Why Ford?
 

I'm just starting my research into my next vehicle and won't be making a purchase until after basic training (starts early Feb.), but I've decided diesel pickup thus far. Now it's time to start narrowing it down. As far as I've read so far, Ford has its upsides as much as the other 2 companies. While I am really leaning towards an F-250 for my future DD, I need more information.

I'm looking for economy, dependability, fuel versatility, and a little bit of power.. generally in that order as well. I'm a big fan of Cummins engines, but the package their wrapped in is less than appealing. I'm also tired of dealing with my rust-covered bronco, so newer condition vehicles will be more appealing.

I've read various things about the different PSD's over the years like some engines aren't as "good" as others, some years need the cab removed to do work on them. I'm looking for clear information so that comparing the different makes is as easy as possible.

So, why should I buy a Ford, and which one?

The most dependable FORD DIESEL engine is the 7.3, try getting a 1999 or 2000 the have the strongest connecting rods out of the 7.3 & the cab doesn't have to be removed to work on the engine, you can use tranny fluids, 2-stoke oil, used motor oil, used vegteable oil, & bio-diesel in the fuel:humm:

Thank you. That's the sort of thing I'm looking for. used motor oil? really.... the only issue i have with that, is that it's a 10 year old truck already and the chances that it's been abused grow exponentially each year..

You take that chance with any used truck:pca1: newer or older.

I sold my 1999 FORD F-250 7.3 SUPER-CAB, LONG-BED with 141,000 miles to buy a N E W 2008 6.4 F-250 & I drive in fear of breaking-down on the N E W truck, cause it's to fuel sensetive:argh:

There's trade offs to whatever you choose. Every brand has a basic underlying truth: Comfort, chevy, reliable power from motor, dodge (yeah the trannys are shit, sorry dodge guys, but they SUCK), Truck, ford. Your in ford country here so lets be honest, the ford isn't the cushiest, and the motors haven't always been the best available, but if you want a TRUCK, then a Ford is your choice. Like a Timex they take a lickin and keep kickin, when you compare 3/4 to 3/4 or 1 ton to 1 ton, you quickly see the Ford is the utilitarian choice.

Like was offered the late 99 and 00 have stronger rods, but unless you plan to ramp the power right up over 450 to 500+ hp then a 01-03 7.3l is a good choice. The 6.0 may require some extra work at some point, and being proactive and doing headstuds upfront is a good idea, EGR delete is also a good idea.

Decide on a body style, reg, super, crew and think of what your plans are. I wouldn't buy a reg cab unless I was getting a plow truck, the extra room of a super or crew is always good when you need to give more than your buddy a ride home, plus noone likes a shifter or a transfer handle in their butt when the need for room presents itself.

True you can run anything oily thru a diesel motor (it was designed to burn veggie based oil, big oil perverted it to todays diesel) but to run anything that originally ran thru the motor on the other side of the piston is just asking for issues.

I know the standard cab is out. I'm leaning towards a supercab as I really would have no need for the extra full sized doors.

From the get go, i'm not looking for monster power. I wouldn't mind adding a few horses immediately, but i'm not going to be looking for drag power. Whatever can be safely added while keeping fuel economy.

F250's in supercab 4 doors shouldn't be too hard to find. You'd be amazed how nice the crew cab full size doors make things, plus the extra leg room for passengers is classy, specially when the bros get put back there to make room for the ho's :yeah:

Seriously though, a couple quick power adders for little dough would be to do a tymar intake and a nice TS chip with the option for reprogramming later if you add something more. For around 450 for the pair it will make a nice addition without suffering any in fuel economy. A nice 4" or 5" turbo back exhaust would uncork a little more power and let people know get too close and I'll soot ya, expect around 300+ for a aluminized system, 500+ for a SS system (skip 409SS and look into a 304SS system for longevity)

Thanks for the information. I've still got quite a bit of time for mind-changing. I just know I don't usually cart people around, so the extra large doors are kind of redundant.. I will definitely look into those though if it becomes a matter of price/quality of available trucks. Thanks also for the performance suggestions.

What kind of mileage can I be expecting out of one of the 7.3's?

To be safe, lets say 17MPG is pretty good, 14-15 is a reported norm. The TS chip programs usually add some mileage and a lot of power you can feel.

No matter what you get, you'll be part of the big boy club. Remember Gasers are for Girls

I was getting 15 MPG city & 18 highway out of my 1999 F-250 7.3 super-cab long-bed:humm:

if u get a ford, skip the 6.0 completely, i wouldnt even look at one imo

6.0 junk al the way if it runs good you must spend 7500.00 to bulletproof it
6.4 better but still junky stay away
6.7 you get a warranty but a crew cab 250 is 55,000

If you buy a southern truck with high miles say a 250-350 4wd crew cab on the cheap you can get a new long block and injectors as well as a BTS tranny for 12,000 and have a new truck ...brakes and suspension are not hard so if the interior is still nice and paint is ok you have a kick butt truck with very few mods intake and a chip 1000.00 and your set to go

that is what I would do find one with a wasted motor and then rebuild it right!

Thanks. That's not a bad idea.

my buddy had a 99 7.3 and i had the pleasure of driving it one weekend. Honestly my 99 K2500 with a 5.7 gasser would out perform it. Granted his was stock with the exception of a straight exhaust, but still his truck wouldn't get out of it's own way. Pulling about 3000lbs he got a maximum of 12mpg. While his truck was super nice, had the SFA, a beautiful turbo whine, and is going to be super reliable... performance-wise i was very unimpressed.

Not trying to knock the trucks, because a Ford is definitely the most reliable in the market. I just was very unimpressed with it for being a diesel. the other thing is the 6.0 my other buddy had got its but spanked every time he lined up with someone, and he dropped SERIOUS amounts of money in it, even spraying NOS!

personaly i like cummins there strong an reliable but if u have money to rebuild trannys every yror 2 go for it lol

That's what I hear about the Cummins, but the trucks are ugly and the trannys are supposedly made of glass...

I diddnt have any problems with my 06 6.0. and as far as the 6.4 goes. the only thing I dont like is the fuel milage. Till I get a spartan or h&s tuner. just my 02 cents though

This "cab-off" thing to do engine work has me slightly worried as I'm positive I won't be buying a truck with more than 3 years warranty left on it. That sort of hassle can kill an option for me and push me to the uglier side of things (dodge)...

If your going for used. any of them are a good choice. Or you can mix and match. an older 7.3l with upgraded interior. provided your able to make the dash stuff work if you go to new. I like the 7.3l and the 6.0l. I am not a fan of the 6.4l only becuase of the DPF taking the fuel econmy away! if you live in a state that don't care for emissions. That sir! Is a runner! If you can hold off and save for the new 6.7l I have high hopse that will be a tunning Masterpiece! They just upped the horse power with a simple flashtune. That is Awsome! They still have room for more they say! MY 7.3l Is now getting 19mpg highway My truck is a simple king cab XLT early 1999 w/a ZF-6 M/T two wheel drive. I get laffed at, nobody belives me that I get that milage. this truck has seen 21 in rare occasions and I am building it to get consistent 24mpg! I get laffed at for that aswell! Good luck on your desision. Have fun in boot camp! you will never forget it! And thank you for your willingness to serve our Country!

Thanks. The mileage may end up being the biggest factor in my decision. Any horsepower that may comes along with that will be greatly appreciated. I've still got quite a bit of time on my hands to make my final cut, but this is what I'm leaning towards at the moment.

I use my trucks for heavy towing when it comes to reliability ford doesn't doesn't even compare to the dodge. We had a 97 powerstroke that got lemmoned (thank god) had a 99 that got 5 transmissions in 75,000 miles and the ball joints and stearing was absoulty shot. Our 05 6.0 well other then puking coolent,fuel pump, and the total lack of power and wanting to over heat when pulling it is a nice truck. the 05 just turned 52,000 miles my 06 dodge was traded at 100K and I already have 7,500 on my 2010 dodge when you tow and have a Ford and Dodge parked in the driveway you will learn in a hurry which one is the better!

On the older dodge transmissions spend $2K on a valve body Tq converter and a little other internal stuff. The transmission will be tuff enough to handel the cummins.

If you want fuel economy you don't want a ford the cummins will do 2 mpg better then a ford towing or driving empty.

I will say the 7.3 for the most part is a reliable motor but it is definetly not a power house and towing milage on our 99 was 3 mpg less then a 2000 dodge.

I'll play along. I'd be looking for something with at least a year of warranty on it still as I'll be rebuilding the wife's 71' maverick before any real fun stuff goes on with a new truck. Mostly just a tune and anything else small and cheap at first. Which dodges should i be looking at for comparison reasons? No monster cabs and must not have the extended beds. My brother has one of those, and I don't know why he bothers driving it.

My early 99 tows well and as far as hp/tq it is still bone stock. with an estimated 230hp Torque I have no clue. my rear gearing is 3.73. Mine pulls just fine not any major problems with it either. But then again I am meticulous with my maintenance! If your the same way your truck will out last the rest of them no matter what brand. Unless you truly get a lemon.

Never had a issue with 10k+ behind my 06 stock. Set the cruise in the interstate and blow along at 80. Stock tune truck has a little over 55k. The dodge has a great motor. Stock for stock they don't match the ford. Tuned... I still take my ford. I can tune just about evry part of the pcm/tcm etc with 1 tuner. Run high 13's and still pull 20k. The ride is nice. The interior dosent rattle or fall apart. It is a solid all around good truck. My 04 had 123k and had no squeaks or rattles, the interior looked nearly brand new except for the driver seat on the outer edge. I averages 14-15 in town on both trucks with finess I could get almost 19 out of the 04. I've gotten 17 out of the 06. Both truck cc swb 4x4 both 6.0 trucks. Plenty of power... Point and click. Btw if you ever get a crew cab you won't want a excab. My wife and I can pack for a week, throw in the laptop, coats blankets a cooler (90 can cooler) and not have to put a single thing in the bed of the truck. Might not sound like much till it rains. I will admit the 2010 redesigned ram is starting to actually look like something I would own but compared to the ford offerings... It would be a very hard decision.

dont let this guy fool ya. mine is a 7.3 with only a chip, and not a very good one as of now... and i got a buddy with a 6.6 dirtymax with more mods then just a chip and he wanted to race and it didnt turn out to well for him. i also have a to other buddys that have a 5.3 chevy and a 6.0 chevy and i raced both of them as well.. smoked em by well over three truck lengths on the highway. yea 7.3s dont get the best mileage thats true but as far as reliability and a all around truck its the way to go. we got 5 ford 7.3 trucks, a chevy, and a 6.7 cummins.. all are ranch trucks with a hard life.. and guess which two get worked almost monthly.. and guess which five havent been worked on (besides glow plugs,oil changes, and other maintaince) in the last three years :rocking:

There is another option for those who prefer Fords for the TRUCK and Chevys for Transmissions and Dodge for the Cummins.. There is a kit that can run about $12k if you have the Ford F250/350. You can but a Cummins with and Allision Trans and install in your Ford. Id have someone who knows what theya re doing install it unless your good with wrenchs and have the time and fabrication skills for motor mounts.

I tell ya when my 07 F350 Ps 6.0 hits 200k miles Im going Ford Fummins. Destroked!

That would be pretty nice. I'll have to remember that option going forward. I'm still months away from actually purchasing but an informed decision is the only one I'm willing to make.

another thing i ford to add in reguards to the mpg, the dodge i was talking about earlier is an 07 and never gets above 11 and its really really rare for it to even get 12. the chevy is also an 07 and it averages right at 15.5. the fords, two of them average right at 17 and the others are right at 12-13... thought i would add this because i am around all three brands every day..

Thanks again to everyone. It's pretty impressive that I can get all of this information and not even have a diesel yet.

Fuel economy is one, if not the biggest of my concerns. So real world numbers will be needed as much as possible in the weeks leading up to my test drives. If I can get a setup to keep me close to 20mpg I'll do whatever it takes to get it. If that setup produces a little more power, I'll be over-joyed.

I'd really like to stick with the ford, but that whole thing with the cab having to come off throws up red flags. What kind of maintenance would I run into with that cab being an issue?

I think 01 and 02 7.3l have a special coating on cylinders that drags down power so if your going for a powestroke 99 and 2000 are best.

:ouch: What a joke.. :humm: do you know what you are talking about???
I dont think so..

to all the cummins guys do you all get 23-24 miles per gallen all the time on the hwy??
and 16-17 towing 17,000-25,000????

In 2002 they put a coating on the pistons. Its no joke...

You could avoid these problems by picking up a Duramax with an Allison, no engine or trans troubles unless you tune it to high hell and beat on on. Front end on the GM's are notoriously weak, nothing that cant be fixed with some elbow grease and a $1000......I think im about to anger the Ford guys

08 GMC LMM, DPF Delete, Cat Delete, EGR Blocked, PCV Reroute, PPE Stage V trans, Edge...etc

I really like my 2010

I have friends with the Dmax.. From what they tell me and from what i see.. I would Never buy a chevy with a Dmax in it.. When comes down to it they are not much more reliable then the 6.0L Powerstroke.. In fact a lot of 6.0L have less trouble then the 6.6L Dmax..
They seem to have lots of injector problems and wireing problems..Just to name a couple..

Must have friends with bad luck, I've beat my lmm(2007.5-2010) on desert trails, the highway and through the mountains over the last 87,000 miles. Never heard of injectors going on the lmm's, unless you start running used motor oil as a mix with your fuel (yes we all know that genius....) Biggest problem I've had with mine is the fuel gauge reading lower than it was. New set of tie rods and the Dmax is good to go.

Bad luck?? :argh: I dont think so!! I know 4 Guys that have had injector problems with the Dmax any where from 2001 years to 2006 or 2007 years. they all have had to have the injectors replaced in and out of warrenty.. one Guy is on his 3 set of injectors with only 120,000 miles on it it!!! To me that is not just a out of the norm.

Ya, I'm going to call bs on that one too.. My boss went through a couple motors and tranny's before he finally got a solid set up.

Saying Dmax is the answer to all the problems is crap... Every truck has its issues that need attention...

Incorrect. The pistons in a 96 7.3 are the very same pistons in a 2003 7.3... no differance what so ever.

Now they did change to Powdered Metal Rods in 2001, which are "slightly" weaker then the earlier Forged rods, but unless your looking to go over 400hp its not an issue.