dskolnick .... First of all congrats on getting your SD .... 6 months is a lllonnngg time to wait ..... just wanted to second what lilelmo said about the engineering characteristics of an antenna and not cutting off your present one. I had the same problem with my antenna scratching the top of the garage door structure .... after asking for and receiving info from one of our knowledgeable and illustrious members .... I went to Walmart and got a replacement that is about 15 inches long for $4.95. It looks great and works as good as the original. The old antenna unscrews quickly. The new universal antenna came with 3 optional two sided threaded screws for various models and makes of vehicles. The info that comes with the antenna tells you which one to use with your truck. It took me about 10 minutes total to change it out. Took additional 20 minutes to find tools .... put them away .... and drink a beer. I kept the original antenna and just stored it. Good luck.
Bowhuntwi ..... Have a great time with your new SD this weekend ..... Hope he doesn't see some of his Illinois girlfriends along the way or you will be late for the Maple syrup fest. A few posts back you mentioned a Ford truck dealership in Postville, IA .... I grew up in a little town about 35 miles away from there. Most of Iowa is plane Jane but that area is beautiful .... guess that's why they call it the "little Switzerland".
Dave- Thanks for the heads up. I am pretty happy to wait on my exact truck from my dealer since my order has been submitted to the plant. I appreciate the thought though.
I think I'll take the credit for that antenna post about 800 posts ago, giving the wal-mart sug back on superduty II or IV. It works great. geez, have we been there that long?
I also have a very effective, cheap home-made fix for the in-dash cupholders for the 99' and early y2k models.. Rumor has it that the new SD's rolling off the line have much improved in-dash cupholder.. If anyone is interested in the instructions for this, just e-mail me..
No rumor about it. I *think* the cutoff was Feb 1 (might have been earlier). Trucks built after that date have the new cup holder (mine does, build 2/17).
I never saw the old version so I can't tell how much an improvement. For a picture...
I'm new to this topic, Bought a used 1999 F350 XLT SD PSD 6-speed Crew Cab long bed last month. It had only 3,500 miles on it. Found out it was originally built for, and sold in Canada. Somehow, it made its way down to Ft. Walton beach Florida. The door sticker says built in June 98, so I guess it was one of the first new ones built. Super truck and super ride. One question though on the rear end. When turning 90 degrees from a dead stop, the rear end is making a rough sound and feels like its skipping around the corner. It stops once the truck is straight again. A friend tells me Ford put too heavy of a rearend fluid back there and that I need to take it in and they will replace it with a ligther weight. Does anyone have any experience on this subject? Would appreciate any advice on this rear end problem. And just to answer some of the fuel mileage questions I've read here - so far it seems I'm getting 19 to 20 MPG on highway and nearly 17 around town. I haven't towed our 28 foot 5th wheel enough yet to determine the mpg's there yet. Anything other good or bad things I need to know about this truck would also be appreciated. Thanks to all! I'll keep reading posts.
I heard from an old mechanic friend that people used to stuff Bananas and Sawdust in a noisy rear end just before they sell it. Apparently, it would quite the noise long enough to get it sold!
Just a little trivia there!
Do you have a limited slip rear-end? If so you may have some shims that are sticking. Some LS rears have a stack of friction shims on either side of the cage that grab when one wheel spins (for about a year until they wear out). Others use springs to create the friction. I'm not positive how they are built on SD's. If you had more miles on it I would suggest that maybe the salt-water from FW beach could have leaked in if it was used at a saltwater boat ramp but 3500 miles? Take the cover off and look at it - Be sure to post what you find out
I am really peeved about the cheap cupholder in my truck. Mine was built week of 1/24, so I must have just missed the cutoff date for the new one. I am thinking that my existing one is due to break just before I take the truck into the dealer for service :-) I'll try to score one of the new ones as a replacement. Hopefully, under warranty, on Ford's nickel. I figure that for $30K plus dollars, I should get a decent cupholder!
As far as mileage goes, I am getting about 15.5 MPG in my 2000 F250, Lariat, CC, 4X4, 3.73LS, PSD truck. This is city driving, with some in-city highway miles (which around here sometimes means 65MPH, and sometimes stop-and-go). When I got the truck, I was getting 13.5MPG (all MPG are from the overhead computer, not my own calculations). Since then, the mileage has been climbing, and today, with just over 1000 miles, it sits at 15.5.
My brother-in-law has about the same configuration as I do (he has a CC Long Box, and I have a CC Short box). He has about 8K miles on his truck, and he says that he is getting almost 18MPG on his. Hopefully, I can get there as well.
Well, we finally went and picked up our new 00 F350 SD,CC,PSD,Heater,Auto,4X4,SB,SRW,TT Mirrors,ESOF,Camper Pkg.,IV Hitch,Privacy Glass,Lariat,Wedgewood Blue,Sliding RWindow and Remote Locks. It is a little noisy for now, but as was said before with a few miles it will quiet down.
The dealer even gave us a FULL tank of diesel to start with, as well as the best deal that I could hope for(invoice), in my opinion. They even put more money into my trade in than Edmunds/KBB said it was worth.
Ordered 12/27 and had a build date of around 2/17, however it has the old style cup holders with the little rubber flaps, Ugh..... I'll try to check with bess for the fix.
Next addition will be the bed liner which will probably be a Herculiner roll-in style. Then a lid or roll top bed liner.
Well, I'm going to put on a few miles now so I'll E-ya later.
On the rear end "noise when you turn" issue, next time you take it in to the dealer, tell him about the problem. He'll probably either add or change the additive (under warranty, of course) in your rear end and it likely resolve your problem.
Can anyone tell me if the front hubs are supposed to be on manual or auto when on dry roads and not planning to go into 4wd ? Also how much difference should the 265/75R AT tires make in mpg? I have 5.4 V8 3.73 auto 2200 miles and a light foot and are still seeing only 9.8 mpg. Does the computer need to be reset for these larger tires? Thanks
My truck was built 2/17 and it has the new cup holders (way to identify is the funny little notch/hook/doohicky just below the cup pullout) (the picture shows that). If you've got the doohicky, you've got the new cup holder.
Sounds like some dealers are replacing under warranty and some aren't... depends on the dealer.
I have a question about exterior maintenance. I was told that the SD deep wedge/wood blue is a clearcoat metalic. Is that correct? Anyone have any links for a good wash and wax product and how long should you wait to wash and wax on a new vehicle. btw-I got the duffle bag from FoMoCo, a tin of cookies from my dealer, and the new cup holder, ain't I the lucky one.
I believe the recommendations for the front hubs (even if you have ESOF) is that for the first 1000 miles leave them locked to get the gears and mechanisms lubed and broken in. After that, you should probably lock the hubs once a month or so to keep the mechanism lubed correctly.
Do NOT go into 4x4 on dry roads (bad, bad with either ESOF or manual (and front hubs locked either manual or with ESOF).
I think I'll wait till about June.....rip the crappy rubber do-hickeys off my cup holders and take it to the dealer under warranty.......yes... I'm a bad boy!!! I like the new ones....what idiot thought the other ones would work?? Fire that guy!!!!!
Anyone but me noticing a lot of 99's on used lots? Are they coming off lease or was there a problem, or what?
Could that rear end problem be from being flooded? I'd get it pulled and the oil changed asap.
In getting my old truck ready for sale, I discovered more about clearcoats than I had known. I knew that they have a color layer and a clear layer (duh) but I didn't know that surface scratches that don't hit the color layer polish off nicely. But... make sure you don't use anything that does not say "for clearcoat use." If the wax is abrasive, you might was well be polishing with sandpaper. Be careful.
I have the new cupholders too. Built 2/13 or so. BTW: what the heck is that hook under the dash for? I've been telling people that it's where you hang a hardhat or cap by the back strap. What is it really?
I came down to Texas on business and decided if they had one REAL close to my ordered configuration (F350, CC, Lariat, V10, auto, 4x4, SRW, LWB, 3.73LS, trailer tow, and a few others) I would buy it and drive it home to VA. Mine has been on order over 3.5 months with degrading updates and attitude by the dealer. Still clean and unsked. I called Ford CAC to complain. They will look into it and get back to me. Anyway, I digress. I'm in Galveston and I had a few dealers respond to me and one would sell me one at $500 over invoice if he found one for me (my order is at invoice). Another said he'd need about $2K over (not from me!). Unfortunately, no luck in Mudville today. Some close but no cigar. I've waited this long and don't NEED it so I can wait a bit longer to get exactly what I want. Was justhopeful that the info that Texas had the SDs coming out many body orifices was true and I could grab one that I liked. Lots of 6 speed manuals and diesels. Lots of CCs on the road down here (great to see but makes me want mine more). So I am bummed out and will fly home tomorrow. I was really looking forward to driving home in my new truck. I'm tired of waiting. Resume waiting and worrying.
Saw elsewhere that FLEET orders will close real soon if they haven't already. RETAIL (our) orders will probably close in about 6 weeks so there is still time to order a 2000.
Comments
Bowhuntwi ..... Have a great time with your new SD this weekend ..... Hope he doesn't see some of his Illinois girlfriends along the way or you will be late for the Maple syrup fest. A few posts back you mentioned a Ford truck dealership in Postville, IA .... I grew up in a little town about 35 miles away from there. Most of Iowa is plane Jane but that area is beautiful .... guess that's why they call it the "little Switzerland".
Happy Motoring
I also have a very effective, cheap home-made fix for the in-dash cupholders for the 99' and early y2k models.. Rumor has it that the new SD's rolling off the line have much improved in-dash cupholder.. If anyone is interested in the instructions for this, just e-mail me..
I never saw the old version so I can't tell how much an improvement. For a picture...
http://www.ford-diesel.com/faq/1999faq/Tips-Cupholders.htm
Just a little trivia there!
Do you have a limited slip rear-end? If so you may have some shims that are sticking. Some LS rears have a stack of friction shims on either side of the cage that grab when one wheel spins (for about a year until they wear out). Others use springs to create the friction. I'm not positive how they are built on SD's. If you had more miles on it I would suggest that maybe the salt-water from FW beach could have leaked in if it was used at a saltwater boat ramp but 3500 miles? Take the cover off and look at it - Be sure to post what you find out
As far as mileage goes, I am getting about 15.5 MPG in my 2000 F250, Lariat, CC, 4X4, 3.73LS, PSD truck. This is city driving, with some in-city highway miles (which around here sometimes means 65MPH, and sometimes stop-and-go). When I got the truck, I was getting 13.5MPG (all MPG are from the overhead computer, not my own calculations). Since then, the mileage has been climbing, and today, with just over 1000 miles, it sits at 15.5.
My brother-in-law has about the same configuration as I do (he has a CC Long Box, and I have a CC Short box). He has about 8K miles on his truck, and he says that he is getting almost 18MPG on his. Hopefully, I can get there as well.
The dealer even gave us a FULL tank of diesel to start with, as well as the best deal that I could hope for(invoice), in my opinion. They even put more money into my trade in than Edmunds/KBB said it was worth.
Ordered 12/27 and had a build date of around 2/17, however it has the old style cup holders with the little rubber flaps, Ugh..... I'll try to check with bess for the fix.
Next addition will be the bed liner which will probably be a Herculiner roll-in style. Then a lid or roll top bed liner.
Well, I'm going to put on a few miles now so I'll E-ya later.
Sounds like some dealers are replacing under warranty and some aren't... depends on the dealer.
btw-I got the duffle bag from FoMoCo, a tin of cookies from my dealer, and the new cup holder, ain't I the lucky one.
Do NOT go into 4x4 on dry roads (bad, bad
Could that rear end problem be from being flooded? I'd get it pulled and the oil changed asap.
In getting my old truck ready for sale, I discovered more about clearcoats than I had known. I knew that they have a color layer and a clear layer (duh) but I didn't know that surface scratches that don't hit the color layer polish off nicely. But... make sure you don't use anything that does not say "for clearcoat use." If the wax is abrasive, you might was well be polishing with sandpaper. Be careful.
I have the new cupholders too. Built 2/13 or so. BTW: what the heck is that hook under the dash for? I've been telling people that it's where you hang a hardhat or cap by the back strap. What is it really?
this topic is being "frozen." Please continue these discussions in Topic 1687 Ford Super Duty - Continued VII.
Front Porch Philosopher
SUV, Pickups, & Aftermarket and Accessories Host
Saw elsewhere that FLEET orders will close real soon if they haven't already. RETAIL (our) orders will probably close in about 6 weeks so there is still time to order a 2000.
Thanks for the venting outlet.