'08-Up General QuestionsGeneral questions related to 2008-Up Super Duty trucks. If it doesn't fit the other categories, post it here. Gas engine discussion that pertains to all models is allowed. Specific gas engine questions should use the Gas Engines forum.
Hi all, My name is Christopher and I am an HVAC contractor, well just starting out. Currently my only truck is an 03 Ford Ranger, which will be traded in
This is going to be a work truck for me, but the business is only part time, so the truck will be a work truck, commutor truck, and my ONLY means of transportation besides my harley or my girlfriend, lol!
The price of the truck is:
MSRP: $47,990
Employee Price-$3000 Cash Back I can get the truck for $38,551
Plus I can get $500 off for it being for a business too
So I orignally planned on buying a van. B/c the employee pricing discount, I would like to buy my dream truck, b/c it might be affordable an 08 F350 Crewcab Lariat SRW Powerstroke. will be adding an enclosed Knephide body. The truck is a build job #1.
I know they get bad fuel milage, but I dont think a van with a 5.4 or 6.0 will get much better then 14mpg anyways. Hell the ranger only gets 14mpg!
So my questions are this:
1) After the warentee is up, are there any mods that can be done to get better fuel mileage? I would be willing to do some mods that are for OFFROAD use only as well.
2) The body weighs #1700. And the tools are maybe another #1500-2000. So I would be within the proper capacities for this truck as I see it. If for some reason I went with a gasser that would have enough power to move the load around quite eaisly, right?
3) What is the deal with the radiator? Since Ford knows it is a problem can I get the dealer to replace it right off the bat?
4) What is the deal with all these computer upgrade that the dealership does? Do I need to tell them to do that to my truck right off the bat?
5) Is the fuel mileage of all new diesels as ****ty as the powerstroke? If so, would the particle filter be the culprit of causing the problem? Why not just get rid of it?
6) What else do I need to know?
Last edited by ChristopherNJ : 07-09-2008 at 07:27 PM.
2) The body weighs #1700. And the tools are maybe another #1500-2000. So I would be within the proper capacities for this truck as I see it.
GVWR = 11,500.
Empty truck with the Knapheid service body will weigh around 10,000 pounds before you add driver and lunchbox. So you can bet you'll be overloaded before you get through putting your tools and parts and pipe and fittings and other junk in the truck .
Buddy of mine is a small-town plumber/HVAC contractor. He has an F-350 DRW SuperDuty , and he's often severely overloaded. But those Fords just keep on keepin' on, so he doesn't worry about it except to replace a spring every so often.
Quote:
If for some reason I went with a gasser that would have enough power to move the load around quite eaisly, right?
The V-10 gas hog has more horses than the diesel, but not near as much torque. You'll be a second-class citizen with the gas hog, but if the current difference in gas and diesel prices remains for long, you might be money ahead with the gasser - assuming you drive it until it quits.
Quote:
4) What is the deal with all these computer upgrade that the dealership does? Do I need to tell them to do that to my truck right off the bat?
All modern engines need a frequent software upgrade, the same as your Windows PC needs a frequent software upgrade or patch or fix. But your Ford dealer's service department will do it automagically every time you bring the truck in for service. They always "plug in" your truck to the diagnostic computer, and if that computer determines that you don't have the latest upgrade for your VIN, then you get it automagically.
Quote:
5) ... Why not just get rid of it?
Because it's agin' the Federal law to mess with emissions equipment on any vehicle sold in the USA. And more and more states are cracking down to be certain you don't bend the rules. If you get caught, it's a huge fine in Federal court, and your buddy down at the state or local courthouse won't be able to help you dodge the bullet.
Quote:
6) What else do I need to know?
It's over 140º F in my attic right now. I need a good HVAC guy to crawl up there and fix my ducts. Are you available.
__________________
My Sierra Blanca is a '99.5 PSD CrewCab hot-rod Towing Machine! BTS tranny; TurboRamAir intake and 4" stainless turbo-back exhaust; DP-Tuner tunes flashed into an Edge Evolution tuner; ISSPRO EV gauges and TTM; AIC. I special-ordered it new and plan to drive it until it quits.
Last edited by SmokeyWren : 07-10-2008 at 07:21 AM.
I bet you could get a cab/chassis F-450/550 for less money and have quite a bit greater carrying capacity. Maybe not as fancy, though the XLTs are pretty well equipped, but still a comfortable, dependable truck. Local dealers have 2008 cab chassis with the V-10s for the low $30's.
__________________
2008 F-450 Lariat Dark Stone Metallic over Pueblo Gold 4x4(manual shift transfer case, manual hubs), High capacity tow 4:88s, Off Road, Camper packages, Sirius Sat, Upfitter switches, DVD entertainment, tailgate step, traction control, Audiophile 6-disc, PTC Supplemental heat and heated seats(warm buns), rear sensors, traction control, tailgate step. Built May 8, delivered May 24
Reese Signature Series 24k fiver hitch, I installed it myself, best hitch I have found yet
Line-X bedliner, heavy duty floor mats
2003 Sunline F281SR(weekend getaways)
SeaRay 215EC http://community.webshots.com/user/C...host=community
A cab chassis might be a good idea. Im just not sure which will be more economical to run.
Im not worried about weight b/c I know ive seen 350s set up smilar. And I know some people even use a E350 van with a the same set up, many times even larger.
Basically Im torn between gas and diesel.
If diesel if $5/gal, and the truck will get 10mpg, thats a cost of $.5/mile
If gas is $4/gal, and the truck will get 8mpg thats a cost of $.5/mile.
So the main question is, are there mods to get the truck to get 15mpg? Even if they are for off road use only?
I remeber reading about diesels getting 17-20mpg, So my thinking is this DPF is the culprit of bad fuel mileage. Ill be able to live with myself if a break a law. B.c the way I see it, the govt and big oil are bending us over. It makes it much much harder for me to earn a living so ill do what I have to do to survive. I understand if you dont agree with my view but it is what it is!
A cab chassis might be a good idea. Im just not sure which will be more economical to run.
There is absolutely no difference in the cost to run a chassis cab truck compared to a pickup with the same options.
There is a difference in the Knapheid service bodies. The pickup frame is a little shorter and a little wider and has a kick-up over the rear axle. The chassis cab frame is narrower and longer and straight. So a service body made for a chassis cab won't fit a pickup, and vice versa.
So talk to your upfitter that will mount the service body for you as to which might be better for your needs.
You can get a chassis cab truck in F-350 SRW, F-350 DRW, F-450 DRW or F-550 DRW. And you can choose between XL, XLT and Lariat trim on any of them, as well as regular cab, SuperCab or CrewCab. What you cannot get is the gee-whiz fancy trim such as Harley-Davidson or King Ranch. But for a "work truck", I suspect you could make do with a Lariat.
One advantage of a DRW chassis cab is you can get a longer wheelbase, and thus a bigger service body, than for a pickup. The short chassis cabs have a cab-to-axle (CA) measurement of 60", which is a few inches longer than a long-bed pickup. But you can also order a chassis cab with a CA of 84", or two foot longer than the "normal" one. Knapheid makes service bodies for pickups, 60" CA as well as 84" CA chassis cabs.
However, if you go for an SRW chassis cab, your wheel base choices are limited to 60" CA.
Quote:
Are these guys all just liars or is their truck getting much better fuel mileage?
They're probably not comparing apples to apples. If you compare trucks with the same model year, cabs, options, and drivetrains, there won't be much difference in fuel mileage. All 2008 diesel trucks have the same requirements to filter out the black smoke from the exhaust. Ford does it as good an anybody else. But nobody's 2008 models will get as good a fuel mileage as the 2006 and earlier models, because of the different emissions requirements.
In the towing and hauling forum, there is a sticky post with lots of sources for beds and bodies for new trucks. Several different sources for Knapheid bodies are in there. Check it out. Ignore the part about "tow bodies" and look for sources for service bodies. And your Ford dealer can order your truck with the service body already installed by the time the new truck arrives at the dealership. That may be the way you want to go.
my buddy has an 08 chevy....were both set up close to the same as far as 4.10 gears. lift and tire size.....his mpg suck just as bad as my truck....and yes ive been on a few trips in his truck while towing....the dpf/regen is hurting all 3 trucks..
__________________
2008 F-350 SRW CC/LB 4X4 King Ranch 35" Toyos, 2.5 level kit, 4.10 gears, B&W turn over ball, Alpha liner,60 Gal Titan replacement tank, Edge insight gauges, air bags.
An f450-550 is just too much truck for what I need. I dont want a dually. I want the keep the body narrow b/c its a daily driver. I want to be able to go on the parkway and not get hasseled too.
I test drove both. Both were 1 tons, long bed crew cabs. Both were driven around town/highway.
The fords computer shows 9.6mpg
the duramax 14.5mpg
Every peice of research Ive done has indicated that the Duramax does indeed get better fuel mileage.
I can get a $47K Ford for 38K
I can get a $48k Chevy for 40.5K
I love the looks of the Ford, I love its interior, i love the ride high, I hate the fuel milage.
AutoForums.com is the premier network of enthusiast-owned
enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
We operate more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share
experiences and opinions as a community.
Linear Mode
