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Ford Super Duty - Continued
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Why do you believe that final drive is not the differential? It’s a rare vehicle that has gearing at the wheels instead of the pumpkin.
Anyone else?
Meanwhile, I have a question for our astute readers here. How would I find out who is the person/persons responsible for seating decisions in our Super Duties? I need a name and a title as well as an e-mail address, fax number or snail mail address.
By the way, if you are going to contact anybody regarding seating decisions, could you ask them why they discontinued the rear seat headrests on the crew cabs? Although most cars hitting a SD CC probably wouldn't be able to move it enough to cause whiplash, it still seems like an important safety feature that they probably left out just so save a few $$.
P.S - I saw a note earlier about Rhino liners - I have one and really like it - it doesn't rattle, warp, or get moisture underneath. I spent about $450 to have it installed here in Missouri.
What do you think?
SUPER DUTY LARIAT F-350 LE DRW
4x4 or 4x2
Short or Long Box
6.8L Triton V10 Gasoline
or
7.3L Power Stroke
V8 Diesel 20,000 lbs. GCWR
And There's A Whole Lot More...
Super Duty F-350 - Lariat LE
Exterior Features
Special Tu-Tone Paint Theme With Color Keyed Door Handles, Badging, and Tape Stripes
16.0" Aluminum Style Wheels With Mating OWL Tires
Exterior Color -Keyed Sun Visor With Integral Roof Marker Lamps
Lighted “Diamond Plate” Running Boards
Privacy Glass — Rear Doors and Sliding Backlight
Power Trailer Tow Mirrors
Interior Features
Quad Captain Leather Seating With Adjustable Lumbar and “Lariat LE” Logo on Seat Backs
Front and Rear Seat Consoles With Simulated Woodgrain Appliques and Bright Release Handles. Integral Cupholders Included In Rear Console
Upgraded Door Trim Panels With Simulated Woodgrain Appliques
Unique Floor Mats With “Lariat LE” Logo on Front Mats
Specifications:
Standard Equipment
Power Driver's Seat, 6-Way
Air Conditioning
Remote Keyless Entry
Speed Control/Tilt Steering Wheel
Steering Wheel, Leather Wrapped
Power Locks/Windows
Electronic 4-Spd Auto Transmission
Exterior Color-Keyed Sun Visor with Roof Marker Lamps
Trailer Tow Package (includes HD 78A battery)
Spare Tire - 16"
Additional Equipment
Power Trailer Tow Mirrors
Privacy glass - Rear Doors and Sliding Backlight
Lighted Running Boards/Diamond Plate Insert
Quad Leather Captain's Chairs
Floor Mats w/Logo
Color Keyed Door Handles
Wood Accents (Doors, Front and Rear Consoles)
Front/Rear Seat Console/Cupholders in Rear
Rear Tailgate Lettering - "Lariat LE"
Dark Accents (I/P)
Special Tu-Tone Paint Theme and Tape Stripes
16.0" Aluminum Style Wheel and OWL Tires
Information herein was correct when approved for printing. Ford Motor Company reserves the right to discontinue or change at any time, specifications, designs or programs without incurring obligation.
February, 1999 AOC 13262 Litho in USA
The hinged tonneau cover is a good addition if you want a tarp but like the hard cover. I was leary at first but it's awesume - easy access from snaps and super fast from tailgate with it up. PS - if you want it to collapse for storage a few screws are required to be removed which limits some advantages but overall great.
No other problems yet (original steering wheel angle was corrected in an hour at the dealer).
Good truckin'!
If I never do tow a 5th wheel, or anything else, will I regret having gotten the camper package because of the stiffer ride?
Will the 2000 F250SD V10 be available in California with the 3.73 rearend.
Does the High Altitude setup cause any reduction in performance closer to sea level as opposed to above 3000 ft?
Thanks for your response in advance, I really enjoy reading your postings?
No the CA spec V10 model is not available in a 3.73 - I have been trying to see if I can change that and the answer is no.
Some advice - whether or not you plan on pulling anything or getting the camper package, definitely get the trailer towing package. This gives you a larger capacity battery and alternator, a larger radiator and an oil cooler, and the cost is very low, about $128 invoice I think. It also gives you prewiring for a brake controller.
BTW, I originally ordered my truck with CA emissions because I knew that I would be moving here soon, but that deal fell through. The one I got doesn't have that package, and I will have to pay a one time $300 fee to register it here (see my post from last week for more info on that).
You will love the truck!
Mike
JB out of PA!!
Has anyone else had braking problems with the F250 Ford Diesel 1991 truck?? We have a gooseneck rig, towing package on the truck- It was bought for the express purpose of towing horses. Our brakes went out after a 3 mile down mountain trail - extremely lucky we lasted till the bottom of the hill and had a large open area to turn around in until we were able to slow down. The dealer gave us some "crap" about how since asbestos was banned, brakes don't work as well. Within our limited "friend" span, 3 other people with the same type of trucks had had their brakes go out at some point. After the money we spent to buy a truck specifically geared to our needs (trailering horses), we were afraid to use it on anything steep again. Our dealer just refilled the brake fluid and recommended we "test drive" again and tell him if we had problems. My opinion is that we only need to have problems one time and "you can go careening down a mountain side with the horse you have owned for 15 years in a trailer behind you and tell me if it works or not"
This has totally turned me off of FORD products and since we are getting ready to buy another truck I am curious if any other people have had the same problems. I really expected a recall, but I guess not!!
Also, has anyone added the compass/rearview mirror accessorie, Like/Dislikes? Cost? installable at home?
Thanks in advance
Also, what is the towing capacity of a F150?
Finally, what rear axle should we get?
Thanks,
Ed
Also, what kind of MPG are you getting when towing.
Thanks!
Ed
P.S. - I already have my truck and I am happy with my dealer (maybe it is the same one). My truck is an F250 SD CC LWB V8 4.10LS 4X2 XLT
lutzt - sorry, no gas mileage figures yet.
Was also thinking about the SCab vs CC, with the camper on truck and a crawl thru the back seats not used that much. Help
I made an 8:00 a.m. appointment at a local dealer to "fix" my lumbar support. I had it there at 7:45 and asked them to also change the oil (they advertise that the oil change and lube includes a wash). I was advised that I should rotate and balance the tires too, so I said O.K. Since I had an appointment, and these things couldn't take "too" long to do, I didn't make plans for my wife to give me a ride home. The service advisor said that it would be ready by 12:30! So I called my wife and we went shopping with the kids. At about 2:00 p.m. I got a call that my truck was ready. So I went down to pick up the truck (a 20 minute drive). I paid about $70.00 for the oil change and tire service (that also included "checking the brakes", like a truck with 7K miles will need new pads) and was told that the lumbar parts were a special order. I had already told them that when I made the appointment! (thanks to your posts I am somewhat better informed than the service department). So I waited for 20 minutes for them to bring my truck out. I don't know why that took so long because there was nobody else waiting to pick up any vehicles. When it finally came out it was still covered with dirt (I had driven up some dirt roads the previous day). I asked the guy who brought it out why it wasn't washed, and he offered to take it back and have it washed. When I asked how long that would take, he said about 20 minutes. Since I had my two young kids with me I told him to forget it, and left.
So, I left my truck there all day, got dinged for $70 for work that could have been done for 1/2 the price closer to home, in probably less than an hour, and still don't have my lumbar support fixed. And, it was still dirty.
Needless to say I am somewhat dissatisfied with this service department and will probably take my business somewhere else next time.
All gas motors regulate both air and fuel. Diesels take in a complete air charge either at idle or at WOT. They run at an air/fuel ratio of 100:1 or so at idle and start to smoke around 22:1 as they run wide open.
Both motors are just giant air pumps, the "compression" braking on a gas motor is the motor pulling against a closed throttle valve, basically pulling a very large vacuum in the intake system.
mine took about two and a half weeks from "built to me" in Arizona. They should be tracking them every day and should be able to find out EXACTLY where it is on a given day. This time of year there shouldn't be any weather delays. I would guess you will get it any day now.
As for service problems. I took mine in a few weeks ago for the brake and cruise control recall and a couple of other things,after making an apointment two weeks before that. When I showed up they said they didn't have me down for an appointment. But they took me anyway when they saw that they had the parts that they had ordered for me when I made the appointment. When I went to pick it up, they said they said they didn't have time to fix the cruise control recall, and they had to order me a whole new console to fix the coin holder. So they said to bring it back in a few weeks and they would fix everything at that time. They didn't give me any paperwork like they usually do. When I brought it back in a few weeks later, they looked up on the computer and said that the cruise control recall had already been done. So they fixed the console. I got paperwork back that said nothing of the cruise control. I have written statements and put them in my important papers and have told friends and family members, incase the cruise control fails.
So they either told me wrong the first time, or they didn't really preform the recall. All I know is if my cruise control locks up (like they claim they were doing), and I get in a wreck, I or my estate will be many millions richer.
Sounds as if your dealer dropped the ball despite your effort to tell him exactly what it needed.
I'm sorry to read about the unsatisfactory results.
Its been ten days since I spoke with the dealer who ordered the repair kit for my broken lumbar. Last I spoke with him they had been back ordered to Detroit. I am going to call the service writer tommorrow and see where the heck the parts are. I will be happy to provide the part number when I get my hands on it.
Zach
I've got the F250, 4x2, v10, 4.30, SC, camper spec, trlr spec and use it to pull 21' travel trailer weighing a relatively light 6,000 lb. I love it! Pulls great and mileage goes from a low of 9.25 to 10.1 mpg. It's only got 3500 miles but I mainly have towed with it. The 10.1 mpg was even going over 2 mountain passes here in Wa. (I think 10mpg is good because my 85 Bronco only got 7.5 going the same!
Anyway, you'll be happier, as KEH4X4 says, with the v10 as the pulling mpg will probably be better than the v8.
We're readying to buy an Artic Fox 27' 5th wheel that GVWR is 12,000 lb. - so if you're ever to get a bigger RV, you'll be glad you opted for bigger. I'm a power nut too on powertrains, etc.
Good luck in whatever you do!
see 'ya
My V10 CC buddy and I (4.8 Silverado reg cab) co-own a 1996 Nash 24'. Both of us love the trailer and envy each others trucks at times. He has a passle of kids and I'm a single guy.
V10 gets 8 to 10, 4.8 gets a mile or two better.
My personal opinion, is put the dang thing on (what ever plow you want) and don't worry about it. If you have problems, and you take the truck back to the dealer you bought from, and remind them that this was the purchasing dealer, they would "overlook" the plow on the front end and not void your warranty.
New catalog came in today I see Bushwhacker has come out with some neat O.E. style fender flares for our Super Duties, first pics I have seen of the new flare ON a S.D. These folks web address is www.performanceproducts.com
How much will I miss the limited slip rearend if I have 4wd? bmc
This is my first post so please excuse any dumb mistakes.
Thanks
Paul
I pulled a 12 foot U-Haul to Seattle, shipped my stuff from there, and then picked up a Bigfoot 3000 truck camper at a dealer in Canada. The truck ran great, despite poor driving conditions (25+ below zero and snowing through much of Canada). Most of the driving was done in 4wd with OD locked out because of the road conditions. The engine braking was excellent on the hills was excellent.
The truck ran flawlessly until about a month after I got to Anchorage. One morning, there was a ticking sound in the engine. Apparantly, the engine had thrown a rocker arm. I had 9,300 miles on the truck. Ford replaced the engine. No problems since. Current mileage is close to 18,000.
I've been doing a lot of camping the past few months. I have a truck camper (1999 10'11" Bigfoot 3000 with all the options). The camper dealer built a platform for the bed of the truck. I can remove the platform in about five minutes. The camper does not shift on the platform at all, and I drive on a lot of rough roads. Make sure you get the turnbuckles with the shocks (about $75) for the front tie-downs. If you own a truck camper, or are thinking about buying one, the need for a platform for the Superduty should not discourage you.
Loaded for a trip, my truck and camper tip the scales at around 12,000 pounds, which exceeds the 11,200 pound GVWR. With the duallys, the truck handles great, even through winding mountain roads with major frost heaves. If you see a SRW pickup with a decent size pickup camper, you can be pretty sure they are significantly over their GVWR, unless they have a pop-up or something that specifically says "Lite" on it. If they are riding level, check their rear springs or coils and they probably have an air-lift.
Although I lose a couple of mpg, I wouldn't trade the 4.30 rear-end. Running empty, the truck rarely downshifts out of OD, except on very steep grades. Even with the camper on, the truck stays in OD on a lot of hills. With the combo of the V-10 and 4.30s, I'm passing cars on hills, as well as RVs.
I average 10-10.5 on my daily commute (about 50/50 sity/hwy) running empty. My highway miles up here in Alaska usually include at least one steep mountain pass. My average has been 11.5-12mpg running empty. The best I've ever done running empty was just under 13mpg.
My camper has a high profile, with a clearance of close to 12 feet. I average 7.5-8mpg around town and 8.5-9mpg on the highway. I think I could get another 1 mpg better on a flat interstate, but we don't have those up here. I usually take my camper off during the week.
The bottom line is that I love this truck. The engine problem appears to have been a fluke and Ford replaced it with a new engine. I debated V-10 vs gas, and 4.30 vs 3.73, and dually vs SRW, and I have no regrets about any of the options I selected. For all of you still waiting, it will be worth it.
P.S. I caught a 48 pound King Salmon a couple of weeks ago.
I always wondered why you didn't get the PSD? With all the driving you do and with such a big load I would guess the diesel would be the only choice.
I follow a Diesel site that you might find interesting at www.ford-diesel.com just go to
the forum section and be sure to register.
Fred.
thanks for the NASH note. We're also looking at those. I understand they are actually an Arctic Fox without some of the fancy stuff like Fantastic Fans, fiberglass sides, etc. I like the NASH 'cause they are a little lighter and cost a little less. We saw one at a site the other day and the owners loved theirs.
We'll see what's available when purchase time comes up next year.
For those asking mpg questions:
it's a F350 Crew Cab DRW 4x4 PSD with 4.10 limited slip. Running empty (8000#) in a mix of highway and town, it's getting about 15mpg. But that's with a really heavy foot - it's so much fun to actually have acceleration. When I'm towing (15000#) it's about 14mpg, but I let off on the foot a little.
Now I need a month's vacation to install the cargo boxes and move the tools from the old truck to the new. I got the Rhino lining sprayed in, and it sure seems indestructable - did a load of stone and then just washed it out - couldn't tell. But it isn't a thick as I would like at some of the edges. (My fault - that's just due to a misunderstanding between myself and the sprayer. If I had to start over, I would cover the entire tailgate - both inside and out, rather than just lapping over the top. Everytime you reach over it to put stuff in the bed, you brush your belt buckle on the outside.)
Mine came with the 2" rear blocks. Looks OK empty, but when it's loaded, the rear starts looking a little low. When I get it to final weight (put the boxes in) I'll look at it again and decide if it's worth the trouble to get the 4" blocks put in.
I haven't found a rear winch bumper that fits with the trailer hitch, so I will weld one together next weekend. (It was TOO hot to put on welding leathers here last weekend) (Ranchhand and Reunel have great bumpers - they just won't fit an XD9000i between the 2" receiver and pintle plate with 4" rise and the tailgate. I'll offset the winch to one side - it will be between the frame and the center of the hitch, rather than centered)
I added a 6" convex mirror that rests in the hole created by the trailer mirror arms. NOW I think the mirrors are great. I just ignore the factory convex except when backing up - to see the ground next to the tires.
I'm 6'2", and I found that the most comfortable seating position was with the seat all the way up so that the long legs weren't cramped in, but the arms could still reach the wheel. Telescoping wheel would be nice - by the time I put the seat back for the legs, the wheel is to far away. The disadvantage to this seating is the factory convex is even less useful.
Enough rambling for today. Would I do it again - YES. That motor and the weight capacity makes up for a lot of little annoyances. Maybe Ford will start moving a few move items from their SUVs into the truck - we're paying as much.
I have a really great price on a repo'd 99 F250 SD Lariat Supercab 7.3L PS diesel longbed that I find hard to pass up. My question is - has anybody gone on longer (more than a few hours) trips with people in the back seat and had to listen to complaints about the small seat/upright seatback/rough ride? My boys are 9 and 13 and they are starting to really complain about the jump seats in my Ford Ranger!
Thanks!
BayouBoy
Regarding the electric shift 4X4 vs. manual. I know that the manual shift has a x-fer case lever in the floor. Do I have to also get out and lock the hubs? Who prefers which? My old '78 chevy was completely manual. Who prefers which rear end gear and why? I'm leaning towards the 3.73.
BTW, my truck when ordered will be F250SD, extended cab, long bed, 4X4, camper package, PSD, Auto-Trans.
thanks in advance for your time & thoughts.
Doug