Ford F250 Diesel Crewcab

thcri · May 1, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Hootie,

You probably have heard that the 6.0L Power Stroke has a spotty service record. )</font>

Owning 49 trucks I have found the Fords to have the better service records. Now before anyone starts yelling at me in the long run there is no difference when you hit the 100,000 mile mark. It just seems to me that GM will nickel and dime you and the Fords will all go at once. That means alot to me especially when it hurts to have one go down. My neighbor bought a 2004 Ford Diesel two years ago. It is a Power Stroke. I believe it is a 2004 or maybe could be a 2003. He has not been happy with it. All of his trucks have been Fords for many years. His dealer did say that Ford has had some problems with the Power Strokes minor at that though, but the newer ones are much improved. I beleive his problems are in some computer that monitors or determines fuel supply???

But heck, it is in your garage, you know how it will hurt to take it back /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

murph

plumboy · May 1, 2005

I'm on my fourth superduty,all 7.3 except the current 04 that is a 6.0 and it blows them away power wise.Other than the week it was in the shop for the tranny I like the power it has and the truck overall.It will be going back as soon as I get a chance for the surging prob.Oil change is super easy on the 6.0 which is good because you need to keep clean/fresh oil in it. TDS is a good place for some research on the ford.There is a place there you can ask for a x-plan pin to get that pricing,but it sounds like your pretty close already.

Dargo · May 1, 2005

I really prefer the Ford trucks and vehicles. However, with dozens and dozens of friends and neighbors having diesel pickups (and being in the business), I had to go with the "D" truck for the Cummins. In actual punishment tests (performed daily by my business and farming friends), as much as I wanted the Ford, the 7.3 just couldn't compare to the Cummins in durability. And, as proven with all diesel drag records and truck pull records) the Cummins can be turned up to be more powerful.

Since it is quite an investment, I've taken the wait and see approach with the new 6.0 PowerStroke. Maybe it will pan out to be a better engine. However, from what I've seen, it looks like it is going to be hard to beat the in line design for diesel performance, reliability and durability. Quite a few of my neighbors have gone with the new 6.0 Fords. They are putting them through the severe use test as I write this. So far, the only problems I've seen have come from pure abuse. But, with my neighbors, the trucks will continue to get that treatment daily. In the past, it seems that the Ford trucks themselves hold up better than the "D" trucks, it's just hard to beat that inline Cummins. I've heard several times that Ford has a big part of Cummins. Why don't they take the engine? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Or, as what a few of my friends who own Ford dealerships have told me is possible, come out with a Cat diesel in them.

Oh well, I wait and watch. As long as I can keep the box around my Cummins together, I don't have to hurry. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Post any results you can on the new engine and tranny package. I'm also curious about Ford's new tranny behind the diesel. I had to go with an ATS stage IV transmission package behind my Cummins once it got on steroids. With my buddies who can destroy an anvil are running the ATS transmission setups and not killing them, so I went ahead and bit the big bullet and dished out the cash for their expensive transmission setup last year. Having a really good factory automatic transmission is worth about 6k in aftermarket savings. That, too, is something to consider in evaluating the new diesel pickups as they come out.

johnday · May 1, 2005

Brent; Do you have a place to check out the ATS trans? I've got 95K on my Stroker, nearing retirement [me, not the truck], and am considering keeping this truck and maybe investing in some upgrades. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

tomnky · May 1, 2005

I actually had a Ford Mechanic advise me to hold off until 2007 on buying a Powerstroke, according to him they still have some issues with them.

I can buy one on the "X" plan & plan to do so sometime in the not too distant future.

Dargo · May 1, 2005

Neighbor has a '99 PowerStroke that he pumped up and abuses daily. He put an ATS setup in his a couple of years ago and he hauls over 20k with his truck weekly with no problems. Since I know this guy well (tears up everything - an anvil wouldn't stand a chance) and it hasn't broken with him in 2 years, I figure it will last me a lifetime. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif They are not cheap, but I've only heard good things and so far (knock on wood) had great service from them. Here is their website http://www.atsdiesel.com/ATSWebsite/Home.asp?speed=HI

Unclebuck257 · May 1, 2005

Hootie,

I've owned Powerstrokes for a few years now, starting with the 7.3 Powerstrokes. I currently have an 03 F-250, CC, loaded to the max, 4X4. That's one awesome engine and tranny combo, and acts more like a gasser, than a diesel. The Chevy Duramax can't compete with it, and The Dodge engine can, but then you have the way a Dodge is finished off, inside and out! Ford has that, HANDS DOWN!!

The Fords are finished off a LOT nicer than the Chevys or Dodges, and although Ford had some issues with that new 6.0 diesel and tranny, most did not have problems and are running great! Mine runs like real good, and has had no issues at all.

Stay with the Ford! That price you've been quoted is really good too!!

RobertN · May 1, 2005

Please explain why a stock Cummins will not perform stock? I have driven Dodge and Fords. I have not seen that the Ford outperforms the Cummins stock. I would offer that the Ford makes power a little differently, maybe a little snappier off the bottom end like a gas v8. But, outperform stock? Naw...

RobertN · May 1, 2005

I have run gasser Fords(f250's), before moving to my '01 Dodge/Cummins. I have friends with Fords, and with Dodges. I still really like Fords, just I like the Cummins, and got a good deal on the truck.

I do not know what the old Dodge trucks were like. But, I have found my Ram performs easily as well, handles easily as well, and has as good or better fit/finish as comparable Fords. The thought about that issue was in the back of my mind when I got my truck, but has not panned out.
The big-3 are so competitive in this market. Any of the three trucks would be great.

If there is some big deal to fit, finish, power, ect. show me the numbers and data. In real world, I have not seen it... I too have opinions, and personal preferences that might bias me towards a brand. But, I have not seen data that makes the Ford a HANDS DOWN winner. From personal expierience, all three are pretty evenly matched.

jcmseven · May 1, 2005

Robert,

The reason I stated this fact is that I happen to have had the chance to participate and witness an independent test of the three major makes in stock trim both in acceleration and towing performance. The trucks tested were all the 3/4 variety; both empty, with a 2000 payload and pulling close to maximum weight (10,000 pounds) on a 20 foot tandem trailer. The tests were done over a two day period with different drivers and showed the following: The Ford 6.0L PS would repeatably out accelerate both the Dodge and the Chevrolet to 60 mph and in time to distance acceleration. All trucks were automatics and 4wd models. In fact the Ford only was second fastest once, that was speed to speed 50-70 mph pulling the above mentioned loaded trailer. In six separate runs the Dodge did outperform the Ford once. In addition, the Ford comfortably outaccelerated the Dodge and the Chevrolet in the standing start, time to distance and speed to speed testing (minus that one), both empty and loaded. I think the Cummins is an excellent engine and I really like the Dodge truck. In fact if I were to purchase now I would look strongly at the Dodge rather than the Ford. Please do not misunderstand me, the Dodge is an excellent vehicle with an excellent powerplant, and one series of tests such as those mentioned do not account for vehicle variances that may affect performance. I also have found, as stated, that the Cummins seems to respond quite well to even minor performance enhancements. That said, the findings seen seem to be repeatable by many of the truck and car publications also, so I feel they are fairly valid.

John M