08 SD opinions and commits for a potential buyer

[davea86]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this site and I have looked around a little. Sooner or later I will be buying one of the Big 3’s diesel pickups so I have been gathering info on all three so I will be an informed buyer. I will be getting a 1-ton so when we upgrade the TT or change to a 5er we will not have a problem pulling what ever we get. I just do not want DRW’s and it will be a crew cab.

I have been a Ford man all my life and I am proud of it. But since I have never owned a diesel pickup, I do not know very much about them, but I will. I have only driven a few of my friends and some of the company rigs through out my life, nothing newer then a 2004.

I guess what I am asking (sorry for being long winded) is, what is your true opinion on the new 2008 SD with the new diesel and automatic transmission. Is it better then the GM and Dodge trucks? If so what is the reasons? What is the MPG on the new truck and engine? Besides being almost a completely new truck therefore there are always some bugs to be worked out, has there been any major issues you can think of or heard of?

Please give me any bit of info and or commits you feel like giving.

Keep in mind; I am not here to bash any of the big 3’s trucks because I do not know enough about there diesels to do a good and correct bashing and I wouldn't even if I did. I am just trying to make up my mind. But I will say this about the GM’s, I just can’t stand the looks of them for some reason and I can’t put my finger on it, so it will probably be a Ford or Dodge I end up with. So if you have any commits on the Dodge diesel trucks, by all means please put them in this thread as well.

Thanks for your time
DA

[torino73]

First of all- if you pull a big trailer- you are better off with a dually, so I have been told. My good friend has pulled with both SRW and dually's, and he says the stability of the dually is remarkable.

Second, if you even SIT in a Ford, you won't even consider a Chebby. Their trucks are junk. Period. Without getting long-winded, just trust me, I know from vast experience. Any supposed advantages of the Duramax engine would be minimal at best, and would not outweigh the looks, feel, and ruggedness of the Ford truck.

As for the Dodge- it's not a bad truck, but it's still not as heavy-duty as the Ford. I personally think they have the best engine, and the SRW trucks are better suited to off-road applications, whereas the Fords are superior tow rigs. You would be ill-advised to get a Dodge with an auto tranny- they have not been able to come up with one that's reliable.

[GruntTorque]

I say get the Ford. Better looks and comfort..

Welcome to the site too neighbor [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[Stalwart]

Dave,

As someone who also lives in the PNW, I gotta tell you this 6.4 is a pulling fool. The transmission shifts quickly but smoothly and I can't wait to get 24k loaded behind it. Its quiet, well appointed, comfortable and the nicest truck I've EVER been in.

Stuart
2008 F450 CC 6.4 TorqueShift 4.88

[mountie]

I currently own an 02 7.3 which I love. Although I love Fords I looked around when I bought my truck. I liked the Dodge and Duramax engines but didn't like the vehicles. The Dodge bodywise didn't impress me and as said before they have been having a lot of trouble with the auto.tranny.

I didn't buy a Chev cause the independant front end is very expensive to repair and scrapes on a dime when you go hunting or offroading.

That's basically it. Little has changed with either one since 02 so I opted to buy the new 08 6.4 Diesel. Still has lots of ground clearance, good tranny system and the new engine is extremely quiet. Had to turn off the radio just to hear it. Plus the new superduty has so many new features I like this year.Loved this truck from the first time I test drove it.

[davea86]

Thanks everyone who replied. All your commits are very helpful. When the time comes, hopefully sooner then later, I will just have to test drive both the Fords and Dodge and decide from there. I think I'll wait until Ford decides to give some cash incentives and better percentage rates. I have not seen any or heard of any on the SD's yet.

Some times good things happen to those who are patient.

Keep the commits comming. Thanks!!

[Packard8]

Hello & welcome,

I assume you are considering the latest offerings with the new EPA compliant engines? So far (10K miles), I'm very pleased with the Dodge CTD in my sig. Last summer I decided to upgrade before the 2007 EPA changes took effect. In retrospect, the new Dodge 6.7 has been pretty much flawless since its release in the Chassis Cabs last fall. They now have 2 new 6 speed autos available...an in-house DC version for the Ram 2500 & 3500 pickups and an Aisin auto (used in many larger MD trucks) for the Chassis Cabs. the Aisin is well proven and probably overkill, the DC 6 speed auto has good reviews from owners, but is as yet unproven as to durability.

I opted for the manual 6 speed and I"m real happy with it, but if I did a lot of stop & go commute driving I'd want an auto. I personally like the uncluttered simplicity of the I6 Cummins with a single turbo vs the new twin turbo V8 from Navistar, but in reality I'll probably never do more than oil & fuel filter changes, so it's more of an aesthetic than practical issue.

[RjeffJ]

Just got home from 650 mile weekend drive in my '08. 15.3 MPG first 350 miles at 70-75 mph (hand calculated). 17.8MPG last 300 miles at 65 mph (hand calculated). Truck is quiet and smooth and easy to drive. My wife noticed that right off which helped me justify replacing a prefectly good 02. We stepped up from 250 2x4 cc short box to a 350 4x4 cc long box. I'm a solid Ford fellow and biased but I did go test drive the Chevy and Dodge and really felt the Ford was better for me. I pull 24 foot enclosed car trailer and put 100k miles on my 02 with the trailer behind it most of the time. I know it isn't a big load for these trucks but having the diesel beats the pants off pulling with my old '86 F150 with a 302!!
I can't say what is good/bad about the others I can just say I really like the 08 Ford. This tranny really beats the one on the 7.3l.
P.S. I was watching for regens and had two on this trip. The first one was really noticable the second less so. The mileage meter actually went down during both regens then slowly climbed back up after they were over. Not too big a deal.
Good luck whatever you decide.

[Fordman84]

First of all, anybody that says and of the new diesel engine 3/4 ton pickups are junk is an under-educated idiot. They are all great vehicles, it all comes down to personal preference. GM and Ford both have new body styles out, and the LMM is very similar to the LBZ that has been an excellent engine. The 08 fords are very nice looking trucks, the 6.4 is unproven, but all of the new emission engines are. I have always liked the look of the fords better, but the prefer the interior and ride of a gm truck. I love the 6 speed allison as well. I would recommend driving all three and picking the one that you like the best, its your $50k.

[jhughd]

I agree with Fordman. All of the big three are good trucks and you see a lot of each brand on the road. Drive all three and you will find out quickly which one you want. I happen to have a ford, but I did drive and road test the other two. Getting the best is all in your mind. Don't let others tell you what you want. You are the only one (maybe the wife too) that has to be satisfied.

JD

[davea86]

Thanks for all the info guys. Everyone has good points. I agree with jhughd, I will test drive all three and decide from there.

I'll let you know what I end up with even if its not a ford.

Thanks again.

DA

[2002ex]

The Dodge and Duramax have very good drivetrains, and Ford finally has one to match the power and refinement of those two. I used to be envious of the smooth and quiet of my buddy's duramax 3/4ton, but the '08 is now even better.

Mileage is a no win situation, the Ford trucks are heavier, run on larger wheels and tires. The price we pay for the room, stability, and stout looks. You will likely always be a couple of mpg down to the competition. But realistically, if you are buying a $45-50k, 1-2 mpg should not break the bank.

I would drive the Ford dually's before ruling them out, F350 and F450. The first '08 I drove was an F350 dually, and it surprised me with it's ride and maneuverability. I wish I had picked up dually now, just to ensure I would never need any more truck!

[slow6oh]

I don't think you could really go wrong with the ford or the Dodge. I prefer the Ford truck over the dodge. But you can't argue with the cummins.

The chevy truck just isn't near the truck the dodge or ford is. Much more sturdy platform that is made for pulling and such. Chevy's are built to ride comfortable and thats about it. They put off the illusion of working.

[Fordman84]

Oh boy here we go again, what a joke. Gm trucks will tow and work just as good as the other two. Let the guy make up his own mind.

[slow6oh]

The reason he posted this was for us to give him so opinions...I'm not making up his mind just telling him my opinion.

I think GM platforms are junk. That's my feeling.