thoughts on full size

[mobydick 11]

Well unless you are going to pull a big 5th wheel trailer cross country ,I do not see the economy of a diesel. Are local Flying J is charging $ .22 cents a liter more for diesel then gas .That is about 88 a gallon . So if you say buy a diesel and get 20% better mileage but pay 20 % more for the fuel we end up in the same place . I have been pulling my G26 John Deer excavator ,that's around 6000 LBS in a 7000 LB dump trailer and the gas motor is working just fine .Please do not think I don't like Diesel power ,I have three.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Unless you know how to twist wrenches really well... I'd avoid the 6.0 powerstroke. Buuuut, if you don't mind building a motor, a "bullet proofed" 6.0 can be an absolute monster when it comes to power.

My nephew built one a few years back. He got the truck cheap because it has a 6.0 that had been nothing but trouble. About 12k and 18 months later and he could roast 37s with ease.

 

[Riley]

I understand, that if you check, the cabs are same size, if not the same stamping on the half tons and 3 quarter tons from the big three. Well, if they still have a "supercab". That's why the "modern" half tons seem so big, they are!

Further, when digging up the specs, if configured the same way, double cab, 6.5 ft bed, the 3/4 tons had a better turning radius. Capacity and mileage are really the only things that differentiate them. Those elements can be significantly influenced by use. A 2.7 turbo or the new Chevy 4 cyliner half ton might have similar or better performance specs though I think 100K will show the difference between the longeivity of those and a large displacement motor operated in spec.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If you want to go diesel and full size, I know there are numerous years to avoid and buy.
I do know 2 people with 2018 F250, who have had a world of problems. I know that the 7.3 or a 1998 and below cummins is the way to go. With all the HWY miles in between the fun stuff,I would like drive something that is not a dinosaur. Also it seems, I am might be wrong, I have just started to look into this. Most full size trucks got real BIG on the most recent body styles. For y'all out there that are driving F250's or Cummins that fall into the category of 12 yrs to current, what years should I be looking into and avoiding.

The problem with the old 7.3/5.9trcks is that they all have half a million miles on them or better.

And Dodges of that era... are less than awesome.

 

[Regcabguy]

The problem with the old 7.3/5.9trcks is that they all have half a million miles on them or better.

And Dodges of that era... are less than awesome.

Nor my bil's F-250 7.3 non-turbo'd. Gutless,smoking,loud truck with the third trans in it's life at 135K. Plus the interior gauges,auto shift selector,a\c all half working. Then the huge turning radius. The '98'-'02 Superduty's were my favorite aside from the turning radius.

 

[phsycle]

Further, when digging up the specs, if configured the same way, double cab, 6.5 ft bed, the 3/4 tons had a better turning radius. ...

Looked up Ford. F150 and F250, crew cab and 6.5 ft bed. Turning Diameter: F150 - 51'. F250 - 53.5'.

 

[SuperAlan]

This may help- or not.

I have a 2002 F-150 XLT extended cab with the 5.4 (chipped, magnaflow exhaust- adds maybe 20 hp/20 torque & 1 mpg improvement). I bought it in 2004 and it's got 145k miles. Two months ago I bought a 2019 F250 XLT 6.7 with a crew cab & 24k miles, leveling kit & 35" mud tires.

The F-150 fits into an average parking spot and a parking garage, rides better than the F-250, but the seats aren't nearly as comfy. There is enough room in the back seat for small children (up to middle school). It can pull a 6000 lb trailer up a 5% grade and maintain hwy speed- but if I lose momentum I can't pull hard enough to get back to 60. Best I can do is maybe 50 mph.

The F-250 has enough room in the cab to mount a disco ball and put in a dance floor... well maybe not, but at least it can seat 6 adults comfortably. It feels like a truck. It has better ground clearance, but it's harder to see over the nose. The power... wow. There is space under the bed for a 35" spare.

Both trucks have the 6-1/2' bed, but the F-250 is a lot wider & deeper.

The F-150 weighs about 5500 lbs with me in it and gets something like 12/17 for mileage, while the big diesel weighs about 8000 lbs and sees 15/21.

I sprung for the larger truck because I have teenagers and extended family at home, we wanted a low-mileage rig, we will be pulling a large rv trailer in the future, it can haul significantly more in the bed- both weight and volume, and it gets better mileage than my older truck with a larger tank. I can pile on the camping gear, recovery gear, etc. and still not worry about overloading it or having problems with clearance, traction, range, etc. in the back country.

This truck needs to do pretty much everything- even though that means it won't really shine at anything.

I live in central Oregon, so big city problems... really aren't a problem.

Engine tech has come a long way in 20 years, so a new F-150 will have substantially better performance- both in power and mileage, as compared to my older one.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

This may help- or not.

I have a 2002 F-150 XLT extended cab with the 5.4 (chipped, magnaflow exhaust- adds maybe 20 hp/20 torque & 1 mpg improvement). I bought it in 2004 and it's got 145k miles. Two months ago I bought a 2019 F250 XLT 6.7 with a crew cab & 24k miles, leveling kit & 35" mud tires.

The F-150 fits into an average parking spot and a parking garage, rides better than the F-250, but the seats aren't nearly as comfy. There is enough room in the back seat for small children (up to middle school). It can pull a 6000 lb trailer up a 5% grade and maintain hwy speed- but if I lose momentum I can't pull hard enough to get back to 60. Best I can do is maybe 50 mph.

The F-250 has enough room in the cab to mount a disco ball and put in a dance floor... well maybe not, but at least it can seat 6 adults comfortably. It feels like a truck. It has better ground clearance, but it's harder to see over the nose. The power... wow. There is space under the bed for a 35" spare.

Both trucks have the 6-1/2' bed, but the F-250 is a lot wider & deeper.

The F-150 weighs about 5500 lbs with me in it and gets something like 12/17 for mileage, while the big diesel weighs about 8000 lbs and sees 15/21.

I sprung for the larger truck because I have teenagers and extended family at home, we wanted a low-mileage rig, we will be pulling a large rv trailer in the future, it can haul significantly more in the bed- both weight and volume, and it gets better mileage than my older truck with a larger tank. I can pile on the camping gear, recovery gear, etc. and still not worry about overloading it or having problems with clearance, traction, range, etc. in the back country.

This truck needs to do pretty much everything- even though that means it won't really shine at anything.

I live in central Oregon, so big city problems... really aren't a problem.

Engine tech has come a long way in 20 years, so a new F-150 will have substantially better performance- both in power and mileage, as compared to my older one.

Same same same.

My 2002 Supercab F-150 with the 5.4 even weighs the same and gets about the same mileage.

I am thinking a few years older and a lot more boring for the diesel 3/4 ton though.

 

[phsycle]

This may help- or not.

I have a 2002 F-150 XLT extended cab with the 5.4 (chipped, magnaflow exhaust- adds maybe 20 hp/20 torque & 1 mpg improvement). I bought it in 2004 and it's got 145k miles. Two months ago I bought a 2019 F250 XLT 6.7 with a crew cab & 24k miles, leveling kit & 35" mud tires.

The F-150 fits into an average parking spot and a parking garage, rides better than the F-250, but the seats aren't nearly as comfy. There is enough room in the back seat for small children (up to middle school). It can pull a 6000 lb trailer up a 5% grade and maintain hwy speed- but if I lose momentum I can't pull hard enough to get back to 60. Best I can do is maybe 50 mph.

The F-250 has enough room in the cab to mount a disco ball and put in a dance floor... well maybe not, but at least it can seat 6 adults comfortably. It feels like a truck. It has better ground clearance, but it's harder to see over the nose. The power... wow. There is space under the bed for a 35" spare.

Both trucks have the 6-1/2' bed, but the F-250 is a lot wider & deeper.

The F-150 weighs about 5500 lbs with me in it and gets something like 12/17 for mileage, while the big diesel weighs about 8000 lbs and sees 15/21.

I sprung for the larger truck because I have teenagers and extended family at home, we wanted a low-mileage rig, we will be pulling a large rv trailer in the future, it can haul significantly more in the bed- both weight and volume, and it gets better mileage than my older truck with a larger tank. I can pile on the camping gear, recovery gear, etc. and still not worry about overloading it or having problems with clearance, traction, range, etc. in the back country.

This truck needs to do pretty much everything- even though that means it won't really shine at anything.

I live in central Oregon, so big city problems... really aren't a problem.

Engine tech has come a long way in 20 years, so a new F-150 will have substantially better performance- both in power and mileage, as compared to my older one.

F150 and F250's now have the exact same cab, same seats, etc. I'd have suggested looking at a F150 Crew Cab long bed to make daily driving easier. But if you're towing a large RV, I'd have gone F250 as well (although, probably 6.2 or new 7.3).

 

[jadmt]

oops.

 

[jgallo1]

For me the main interest in the F250, is for the solid axels, manual locking hubs and rear locker. I am only looking at the supercab or Fords extended cab short bed. it has a 142" wheelbase which is nice.
I know the F150 would most likely be the "more sensible" option. When did sense ever enter the car world. If it did, the modern soccer mom mobile would not be a built sprinter van that is 270" long. Which by the way makes a shortbed F250 seem like sedan.
My main concern with an F250, is will it be an issue in the pacific north west? Will it just sink in the sand/mud on the lost coast?
Could I run most of the trails around Ouray in it?
If I dont go with the F250, I will most likely go with the ZR2 over the F150.
You can find some great deals on 2011-2014 F250

 

[Deleted member 9101]

A 2.7 turbo or the new Chevy 4 cyliner half ton might have similar or better performance specs though I think 100K will show the difference between the longeivity of those and a large displacement motor operated in spec.

There is no shortage of 2.7s with six figure mileage that have given the owner zero problems. The 2.7 is a really well designed and built motor. It has forged internals and an extremely strong block and cylinders.

It outperforms my two previous Tundras, whike getting better fuel economy. The only downside is it doesn't sound like a V8..haha.

The 4 banger from Chevy isn't even in the same league....lol.

 

[Riley]

Looked up Ford. F150 and F250, crew cab and 6.5 ft bed. Turning Diameter: F150 - 51'. F250 - 53.5'.

Might check the Ram version....Though nice to hear the Ford breaks the mold...

 

[Deleted member 9101]

For me the main interest in the F250, is for the solid axels, manual locking hubs and rear locker. I am only looking at the supercab or Fords extended cab short bed. it has a 142" wheelbase which is nice.
I know the F150 would most likely be the "more sensible" option. When did sense ever enter the car world. If it did, the modern soccer mom mobile would not be a built sprinter van that is 270" long. Which by the way makes a shortbed F250 seem like sedan.
My main concern with an F250, is will it be an issue in the pacific north west? Will it just sink in the sand/mud on the lost coast?
Could I run most of the trails around Ouray in it?
If I dont go with the F250, I will most likely go with the ZR2 over the F150.
You can find some great deals on 2011-2014 F250

The F250 will ride and handle like crap when compared to any 1/2 ton. When my work truck is unavailable (2017 GMC 2500) I will take one of my offices Dodge Caravans to avoid driving one of our F250...lol.

The F250 will also guzzle fuel doing the same job as a 1/2 ton, unless you are pulling some serious weight.

As for the solid axle... There is not an epidemic of IFS failures...or any failures really. Every failure that I have seen has been related to a cheap lift kit and/or incorrext CV axle angles.

 

[phsycle]

For me the main interest in the F250, is for the solid axels, manual locking hubs and rear locker. I am only looking at the supercab or Fords extended cab short bed. it has a 142" wheelbase which is nice.
I know the F150 would most likely be the "more sensible" option. When did sense ever enter the car world. If it did, the modern soccer mom mobile would not be a built sprinter van that is 270" long. Which by the way makes a shortbed F250 seem like sedan.
My main concern with an F250, is will it be an issue in the pacific north west? Will it just sink in the sand/mud on the lost coast?
Could I run most of the trails around Ouray in it?
If I dont go with the F250, I will most likely go with the ZR2 over the F150.
You can find some great deals on 2011-2014 F250

Someone posted a picture of their essentially stock F250 at the top of Engineer Pass. You could do a ton of trails around there. Imogene. Alpine Loop. I’d not go on Black Bear but most others should be good.

As for mud and sand, you’ll be fine in either truck. People in Australia run some heavy rigs in sand and muck.