For you Ford guys that have strayed - Diesel Forum

49369 · 10-04-2006, 07:27 AM

Just a quick question for you Ford guys that have strayed. In other words guys that are driving Chevy or Dodge diesels who used to have powerstrokes. Will this new truck persuade you back to the blueoval. My guess is with the new engine an new features on the trucks that Ford will gain back marketshare loss in the diesl market. I know there are a few off you out there. Ive seen you around. I know what people have driven in the past. My curiosity bone has got the best off me. Thanks for your responses in advanced.

navistar45 · 10-04-2006, 08:24 AM

i may have strayed in 05 to a dodge cummins,but i kept my 02 ford.i know folks with 6.0 trucks that love them,some dont. i believe the 6.4 will be the ticket,but when i see pictures of them under the hood,my stomach hurts.the 6.0 was bad enough,so is the duramax.i really like fords trucks,but i have a feeling my 02 was the last new one i will buy.

444-4D · 10-04-2006, 12:56 PM

I haven't strayed but that could be because I haven't bought a new truck since 2000. I don't see that 6.4 engine being Ford's answer to anything except emission regulations.

jas10 · 10-04-2006, 01:02 PM

Look, no offense intended but I can't believe people look at pictures of a prototype and claim this truck is going to be a winner and is going to win/recover Ford market share. Look, I sincerely hope this new truck kicks butt. I hope it makes the advertised power, gets good fuel economy, and turns out to be as reliable as a Cummins 5.9. But good grief, all you guys have seen are PICTURES OF PROTOTYPES! I'm not even criticising you guys out there who want to be the first to buy one. I say go for it if you can afford it. Ride that bad boy home and enjoy all the looks you get, but all I can do is wonder at people who have already made up their mind that this truck is the cat's meow.
-john

AllOutFirefighter13 · 10-04-2006, 04:33 PM

Everyone has their opinion of what they want. Since the debut at the Texas State Fair, we have 99% rock solid evidence of what the truck looks like....but that's it. Those that base their opinions and make their decisions on looks alone seemed to have already made up their minds. They haven't heard the engine run, been in it to get a feel for the ride, driven it to see how it handles, listened to stereo system, checked the feel of the seats, etc. I could go on and on, but I'm not going to bore yall to death with that. I'm with John in that I can't understand why a truck instantly becomes a trouble-free icon just b/c it is advertised with a new engine that will run using new/different technology, it has these cool gadgets and things added to it to make it better than the competition, and a majority of people have mind-sets that Ford won't make this mistake again, b/c they can't afford another production run like the 6.0 gave them. It is what the truck offers to the owner as a whole that keeps the owner purchasing another truck of the same brand. Another post 6.4 cost cutting was locked b/c some felt that the "little" things influence what brand of truck a person buys. It seems that everyone has to have something new, and they'll get it no matter what the costs. The 7.3 is a kick-a$$ engine, but it had it's share of problems. The 6.0 is even more kick-a$$ in terms of power, but it also has it's share of problems. The 6.4 is no exception to the rule. Will there be problems...heck yea, you bet. Will there be major problems like the 6.0...probably not, given that the engineers did things the right way and properly tested everything. But there could be. My point is, for those that have "strayed", I'm going to bet that they will wait for proof that the 6.4 is just as reliable as the 7.3, if that is the case. I'm just ramblin', but c'mon guys, give the truck a chance to get here before you spend your kids college tuition trying to get one.

Later,

troyerdiesel · 10-04-2006, 05:07 PM

I think ford Knows if they get this right they will get there loyal customers back if they strayed.
look at gm when they knew they had the lowest rated diesel with there 6.5 diesel in 2000 they did well with the dmax.
GM went to common rail in 01 dodge did it in 03 and ford will finally
do it in 07 I think this will be A good step up I cant wait to buy one

**KINGTUT** · 10-04-2006, 06:43 PM

I don't see how anyone who has been around here awhile could possibly buy one of these 6.4 equipped SD's until the dust settles a bit. Some will, but most will not. It will not take long, since folks with the 6.0's started reporting problems almost immediately and it was in the media within 6 months after launch. I don't think giving it 6 months is too long especially when the well equipped models are gonna bust you for 50 g's. I just gotta believe that Ford is not gonna let another deal like the 6.0 happen. If for no other reason than to avoid the millions of dollars in warranty repairs it suffered with the 6.0. Just think if there had been no other problem with the 6.0 other than the need to have it reflashed a dozen times, that alone cost a bundle. I look at it this way if they botch this engine, I am forever gone as a Ford Diesel customer as long as Navistar is the supplier and Ford is reworking them, and a bunch of folks will be going with me. If this new engine is a hit, then myself and many other Ford truck loyalists will fall back in line and purchase. I wish them luck.

Mike Lewis · 10-04-2006, 07:18 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Just a quick question for you Ford guys that have strayed. In other words guys that are driving Chevy or Dodge diesels who used to have powerstrokes. Will this new truck persuade you back to the blueoval. My guess is with the new engine an new features on the trucks that Ford will gain back marketshare loss in the diesl market. I know there are a few off you out there. Ive seen you around. I know what people have driven in the past. My curiosity bone has got the best off me. Thanks for your responses in advanced.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ford's problems are less to do with the 6.0 debacle and more to do with deeper problems, IMO.

We can't know anything but just looking at the truck's styling. BUT... Ford has gotten too pricey and Ford has gotten to the point where their trucks are way, way, WAY too technical. I know that by what I've read and by what some dealers have said about not having the right people on hand to work on the trucks.

Two turbos is not better than one... it is a liability. Two turbos to be worried about is twice the number of turbos I want to deal with or pay to repair/replace when something happens or they just wear out.

The new Dodge diesel isn't a twin turbo, and I know their truck will do the job just fine. Same for the Chevy/GMC.

Life is not a drag race; it is a marathon. I don't care if the Ford is quicker off the line because it has one more turbo. I do care when I have to pay to r&r two turbos instead of one a few years down the line.

We're getting to the point where purchase costs are getting prohibitive, and where manufacturers are trying to squeeze more and more tech in with results that only a very few of us will truly benefit from--as far as power is concerned.

I should be able to show up at my local dealer, find a truck that is NICE and fits my needs for around $32,000. In my case, the Dodge boys filled that bill for me this time. I spent a few grand more for the nav system and "Jake" brake and now have a great truck for less than a comparably equipped Ford would have cost (comparing my price for Dodge quad cab before those options to Ford's ext cab.)

I may come back to Ford, but only when they simplify their designs a bit, stop screwing us at the dealers' service department (having to take the cab off to work on major engine issues??? COME ON!!!), and have adequate trucks for prices that a married father of 2 (and more expected), with 2 college degrees, in the military, can afford without having to stop saving for retirement.

After driving Ford trucks for 10+ years (driving 15 years), Ford lost me as a customer due to the 6.0 debacle, when their dealers wouldn't negotiate a fair deal on their trucks, and when I started feeling like I wasn't valued as a Ford customer. Lack of a cab size competitive with the Dodge quad cab was a major factor, too. Been driving a crewcab for several years... needed something smaller since the truck is also my daily driver. Wouldn't sacrifice 8' of long bed length to get more cab size, either. A truck ain't a truck unless it has at least a 6' bed... and that's an entry-level requirement.

A diesel pickup is just a tool to get a job done. The truck isn't the only thing in my life, and I won't allow other responsibilities to suffer because of a truck payment.

Works for me, may not work for someone else who is certainly entitled to their own opinion. You Asked!

49369 · 10-04-2006, 08:56 PM

Well Ive learned something from you guys responses. If you were through with Ford for good you wont be over here posting. You definitly want to get back in to a Ford again. I really dont think you love that Dodge as much as you think you do. I never seen a Ford guy yea that was happy in a Dodge. In one year youll have a new Ford in your driveway.

Mike Lewis · 10-04-2006, 09:24 PM

If I had to part with the Dodge, I'd replace it with an '01ish PSD or another '91 F-350 like I had before I bought the Dodge.

So far, of the current offerings, I can't see myself happy with anything other than the Ram. The Ford is a nice truck... the "techy" new ones are just not for me. I'd hope to find adequate power/torque from an '01 that an old geezer drove.

navistar45 · 10-04-2006, 09:26 PM

buying a new truck would be as simple as writeing a chk to whichever dealer i decide.at this point it will not be to ford for at least 2 years.the under hood is as packed as a sardine can,and i hate sardines. a person has no prayer in hell working on a ford or gm diesel,especially on side of the road if need be.unless the 6.4 turns out to be the real deal,the only ford i will ever buy will have a 7.3 in it..

49369 · 10-04-2006, 09:32 PM

Theres very few 7.3s that have less then 150,000 miles. Its been over 4 years since they last made them. Yopu guys will be driving these trucks quicker then you think. Once there out an you get a good look at them youll be sold

navistar45 · 10-04-2006, 09:46 PM

i dont know! i bought the 05 dodge just so i could keep some of the work load and miles off my 02 ford.i buy and sell vehicles during my off season,finding a clean used 7.3 is doable with some of the local dealers i deal with is a possibility. but as stated earlier,i wont make a judgement call on the 6.4 till it's been out a couple years.the 6.7 dodge will also get my attention as well.push comes to shove,i'll find a superduty with a 6.0,and install a commonrail 5.9 in it!

oldmikegraham · 10-04-2006, 10:11 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Theres very few 7.3s that have less then 150,000 miles. Its been over 4 years since they last made them. Yopu guys will be driving these trucks quicker then you think. Once there out an you get a good look at them youll be sold

[/ QUOTE ]

So if I understand you correctly Ford is going to sell 6.4 trucks based on the unavailability of 7.3's? Not much of a marketing strategy, kind of like a wedding dress at a divorce sale.

**KINGTUT** · 10-04-2006, 10:39 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Theres very few 7.3s that have less then 150,000 miles. Its been over 4 years since they last made them. Yopu guys will be driving these trucks quicker then you think. Once there out an you get a good look at them youll be sold

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think so, the 7 strokers go alot farther than 150k. I got plenty of friends around here who are way over 250k on those 96-97 bulls and still ridin them. You may be right in 3 or more years, but from personal experience my 97 F-350 7.3 has no need for Viagra.