Considering Trade, need advice: 2500 4WD CTD for an F350 Crew Cab PSD 4WD

[GFoley]

I am thinking about trading my 2500 QC 4WD CTD for a new F350 Crew Cab 4WD PSD. I am considering this because of the cab configuration and both trucks have long beds. With my wife up front and two growing children I feel the need for more interior room. I drove a SRW F350 this evening but plan to go back and drive a DRW truck.



I do not tow a camper or 5er. It will be used as a daily driver and primary transportation when we get on the road. I am looking at the 350 because I am already over 7,800 lbs with my 3500. I do not plan to turn up the power in the CTD beyond the injectors and exhaust I have already done. I know that doing the same to a Ford is not cheap or easy but stock seems to be OK in a daily driver. It is certainly cheaper to keep what I have than to start over and that is also an item for me to consider as well.



I would like to hear from former PSD owners that have come over to the Dodge and get some input based on their experiences.

Why did you leave Ford for Dodge?

What cab configuration did you have then and now?

Do you like the noisier Cummins or prefer the quieter PSD, would engine noise be a consideration if you were doing it again?

Which Ford interior did you have, captains chairs or split bench, leather or cloth?

Having owned both, which do you like more and why?



Thank you for your experiences and input.

 

[Okie-Go]

I have never owned a ford. I think the people that buy the psd is because of the room and 4 doors, not because of the dislike of Dodge or Cummins. I bought my first ctd because of the engine. I am now on my 2nd one. I just have 1 child so room is not much of a factor for me. My brother bought a psd 2wd. He told me he has nothing against dodge or cummins but with two girls at 15 and 9 years of age he needs the room. As far as your choice you will have to do some thinking and do what is best for YOU. my 2cents anyhow.

 

[EShaw]

GFoley,

First, I'll tell you why I picked Dodge over Ford... ... FOR ME.

I don't tow, I do haul stuff. Didn't NEED a diesel or a dually but looks and SOUNDS ominous... . Hot Rod Factor/hot rod ability (priority for me). Got it loaded..... even leather... . If i'm spending around 5k for engine trans combo what's a few more $ after all? Just me and my 7 yr. old daughter for now... so full 4 door not an issue. Other than my Harley it is my primary driver. I made the right decision for me, based on my priorities.

Yes I am a Ford convert, let me explain. I've owned 6 Fords and 2 Dodges in my driving years, all of which served me well. I loved my 98' Limited Cherokee 5. 2L. Out of them all only 2 left me stranded. 84' Bronco, 90' F-150 Supercab and E-150 cargo van. All gassers. I know a few landscapers that have the Superduty trucks and like them. I have one friend that gave me the best advice when I told him I wanted a diesel quad cab dually configuration. The Cummins has fewer moving parts than the Ford and he was replacing glow plugs on a regular basis (keeps a couple in each truck).

I drove the Ford F-350 Dually 4 door... ... Lots of room back there..... Quiet... . Decent get up and go... ... . Longbed rode very nice..... I did like the truck but, what concerned me more than the back seat ( I don't sit there..... while driving anyway ) was the dependability and I know that anyone can build a lemon. You have a list of priorities that need to be met. I feel that the Ford addresses these for you where the Dodge falls short... ... . pun intended. I hope this helps and, please feel free to P. M. me anytime... . I'll help any way I can.

Best Regards,

Eric Shaw

www.shawcustomknives.com

-- email address removed --:--)

 

[LSMITH]

Foley, just so you know getting to about 325 rear wheel HP is the same cost for a PSD as it is a Cummins. The room in the rear of a crew cab ford is awesome for kids and adults. I would not get the DRW though for a daily driver, it will cost you about 20 HP and 2 MPG. I may be getting a Ford soon too for the room.

 

[Turbo Thom]

Just for your information, the local brake shop owner has a 01 psd 4 door for sale. He told me at 3500 miles a new transmission went in because of shift trouble. After 1500 more miles the same thing started over. Now, in the last 6 months he has 2000 miles on it a and you can but it for a bargin. .



If interested PM and I'll hook you up.



. . Preston. .

 

[Cooker]

Three of my friends just bought new Ford PS's. They are about the same trucks, ext. cab, 2500, AT's. I think all of them have no get up and go. IMO, the stock Ford auto transmission has less power transfer than the stock Dodge auto. Maybe with a better transmission, I might be more impressed with their trucks. If it were me, I'd definitely get a stick. Also, non of them start worth a crap in the cold.



As far as the rest of the truck is concerned, I think they are nice. The ride is pretty decent, IMO, and the interior is ok.



I don't think you will be disappointed with the PS, but I'm sure some reasons will be brought to your attention why you bought a Cummins the first time around.



Good Luck,

Ryan

 

[kes]

I'm not sure this is of value but I really wanted to chime in here. forgive me - I'm long winded - I love my 99 3500 quad. I really wanted a 4 dr when I started looking to replace my 95 chevy 2500 xtra cab (gasser). Chevy just was taking too long for the new diesel and I wasn't that brave to be a guinee pig anyway. MOF, I wanted the F*rd. I loved the look despite loving the cummins I wanted a 4dr. Ford wouldn't deal and this dodge was sitting on the lot for awhile sooooo... . I love it. It was a bit underpowered to me so I bombed it some, injectors, Van aaken, low stall TC, valve body rebuild, 4" exhasut, Ebrake, guages and on and on. It runs nice now, tows a 36' travel supreme (14K GVW) -

anyway fast forward.

#2 son was born 12/14. #1 daughter was 2 in 10/91. Tried to put them both in the ram with mom and dad yesterday - no way - Mrs isn't happy - nor am I. Got my mega buck dodge that I dialed in for me but I new this day would come. So no true 4 dr on the horizon (which I was holding out for). Still love Fords look though a bit reserved on the PS. I'm thinking of looking at the duramax allison combo. This will tear my heart out - but I need the space. Thanx for letting me vent in a convenient thread. I just don't know what I'm gonna do - still in shock I guess. Any research on the 4dr F*rd and Ch*vy - I read that GM has the ticket for towing capacity at the moment.

sorry all - thanx for your patience - I've been lurking for awhile.

KES:{

 

[MABurns]

Kes,



Please don't slit your wrists just yet!!! I too had a Ram CTD (2 as a matter of fact 94, and 99)and loved them!! But when #2 came and she had to go in the middle(rear facing) I knew it was time to look at other options. My brother was the guinea pig and got a 01 Duramax first. He had no problems. So I got one. Bottom line I love it too. Runs and rides great. and pulls the fifth wheel just as good if not better (due to allison) than my stock CTDs. Ford, Dodge, GM, they all make a pretty good diesel truck.

The "true 4 door" 02 Ram is no bigger in the back seat than an extended cab GM.



For alot of people's sake I home DC wakes up and makes a CREW CAB!



But for what it's worth... . it's too late..... I like the GM D/A better.



Maybe 04, 05 I'll be back.

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

I believe the new QC w/4drs is designed to have a rearfacing child seat fit behind a front seat slid all the way back. I sat in a 1500 and I'm 6'2", my knees didn't hit the seat. it was comfortable and the interior looked nice.



It's not a crewcab. My Dad has a CC PSD 2wd SRW LB auto. . loves it, but that thing takes a football field to pull a u-turn! It rides great and runs ok for a Phord.



I have 3 kids, 4mos, 3, 7. Put the little one in the middle in the back and the other two on either side. the 3yr old uses a booster seat. All 5 of us fit just fine. I do put more stuff in the bed to keep from feeling cramped but it works well and I wouldn't trade my Mule for a Phord or Cheby. My 3yr old kicks my seat just to irritate me though the little s#$%:-laf I don't know where she gets her sense of humor



The 4 dr is bigger but given the PSD or D-max, I'll row my CCTD for years to come. If we have anymore I'll need a bus.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Mark_Kendrick

I believe the new QC w/4drs is designed to have a rearfacing child seat fit behind a front seat slid all the way back. I sat in a 1500 and I'm 6'2", my knees didn't hit the seat. it was comfortable and the interior looked nice.



It's not a crewcab. My Dad has a CC PSD 2wd SRW LB auto. . loves it, but that thing takes a football field to pull a u-turn! It rides great and runs ok for a Phord.



I have 3 kids, 4mos, 3, 7. Put the little one in the middle in the back and the other two on either side. the 3yr old uses a booster seat. All 5 of us fit just fine. I do put more stuff in the bed to keep from feeling cramped but it works well and I wouldn't trade my Mule for a Phord or Cheby. My 3yr old kicks my seat just to irritate me though the little s#$%:-laf I don't know where she gets her sense of humor



The 4 dr is bigger but given the PSD or D-max, I'll row my CCTD for years to come. If we have anymore I'll need a bus.

Mark, you are a funny guy . Just make sure it is a CTD powered Bus.

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

#ad
gad I'm useful for something#ad

 

[RedRam1]

GFOLEY,



I'm not sure about the rear facing seats, but once your kids are in boosters, or maybe even fwd facing seats, you will be OK... at least for a while. My girls are 4 & 5, almost 5 & 6. They are both in booster seats, and we do just fine. How tall is your wife? Mine's 5'5", and she can ride with the front seat all the way forward with no problem. With the passenger seat fully forward, there's enough room in the right side rear position for dam near anybody. I'm 6'2", and I fit reasonably well if the back with the front seat all the way up. Although I prefer the drivers seat all the way back, I can pull it forward an inch or two without feeling too cramped, just a little forward movement of the front seat makes a world of difference in the back. Hang on till you get the kids in boosters, then you should be OK at least until they're 8 to 10 yrs or so. Maybe DC will have a real CC by then.

 

[MABurns]

Yeah , come to think of it my kids comfort and safety are not that important. Or my wifes comfort if she has to ride in the back to comfort or entertain/read to them on long trips. My 6'3 body could sit in the QC "if" the seat was the whole way forward, but I was not comfortable in the least. And I coulnd't do it for more than an hour. Yes you can sit in the back or a QC but anybody that says the seat back angle and legroom is comfortable is trying to justify something in there own mind.

 

[LarryB]

Originally posted by MABurns

..... anybody that says the seat back angle and legroom is comfortable is trying to justify something in there own mind.....



... But when #2 came and she had to go in the middle(rear facing) I knew it was time to look at other options...

Talk about justifying something in your own mind. That's what we all do. Make an emotional decision first, then look for rational to support it. I personally would have a hard time spending 40k+ on a car.



My family can get up, walk around, use the can, make dinner, and go to bed.

 

[RedRam1]

Yeah, yeah, I know it's a compromise, and I know it won't last, but a 4 or 5 year old kid is perfectly comfortable in the back of a quad cab. The bench portion of the seat could be a sheet of plywood and a kid wouldn't the difference until he's out of his booster seat, which is not recommended until they reach 80 lbs. Also, folks in 5ft something size range, which would include most of our significant others, seem to be just as comfortable with the seat fwd as with it all the way back.



You're right I did have to work on it a while to "justify it in my own mind" but I finally did! In all seriousness though, I believe the kids are just as safe, and alomost as comfortable in a quad until they outgrow the booster seats. Admittedly (sp?) if your wife has to sit back there and babysit, she's not goint to like it much.



Don't misinterpret my message, I would have bought a CC in a heartbeat if it were available. I brought my kids & their booster seats with me before I bought, they fit OK, and it looked like they would be OK for at least a few years. They're growing fast though, so my days may be numbered.

 

[RedRam1]

Way off the topic here, but I just looked at my last post & spotted a ton of mis-spelled words, typo's, etc. Is there a way to do a spelling/grammer check here on the boards, similar to what you do with Microsoft Word, and the like?

 

[LarryB]

If I want it right (seldom) then I cut and paste my post in a new email in Outlook, run the spell check, cut and post back, then submit. I don't know of a spellchecker here, maybe we should suggest one in the TDR website/Roundtable.

 

[kes]

Holly cow. Thanx so much for all the feedback. I would have checked sooner but got busy changing diapers and never got an email notifier till just now in the office.



I think MABurns is getting some of my anger out well - I lol when I saw the slit your wrists <G>. But I was that upset. My truck is far from stock and all that money and time dialing it in makes me that much more emotional. That said - I wanted a 4 door since day one.

To answer what I caught reading the posts (thank you everyone)

the mrs is @5'8" I'd guess. I was 5'10" before I started shrinking in my old age. Yes, I finally succeeded that day by putting my daughter (2) in the booter on the passenger side and placing the mrs knees into the dash. But I shouldn't have too. #1 thats my daughters place in the middle- its safest - and I promised her she could keep it when her brother came along. now she has her feet cruncehd against the seat, bugs her, bugs the mrs and the mrs looks rediculous against the dash, is uncomfortable and I must turn off the air bag.



What started it was I tried to put the rear facing seat behind the drivers seat (as planned since day one). Not that my stomach would have been happy - but I couldn't even fit it in with the seat full forward. Ahhhhhhhh.



FWIW - prior to this incident it was customary for the mrs to sit in the back with my daughter. She sat behind the passengers seat and had to tilt it forward, moved forward to survive. We alsways did this - one or the other of us sits in back with her. We enjoy it. BTW - doing it in the mrs expedition is no problem (she is on #2 and loves it still) - anyway - This made it tough for me to see. Whats worse is when we took my 73+ year old mom with us she was into the dash becasue my wife puts the seat all the way up and tilts it (though less with mom there). Then there was the whole issue of dealing with the quad doors. It was always comical (not for us but for everyone watching) but we survived - even when towing the 5er to Michigan or Ky.



But all that said - I think I've reached my tolerance limit. If I can find any physical way to afford a 4 dr I think I must abandon ship - sniff sniff.



I am really thankfull the D/A feedback - I really know little of the competition.



On the other hand - someone may get a heck of a deal on one sweet bombed RAM - I knew I should have got the in bed fuel tank and not the underbelly one - and I just got the bed liner sprayed in too !!! Damn!!!



- oh no - here come the tears again. <G>:{

 

[RedRam1]

Kes,



I guess in your case it just ain't gonna work, sorry to hear that. I guess your 5'8" wife must be "leggier" than my 5'5" ~125lb model. It usually doesn't even occur to my wife to run the seat back on the rare instances when we go someplace in the truck without the kids, she has plenty of room. I will have to admit that we are on borrowed time, and will probably be looking at crew cabs in a few more years too (no matter how creative I get, the drivers side is going to be a problem). However, in our case, at least for now, the quad does work just fine.

I'll leave you with one last thought. When that 2 year old get about one year older, she's gonna get a lot more independent... she's not going to want mom or dad sitting right beside her in the back anymore, trust me on this if nothing else!

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by LarryB





Talk about justifying something in your own mind. That's what we all do. Make an emotional decision first, then look for rational to support it. I personally would have a hard time spending 40k+ on a car.



My family can get up, walk around, use the can, make dinner, and go to bed.

Larry I think you won this discussion