New Ford F-250 Info.....

[jgillott]

I have been kicking around the Idea of picking up a cheap 3/4 ton 4x4 gasser to use primarily as a work/farm truck. I'm not really particular about what brand it is, other than I want something that is cheap and useful.



Our local Ford dealer has one 2008 F-250 4x4 on the lot that has caught my eye and I find myself going back to look at it quite often. It is a very basic F-250 regular cab with the 5. 4L V8 and a 6-speed manual. The price, with the current incentive package Ford is offering, is almost in line with some of the used trucks that I have looked at lately.



OK, considering that it will live most of it's life with me being used on logging roads, hauling firewood, hay, etc. what would I be getting myself in to with that truck? I've never owned a Ford, nor do I necessarily want one, but the price has me seriously considering it. My wife has given me the OK, so I'm basically looking for you all to talk me out of it..... LOL



Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Matt400]

Its really a pretty good truck IMO for what you want it for. The only thing I really don't like is the spark plug design on that model unless they decided to do something about it.



The 5. 4's use to blow plugs and trash the threads in the head. They changed that to a design that splits in 1/2 when you take the plug out so a tool was developed to extract the broken bottom part. Its hard enough to gain access to the plugs on that model much less operate a special tool in a back location.



Some more on that here



Obviously a 5. 4 in a heavy truck won't pull well out on the road but motoring around on the farm should be fine.

 

[jgillott]

Its really a pretty good truck IMO for what you want it for. The only thing I really don't like is the spark plug design on that model unless they decided to do something about it.



The 5. 4's use to blow plugs and trash the threads in the head. They changed that to a design that splits in 1/2 when you take the plug out so a tool was developed to extract the broken bottom part. Its hard enough to gain access to the plugs on that model much less operate a special tool in a back location.



Some more on that here



Obviously a 5. 4 in a heavy truck won't pull well out on the road but motoring around on the farm should be fine.

Thanks for that link. I'm amazed at some of the designs these manufacturers can come up with. :-laf

 

[RHestand]

I like just about everything about Fords, except their engines.

I've owned several, over the years, (gas & diesel) and the last two (99 & 03) were the worst.

A good friend and myself, both bought new, 99 V/10s. They both blew out a spark (plug & threads) before 100K miles. Not cheap to fix, center plug alum. heads.

I'll not be buying another "ferd", unless it has a Cummins in it.

Ray

 

[EGroeneveld]

I would spring for the same thing but with the V-10. Isn't the V-10 option only about $ 1,000. 00. It should be useful for towing and hauling and help the resale value later on.



Our '99 Excursion had the V-10 with the 4. 30 gears, great truck, loved it so much we traded it in on a 2005 Ford Excursion with the 6. o Powerstroke that has also been a great problem free truck for 35k miles so far



I know it does not have a Cummins but Dodge does not make anything like an Excursion!

 

[Grizzly]

A big minus about a Ferd V10 is that it is a gas hog.



Another concern would be if the cab has to be removed to work on the engine like the Powerjoke engines.

 

[Dieselnut59]

Do you have to get a new one? Maybe you could find a good used late model Dodge? I don't blame you on the manual transmission though. Manuals are the best for off-road/farm type work because you can put it in a gear and let it carry itself along. Great for picking up hay/straw or easing through a logging road, etc.

If you are going to be beating around logging roads and the farm, you may want to consider a good used truck if possible. The money you save, you could get a diesel.

 

[jgillott]

Do you have to get a new one? Maybe you could find a good used late model Dodge? I don't blame you on the manual transmission though. Manuals are the best for off-road/farm type work because you can put it in a gear and let it carry itself along. Great for picking up hay/straw or easing through a logging road, etc.

If you are going to be beating around logging roads and the farm, you may want to consider a good used truck if possible. The money you save, you could get a diesel.

I have been looking for a good used truck since I sold my 2001 Ram over a year ago. I just haven't been able to find one that is worth the money they are asking for them. I really don't necessarily want a new truck, but with the price these new Fords are being sold for, it seems at least somewhat tempting.