Ford Super Duty - Continued

time4family

I just got back from a three day trip with my 2000 cc 4x4 F250 Lariat. I LOVED IT.
When I picked it up the dealer explained that he is still within his allotment. In fact he ordered a cc V10 the same day he ordered mine 7/27/99 (for the lot) and it arrived the same day mine did. He said some dealers are ordering over their allotments and those trucks are being built after the trucks for dealer within their allotments.He also said Ford is almost giving away Escorts to try and offset the mpg average rule.

rflint

I ordered my truck 2wks ago 250 s/d 5.4 lt eng 3:73 gears..How do i know if i got the 2"blocks or 4"inch block in my truck.Its a supercab shortbed lariet.I want my truck to be as high as it can be..thanks

rock22

I would like to know what folks are paying above invoice on factory orders for the F250 CC's and also how long you are waiting for delivery. Also, can someone tell me how thwe trade-in process works for factory orders? Do they give you a price on your trade and have you bring it in when you pick up the truck? Thanks!

crazyelvis

I ordered a 2000 F250 SD Short Bed Crew Cab V10 3.73ls Lariat on Aug 16. My truck is locked in for production week of Sept. 20. Delivery week of Oct. 4. I payed 26,420 for the truck, plus tax 750, and destination 640. I printed out the price page from edmunds and took that with me to the dealer. I waited for him to come back with a price, which he did at 31,000. Then I used all info from the edmunds page and settled on the above price. I also traded in my 97 F150 extended cab. They gave me a trade in figure and I am currently driving the truck. I give it to them when my truck comes in. My wait time will be approx. 8 weeks from order to delivery (knocking on wood!). I have seen many people in here wait a lot longer. It depends on the allotment numbers you dealer has for trucks, cars, vans...etc. I ordered from Gator Ford in Tampa, Fl. All they do is sell Ford Trucks, so their allotment for getting trucks is high. What part of the country are you in?

Brutus

Generally, if you get a price you are happy with on your trade-in, you probably didn't get the best deal that you could have on the new truck. The dealers have a net figure in mind. If you buy the new truck for close to dealer invoice, you probably won't be happy with what you are offered on the trade-in. If you get a price for the trade-in that you are happy with, you probably paid somewhere between $1,000 and MSRP for the truck.

Basically, dealers are just playing with the numbers. The way to get the best deal on a new truck is not to have a trade-in. That way, all you are negotiating is the price of the new vehicle. It's more difficult for dealers to get cute with the numbers that way, although they can still play some games with the financing and accessories.

kermode

Ordered my Super Duty f-250 sc psd swb 4x4 6 speed
3.73 rear end, 9/10/99. Already have a build date of 10/18/99. I ordered the truck from Anderson Ford-Mercury at Clinton Illinois. Gave $100 over dealer invoice for the truck. My sales person, Sharon Law has been extremely helpful.

kubes

I can not believe how some people are getting SD trucks for such low prices - down the street from me a Ford dealer (CA) marks his truck up by 3 to 4K above MSRP. I was lucky to find a dealer who would give me $1500 over invoice. The only reason he did that was because I was an internet hit and he is looking to tap this market.

My F250 SD CC SWB 4X4 V10 3:73 LS Larriat is going to be built this week. I can't wait for it. I ordered my truck in May priority 02.

I just picked up a new 2000 SD catalog and noticed the door trim wood accents. Does anybody have the new Lariat? And do the accents look cheap or are they for real.

Anybody with the new V10 - how do you like it and what kind of MPG are you getting(please list rear end data).

sieden

I have a 2000 V10 with 3.73 for the first 1000 miles I have been getting 12-13 mpg. It has been mostly around town with a little highway. The first 300 miles so were comparatively sluggish and the first tank I only got 10 mpg. My V10 out accelerates and rides as good as my 99 1/2 ton V8 Dodge I drive at work. Also I sit higher than any other stock truck on the road.

GES

cowboyjpm

Just picked up my 2000 F350 Regular Cab 4x4 V10 4.30 LS rearend manual transmission on Saturday. Filled up for the first time since off the lot today @317 miles with 25.262 gallons. -- 12.548 mpg for first tank. 90% of this was flat out interstate driving.

Brutus

If those numbers hold up, it sounds like the 2000 gets better mpg than the 99. I have a F-350 4x4 dually V-10 with the 4.30s and auto trans. The best mpg I ever got was 12.7 on flat interstate in Texas driving at 55mph. At 65-70, I get 11.5-12. I get around 10 in a mix of city/hwy and 9.5ish in all city driving. I guess some of the extra .5-1mpg could be related to the dually option.

There was one time that I got some fantastic gas mileage. I fueled at the top of about a 6%-7% grade and then descended a couple of miles. At the bottom of the grade, my trip computer read 23.6mpg.

If anyone with a Lariat ever gets a little depressed with their mpg, you can always flip your trip computer to kilometers for awhile.

crazyelvis

Just got my approval letter from the NHTSA for the passanger side airbag on/off switch. I sent the request out about 3 weeks ago. Not bad for a govt. agency!! ha ha.... My 2000 F250 SD CC V10 3.73ls Lariat is being built this week....YEEEEE HAWWWWW! Can't wait to get it. And Brutus, good idea about setting the trip computer to kilometers! I'm sure it would make you feel a little better. Check ya'll later. Gotta go outside and tie everything down since Tropical Storm Harvey is coming our way tonight.

canoes

I will be pulling a livestock trailer for small animals ( no horses/beef cattle) in the mountains. Which rear end would be best? I am planning on a F250 SC V10 4x4 manual. I just need to add the trailer towing package, right?? or is there more I should consider?Thanks

mikey43

I have a 99 F250 CC 4x4 V10 XLT with the 3.73 LSD. I have added a cab high cap. On a trip from Escondido, CA to Las Vegas I got 14.2 mpg with the cruise control set at 75 most of the way. Of course this is difficult to do because at that speed you are about the slowest driver on the road on I15 between Victorville and Stateline (now Primm). From Vegas to Fallbrook, CA pulling a 16 foot Uhaul filled to the roof I got about 10 mpg. "Normal" highway driving around San Diego county (65 - 80 with periods of slow and go) about 12 mpg. In this kind of traffic, you have to be very careful not to run over Toyotas, Saturns, etc. :-)
Go 'Bolts

mikey43

Has anybody noticed how much fuel is left in their tanks when the low fuel warning comes on? Being the slightly paranoid type, I usually get gas as soon as I can when the idiot light comes on, because the gage is also down almost to the bottom line. I usually only get about 23 - 24 gallons in at this point. So, in a 29 gallon tank, I should still have 20 - 25% of my tank left. This reduces the effective cruising range by quite a bit.

Brutus

I have the Lariat, so I have the ability to see how many miles it says I have until empty. If I divide that figure by the average mpg the trip computer says I have been getting on the current tank, I should be able to calculate how many gallons are in the tank. I'm on about 1/4 tank now, so I'll let it run down until the light comes on. I'm guessing it comes on when you have about five gallons until empty.

RichinKs

In many states including mine, sales tax is paid on the money you pay. So if your tradin is worth say 20K thats $1180 saved in taxes. You need to sell your tradin on your own for that much over wholesale just to break even. I took an average tradin value for my old truck and invoice for the new truck. First dealer I went to was $3000+ over this amount. Went to a second dealer letting him know up front I had these figures and his first offer was $300 over or $2700+ better for the same deal! We have to stay on our toes. ...... Rich

crazyelvis

GREAT point richinks. I know what you are talking about but never thought to translate it so easily.

Hey Mikey43.....I used to be stationed at the sub base on Point Loma. I was out there in 88. I remember when they pulled the Exxon Valdez into San Diego for repair work after the big spill in Alaska....what a HUGE ship that was. I loved it out there but.....wow....expensive to live. Used to spend a lot of time on Pacific Beach...always getting parking tickets!!!!!

GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey....how bout that Leaf guy....and we think Dilfer is bad!! ha ha...just kidding

time4family

The wood grain looks good on the doors. I'm still not sure I like the new style of wheels over the 99's. My first tank of Diesel got me 14.5 on the computer and 14.51mpg by calculator. Not bad in my book
I too printed edmunds info and went to war. I got a bid of 100 over invoice at the first dealer I went to. Then each dealer after that said decide who you want to buy it from. They all matched it.
I ended up going with a dealer in Lynden Washington because their sales tax was .8% lower than the other dealers (Seattle area) ((7.8% vs. 8.6%)) I payed cash for my truck with no trade so it was relativly easy. They didn't even try the trick of adding this or that. They lost their leverage of it will only add pennies per month to your payment.
My only complaint so far is the AM-FM Cassette has poor radio reception (scratchy)
I have a 2000 PSD 4X4 cc Lariat SB
T4F

yobo50

I finally received my build date after waiting for 4 weeks.I ordered on 8-24-99 and have a build date of 10-11-99.Eta to the dealer is 11-1-99.I hope maybe I can get lucky and get it sooner,but I will be glad to just get it then.I ordered a F250 cc 4x4 V-10 sb.Hope this helps anybody else waiting for build dates.

kermode

The build date on my F250 psd 4x4 swb has been put forward from 10/18 to 10/11. Also my sales person mentioned delays with the V10 option. She had two trucks delayed by two weeks. It appears that the Excursion SUV's are taking a lot of the V10's available.

tswink

I am considering ordering a F250 SD CC 4X4 V-10. I have talked to three dealerships so far, and the best numbers I have heard of are $1000 over invoice. This seems too high to me. Has anyone in Texas beat $1K over. Thanks,

Brutus

tswink,

I ran into the same situation in Texas last year when I bought my truck. I ended up buying it for $99 below dealer invoice from Isbell Ford in Hennesey Oklahoma (www.isbellford.com). The guy I dealt with was named Lonny. A one-way ticket from DFW to Enid OK cost me $89. They picked me up at the airport. I believe they will pick you up from OK City also, although Enid is closer to them and the ticket cost was the same for me. I drove it home (what better way to get to know your new vehicle than to spend a few hours on the interstate with it?) My flight out of Dallas was around 8am and I was back home by 5pm.

Some things to keep in mind if you take this route. Isbell was getting alot of takers on their offer last year. The wait for a truck was 12-16 weeks. They may have a larger allotment now based on last years sales, but you should ask them about the expected wait. If the wait is still long, you'll have to determine if saving $1,000 is worth waiting an extra 4-8 weeks for the truck. I know someone who ordered a truck in Dallas around the same time I ordered mine. I think he paid $1200-1500 over invoice, but he got his truck in less than six weeks.

If you buy in Oklahoma, there is no sales tax at the time of purchase. Isbell prepares something that you take to your DMV in Texas. You will pay the sales tax for your hometown when you register it in Texas. Normally, your credit union or bank will handle this for you, so you can still wrap the taxes up in the financing. Isbell charges a $40 documentation fee related to processing the required forms so you don't pay OK sales tax.

For me personally, the wait was worth $1,000. If I could have gotten a dealer in Texas down to about $500 over invoice, I would have bought it locally. From what I've heard, Dallas and Southern CA are two of the toughest places to get dealers to move much below 3%-4% above dealer invoice.

tswink

Brutus,

Thank You for the valuable information.

dave84

I believe Isbell Ford is out of business now. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Dave

gossamar

This is for some of those people in Ill. ordering the 2000 SD-250 supercab with a V-10. Placed my order at end of august, got a delivery date today of 0ct.25. This was after speaking to a dealer rep last week stating there was a hold on V-10's and the orders were starting to go into november. My dealer also stated that they have been getting most of thier truck shipments about a week ahead of the original delivery date. Go figure. I was able to get mine for $500.00 over invoice at Mangold Ford in Eureka, ILL. They even let me take a new 2000 V-10 4x4 home for the weekend to drive. After driving a 99, the increased HP does make a difference for the new models. I orderd the new Island blue color, but have yet to see it. Does anyone have any comments on the color?? I also questioned the ABS option, because at the time of order it showed up as an extra $300 some dollar option. Salesman said that FORD changed it shortly after production of the 2000. Also for those of you interested, BORLA exhaust has a system for the V-10 and claim 4-6% increase in horsepower. Retails for $499.00 out of Truck Performance. more updates later..

kubes

Ya Baby - I called the VOPC this morning and the message said your unit (F250 Lariat SD SWB CC 4X4 V10 3:73LS) was produced with an ETA of Oct 4th - thats a week ahead of the last date I received.

I also just ordered a new Snug Top Expo shell with a Bed Rug bed liner. Does anybody have one of these Bed Rug bed liners and do they really work like they say they do. I figure this truck with a shell will be a inexpensive Excursion.

Finally the wait is over - I ordered this truck in May with a priority 2. I think they are building a large batch of V10's and a lot of you waiting should check the VOPC message.

Brutus

dave84,

I hadn't heard anything about them going out of business, but you may be right. The web site is still up and running, but it looks the same it did last year. I tried to call the toll free number and got a busy signal. The fax number is disconnected. I took delivery of my truck last October. When I was there, they had a fully functioning service department and vechicles on the lot. Just out of curiosity, do you know what the story is about them going out of business as it appears they have?

sledgehammer

I know the V-10 in the '99 SD F250 was rated @ 275hp. The V-10 in the 2000 Excursion is rated @ 300-325hp depending on who you listen to. Are they using the same H.P. rated engine in the 2000 SD F250 as they are in the Excursion? Or is it still rated @ 275hp? Would think it should be the higher rated (Excursion) engine to be competitive with Dodge (V-10).
Any Thoughts?

jtanner1

Ford upped the horsepower of the V-10 to 300 hp
for 2000 model year. And the all 5.4L went to 260hp (Not just the ones in Expeditions).

crazyelvis

I have a 2000 F250-350 brouchure in front of me right now. It says in there that the V10 HP is 310 and an increase in foot torque to 425 pds. Supposed to get same or better MPG also.

mikey43

I ordered an F250 Lariat V10 CC 4x4 SWB, etc., etc. from Isbell Ford around 11/1/98. After 5 months waiting and no VIN, build date or anything (just a lot of assurances that everybody was waiting a long time), I got a letter from them telling me that they were going out of business and cancelling all orders. I don't remember exactly what the letter said, but I got the impression that with their low margin they needed to do a lot of volume and they couldn't get enough vehicles from Ford. Who knows. They also send me a check for my $500 deposit, thank God, which you can bet I didn't hold on to for more than about 5 minutes before cashing.

Needless to say, after five months of waiting I felt somewhat betrayed by Ford, by Isbell, by the system or whatever. I called several other dealers to see if they could pick up my order and none of them had ever heard of doing anything like that. I also called Ford customer service and of course all that they could tell me to do is to contact my dealer (which didn't exist any more, but that's their answer to everything).

I was about to give up on buying any truck at all, because I wasn't going to get back in at the end of the line after 5 months of waiting. One of the reasons I ordered the truck when I did was that I knew I would be moving from Las Vegas to the San Diego area in May or June and it would be pretty stupid to pay movers for the entire move and then buy a truck. One of the dealers in Vegas said that he didn't have nay crew cabs on the lot but that he had one in transit that wasn't spoken for yet. It was pretty close to what I had ordered (XLT instead of Lariat, Wedgewod blue instead of Hunter Green, no leather, no trip computer, etc.), but all in all a very nice truck. I ended up buying it for about $1000 over invoice, I think, and picked it up 2 days later. Not the deal that I had hoped for, but I was kind of over a barrel and by then it was that truck or none at all.

So, that's my story. I'm glad I bought the truck that I did because I love driving it. Isbell is out of business. The system that took my order away after 5 months stinks. And somebody out there is driving my Hunter Green Lariat Crew Cab!!!

hkeith

What does the sd250 manual say about break-in miles. The last new car I bought recommended to not drive at a steady mph for extended time until you had over 500 miles on odometer. I had planned to take a camping trip down the interstate soon after I get my new truck. If the sd is the same I will need to drive around town for about 20 hrs to break it in.

Crazyelvis, I believe the sd250 I have on order is very similar to yours. It is a sd250 Lariat 2x4 cc sb v-10 auto power tow mirrors 275owl tires cd tow package 2 tone paint-dk toreador red with black bottom 3.73ls. I noticed your build date was moved back a week. i was hoping mine would be set back a week also, but it is still set for next week-sept 27. It was ordered the first week of July.

gtvrdik

Has anyone gotten or tried to get the grey leather out of the Excursion in a S.D. 350 cc. The type of work that I do would ruin the tan. I called a few dealers to see if its possible, no dice. They suggest XLT w/ convsion pkg, but I figure if I'm paying $33000 they(ford) should be able to work with me on it.

crazyelvis

Yes, my built date was pushed forward a week. Supposed to be built this week sometime. I have called the VOPC about 20 times this week (they are probably monitoring my call frequency and pushing my built date back a year or two). I still don't have a message on the VOPC saying "it is built" or anything. Does it ever tell you anything like that once it is built???
Yes hkeith....I ordered a 250 SD CC Lariat V10 3.73ls SB.....I don't have the telescopic mirrors....my jet ski and bass boat don't stick out that far...ha ha....I am getting the standard tires with premium wheels...I am taking the tires in and trading them even for some white letter tires from a place close to me....saved $390 there.....I do have the tow package and receiver do-hickey....plus the CD radio. It is harvent gold in color. Can't wait to get it!!!!!

gossamar

A big thank you to dave for providing the VOPC data in #588, mine should be built week of oct.11 with a delivery date of oct.25. KERMODE, do you have a delivery date???

kubes

The VOPC will say your unit was produced and then give you an ETA - Yesterday that is the message I got and I'm so excited I can't help myself. I have been waiting 5 moths for this truck and its due to arrive in one week. The truck is a
F250 CC SB 4X4 V10 Lariat 3:373 LS White.

I already ordered a SnugTOP Expo shell and BedRug.

In fact My brother-in-law told me that the VOPC will tell you when it is at the rail station and on its way. I sure I will call at least 10 times a day until it gets here.

Good luck with yours.

crazyelvis

Just got off the VOPC..."your truck was released from the plant"....Elvis has left the building!! was the message. Yaaaaaaa Hoooooo!!
Does anyone in here have any experience with the electric bed cover from specialty covers or any like it. It is like a tounau cover but is hard plastic or something and electronically rolls up in a box in the front of the truck bed. I priced one out today and it was like 1200.00. Sounds like a lot to me. I want a good tounau cover but had a regular vinyl one on a ranger I had back in 92 and I did'nt like it. If you left it off any period of time it would shrink and getting it to go back on was a pain. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks from Crazyelvis.

yobo50

I called the VOPC to do my daily check in and heard my order was being delayed a week to 10-18-99 for a build date.I asked what was the reason and was told that the V10 engine is a high commodity.I am sure Ford is sending all they can to the Excursion line.These delays are starting to get old real quick.

kermode

Gossamer
Just rechecked vopc. My truck, F-250 psd swb 4X4 6sp, will be built the week of 9/27 with a delivery date of 10/11. Drove a 4X2 version at a dealer the other day and cannot wait for mine to arrive.

crazyelvis

The company is specialtycovers.com

The dealer here quoted me 1200 for the installation. I could give a hoot that it is an electric system. I would prefer a manual one. I am between getting a system like that or a color matched cap thing. The kind that is flat not a topper. I guess it lifts up from the tail gate like a clam. Don't know if you know what I mean or not. Thanks for your info though. I will call the company.

Yobo 50....when did your order go in???

time4family

rhino.....linex......speedliner....any ideas where the best one is ????

bess

I'm looking at buying a F250 SD SC 4x2 V10 3.73 LS and am debating on 5sp manual vs auto trans..

Personally I don't mind the shifting involved with the manual trans, (my current ranger is a 5sp stick), and I believe that most manuals are more efficient that most auto transmissions.

But I've noticed that the final OD gear ratio on the auto is .71 and on the manual its .76, which is only about 100 rpms different at 65mph.

But to me this seems like performance wise it would make the manual trans about the same as the auto.

ok.. I'm thinking about this wwaaaayyy too much..

Currenty I'm leaning towards the auto trans.. Any reasons I should change my mind?

crazyelvis

NO!!

gossamar

Some of the research I have done with the spray in liners tends to sway me to RHINO. My local Zeibart dealer is the RHINO distributer in my area(central Ill), and we had a good hour talk the other day. They have sprayed one of thier own trucks as a demo model for others to see. Plus the fact you get a lifetime warranty in case you somehow tear, puncture, put-a-hole-in-it..they fix it free. They also have a color match system(for a few extra $$$) to match any paint that might be on the vehicle. Cost is around $400-$450, but while my truck is there, it is getting windows tinted, hood deflector, window visors and possible undercoating. Any yeahs or nays on undercoating? Since I am having all this work done, they are giving me a "package-price".
Crazyelvis, I do know the "clam-caps" you are talking about...have been quoted about $675.00 installed. Again, they are able to match colors for the vehicle, so they do look really cool. I suppose the only downside would be if you wanted to haul mulch, gravel, a fridge, you would have to take the cap off. Two man job. My friend has one on his ranger and loves it!
For BESS on the transmission thing...it just boils down to personal preference. Besides, who drives 65 anymore anyway?? Generally, ILL. STATE POLICE wont even look at you unless you are going close to 80-mph. I thought I might have heard some trouble with some of the early manual transmissions, especially if towing a-lot. Anybody else hear about this?? My truck will be automatic, so I can sit in my captains chair looking down on the world as I shovel another BIG-MAC into my mouth.

robertth

I am looking for a cap for a 2000 f350 long bed and the salesman said that the bed depth looks like it has changed. He thought the 1999 bed depth was 21 inches. The F350 bed is 19 inches deep. Did Ford really lower the sides of the bed?

Any tips on the best cap that is available for a 2000 F350 long bed?

crazyelvis

where are you from in IL.?? I was born and raised in Danville, IL.

kermode

Any comments on the best looking running boards for the super duty truck. Also are their any special requirements for breaking in the power stroke diesel engine.I am also considering a spray bed liner, any thoughts? Gossamer you said your local Ziebart store was in central Ill, what is the location. Thanks.

dividejb

I am a long standing Dodge truck man and I am disappointed that Dodge did not build a crew cab in their ram series. Therefore, I am looking into switching to the Ford Super Duty line in a 3/4ton to replace my RAM 2500 club cab LWB. That truck had a 5.9l engine, which is fine for just traveling and what I consider light hauling, but it dogs out when towing my 26 ft. 5th wheel in the mountains and the passes I travel over.

I'm thinking after reading many of the posted comments that the Y2K trucks are better for gas and horse power.

Does anyone have any biases on the Ford V-10 vs their diesel engines?

Besides towing the 5th wheel, we also do horses and hay hauling.

The Ford Super Duty series looks like it would meet our family needs with having two in car seats and another two kids in regular belts.

I'm also thinking that we would prefer this truck in the SWB version. Has anyone had experience with this in towing a 5th wheel or goose neck trailer?

bess

I would be confident that both the v10 and the powerstroke diesel would be a step up from the engine your currently using..

You mention towing, mountain passes, 5th wheel in the same sentence. I would think the diesel is the way to go for you.. Cost of ownership of the diesel vs. v10 is about the same in the long run, but the diesel by far the best option if your towing alot..
I'm going with the v10 as my towing needs are not really that aggressive, and the wife simply can not take the smell of diesels..

V10 pros/diesel cons: Easier to find gas stations, no $50 oil changes, (diesel takes a case of oil, shell rotella t, and a $10 filter every 3k miles), V10 is quieter, V10 initially costs 3000 less.

Diesel pros/V10 cons: torque, better gas mileage both empty and towing. Common conserative numbers I've seen on mileage: Diesel 17mpg/11mpg (empty/tow), vs V10's 14/7, Diesel engine should last longer, torque.

dividejb

I had heard that Ford had some problems with their turbo diesel in the 99 model year. Has anyone else heard this?

Thanks Bess, I am struggling with the gas vs diesel dilema. Our wives must be out of a similar mold. She does not prefer the smell of the diesel fumes either.

I had Dodge trucks since I was driving. Unfortunately, I don't have much experience with other makes and models. I have a tendency to hang on to them. In fact I stall have a 75 Ramcharger and a 77 1/2 ton pickup (alias, Warlock). Now I have a 95 2500 that I ordered in from the factory. I picked it with 15 miles on it, now it has 116K and I've only had to replace the fuel pump at 111K.

How is Ford's reliability? Our first Ford was my wife's 98 Expidition, other than the usual recall on the lug nuts and the rear window wiper, it's been a great vehicle to own. So far I've been impressed with the overall quality and performance.

I'm not worried about mileage, like some of the other mail I've read. When you have and operate a heavy truck, mileage goes out the window. I've ranged anywhere from 16 - 8 miles/gal., highway vs towing.

Still I'm thinking of the diesel, just need some reassurance of its reliability.