Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
I could hardly believe it - but there it was!
For all those long years, with my powerful diesel I had absolutely RULED this 7 mile stretch of 7% Sierra grade while towing my 8,000 lb. 5th wheel. Fords didn't have a chance - and the "regulars" of the GM camp I often encountered on this grade usually just pulled off to the shoulder when they saw me rapidly approaching in their rearview mirrors. But now, today, as I serenely began my way up that old familiar grade, I was rudely awakened by the loud roar and cackle of another vehicle behind me. It was absolutely UNTHINKABLE - but I turned and saw a '99 Ford Super Duty F-350 Power Stroke slowly overtaking me. First, his bumper was beside me - then the front tire. Next, thru the passenger side window I saw the driver with beads of sweat on his forehead as he gripped the steering wheel with white knuckles. He would momentarily stare at me, then quickly shift his anxious gaze to the road ahead, as he clearly worried whether he could get past before we reached the hills crest a scant 5 miles ahead. But surely, certainly, he overtook me inches at a time until finally, just before the hills crest, he was able to pull back into the lane ahead of me. I sat amazed and saddened as the driver and the little pop-up tent trailer he was pulling, swept off the freeway, and into the rest stop at the top of the hill. The driver quickly jumped from his F-350, and trotted to the nearby bathroom - he was consumed with mixed emotions as he happily realized that he had finally found a diesel he could actually PASS with his Ford, and at the same time was disgusted at the mess in his shorts the closeness of the victory had created. For my part, I was forced to realize and accept that my long reign as "king of the hill" was over, and that though my tow vehicle had served me long and well, it was now old and tired. If I was to again enjoy the ability to out-pull the new, fearsome Ford Super Duties, I would have to trade in my tractor, and get one of the new 20 horsepower Kabota diesels to replace the old 3 cylinder 16 hp job that had served so well, so long on this grade... .
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http://community. webshots.com/user/davison71 Early '91 250, 727 AT, 307 rear... Banks Stinger exhaust, intercooler... US Gear OD... Tweaked pump, upgraded radiator... MORE than a match for every new PS Ford encountered so far...
"Dura" WHAT? NOW I know where all those recycled beer cans go...
[This message has been edited by Gary - KJ6Q (edited 05-11-2001). ]
For all those long years, with my powerful diesel I had absolutely RULED this 7 mile stretch of 7% Sierra grade while towing my 8,000 lb. 5th wheel. Fords didn't have a chance - and the "regulars" of the GM camp I often encountered on this grade usually just pulled off to the shoulder when they saw me rapidly approaching in their rearview mirrors. But now, today, as I serenely began my way up that old familiar grade, I was rudely awakened by the loud roar and cackle of another vehicle behind me. It was absolutely UNTHINKABLE - but I turned and saw a '99 Ford Super Duty F-350 Power Stroke slowly overtaking me. First, his bumper was beside me - then the front tire. Next, thru the passenger side window I saw the driver with beads of sweat on his forehead as he gripped the steering wheel with white knuckles. He would momentarily stare at me, then quickly shift his anxious gaze to the road ahead, as he clearly worried whether he could get past before we reached the hills crest a scant 5 miles ahead. But surely, certainly, he overtook me inches at a time until finally, just before the hills crest, he was able to pull back into the lane ahead of me. I sat amazed and saddened as the driver and the little pop-up tent trailer he was pulling, swept off the freeway, and into the rest stop at the top of the hill. The driver quickly jumped from his F-350, and trotted to the nearby bathroom - he was consumed with mixed emotions as he happily realized that he had finally found a diesel he could actually PASS with his Ford, and at the same time was disgusted at the mess in his shorts the closeness of the victory had created. For my part, I was forced to realize and accept that my long reign as "king of the hill" was over, and that though my tow vehicle had served me long and well, it was now old and tired. If I was to again enjoy the ability to out-pull the new, fearsome Ford Super Duties, I would have to trade in my tractor, and get one of the new 20 horsepower Kabota diesels to replace the old 3 cylinder 16 hp job that had served so well, so long on this grade... .
------------------
http://community. webshots.com/user/davison71 Early '91 250, 727 AT, 307 rear... Banks Stinger exhaust, intercooler... US Gear OD... Tweaked pump, upgraded radiator... MORE than a match for every new PS Ford encountered so far...
"Dura" WHAT? NOW I know where all those recycled beer cans go...
[This message has been edited by Gary - KJ6Q (edited 05-11-2001). ]
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