help me decide on Superduty

[HCJtractor]

i have an 06 F350 diesel SRW longbed crewcab with 230,000 miles. Its mainly my hunting truck and I use it to pull a 25' gooseneck with my Kubota M6800, maybe 6 times a year for local trips of 30 miles max. Total max load of trailer, tractor, implement may run 15,000 pounds, I guess. It pulls well, but the high milesge worries me, as far as my confidence of its dependability.
I ran across a 08 F 250 6.4 diesel, 3.73 ratio, Supercab, short bed with only 7,000 miles, like new. Its certainly an easier drive, handles and turns better, so I was thinking about buying it to step up to something newer,
My main concern is how it will tow my trailer loaded. Will the shorter bed and wheelbase be worse? Im trying to look up the specs, but wanted to get your opinions. I was surprised to see the occupants/cargo limit of 1990lbs vs 3761 lbs. Why the huge difference? I always thought F250 and F350 srw were about the same.

What else or what other features do i need to consider? The tires are the same, E rated 20".
All opinions are welcome, but please, keep comments limited to these specific trucks.
I just dont want to spend over 28,000 and want lower mileage. This F250 with under 8,000 miles is uncommon.

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[TMGT]

I can't help with the rest of the truck but I would personally stay away from the 6.4, it was only around for 3years and were fairly hit or miss and from my experience mostly misses with a lot of problems. I wouldn't want one out of warrenty and I'm not a warrenty type of guy as I've always had older vehicles.
The 6.7 has been much better but did have some teething issues in the first year or 2

 

[HCJtractor]

i understand the 6.7 has a better reputation, but this 6.4 is $28,000. (and under 8,000 miles) Most 6.7's I see are $40K plus, so out of my price range. And I figure the chance of a major repair is greater with my 230,000 mile 06 than like new 08 with 223,000 less miles, I understand your opinion, but I just don't want to spend what it takes to get a 6.7. I can step up to a much newer truck for about 15K out of pocket. Make sense?

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[TMGT]

I understand that, but major engine or emissions repairs can quickly add up and close that price gap.
Somtimes older lower mileage vehicles can be worse then higher mileage as they either sit for long periods or make a lot of short trips which are both bad.

I'm not sure on Fords emissions warrenty for the 6.4 but at 9yrs old it might be out or just about there.

As for the truck it should pull your load fine, will the gn trailer work with the shortbox? Some gn trailer necks work better then others for cab clearance. You won't notice much if any ride difference with the shorter wheelbase.

Seems to be good setup with 3.73 being a nice mix for towing and mileage.
The payload difference is usually just in the overload springs for the rear axle, they can be added or do what I did and add an aftermarket system like airbags.

I would do some research on the emissions equipment coverage at least before buying it, with the low miles it may not have had time to show any problems that may develop.

Btw, do you know why it has the low miles?

 

[HCJtractor]

The Carfax is clean as can be. I was told the owner used it to pull his boat to the lake only. Its pristine, looks brand new, never seen any mud. the undercarriage is spotless.
My gooseneck is vertical, so even with a toolbox, it should work.
It does need a B & W hitch, but was quoted $600 installed. Has a brake controller.
I understand about light use being bad sometimes. But the cheapest 6.7 I see is over $20K more. since my goal is to get another affordable diesel before mine croaks, this rare find for about 15K out of pocket seems too good to pass up,

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[HCJtractor]

Oh, as far as overload springs or air bags, am I right in that it only would be helpful if I carry heavy loads? I would think trailer tongue weight wouldnt require more capacity. I never haul really heavy loads in my truck bed

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[TMGT]

Tongue weight is part of the cargo, with the gooseneck it would probably be a good idea to add some overloads, I'm not real families with the 08 250 spring packs but I know a lot of 350 guys that add load assist and reduce rear squat.

40k seems hight for a decent 6.7 2011+ super duty.

 

[Gunny]

This guy may be full of BS, but I think he has some good info on which powerstroke is the best. I know his ultimate goal is to create more business for his bulletproofing shop, but he has some pretty good slants on the 6.0 vs 6.4 or 6.7

WHAT YEAR POWERSTROKE IS BEST? - YouTube

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would not want it just because its a 250 vs 350.

As you mentioned the 350 SRW has 1500# payload advantage over a 250.

 

[bspeedy]

6.4 is a powerhouse if it holds up. The consensus with Ford diesel engines is:

7.3 - OK power, lasts forever
6.0 - Good power, can be fixed to be reliable
6.4 - Great power, no fix available for inherent issues
6.7 - Great power, very reliable so far

I would not take a chance on the 6.4 engine for nearly 30 grand. I'd spend the same money or a bit more on a 6.7 with higher mileage or less on a low mileage 7.3.

I'd be leary of the short wheelbase as well. It won't feel as planted as your LWB crew when towing. Maybe for your short hauls it won't matter.

I also agree that less than 10k miles in nearly 10 years is not necessarily a good thing.

 

[Diamondpilot]

6.4 is a powerhouse if it holds up. The consensus with Ford diesel engines is:

7.3 - OK power, lasts forever
6.0 - Good power, can be fixed to be reliable
6.4 - Great power, no fix available for inherent issues
6.7 - Great power, very reliable so far

I would not take a chance on the 6.4 engine for nearly 30 grand. I'd spend the same money or a bit more on a 6.7 with higher mileage or less on a low mileage 7.3.

I'd be leary of the short wheelbase as well. It won't feel as planted as your LWB crew when towing. Maybe for your short hauls it won't matter.

I also agree that less than 10k miles in nearly 10 years is not necessarily a good thing.

I agree. Heck for $30K you can buy a lot of stuff for your current ride or a differnt high miles truck thats 3 to 4 years old.

 

[Snobdds]

The 6.4 is the powerhouse of the diesel engine world, Cummins and duramax can even begin to touch it. The engine is basically the 6.0 bottom end (super strong) with a common rail fuel system that has a twin sequential turbo. With the EGR and DPF removed and a tune added to make it work, it is a super work horse. Even the new 6.7 can't run with a well put together 6.4.

The problem is, it takes some money to get it reliable. The fuel system does not like water in the fuel, and just a little water can take out the fuel system. The rocker arms tend to wear out around the 100k mile mark, so keep that in mind. If it isn't deleted, the DPF is burned off by overfueling cylinders 7 & 8 to send unburnt diesel to the DPF to burn off the gunk. This causes the oil to become diluted with diesel fuel and destroys the oil in about 3,000 miles. Again, just delete it and save yourself the worries. It does have the tried and true transmission in it, so no worries there.

I personally like the 6.4 and the styling of that generation. My dad had a few in his construction truck fleet that held up real well. Our head diesel mechanic deleted them though and they received fluid maintenance every winter. The 6.4 were the trucks to haul the heaviest of loads they had. They did well...

 

[newbury]

i have an 06 F350 diesel SRW longbed crewcab with 230,000 miles. Its mainly my hunting truck and I use it to pull a 25' gooseneck with my Kubota M6800, maybe 6 times a year for local trips of 30 miles max. Total max load of trailer, tractor, implement may run 15,000 pounds, I guess. It pulls well, but the high milesge worries me, as far as my confidence of its dependability.<snip>

What's wrong with it? on my '02 w/ 155,000 miles I've been putting in about 1 to 2 thousand a year for replacement/maintenance (mostly taken in to repair shops in Northern Virginia) - shocks, brakes (drums and all), rear diff rebuild, tires etc. but it's still a lot less than what a replacement, even a used replacement would cost.

Plus I know what HAS been wrong with it and how it's been driven since 2012.

If your '06 engine has been "fixed" it should be good for may more miles.

Now if your frame is rusted out that's another matter.

And like others wrote your losing about half your payload capacity.

 

[Tomtint]

I have had 5 or 6 6.0s.. if they are maintained they are good motors. If you have 200k on yours and know the history... I would keep it. .. The 6.4 is a time bomb and once it goes off.. your trucks next job will be as a morning for a boat. Those 6.4s are likley the worst motor Ford ever put in a superduty. ..and they are horrible on fuel.

 

[Green Power]

6.4's are 150k motors usually.

 

[Tomtint]

6.4's are 150k motors usually.

The Ford techs in the dealerships would call the 6.4 diesels "maypops" ... meaning they "may pop" and blow up at any moment.

 

[Snobdds]

I would find some new techs, the engine is not a bad by any means. Understand it and you'll be fine.

 

[dodge man]

Most people don't want to "understand it". They want to get in it and drive it. Its illegal to delete it. It won't pass an emission test. I have a co-worker that had very bad luck with a 6.4. As so many others have said, stay away.

 

[o2batsea]

Keep what you got. Those are fleet-duty engines and with regular maintenance will easily surpass 500,000 miles. If you just want a newer truck, meh.
It's hard to find one used that isn't tarted up with dude ranch posh, or 4 wheel drive, or low miles.

 

[TomSeller]

Keep what you got. Those are fleet-duty engines and with regular maintenance will easily surpass 500,000 miles. If you just want a newer truck, meh.
It's hard to find one used that isn't tarted up with dude ranch posh, or 4 wheel drive, or low miles.

I agree. I'd bullet proof that 6.0 if you haven't already and you are good to go. Those were bus engine blocks.

As my mechanic said about my Mercedes 240D when I left him one time "see you after another quarter million miles".