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Ford Super Duty
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Comments
Dodge Ford
Road to bed floor at tailgate: 37.5 38.0
Bed floor to top of bed rail: 19.0 19.5
Bed rail to top of cab: 21.0 26.0
These measurements are what I would call pretty damn close, with the exception of the bedrail to cab measurement. I really don't see why all the Ford guys are complaining about lowering blocks, etc, when the Dodge folk aren't. What do those Dodge guys know that we don't?
Thanks in advance
BR1
I agree with the comments on fuel. My cousins V10 van, even when hauling motorcycle, tools etc, didn't exhibit any differences. Alos, I never saw increased power or mileage with higher octanes. I believe all have the same "detergents" now?
CB antenna - as you can guess, I have a WILSON 2000 magnetic for sale because it won't fit between my garage door and truck roof. However, I loved this on my F150 and my father has always used a K40 with excellent results. He has a quality CB and I have a Radioshack special tat works fine.
Good luck! JB
You are wrong on the octane numbers. Pinging is caused from ignition starting from two different points in the cylinder. The spark plug and usually from a hot spot or in the old days from the high compression. When these two flame fronts collide, you have your pinging. The higher octane fuel is a FASTER burning fuel that allows the spark ignited flame front to complete before a second can start.
I have heard for years that the Dodge people have had the same height problems with trailers as the SD's are having now.
pinging - caused by an uneven flamefront that propagates away from the spark plug towards the sides of the cylinder. Using excessively low octane fuel can result in compressive heating in front of the flame front with secondary flame fronts forming and causing the 'ping' noise. 'Low' octane fuel is more likely to burn unevenly when cylinder temperatures and compression is high and has something to do with more reactive sites on their chains of hydrocarbons.
Detonation is ignition from a hot spot within the cylinder head or piston before the spark plug fires and is very hard on the motor....
Guess these two definitions overlap as I read them.
I am not sure that burning rate is correlated with octane numbers. I have personal experience with reduced power using 100 octane LL aviation gas in 2-stroke motorcycles. Av fuel burns very slowly as it is designed for 2000 rpm air cooled aircraft engines.
I believe that you should run the minimum octane fuel that your engine will tolerate without ping. That fuel will produce the most power, best fuel economy, plus it's less expensive to boot.
Heck, I live at 7,000 ft and it's hard to get anything to ping up here no matter what the the octane rating. But when I tow in the low desert, I am very careful to run the minimum octane that the engineers at the factory recommend, or go higher if I detect a ping.
A great source of information is the gasoline FAQ.
A couple of excerpts:
the octane rating of the fuel reflects the
ability of the unburnt end gases to resist
spontaneous autoignition under the engine
test conditions used
Flame speed does not correlate with octane
Doh!
The antiknock ability is related to the "autoignition temperature" of the
hydrocarbons. Antiknock ability is not substantially related to:
1. The energy content of fuel, this should be obvious, as oxygenates have lower energy contents, but high octanes.
2. The flame speed of the conventionally ignited mixture, this should be evident from the similarities of the two reference hydrocarbons.
Although flame speed does play a minor part, there are many other factors that are far more important. ( such as compression ratio, stoichiometry, combustion chamber shape, chemical structure of the fuel, presence of antiknock additives, number and position of spark plugs, turbulence etc.)
Flame speed does not correlate with octane.
87 or 89? I live in New Hampshire and hate to hear any engine knock! I have been using mobil 89 octane gasoline.
moe7
By the way, just spoke to rep. at Pullrite...strongly suggest going with SuperGlide(400 # unit@ $2200...best price I found)avoids the worry when turning---automatically moves unit back 18 inches, not just 9 in., and no need to get out and move levers!
Singer
Note - someone put in numbers that add to 7' so something doesn't add up. I know this doesn't help with fifth wheel heights but I was concerned for garage entry (I have a std. 7' garage but door hangs approx 1 1/2").
By the way, how do you handle the "wait". I have a long way to go and am chomping at the bit already (just got VIN).
The official height of my truck was 6'9". If its not exactly that (measured at the back of the cab) its really close.
Thanks for the info.
I am the Ram 3500 owner who measured his truck for stanford. My Ram stands exactly what the book says it does - 77.5". Assume that as your suspension settles, you may lose as much as an inch of height.
ANDE157: I ordered my F250 CC PSD last Friday. One guy looking while I did ordered two days earlier and has his VIN / date now, hopefully I'll get mine build date soon. Dealer said last 2 PSD (reg and crew cab) came in 7 and 8 weeks. The Supercabs he said are longer because demand is higher than the CC. Makes sense I guess? I prepped for at least 8 weeks. I'll be getting pretty antsy after that (ok, ok I'm already antsy but not tooooo awful bad yet).
If I cared about resale (I don't - I drive till dead) I'd have to start wondering about the differences between two '99s that were built over a year apart.
Last summer when we were doing a custom garage door that took so long to arrive, we were joking that they were waiting for my truck to deliver it in. That door's been installed, and repaired once since then.
I have a picture of a SD over my desk at work. Everybody walks in each morning and says "nice truck" when they see the old one in the parking lot :-)
Maybe I'll have it in time for my 2001 trip to Alaska? By then I will order the parts from the parts counter and built it myself.
Thanks
With re: to the "kits" from Ky. Plt...latest official word as of 2:30p.m., 3/11/99...Ky. Plt. has NOT issued a TSB authorizing ANY Service Dept. of any Dlrship to lower a 4x4 by taking out the 4" block...because of reported "field" problems that Ford encountered. However, as of today, they were still not able to give a firm date on when the "authorized" kit will be available to drop the F250 by 2". Beyond that, once the "kit" is available, the source stated that much of their "kit" inventory will be allocated to 'production'. Currently, dealerships can't "order" for you, or me, or anyone else, a 2" kit simply because Ford's depot does not have the appropriate parts that make up that kit....if a dlrshp puts it on order, it goes into a backorder status, consequently inflating the need to order additional inventory!! Bottom line...customers like you and I might wait several months to acquire the now infamous "kit."
For the RV'ers, that's translates into camping season!! Can't wait that long!! Looking for a new F250, 4x4, built after 2/15/99...they supposedly have the 2" spacer on them, right off the line.
If I hear any more, I'll post!!
Singer4
My 22 ft Alpenlite fifth wheel is about 57 inches high at the part of the trailer that goes over the bed. The axles have already been mounted under the springs for maximum height. I have tried two different 99 4x2 SD and neither had enough clearance. They both measured about 54 inches ground to top of bed.
I have measured a couple of other older small fifth wheels and their height runs about the same as mine.
If you plan on towing a fifth wheel with a 99 SD 4x2 you sure need to check the height before you pay your money.
I presently tow with a 95 Dodge Ram 1500 4x2 and it measures 50 inches ground to top of bed.
Has anyone else run into this?
that's all he could offer. His probabilities were that subcontractor parts weren't getting to the plant for Lariet assembly. Understandably, Ford won't put a vehicle on the assembly line unless all the parts are there, even if it's the Lariet name someone sticks on the outside somewhere. So, add all this up - who knows how many Lariet F250 SDs are waiting for assembly and where do we fit in that mix. By the way, this info was not offered by the dealer, after all they never lie, they just don't tell the complete truth. Gwen said they can't build the Super Dutys fast enough, the demand is huge. My comment then was that when they get to mine, I want it built real slow. With all this in mind, why do I see so many SDs in Ford dealerships? - probably waiting to be sold for over-sticker. Shouldn't a customer order get to the line before the back lot is filled?
Two different dealers tried to push us into a truck on their lot that wasn't the same. Also, have you guys noticed that TV ads for the SuperDuty are non-existent, and there's no dealer incentives at all, but yet we pay something like 3% to cover marketing and advertising - called a "hold back".
Also, thanks for the good inputs on the lowering of the bed to accomodate 5th wheels. I plan to ask my dealer to order the 4inch kit in advance - wow what a concept - if I really don't need it, then they'd have one in stock. Wouldn't it be nice to have a business where customers pay $38K for something, sign a deal, and then somehow agree to wait 8 to 16 weeks for delivery and half-truths? Do the Ford people read these messages?
PS: gobrownfish man- Haven't heard from you in awhile, drop a line, how is the truck?
Again congrats on the good news of the SD. When
you actually get the truck we expect a detailed
description and account of the new baby ( isn't
that what you call it after a 9 month wait), any-
ways we will be waiting on your report.
By the way I received in the mail today a gift from Ford (or my dealaership) which contained a
bottle of touch up paint and other useful info.
Not a real big deal but a nice thought, sometimes
it makes you feel good for someone to just say
"thanks for your business".
Another thing, I was talking to my dealership last
week and was told if you order cab lights on the
Super Duty then it was considered a commercial
order and got priority over other orders. Didn't
sound right with all the info we know about priority numbers and all but a interesting thought.
To all the "old-timers" of the board, The Brown
Fish Man" is still reading the board, just don't
have a lot to say, I guess I'm what the neighbors
would call a peeping tom or the geeks call a "lurker". Good luck to all especially MJE.....
I love the power and ride of my V-10 SD Lariat.
The Brown Fish Man
I just ordered a F-250 4x4 cb xlt (black over Tan)
I hate that ford is dropping the truck 2".
Is there a way to get the 4" block out here in the real world or do I need to put a lift kit to regain the 2". To me this is a big lost and the tires I was going to put on new wheels will not fit with is drop. Help if you can.
I had my truck lifted 5" in front and 2" in the rear and added 36" tall tires. It sits tall and level. Not to toot my own horn, but I go to a lot of automotive gatherings (races, shows, swap meets, etc) and I have had several strangers tell me that it is the best looking Super D they have ever seen, and people say "nice truck" literally almost every day. (Usually as I fill it up with gas at the gas station every day)
keh4x4 .... Sounds like an awesome truck. If it wasn't for towing our travel trailer, I would problably be heading for the sky myself. Our 4x4 club here in Ohio, D.I.R.T.(Dayton's Illegally Raised Trucks), has had it's share of magazine covers and I think an SD would look great rolling on 36's with crab steering.
I should just wait unit the 2000 models come out
because this is a small dealer and the best
pri-code is a 50, not good. Does anyone know whats
in store for the new models for 2000. I have hear ford is going too a 6 speed trany ?. Anyway if the truck is not built for 4 mouths and it takes 4 weeks in transit, by the time the truck get here it will be at years end. Any thoughts on this guys, or should I just wait it out.
My still gets around 13-14 MPG on the highway empty, I have had it back to my dealer 3 times and all he says is to break it in. I went to another dealer 150 miles away for where I boughtmy truck and this dealer said that Ford WILL NOT check a truck for poor fuel mileage. I called the area Ford Rep and he said that there was nothing he cold do since there was not an appearent problem with the truck. I asked him if he would call the engineers at the Ford and ask them what the real fuel mileage expected for a PS like mine would be. He said that he could not do that and basically I was on my own. He confirmed what the Ford Dealer had told me, is that ford will not check a truck for bad fuel mileage. Ford does not have to worry about me being on my own after I can get rid of this piece of junk I now own, yes that is what I am call my New PS Ford. The guys at the plant with he Dodges are rally giving me a hard time about the fuel mileage. If you want another shock take your truck to a Chevy or dodge Dealer and see what the trade in value is for you used truck with only 5000 miles on it.
If all that say they are getting 18 to 20 miles per gallon are really doing so then I have a lemond. I plan to try to inform everyone here at the plant (1500 workers) that the Ford SD 4 x 4, PS, Long Bed, Crew Cab, with 3:73 gears only gets 13 tof 14 miles per gallon. I have talked to the ART dept dept about making me up a sign with 2 lemonds on it and the wording saying "FORD POWER DIESEl 13-14 MILES PER GALLON AT THE BEST". Plans at the present is to put this in the back window of the shell so everyone can see it while I am driving, unless I can get some results from Ford or a dealer. I would like to keep the truck if it would get at least 17 to 19 MPG which I think is reasonable for a diesel. Everyone I talk too except here on the conference gets around 16 to 17. I do want others to know what the mileag of the Ford PS is before they buy one.
I know that I am sounding off on this board, but I want others who are reading this board to know that the PS are not peaches and cream as was the impression I got before I got mine. No one every said anything about the fuel mileage being so low or I would have gotten a gas V8 or V10 and would have know that the mileage would have only been 14 to 17 and would have not spent the extra $4500 dollars or so for the diesel with the high maintence cost. So pleas forgive me for sounding off. This is the last Ford product that I will ever own.
I know what you're going through. I went from excited to discouraged to really pissed off to almost cancelling my order and asking for my $500 deposit back. Now I've just convinced myself that it probably will never be built and if it is not ready before I'm ready to move my household from NV to CA, probably in May, I'm going to tell Ford to shove it because I'd feel awful stupid taking delivery on a 3/4 ton truck that I need to help me move, AFTER I move!!
Even with all that frustration, I still keep thinking how nice it will be to get back into a great pickup after driving around in a Prizm for the last 5 years. Well that's all the venting I have time for today. Hang in there...
The same would hold true if you take your Dodge or Chevy to a Ford dealer to trade it in. If your next truck (or car) gets poor mileage, will it be a piece of junk too?
Note: the discussions about priority on you order. Prior to getting a VIN / schedule, the computer print out has the priority (upper right corner of my copy). My priority was '10'. If this is lower, I would be demanding better. Especially when some people are getting trucks and others are waiting.
My buddy has a Dodge Cummins. Also a great truck. Has anyone heard of the cruise control problems (speed takes off)? He's trying to figure out the problem.
Good truckin'.
MJE, your new truck description's really making me anxious.