Think I found my duallie

[newbury]

Since 2009 I've been buggin' y'all on this forum about tow capacities, duallies and 4x4's.

I greatly appreciate all the helpful input, especially from Diamondpilot and Duffster.

I started wanting a Dodge:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...king-good-deal-2500-3500-a-3.html#post1670252

Then almost any diesel:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ecommendations-links-diesel-truck-used-2.html

And got to wondering if I needed a 4x4:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/225099-how-important-4-wheel-drive-8.html

I know I've seen a few "slip" thru my fingers, but rarely have any turned up close enough to me for a quick test drive.

One finally did and if the paperwork goes thru I'll be getting a 2002 Ford 350 XLT 4x4 7.3L diesel dually w 4.10 gearing to help me pull logs. Paid too much but SWMBO was getting tired and was threatening to make me buy a new truck.

 

[Martian]

Since 2009 I've been buggin' y'all on this forum about tow capacities, duallies and 4x4's.

I greatly appreciate all the helpful input, especially from Diamondpilot and Duffster.

I started wanting a Dodge:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...king-good-deal-2500-3500-a-3.html#post1670252

Then almost any diesel:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ecommendations-links-diesel-truck-used-2.html

And got to wondering if I needed a 4x4:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/225099-how-important-4-wheel-drive-8.html

I know I've seen a few "slip" thru my fingers, but rarely have any turned up close enough to me for a quick test drive.

One finally did and if the paperwork goes thru I'll be getting a 2002 Ford 350 XLT 4x4 7.3L diesel dually w 4.10 gearing to help me pull logs. Paid too much but SWMBO was getting tired and was threatening to make me buy a new truck.

Nice truck. I have a 01 F250 V10 that's still hauling.

What's it going to be doing?

 

[Soundguy]

AWESOME!

I've been following your threads.

I too was on a search for a DRW truck to repalce my half ton.

I settled on a 99 4wd 7.3psd.

I went to see quite a few around florida. the last one I went to ont he coast, my wife asked me the same quesuton.. how many more we going to look at.

I think you will like the 4.10 gearing not as agressive and rpm intensive as a 4.88 and not as fast as a 3.73. with 4.10 you can still travel on the interstate without holding up traffic, but still have ok fuel economy, and are not a few hundred rpm away from redline like a 4.88 is... yet.. still has plenty of pulling power.

I look forward to seeing more pics and hearing about your truck!

soundguy

 

[Bob77064]

That's a good looking truck.

 

[powerstroke444e]

It don't get and better than 7.3 and 4wd. Nice lookin truck keep the fuel clean and oil change it will out live ya.

 

[newbury]

Nice truck. I have a 01 F250 V10 that's still hauling.

What's it going to be doing?

It will probably be parked 99.98% of the time. It will be hauling stuff from Virginia to Mississippi, logs & lumber in Mississippi and Vermont, tractors around (found out my B7610 should fit in the back ) and I expect a lot of stone and concrete work.

I do not expect to use it for grocery store runs, movie dates, or going to the opera.

 

[Soundguy]

It will probably be parked 99.98% of the time. It will be hauling stuff from Virginia to Mississippi, logs & lumber in Mississippi and Vermont, tractors around (found out my B7610 should fit in the back ) and I expect a lot of stone and concrete work.

I do not expect to use it for grocery store runs, movie dates, or going to the opera.

but it will be fine as a daily driver.. that's what I use mine for. have not regretted it...

 

[Diamondpilot]

Nice truck.

Chris

 

[two_bit_score]

Very nice truck. Looking forward to an update in a couple months about how it's working out. I'm sure you will be pleased.

 

[Dmace]

You certainly found the last good diesel put behind the blue oval.
Truck looks in good shape and should work very well.

 

[sandman2234]

Good looking truck!
I think I read every question you posted and the answers, which kept me from having to ask the same questions...
After my last trip to Moultrie, Ga (130 miles) the wife told me I had to get serious about buying a truck and not just waiting on "the right one". I am glad I didn't listen to her...
as I really like my truck.
David from jax

 

[sandman2234]

AWESOME!


I think you will like the 4.10 gearing not as agressive and rpm intensive as a 4.88 and not as fast as a 3.73. with 4.10 you can still travel on the interstate without holding up traffic, but still have ok fuel economy, and are not a few hundred rpm away from redline like a 4.88 is... yet.. still has plenty of pulling power.

I look forward to seeing more pics and hearing about your truck!

soundguy

Soundguy,
I was just wondering if you had ever considered a Gear Vendors overdrive unit for your F450. I know "most" of your driving in it is chasing down old tractors, but even then the rpm could be dropped while your in Florida's flatlands.
David from jax

 

[77bronco]

The downside to getting a Gear Vendor OD is that for the average driver there is no payback.
Most people don't drive enough to make the numbers work, you could probably buy close to a 1000 gals. of fuel for what one costs.

 

[timswi]

Since 2009 I've been buggin' y'all on this forum about tow capacities, duallies and 4x4's.

I greatly appreciate all the helpful input, especially from Diamondpilot and Duffster.

I started wanting a Dodge:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...king-good-deal-2500-3500-a-3.html#post1670252

Then almost any diesel:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ecommendations-links-diesel-truck-used-2.html

And got to wondering if I needed a 4x4:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/225099-how-important-4-wheel-drive-8.html

I know I've seen a few "slip" thru my fingers, but rarely have any turned up close enough to me for a quick test drive.

One finally did and if the paperwork goes thru I'll be getting a 2002 Ford 350 XLT 4x4 7.3L diesel dually w 4.10 gearing to help me pull logs. Paid too much but SWMBO was getting tired and was threatening to make me buy a new truck.

Beautiful truck!!! Congrats.

 

[sandman2234]

The downside to getting a Gear Vendor OD is that for the average driver there is no payback.
Most people don't drive enough to make the numbers work, you could probably buy close to a 1000 gals. of fuel for what one costs.

If fuel is your only consideration, maybe so. What about the reduced rpm's on the motor when running empty, and the overall engine hours that it saves? If fuel was my only concern, I wouldn't be driving a diesel p/u...in fact would drive the bowtie that is sitting in my driveway, undriven but insured...
David from jax

 

[Soundguy]

Soundguy,
I was just wondering if you had ever considered a Gear Vendors overdrive unit for your F450. I know "most" of your driving in it is chasing down old tractors, but even then the rpm could be dropped while your in Florida's flatlands.
David from jax

i looked at it briefly, but fo rthe money and the miles I go, decided against it. also considered 4.10 gear swps too... decided against that as well..

 

[newbury]

Hijacking my own thread -
The guy I'm buying it from claims about 15 to 16 mg empty, 12? towing, 18 if his father drives it empty

BUT he replaced it w/ a new F450 diesel w/ DEF and has been hauling heavy loads (33,000 GCVWR) and only getting 6mpg, not broken in yet, and about 10 around town.

Are the older 450's that bad?

 

[Diamondpilot]

The numbers on the F-350 sound about right. The F-450 is also about right. You have to remember it has different wheels and way deeper gears. The old 7.3L or even a 6.0L F-450 will get a little better but not much. Maybe 12mpg.

Chris

 

[sandman2234]

Those are the exact numbers I have been getting, but I don't baby it, and I haven't hauled any HEAVY LOADS, yet. A few thousand pounds on a 3800 pound trailer.
David from jax

Mine is a 2000 F350 7.3 six speed

 

[newbury]

Well it's been a month now and I've driven it to Mississippi towing a minivan at highway speeds and got 14+mpg.
I've gotten it stuck on wet leaves and clay and had to put it in 4 wheel drive and it walked out.
I've piled the bed with furniture, plywood, and various and sundry things.
I just feel underutilized if I'm not hauling something.

It fit's just fine in my RV shed with the pallet racking. It works great as something to climb on to get to the higher shelves. But I could probably find a cheaper ladder.