Awsome truck!

budman72 · Jul 31, 2004

Rat,

I love my quad cab Ram /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. The rear seat in the Ford is a little bigger, but that means you have to get their 6.0 powerstroke. Due to a lot of problems they've had I decided no way on the Ford (for you Ford guys, not intended as a flame, just my personnel opinion)

I got the auto, I don't tow often enough to make me want to shift gears all the time. For what it's worth, Dodge came out with a new transmission in '03, the 48RE. So far it seems to be pretty trouble free. Some people have well over 100K on them, no problems.

EastTexFrank · Jul 31, 2004

When I was going through my, "Let's get one vehicle that does everything" phase, I got a a F350, crewcab, 4X4, dually, longbed with the 7.3 Powerstroke diesel. I luv that truck. It really does do everything and it does it well. I don't advocate the Ford over Chevy or Dodge but the configuration is wonderful. It'll carry 6 easily, tow the farm tractors, run the pastures and swallow sheets of plywood all with reasonable performance. The only problem is that it is "BIG" and that is it's only drawback if you do most of your driving in a big city. It can be a nightmare to maneuver in the cut and thrust of city driving though most sensible people tend to get the heck out of your way. Since I live in the country, 6 miles from a small town, it's 5 years old and is just coming up on 50K miles, it may well be the last truck I have to buy in my lifetime. I find that comforting as I hate car shopping and buying.

Now what will a power chip and NOx do for me? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I have a latent desire to be the fastest grandaddy in the county. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I want people to notice me when they are on their way to the bank.

Egon · Jul 31, 2004

Well-- How about Citations, Demerit points /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Ole_Hickory · Aug 1, 2004

( How does one go about searching for a great price on new vehicles? )

If you figure it out let me know,I have never seen a great price on a NEW vehicle.

RobertN · Aug 1, 2004

A buddy of mine at the old company I used to work at got his Dodge out of Nebraska. The deal over the phone/internet made it worth his while to fly back and drive it home. That was 3 years ago though. I do not remember what dealership he went with.

He said it was a pretty simple deal to do, although I'm not sure how he worked taxes when registering it for California.

SageBrush · Aug 2, 2004

I've been pulling my flat deck equipment trailer around with a 03 Dodge Ram 3500 QC Diesel. It's the most stable one ton towing rig I've ever driven. I like the quad cab with the four full doors, its a nice in between choice in length/turning radius.

Diesels are great for towing, I can keep up with traffic now. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

_RaT_ · Aug 2, 2004

QC diesel?

jinman · Aug 2, 2004

Quad Cab?

_RaT_ · Aug 2, 2004

Oh Joyus one, I think you've got it!

mitchdb · Aug 3, 2004

.................let's see some truck pictures!

Here's mine!

Ole_Hickory · Aug 3, 2004

You ever had that thing in the mud ?

mitchdb · Aug 3, 2004

......just about every weekend that it rains! I haven't had it stuck yet but it's very heavy (about 8K lbs.)! It won't do as good in the soft stuff as Jeep though, they just seem to float over the really nasty stuff.

mitchdb · Aug 3, 2004

That's a nice truck, my next truck is going to be a dually!

TheKid · Aug 3, 2004

Here are a couple of places to get good prices on Ford trucks.

Sunrisefordfleet.com is a sponsor of Thedieselstop.com web site. They are located in Fontana CA. Contact Bobby Williams with the make, model, and the list of what options you want and he will send you a quote back that will be at dealer invoice or just just a bit over invoice. He can also have it delevered to a dealer near you.

Lonestarford.com is another sponsor located in Houston TX.
Click on the Fleet page and contact Cochise Willis. He will set you up with the same kind of prices.

Or you can do what I did. Walked into the dealer with the list of everything I wanted on the truck. Had them key it into the system they use to place orders and had them give me a printout before they submitted the order. Checked to make sure they had everything entered correctly and told them I would order it now at the invoice price. Did some paperwork gave them a deposit and was out the door in 1/2 hour.

slowzuki · Aug 3, 2004

Rat,

Have you thought about some Banks gear for your truck? A turbo can really help the power loss at elevation.

My friend has a na 7.3 and a 6.9 and I know what you mean about slow and smoke. The turbo without any injector mods ups the amount of air so you can run with your foot deeper in it without smoking and the efficiency is improved.

Ken

SageBrush · Aug 3, 2004

The dually is a nice change coming from SRW trucks.

That trailer in the picture is about 12K estimated which is a max or better load for a tag set up and it only levels the truck out. I'm going to add my ATV to that trailer and take it to the farm this week end. The lumber is for a barn/shop project coming up this winter. The dually really helps, I can fill the bed full of stuff, pull a trailer and its no where close to bottoming out. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

_RaT_ · Aug 3, 2004

I have Ken. In fact I spoke with my local Banks dealer and he told me he isn't that crazy about the setup at least from the perspective of what trucks are like today. His comment was something like, save your money and consider upgrading the whole truck. The Banks installed was around $4000, about what my truck is worth. I have spoken to several folks with 7.3L and the Banks and while they like it, don't seem to be overwhelmed by it. My truck also has other issues like a front end that is almost bottomed out. The leafs need re arching pretty bad. The rubbers are almost touching (about 1/4") . I have a little guy to that is almost getting to big for the back bench seat.

Ole_Hickory · Aug 3, 2004

Thats a heckuva truck.

TOMLESCOEQUIP · Aug 3, 2004

2004/.5 Dodge in action..........9500 lbs of forklift. 3000# of trailer...........I don't even know it's back there........The new cummins 600 is awesome( yes I have trailer brakes)............Tom

Poncho · Aug 3, 2004

I actually have a hankering for an Ext Cab Silverado dually with the Duramax diesel... and gotta got for the Allison transmission... one heckuva bullet proof package. I had always heard the Ford Power Stroke was THE diesel truck to have, but GM and Dodge has upped the ante in this area. I knda look at diesel trucks kinda like I do tractors... lots of god manufacturers (ok.... 3 automotive type) it really comes down to brand preference.