Help buying my first pickup truck if you please?

[RobertN]

I have done well with Ford('80 and '89 F250 4x4's) and Dodge(currently Ram 2500 Diesel 4x4). It is hard to go wrong with trucks from the Big-3; they are very even for performance and capability.

I would seriously think about that short bed. I use all of my long bed a lot, especially for what you mention doing. Sure, it makes a long truck, but it sure makes it a more use-able truck. My '89 Ford and my '01 Dodge long bed xcab can be fun to park sometimes, but I would gladly trade that for the extra bed room.

Dodge is suppossed to be out with a 3500 single rear wheel; I am sure I saw one at the dealer a month ago...

I haul 7000lbs+ with my Dodge; no problem. I hauled an 11' Cabover camper on my '89 F250, with 200k+ miles on it, all over the western states and Canada.

It's a hard decision. To do it again, I could go either way. All three trucks have been really good. None of them hold much of an edge over the others.

 

[RonL]

Larry

If you are going to be towing 7000 pounds I would go with the 4.10 rear end. I would also get the limited slip.

RonL

 

[Larry_Van_Horn]

Ron,
Yeah, I thought about that. I am definately going to get the limited slip, but going from a 3.73 to a 4.10 will knock the MPG. I figured that since I will be towing infrequently it won't be that big a deal.

I will think about the longer box, though I might find it difficult to park at work!
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
L

 

[Egon]

Larry:

Seen your question; saw the spec sheet; decided you have picked your truck and want reassurance.

Go for it.

Egon

 

[cowboydoc]

I'd go with the 3.73 too. For what you are towing the 3.73's will work fine. One thing about the diesel is the resale will be much better. Try and find a used diesel pickup in good condition. They are few and far between and at a premium compared to gas trucks. I've had Ford all my life and the few problems I have had have been taken care of. As far as the initial problems with the 6.0 there are always going to be problems with a first year model. The problems they did have were not that great. It was mostly a software problem anyway. The injectors were a problem because the wrong o-rings were used. When they went to the new injector the only difference is the o-ring! Other than that it's the same injector.

 

[Jimbrown]

I think the truck you picked is a good choice. The longer bed also has a longer wheelbase and can be hard to park. I would not want to drive it in the city. If you really do not need a 350 I would stay with the 250. The 350 is going to ride like a real truck.

 

[yooperdave]

If you really do not need a 350 I would stay with the 250. The 350 is going to ride like a real truck.


That's what the dealer said about my F150 vs the F250 /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif.

My next truck will be a 3/4 ton.

Yooper Dave

 

[Inspector507]

I've had the F-150 and then the F-250 SD w/V-10 gas. Now I'm back to the 150 w/5.4 Triton.
I wish I had my F-250SD with the V-10 back /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[RobertN]

They're not that bad to park. A little harder, but not aweful. It sure is nice to have that extra bed room when you need it too.

 

[BigDave]

Larry,

I'm not a HD truck guy, but I've owned my fair share of trucks: Chevy, Dodge, Ford, & Toyota. Given your two choices, I would go with the Dodge & diesel. The Ford platform is a bit dated, and the diesel usually makes up for the added cost in lower cost of operation and higher resale. If you get the diesel, you've got lots of extra torque to pull you 7000lbs with ease. Just my 2 cents.

Dave