New 6.4L diesel

jcmseven · Apr 12, 2007

Fellow Posters,

I hope I do not jinx myself by this post, but I wanted to share some hopefully helpful information with each of you. About three weeks ago, I sold my beloved F250 SD 7.3L diesel pickup to a good friend of mine. It was an extended cab, and for family reasons I felt a crew cab looked a better choice for me. I test drove all the major brands' (save Nissan) 3/4 ton and 1/2 ton offerings that have been currently available. I found the new F250 to be most to my liking, so I located--with much trouble--one I wanted. I have saved my pennies and took delivery of a new F250 crew cab SD King Ranch with four wheel drive and the 6.4L diesel. I will admit I was a bit skeptical, but decided to purchase the truck nonetheless. While I only have a bit over 1,000 miles on the truck at this time, and I am cautiously optimistic about its service, I will say without a doubt it is the finest truck I have ever driven. While not quite as fast as my modified 7.3L, it is plenty powerful and Oh, so smooth. The quality of the workmanship, the refinement of the engine and transmission, and the fit and finish of the interior and features/comfort are hard to believe possible in a heavy duty truck. Having driven several 6.0L trucks, this machine is far ahead of any offering from Ford, in my mind ever. While I have a special place in my heart for my 2002 truck, with its stomping loud engine, this truck is in a different league in drivability and capability. I hope I get good service out of this truck, but I really wanted to let those in our group who might be looking at a new tow vehicle or 3/4 ton offering they should seriously look at the new Ford. I am very pleased with mine so far and am impressed with the time and workmanship Ford has taken to re-establish itself in the heavy duty segment. If any questions exist, since I am an early poster on this matter, I would be happy to try to help answer questions.

John M

DirtHauler · Apr 12, 2007

I've been "toying" with a getting a new (if the wife lets me!) and am really interest in the new Ford SuperDutys especialy the F250/350 short bed extended cab 4x4 6.4 but just a little leary of the automatic as I do some towing during the season and they did have problems in the past with the auto. I really don't want the standard because of sitting in the Calif "101 parking lot" isn't fun with a clutch, I spend each and every day playing with 13 gears at my regular job! If you have the auto, what's your take on it?

NoMo · Apr 12, 2007

Dirt-
The 5R110W (Torqshift) transmission has been very reliable. Nothing at all like the old 4R100 or E4OD that came before it. In fact, of all the things on the new trucks, it'd be the transmission that I worry about least.

And, while I don't know how it compares to the new 6-speed Allison, the Torqshift is/was, in my opinion, better than the Allison that was in my '03 GMC.

chadincolo · Apr 13, 2007

jcmseven said:
Fellow Posters,
While I have a special place in my heart for my 2002 truck, with its stomping loud engine, this truck is in a different league in drivability and capability.
John M

Stomping loud? I thought the newer 7.3's were quiet! I wish you luck, hopefully the Ford spec'ed parts on the 6.4 do better than the Ford spec'ed parts on the 6.0. If Ford wants IH to build their engines, they should let IH decide how to build their engines...

Still can't beat the mechanical injected 5.9 Cummins engines for durability...380,000 miles on my old 89 Dodge, needed a transmission and tail light wiring when I sold it. I put about $500 into the pickup in the 100,000+ I owned, half of that an alternator...

deereguy · Apr 13, 2007

You certainly did save your pennies....I was at the Equine Affair in Columbus, OH yesterday and they had a F250 or a F350 KR, 4WD, 4 DR, Long bed...VERY nice truck, stickered at $55,XXX. I didn't ask if they were "dealin".

jcmseven · Apr 13, 2007

Deereguy,

They are not generally dealin' on these trucks. It took a solid week of nearly full time searching by four people to find two trucks I wanted. I had nearly consoled myself into thinking that I would have to order and wait several weeks, but thankfully we found two. One out of state, one in. The out of state guy refused to release the truck to my local dealer because he could get "over sticker" for it---and did. The instate guy actually was pretty far away, but gave up the truck for trading TWO back to him from my dealer. The problem with the Fords now is that they are generating a lot of interest and those that drive them really like them and wish to buy. They are currently in high demand. Thankfully my local dealer just wanted to sell a truck and knows me well, wanted me to get a good deal. I got my truck for $2,200 less than invoice--which is a really good price. It still is quite expensive v. my last one as the invoice is pretty high. I can say though the truck is about as close to worth it as I have seen. It rides like my in-laws' Lexus, tows great so far and turned in 16.8 mpg on my first tank, in combination driving. I cannot answer how it will hold up but I can say it seems built like a tank and one can really tell someone put in some time to make it right. The finish work was notably better than the other trucks I drove and to me that was impressive. I do think--like all other things--as supply creeps up the price will come down.

John M

radman1 · Apr 13, 2007

I have a 4x4 1999 V10 F250 Lariat crew cab (bought in early 1998) with essentially no problems. I bought the truck fairly loaded with the exception of a PTO at that time with MSRP of $35000. I recently test drove a 4x4 F350 6.4 in single and dual rear wheels, both long box, crew cab, Lariat models. They are extremely nice trucks. Rode great and very quiet. Interior is fantastic. Both had MSRP of about $52000.

Most of my miles are pulling some type of trailer. I will check out the new Dodge diesel just to see the new Cummins diesel. The new Ford has set a high bench mark to beat but the big question is the engine given the history of the 6.0L, especially in the first few years. If Ford had the Cummins engine, there wouldn't be any consideration of the Dodge. From what I have heard, the Chev Duramax is probably going to be replaced with different engine next year or soon after but I will probably also check out Chevy's new design. But for me, the front bumper is hedious in the pictures of it.
I won't be buying anything until this fall or winter and give these trucks time to show their faults (and for the rebates to start). The EPA is killing off the diesel with DPF, ERG and other restrictions. Fuel mileage for diesels are dropping rapidly with the EPA involvement. Most of the new diesel MPG's are in the low to mid teens and aroung 10 pulling heavy loads.

joes_427_vette · Apr 14, 2007

Last I heard was Ford was in court with Navastar over warranty payments for repairs on their diesel engines. I also read where Ford bought a large number of their diesel super duty trucks back. I wouldn't be so quick to dive into this situation. I'm amazed the number of people that buy them because they get better fuel mileage than their gasoline counterparts. They must forget fuel is higher priced and the repairs are substantially higher when needed.
I will continue feeding my gas powered 3/4 ton Chevrolet and let the high buck diesels to the upper class citizens. 50k for a truck ?????? WOW !!!

ps. When you find out how to get the diesel smell out of your clothes please post this information. When I get within 2 feet of diesel fuel my closet smells like a truck stop.

deereguy · Apr 14, 2007

jcmstevens- I like the new look in the Fords and heard both good and bad about the 6.4's, hopefully they won't be a repeat of the troublesome 6.0L in the early years (I have one, had moderate problems). A few months ago I searched for 2008 Fords F250's and, as you mentioned they WEREN'T dealing- selling $1K over sticker was common, you finding a dealer to sell around invoice can seal the deal quickly.

Much luck with your new truck!!

gemini5362 · Apr 14, 2007

joes_427_vette said:
Last I heard was Ford was in court with Navastar over warranty payments for repairs on their diesel engines. I also read where Ford bought a large number of their diesel super duty trucks back. I wouldn't be so quick to dive into this situation. I'm amazed the number of people that buy them because they get better fuel mileage than their gasoline counterparts. They must forget fuel is higher priced and the repairs are substantially higher when needed.
I will continue feeding my gas powered 3/4 ton Chevrolet and let the high buck diesels to the upper class citizens. 50k for a truck ?????? WOW !!!

ps. When you find out how to get the diesel smell out of your clothes please post this information. When I get within 2 feet of diesel fuel my closet smells like a truck stop.

I have never noticed that problem when I fuel my duramax.

Someone mentioned the allison 6 speed. I have one and I am very very pleased with it