SD F250 Ford
Date: 10 Jan 2002
I have decided on a Super cab F250 with the Power Stroke. I have the option of 3.73's or 4.10's. I pull a boat, but it's only 18', and will occasionally pull a 30' travel trailer. Future plans are for a 5th wheel travel trailer, but not for a while. Additionally, I'll be adding an 8' snow plow on a removable mount. Please explain the advantages/disadvantages of gear ratios and help me make the better choice. I envision the potential for mountain towing to be no more than once every couple years. Thanks.
Re: SD F250 Ford
Date: 10 Jan 2002
Hi, on the F250, they only come with 3.73 rear axle ratio since the 99 Super Duty model. In 99 Ford added the intercooler and increased horsepower and torque. At the same time they changed the rear axle from 4.10 to the 3.73 to take some of the torque impact out of the drive train. To get the 4.10 you have to go to a F350 dually. The F250 for warranty purposes in a 4x4 Super cab is rated to pull 13,400#"s. The Power Strokes are powerful rascals, you'll be impressed with how well they will pull your boat and fifth wheel. Good Truck'n. MT

Exhaust brakes & super chips
Date: 14 Jan 2002
First, let me say that you have a great site. I stumbled upon your site yesterday, and everything was so interesting that I read everything there was to read. Very informative!!! Here's my situation. I'm about a week away from buying a new truck. I will be pulling a heavy trailer that when loaded, will be about 17,000 pounds. Because of the weight/length of the trailer, I've decided to get a new 2002 Ford F550. It'll basically be loaded... 4 wheel drive, automatic, flat bed, and of course it comes with the Power Stroke. I'm thinking about buying an exhaust brake and a super chip for it to help with the towing. What are your thoughts about this? I know you will love the idea of the exhaust brake (as I do) but which one should I buy?... a Banks, BD, or some other kind? And what do you think about the superchip? Is it a good move to get a little bit more horsepower and torque? Thanks in advance! Scott
Re: Exhaust brakes & super chips
Date: 14 Jan 2002:
Hi Scott, thanks for reading my site. I like Banks the best. The mechanic's I know have banks. I've seen their support after the sale and they bend over backwards for their customers. Remember this is a fine line with the trucks warranty. I know there are laws protecting aftermarket, but if the exhaust brake hurts the exhaust valve seats or boosting the horsepower with a chip harms your tranny, the manufacture is going to turn down warranty work if they think it was caused by aftermarket add-ons. They state that in the warranty manual you get with the truck. Banks does help you work with the dealer on that problem, but you should know the risks. Adding a K&N filter and larger exhaust doesn't usually affect the warranty and could give you another 50 hp. That's were I would start before spending the big bucks. Good Truck'n. MT

Buying 92 Ford F-250?
Date: 10 Jan 2002
I am about to buy a 1992 Ford F-250 with a 7.5 L 460 ci engine, with 117,000 mi. The salesman says " an older couple owned it, and they only towed a "small" fifth wheel. The vehicle is immaculate inside and out. The price seems reasonable at $7990.00 This is way more truck than I need right now, but who knows when I might need to buy a cab over camper. He is also offering us top dollar for our trade.. A) does this sound like a good deal? B) how bad will my gas mileage be compared to a smaller v-8? Our other option right now is a 96 Toyota extra cab with 135,000 miles for right around $10,000 Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Jeff

Re: Buying 92 Ford F-250?
Date: 11 Jan 2002
Hi, The 460 with an automatic usually gets 10 to 12 mpg. The Toyota depending on 4 cylinder or V-6 is closer to 25 to 30 mpg. So depending on if the F250 is second car or main vehicle what the economics are. The 460 was fuel injected in late 87. It's a good engine. Ford stopped making it in 97. I miss that engine, and the Chevy 454 is extinct too. So I would say use depends on future camper or main vehicle. We you say "top dollar for trade," I hate to bring bad news, but there is usually no such thing. If you had negotiated the price of the F250 and think it's good before the salesman found out you had a trade it would be better. Everyone including myself loves their trade. Salespeople know this, so they look for the soft spot which is usually the trade. So generally they make you feel good about what they are giving you for your trade and have the truck you are buying jacked up enough to cover the fluff. My advice is to sell your trade yourself and offer them a couple thousand less for the F250. I was trained as a car salesman in the early nineties and never liked their system, so I left to be a AAA auto club broker to give the customer just what they wanted and to look out for the members. Now I sale on the internet. I figure my own deals and tell people the truth about their trades and sell most vehicles at invoice or $300 over. It's a nasty business and I still see what the lot lizards are doing to people who don't do their research. The internet is the great equalizer if you use it. Look in your local paper and at www.autotrader.com to see what other 92 F250's are bringing in your area. I'm going to write a report on the sharks in the car business soon. Most of the people who survive very long in the car business either become sharks and make a lot of money or they go the way I did and sell a lot of trucks at fleet prices and have to build a web site to complain to the public on. What was the question? I need that last cup of coffee. Good Truck'n. MT

Diesel HD truck
Date: 08 Jan 2002
In need of a truck that can pull 32 ft, 20,000 lbs trailer. Any comments would be of great help. send e-mail to ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Re: Diesel HD truck
Date: 08 Jan 2002
Hi, I use to pull more than that with a 1-ton but to be within the manufactures fifth wheel trailer weight, I think the 3500 Dodge 2-wheel drive cab and chassis is 20,000#'s but I couldn't find it fast, what I found with a 3500 Dodge regular cab 2-wheel drive diesel was 15100# with a fifth wheel trailer. The F550 Ford 2-wheel drive cab and chassis with "high capacity trailer tow package" option gives you a 21,500 fifth wheel trailer capacity with an automatic transmission. I'm working an putting a trailer chart together, it all takes time. Good Truck'n. MT

F250 Power Stroke
Date: 06 Jan 2002
I've recently purchased a 2002 F250 Crew cab 2WD 7.3 Diesel. I'm going to be pulling a ~6000 pound RV trailer (bumper pulled). My question is: Is it safe to pull the trailer with the overdrive "On" and using cruise control? I have heard that in hill/mountain areas, I should definitely not use the overdrive. What is your opinion on semi-flat highway towing with this type of truck and trailer? Your comments would be much appreciated.

Re: F250 Power Stroke
Date: 07 Jan 2002
Hi, with just a 6000# trailer, your F250 should pull that with overdrive and cruise on. I would shut the overdrive off coming down the mountain to give you some engine braking. The 2002 Ford Super Duty series has a new tranny temp gauge in the dash on the upper right side. When you are pulling in the mountains in overdrive watch that gauges and see where it goes. It shouldn't move a lot. If you pull a trailer of say 10,000#'s or more in the mountains I would shut off the overdrive. Good Truck'n. MT

engines
Date: 06 Jan 2002
my father in-law bought a 36 ft. fifth wheel now has looking for a truck whets better ? I am Chevy his brother is ford and he has to have gas. does the vortec 8.1 have a edge on the ford v-10? how about trans. and gearing i say 4:10 also would dual wheels on the back axle help or not? and last braking and does anybody offer headers and other upgrades including exhaust brakes?

Re: engines
Date: 07 Jan 20, 2002
Hi, thanks for visiting. If you’ve read my site you know how I feel about new engines their first year. I know this is the second year for the GM 8.1L V-8, but they hardly sold any in 2001. I think it's a gas mileage thing. You might be able to find a new 2001 out there somewhere. You can get the 8.1 in a dually with the 4.10 rear axle and with the Allison 1000 automatic. It has more torque and horsepower than the Ford 6.8L V-10. The Ford V-10 has been out since 97. Actually 70% of the class A motor homes (the big ones,) that have gas engines, use the Ford Triton 6.8L V-10. It will be interesting to see have many motor home manufactures switch to the GM 8.1L. I wish GM would loan me an 8.1L with an Allison 1000 to test for a year. There just aren’t enough out there in use for me to have enough data to give you more advice. As far as duallies, I like duals for the stability, bigger brakes, and they look cool. I’ve sold duallies to people who didn’t need a dually but wanted to put the company signs on the side and the dually gets noticed more. I like Banks exhaust brakes, but there are several good ones out there. Exhaust brakes can mess with warranty, so check it out. I hear the argument both ways on that and it comes down to lawyers. Good Truck’n. Oh by the way, my new disclaimer: I like lawyers. MT

Do I need a Diesel or not?
Date: 04 Jan 2002
I am looking to by a truck that I plan on putting a LOT of highway miles on. I work about 50 miles from home and drive that distance at least twice a day, not to mention we like to go out and have to drive back to town for that. I am the type person that will keep a vehicle as long as it will run, I don't need something new every couple of years, so I figured a diesel would be a good candidate. I here these 250,000 miles plus stories all the time. Should I spend the extra now on a diesel? Will the gas mileage save me that much? Thanks.

Re: Do I need a Diesel or not?
Date: 05 Jan 2002
Hi, a rule of thumb of 80,000 miles depending on the price of fuel to pay for the diesel engine from fuel savings over a gas engine. Today generally a large enough gas engine geared low enough to pull near a diesel is (Ford 6.8L V-10 4.30 rear axle, Dodge 8.0L V-10 4.10 rear axle, GM 8.1L V-8 4.10,) will get roughly 50% to 60% the fuel mileage of a diesel. Sometimes they are a little closer but not much if you gear the gas engine low enough to pull a large load like the diesel. There is a reason that you don’t see over-the-road semi tractor-trailer rigs with gas engines. So if you trade often and don’t pull a heavy trailer much, the gas will work. If you pull a lot, keep your truck a long time or just love the power, the diesel is the choice. Service the diesel on schedule and you should expect to join the 300,000-mile club. If you like to shift your diesel and economy is more important than convenience, the manual tranny can get a couple more miles to the gallon than the auto. Good Truck’n. MT

Used Dodge Diesel vs. Used Ford Diesel
Date: 02 Jan 2002
I need to get a new (used) truck the old 78' Chevy is worn out. I have narrowed my decision down to two Models, the Ford F250, Diesel, 6speed 4x4, or the Dodge Ram 2500, Diesel 5speed, 4x4. I would prefer the Dodge because I have heard so many good things about the Cummins. Although it seems that the Dodge is very hard to come by used. I would rather not pay for a brand new one. Any suggestions. I would appreciate some advise. Carlos Elk Grove, CA

Re: Used Dodge Diesel vs. Used Ford Diesel
Date: 03 Jan 2002
Hi, thanks for visiting my site. I put about 300,000 miles on my 77 Chevy and learned to be a mechanic keeping it running the last 200,000 miles. You are going to like having both fuel tanks on one side! Ford diesels out sell the Dodge diesel 3 to 1 which is why it's harder to find used Dodges. The short answer, because I'm ill and can't see the screen very well, is if you are buying a 99 or newer get the Ford, if 98 and older get the Dodge. Ford didn't make a 98 but came out with 99 early. Good Truck'n. MT

Ford 250 vs. 350 ride quality
Date: 01 Jan 2002
Would you comment on ride quality (empty load) on a 250 vs. 350 ford truck. Mainly city and highway roads- a few potholes. Both would have a non factory camper upgrade suspension. If I rarely (if ever) need the extra hauling capacity should I buy the 250 vs. the 350? Thank You!

Re: Ford 250 vs. 350 ride quality
Date: 01 Jan 2002
Hi, This question gets me in trouble with Ford. The F350 cost another $1000 and the only difference I've found is the 2.5" spacer on top of the rear axle, to raise the back up, and Ford gives the axle on a F350 around a 800# higher rating than on a F250. In 99 the F250 was jacked up also. Ford then discovered that not everyone’s trailer or camper would fit the new tall truck; so one time under warranty Ford would lower the truck for you. From 97 and back the F250 and F350 had different axles and springs. Then Ford came out with the new model, Super Duty replacing the Heavy Duty in a 99 model. The F250 and F350 share everything. But then there is that “magic spring dust.” Somehow without making the trucks different Ford gives you a 9900# gross vehicle weight on the F350 and 8800# on the F250, but the trailer capacity is the same. That kind of gives it away magic spring dust and all. So I usually recommend saving your money and get the F250. Manufactures are always trying to do one better than the competition, so why not more configurations to brag about. Back to your question. The F350 does ride a little rougher than the F250. Try them yourself and let me know if you can tell the difference. Good Truck’n. MT

Diesel fuel grades
Date: 31 Dec 2001
Thanks for a previous post answer! This site is an example of what is right with the internet. Are there different types of diesel fuel? If I pull in to a gas station is there one type best for my truck? Sorry for my basic questions but I wish to learn. Pat

Re: diesel fuel grades
Date: 01 Jan 2002
Hi, Thanks for visiting my site. Normally diesels run on #2 diesel. #2 has lubricating qualities that make it oily, smelly and stays on your hands for a few days. #1 diesel is like kerosene or jet fuel and less oily. The lubricating properties in #2 are what gels when extremely cold. Most service stations in colder climates blend #2 and #1 50/50 in the winter to keep your fuel from gelling. You don’t want to experience your fuel turning into jello. It’s not fun using a hair dryer on your pump and fuel lines. But if you go to a warm state, (California, Arizona, Florida, etc,) in the winter and buy fuel there, you may want to use a diesel additive. If you are out of your area, buy your diesel at a truck stop. They should know what you need to drive home with. Good Truck’n. MT

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