What's With the Ford Super Duty Pricing?

[Builder]

Well, I've now had a chance to drive a new diesel pickup from each of the big three. Apparently I'm spoiled with my truck and can't get over the sticker shock to go with a truck that feels anemic compared to my old '96 pick-um-up. I suppose that having (dyno tested) just under 500 rwhp and just over 1000 ft. lbs. of torque is what makes all of the new trucks feel really weak. And, no, my truck is not close to stock; and, no, my automatic transmission is not close to stock. My transmission is "KIT-47RE9602-ASSEMBLY-4-4WD" as listed on this Restoring the layer structure... page.

Besides, I'm a wee bit concerned about how any of the factorys would treat me on warranty work when I'm going to admit to them that I haul between 16k (about the minimum) to 23k (maximum) with my truck. Yes, I do like the looks of all three brands of new trucks better than my old Dodge. I actually like the looks and ride of the Ford the best. Even though I drove all of the trucks within a 2 day time frame, I'd be hard pressed to say which felt the fastest. No offense to anyone, but they all seemed to run reasonably strong and felt about even on power. The Ford truck did price out the highest. I don't know why.

So, for me, the bottom line is that I suppose I've decided to just stick with my old '96 model pickup. Go ahead and laugh and tell me that I'll have to start picking up the pieces that fall off. I'll have to be content with telling myself that it's been paid off for a long time now and it's darn strong. I don't really expect to have any powertrain problems, but I wouldn't be surprised to begin having some other issues. I guess I'll deal with it for being cheap. And finally, yes, I'll be sure to wave at y'all in your new trucks and try not to appear too green with envy.

*note*
I don't know why my link is named what it is. Sorry for not knowing how to properly put in a link.

I won't laugh at you. I had a '99 F-450 4x4 dump making over 400/860 at the rear wheels.

More after additional mods I did later. It was paid off and ran perfect, but I needed a bigger dump.

My f-350 is more lightly modded, but was given over to employees and I needed a crew cab this time around. The GMC was the best choice for my needs. Everyone has different needs.

 

[riptides]

And someone mentions they cannot tell the difference in "feel" (looks, power, whatever) between a ten year old truck and the big 3 newer models.

That, gentlemen will spell DOOM for the truck industry. If your not making noticable improvements year over year for the consumer your product is at risk. They only think I see changing is the price.

Not good.

-Mike Z.

 

[Builder]

And someone mentions they cannot tell the difference in "feel" (looks, power, whatever) between a ten year old truck and the big 3 newer models.

That, gentlemen will spell DOOM for the truck industry. If your not making noticable improvements year over year for the consumer your product is at risk. They only think I see changing is the price.

Not good.

-Mike Z.

Mike,

I definately see many differences between my '99 Ford Superduty and my '07 GMC HD. It would be the same if we were comparing the same brands, too. But here's what I observe running these 2 brands side by side.

1. Stock power- night & day difference. '99 Ford 235/520. '07 GMC 360/650. That's a 50% increase in HP and a 25% increase in torque.
2. Noise- '99 Ford-so loud, I can barely make a cell phone call inside the cab while driving. '07 GMC- so quiet, I can lean against the hood outside the truck and make a phone call- almost as quiet as a gas pickup at idle.
3. Fuel economy- despite the night/day power differences, they get similar fuel economy.
4. Newer trucks come with more standard features, too. Transmissions with more gears, better ergonomics, etc.

 

[KICK]

I'm somewhat amazed at the amounts of weight some people claim to pull with one ton pickups.

especially the type that werent rated for pulling 10 tons.

did they make the chassis and brakes better along with the power boost or are they just plain dangerous to the rest of the worlds and themselves???.

 

[Builder]

I'm somewhat amazed at the amounts of weight some people claim to pull with one ton pickups.

especially the type that werent rated for pulling 10 tons.

did they make the chassis and brakes better along with the power boost or are they just plain dangerous to the rest of the worlds and themselves???.

They're just plain dangerous. I see the guys with the 50' 4-car wedge trailers and can't believe they're safe. They'd be much better off with a true medium duty truck.

 

[KICK]

They're just plain dangerous. I see the guys with the 50' 4-car wedge trailers and can't believe they're safe. They'd be much better off with a true medium duty truck.

pretty much what I think.

towing isn't just about power, its having enuf towvehicle to avoid being handled by the towee.

 

[jcmseven]

Absolutely, the key to me is having a good chassis and braking system, especially handy are the tow/haul systems. As for the improvements year by year in all makes, it is true I gave up some absolute power to trade into a new model truck, but the vast improvements in drivability and luxury while still having the capacity to pull heavy loads makes me not miss my old truck all that much, except in full throttle applications.

John M

 

[Dargo]

I suppose some people are easily "amazed". Perhaps getting out a bit more could be in order. If someone were to be up to date with the capabilities of modern diesel engines mated with equally strong transmissions, rear ends, axles, brakes and, perhaps most importantly, proper braking systems on properly secured trailers, maybe there wouldn't be such amazement. Also, some one ton trucks have single rear wheels and some have dual rear wheels. In general, the dual rear wheeled units are able to handle relatively more heavy tongue weight trailers, including gooseneck and 5th wheel trailers, better than single wheeled one ton units; but not always. Personally, I find that it’s generally best for me to not prematurely arrive at some conclusions when I am not in possession of all the facts. But, there again, that’s just me. The Ford Super Duty truck I drove (and really liked) was amazingly rated to tow over 24,000 pounds. That would be more than enuf (sic) to tow anything I have. Amazing, huh?

Although I'm sure there are many people on the road who tow more than what their vehicle is rated to tow, I would tend to be more concerned about people towing things that are not properly secured to the trailer or are considerably over the weight rating of the trailer. I suppose if I were to rank other drivers as to their relative danger to themselves, other drivers and the rest of the known world, I think that drunk drivers would rate higher than experienced drivers driving a truck hauling a trailer. Heck, I would even rate tired drivers, distracted drivers (think talking on cell phones, swatting kids, and eating while driving) and aggressive drivers ahead of drivers hauling a trailer that might, or might not, be at or over their rated limits as more of a danger. Now that I think of it, I think one of my nieces is more of a danger to other drivers than most people would imagine each time she leaves her driveway and is behind the wheel of her car.

 

[Builder]

I agree with most of what you're saying, but I do think I'd feel safer with a few less "super truckers" with their 350's or 3500's, 300 LED lights and twin CB atennas pulling way more than common sense would dictate.

I know the cops around here love 'em..... easy target for about a $1K fine.

 

[mjncad]

A quick sidebar...

Now that the weather in Colorado is warming up, it is molting season for heavy duty truck retread tires. I've been dodging tread scraps all over the metro Denver area freeways lately.