get right around 18-20MPG depending on my driving habits. I have yet to see a 3/4 ton gasser get that mileage. My co worker has the Dodge gasser 1/2 ton and he only gets about 13-16MPG. So, it all equals out in the long run with diesel being more expensive. BUT !! I have WAY more torque and can pull whatever I want to pull. AND the resale value.

 

[Egon]

Dagnabbit Pat, you are just going to have to put an egg on the accelerator pedal.

Three transmissions ehh???

I'm still on my first and am pretty sure I've towed heavier and for more miles. Course my truck is a year older too!

And it's in stock configuration other than the exterior dings and dents cause I'm not the best of drivers!

 

[JB4310]

My 95 ram 2500 4x4 with 5.9 CTD was only 160 HP with the auto, had an 8 FT utility body, just sold it last year, never missed a days work due to unscheduled service!

My 2007 3500 4x4 quad cab 6.7 CTD has over 300 HP, DRW 9FT utility body, this has the new Japanese Aisin 6 speed auto (supposed to be bomb proof) wicked smooth with a tow/haul mode and when used with factory VGT turbo brake (exhaust brake) trailer towing is a pleasure.

My own custom seat delete/shelf unit with flat floor.