wanting to buy a 00 f250 need some help!

[weldpro]

Hello everyone!

Well I am looking at buying my first Ford ever, and I have a couple of questions I hope you all can answer, and if not ANY comments are welcome.
The truck in question is a 2000 F250 superduty 4x4 supercab Lariat.
It's powertrain is the 5.4 along with a 5 spd manual. I did check the axles' for the diff tag , and I could only make out the one on the Dana 50 but it is indeed a 4.10 geared truck (good thing to me).
A little about me, and what I am looking for & my experiences driving a few of the new & used trucks out there. I have always owned compact trucks , and have always been very happy with them (toyota) but now the time has come to step up to a full size becuase I need to tow a "rock buggy"(if you dont know what this is it is basically a light weight non street legal jeep), and I have two small children , and I would like to have a bit more room for them.
Well I know that something like a f150 would do the chores for me (total trailer & buggy weight is about 5500lbs-also I would probably only tow once or twice a month) BUT I dont want a IFS truck , and I just plain think the superdutys' are the best looking trucks out there. So all in all it seems that although the rig I am looking at fits the bill 3/4 ton drivetrain with a 1/2 ton motor. I origanally wanted a diesel but soon realized that it was not for me too much $$$$, and I only have a 7 mile commute. About my test drive experiences'- wow the used chevy I have driven are very sloppy ie doors dont close nice little rattles here & there just overall seem junky(sorry GM thats been my experience) I drove a new Dodge cummings , and it was very nice & for a supercab the back was huge(big kudos for them here), and I also drove a 2002 360 powered Dodge that was used with 18k on it , and it was nice also but had absoluty no ground clearance for a 4x so I didn't want that oh , and it has IFS so that was definately not in its favor. Now onto the Fords I drove two used models a f150 supercrew & super cab both 4x4 ,both rental returns , and both with about 30k on them also both with the 5.4. WOW was I impressed with overall quality rattle free, etc- they both felt like brand new (thumbs up Ford!!!) Oh , and the motor felt very good to me.
Now having rattled off about the Fords one might think I am some closet Ford freak but the truth is that although I have admired certain products from all three domestic manufacturers I have always kept my distance, and stayed with Toyotas (since 1991 I have logged unreal milage numbers on many different models from them , and only had one problem a clock went out on my wifes 1999 4runner- , and you know what I was kind of pissed! but I excused it [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]) I had considered buying a Tundra , and it would probably work just fine for me BUT that superduty just looks awesome , and I think I have to have it (tomorrow I will test drive it , and if I like I'll buy) About the only real concern is reliabilty- how have all of you fared, and overall are you happy would you buy again?
Now I have a couple of product questions.
1. What is the model of the 5spd manual behind the 5.4 v8? Is it the same one as behind the v10 for that year? Also is it a Granny low tranny?
2. The front axle is a Dana 50 correct? ,and if so what is its mechanisim for engaging the axle (ie sliding sleeve like dodge?)
PS Thank god ford does not have a slip yoke in the tcase! who came up with that stupid idea anyways. oops that that was new processes' [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img].
3. rear axle - are they all the same in the super dutys with exception to the F350 dually?
4. And finally the last one - what kind of milage have you personally seen on a 5.4?
Sorry I went on for so long but I am a little nervous about buying a new to me truck, and figured you guys could help. I will let you all know how it goes tomorrow & wish me luck cuase I want this thing bad OH did I mention it has leather [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]
Take care everyone & enjoy the holidays,
Richard

www.weldpro.homestead.com

[HeavyAssault]

First off, welcome to the site!! There is much information to be found here and all questions are treated equal. Be warned the UPGRADE AREA may be hazardous to your checkbook.


You forgot to mention mileage and price of the truck you are looking to buy.

As for the truck you are looking at it seems to be what you need. Not too much, just right. Before I get too far I may add the reason I got a CREW was because of my two kids. You may want to weight the cost and availability of a used truck of this type. You may find more on car lots and be able to bargin hunt.

Now your questions:
1) Not really sure model wise, but I've heard they are geared really low in first and outside of towing first is rarely used. It could be a granny gear.
2)Yes, D50 and was changed in 02 to a D60. As far as how it works: This basically applies whether it has a manual lever or the ESOF. The transfer case is shifted into 4x4 mode, the forward drive shaft engages the front axle. With the hubs locked the front wheels will turn. Once you shift out of 4X4 and the hubs are unlocked from the axle, the front tires will free wheel. The forward drive axle is now static as the transfer case does not turn the shaft.
3)Yes only the dually will carry the D80.
4)I haven't read anything current on mileage. Most report a little better than the V-10 with 11.5-12 around town being fairly constitant.

Any other questions just ask.

[weldpro]

Thank you sir very helpful! Do you know if the 5spd is the same one that would have been behind the v10 in that year? I am just trying to establish that I am getting the all the good stuff minus the bigger powerplants.

As to the price etc.

It seems to be a oddball truck considering it is a lariat but has the 5.4 , and a manual but leather, premium sound, alloys, switch activated 4wd. My guess was this was a special order by some who had the same needs as I becuase I cannot see a dealer wanting this particular truck since the buyers would probably be few at best.

Well they are asking 20,450 , and it has 50,560mi. I booked it at KBB , and trade-in(wholesale) was 20,290 !? , and retail was $26k ish. I have a trade in that I am roughly $1,400 upside down on so I have a few ideas on how I am going to approach them. I do however have a check in hand for $25K @ 6% so they are going to want to sell me something [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] .
As to the CC's I love them but they are expensive around here mainly becuase they are all PSD's (also my wife has the "real" family rig. I think I will feel pretty good in this thing considering I am coming from a Tacoma [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] it'll feel like a OTR truck!
Thanks again,
Richard

[HeavyAssault]

Yea that's pretty oddball alright. I don't know for sure but I can't see two or even three different models of manual transmissions. So you can bet it is the same across the product line.

I guess this will be your truck and since the kids will ride around as needed you got it all wrapped up. If you run across a CREW you won't be disappointed if you spend the extra $$$, my wife loves the size and room that we have now.

Just look at the truck hard, take it off for a few days and drive it around. $20 in gas is a small price if you discover a flaw and they are willing to fix it to make the sale.

Good Luck!! Remember the warning.....

[weldpro]

They were not open today! Wont be until the 30th [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/vulnerable.gif[/img] bummer I really wanted to start the process. Anyways since no one was around I took the opertunity to check it out again (1.5hrs) , and it is clean I swear whoever owned it never let it see dirt, and must have garaged the beast. I checked EVERYTHING that I could from underneath. Damn it I guess I have to wait until Monday.
Any new opinions or anything???
Please convince me that a Ford is a realiable truck.
Thanks,
Richard

[HeavyAssault]

Just because you can't find dirt doesn't mean it hasn't seen any.
I've got 65k on my 99 and runs just as good as when I bought it.
You will not be disappointed, remember to drive it a few days before you buy.

[Duneguy2]

I've owned GM and Toyota products for the last 20 years. This is my first Ford and I've had it for a couple of years now. I can say that the Ford has been more reliable than the GM products that I've owned. The GM's were always losing AC compressors and alternators - in addition to oil seepage at the main bearing and constant alignment issues. The Ford Superduty continues to impress me.

Now, that doesn't mean there isn't a lemon out there. I wholeheartedly believe there's a lemon in "every bunch" - including Ford.

Just do your best at checking the truck out before you buy. There's no way you really can tell what you'll end up with. However, I highly doubt the dealer will let you take it for a couple of days but I may be wrong.

Best of luck to ya.

[Mindcrime]

Why don't you buy my 2000 F-250 V-10 Crew Cab Lariat. Almost mint condition, 59k miles with a 5yr/100k mile bumper to bumper warranty. All kinds os extras...Billet Grill, oversized all terrain tires, bed liner, nerf bars, bed rails, '02 lights, clear lenses, etc etc
Black, with tan interior.. $20,000

-Mindcrime-