2012 F-350 - First Impressions

[joe t]

Didn't read the whole thread but how is the ext cab working out? I like how the extended cab looks better than the crew cab. It is also cheaper.


I rarely entertain customers. Maybe I should do that more but I'm not a real friendly person and I primarily hire people to do that.


Little kids fit in there ok you think? No kids yet for me but I'd imagine in the next couple years.

 

[sparc]

Didn't read the whole thread but how is the ext cab working out? I like how the extended cab looks better than the crew cab. It is also cheaper.


I rarely entertain customers. Maybe I should do that more but I'm not a real friendly person and I primarily hire people to do that.


Little kids fit in there ok you think? No kids yet for me but I'd imagine in the next couple years.

Yes, you should have no problem with young kids, say up to 12 or so. There is room for three comfortably. The leg room is what is lacking. I had my daughter back there and she is 5'-8" and ~120# but the seats is short front to back and as I said the leg room.

I like the look and the overall length of the truck too better than a crew cab.

 

[dodge man]

I have a buddy that worked for a weather stripping company at one time. The "window felts" are not designed to wipe water and frost off the outside of the window, although on most vehicles they work that way. Also, there will be water getting down inside your door not matter how tight the seal, that is why there is drain holes in the bottom of the door.

 

[some zilch]

sounds like a typical "truck buyer" (especially a diesel truck buyers) these days....towing something 10% of the time, and complaining about digital screens, apps, and weather stripping. for $58k, you could have bought more truck than an f350..........but hey its your $$

 

[joe t]

But that 10% of the time....

I own a construction company and how much do I need my diesel or my daily 3/4 work truck, maybe 10% of the time. I'd certainly be screwed in that 10% of time without it though...

 

[Hay Dude]

I just read all 3 pages here, I must really be turning into a dinosaur! Nothing against you fellas that like all those "gizmos" on your pick ups, but I'd gladly trade all that (computer) **** for a few more thousands in sheet metal thickness, real bumpers, and a metal dashboard to hold my magnet clip for my paper notes and reciepts!:laughing: oh yeah, give me some wing windows also! I'm still pushing a couple of 7.3 and for the life of me just don't understand how they get away with selling a PU truck @ 50K+? My "old" trucks, (01 350 and 00 450) were at least 15K less when new, not all that long ago. Now they don't have all that electronic stuff, but all those gadgets wont drive a nail or get a lick of work done on the job. And I don't get anywhere near that much more for my work (as they charge for these trks) on the jobs as a contractor, and even back then I wondered if I was working for the truck or was the truck working for me?
Sorry about the rant, it prolly is Mr Jim Beam talking, he helps out my knee pain after a long day on the job site!

No..... you're just about 100% right. The diesel truck of 10-15 years ago was replaced with a computer on (20") wheels that nobody that works for a living can afford anymore.
I buy the ones people give up on and make them work in farming and construction. I feel spoiled in my POS '08 F550. It has AC and power windows!! Grew up with "WD-40" air conditioning and and "bicep exercisers" for windows, so even an "XL" seems loaded.
I couldn't see myself buying a new truck for the rest of my life, not the way they're built now. Gotta be too careful with it. The auto companies told the working man to pound sand and now build trucks for Doctors, lawyers and CEO's, not masons, farmers or welders.
What I would like to see is one of these geek engineers see if they're smart enough to design a tough, heavy built truck with a basic 300Hp in line six diesel, a 6 speed trans with a 2 speed rear that locks out in 4WD and a snowplow/tow package and a set of real proportional truck gauges and a basic power windows/doorlocks and mirrors package for about 35-40K.
I paid $25K for my '05 550 4WD crewcab and it's a basic truck, but it's not been very reliable and it's going to get worse.
At least I don't have 60K in one of the new ones. I'd rather buy a money maker than money taker.
I don't need "sync" and "onstar" and all these stupid wires, outlets and dummy lights.

 

[sw03]

But that 10% of the time....

I own a construction company and how much do I need my diesel or my daily 3/4 work truck, maybe 10% of the time. I'd certainly be screwed in that 10% of time without it though...

LOL---That is why I sold my Powerchoke (1997 F-350) years ago (2002 to nail the date). Not worth the fuel price, diesel filters etc.PLus I hated the glow plug issues ford had; ball joints etc. Lost a customer for life bigtime. Plus the paint sucks. Plus the F350 rode like crap....I will NEVER buy a FORD again...This coming from a former; Crap product..

 

[joe t]

Yeah I need at least one 3/4 ton for work. Gonna trade one of my 3/4 for a half ton next year. 12mpg is too low for me.

 

[Hay Dude]

LOL---That is why I sold my Powerchoke (1997 F-350) years ago (2002 to nail the date). Not worth the fuel price, diesel filters etc.PLus I hated the glow plug issues ford had; ball joints etc. Lost a customer for life bigtime. Plus the paint sucks. Plus the F350 rode like crap....I will NEVER buy a FORD again...This coming from a former; Crap product..

I just sold my last 6L Ford. It was an '04 when I bought it with 15K miles on it. Paid 21K. Put $10,000 in repairs (2 sets injectors, turbo, head gaskets and much more). Just sold it.
Took a huge hit on that one. Took some of the proceeds and extended the warranty on my '08 550. I'm not expecting much better from the '08 based on what I've repaired so far.
Problem is, Ford carved out a nice niche' on these trucks and there's really not much competition from other manufacturers other than Fiat/Damlier/Chrysler. I like that it fits in a residential garage and the chassis itself is pretty tough. I see a huge opportunity for GM with their reliable Duramax and medium duty Allison trans. One of our family farm rigs has the dmax/ally in it and has never been repaired well over 100K miles. Runs/shifts like a new truck.