Hey guys, new to the forum obviously, this isn't my first post as I did atleast introduce myself.. anyhow, I would like some opinions. I post over at SVT Performance a lot and I pretty much posted this over there, and they've helped me out a lot but I'd like some more opinions from Powerstroke Owners.
Let me start off by saying, this might be a lengthy book report post so try not to flame me too much, but I should be thorough. Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read and respond.
I currently own a mildy modded 01 Lightning, which is my nice weather/weekend toy; it's not always my garage queen. I have a 4x4 S10 that's my daily driver. For some time now I've been considering in trading in the S10 for a Powerstroke. The S10 is fairly new, and the mileage is about to roll over to 40,000.. so I figured, if I ever wanted to get anything for it, now would be the time since the price of gas, etc. etc. Speaking of gas, it gets OK gas mileage, not the best for a 4.3L (262ci) V6, about 15-18 if I'm lucky? Somewhere around there, never really calculated it out. One of my main reasons to considering a Powerstroke is to get back into having a Ford daily driver, I pretty much bleed the blue oval but I'm not naive enough or biased against other domestic manufacturers.
My reasoning is, most of my family has been with Ford for aslong as I can remember, and before my S10 I was driving an 86 Bronco 2.. which was alright to cruise around in, but I decided I wanted a small truck for a DD routines and went with the S10, and it's been a pretty good truck for over the three years I've owned it, unfortunately I replaced a lot of parts on the S10 including all four shocks, axle U-joints, Waterpump, CV Joint took a **** on me, factory oil cooler hoses started a small drip everyonce in a while. This does suck for having under 40 thousand miles, but I'm too meticulous even for a DD to let things go down hill, and let me honestly say I'm not abusive on it at all.
With gas prices being up there and the mileage I get on the S10, I've been really thinking that I could get myself a Powerstroke that has close to the MPG I'm getting in the S10 and be able to do more with it if the situation calls for it. I don't do any heavy hauling except occassionally, and towing, I don't tow anything for the most part. However, I could imagine it being a nice towrig too.
I already have to pay for 93 pump gas for the Lightning, so the price of diesel fuel (pretty close to 93 octane gas right?) has me scratching my head on the whole deal as well.
My budget wont be much more than $24 thousand, as I don't think I'll get over $9,000 on my S10 in a tradein. I don't think I'm going to privately sell my S10, not sure how much I'd get versus a dealer trade in. My S10 is for the most part stock, it's not modded in any way except for a catback exhaust, and some BFG All Terrains is pretty much as far as aftermarket I went on it, asside from some of the replacement parts I've thrown on were aftermarket (Ie. Rancho shocks).
I've read some information that some people don't like Ford's new 6.0 liter diesel, saying it has this problem, and that problem.. Go with the 7.3 liter. Alright, so what's the deal? You'll have to excuse my ignornace, as I have not really researched a lot on this yet. I was pretty much in the range for a 99-03 F250, leaning more towards the 7.3 from what I've read so far. Super Crew cab is out of the picture for me, but I'm considering standard cab short/long beds, Super Cabs with a short bed. It has to be 4 wheel drive, and be an automatic. Duallies are out of the picture too. What other transmissions came in Super Duties? I know the 4R100 is one of them, Lightnings have those in them. I was told don't be afraid of high mileage diesels, as in +70,000 as long it's been maintained well. I'd consider an F-350 with the same body configuration, I figured I don't really need the best of the best for payload and GVWR, so an F-250 will do me fine enough.
I found this picture of an F-350 on this forum, props to the guy who owns in. This is something that cetches my eye real good. I didn't know Ford had a standard cab F-350.
I don't plan to go mod crazy on it. I'll probably have to throw in some gauges, and maybe an exhaust. That's about all I think I could afford even if I can do that much.
I have some helpful information already that isn't common sense stuff. I'm fairly mechanically inclined so diesel maintenance shouldn't be too hard for me to pick up on. I'm pretty overly critical on maintenance, etc. etc. of both of my trucks. I don't know anyone with a diesel, so thats why I have a few questions. I'm not planning on going to a dealerslot to sign any papers next week or anything, but within a few months I'll hopefully be driving a Powerstroke as I want to have some mod money for the Lightning.
What do you guys think if you were in my situation? I'm pretty fixed on a Powerstroke even though the popularity of Dodge's Cummins is up there a ways.
Let me start off by saying, this might be a lengthy book report post so try not to flame me too much, but I should be thorough. Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read and respond.
I currently own a mildy modded 01 Lightning, which is my nice weather/weekend toy; it's not always my garage queen. I have a 4x4 S10 that's my daily driver. For some time now I've been considering in trading in the S10 for a Powerstroke. The S10 is fairly new, and the mileage is about to roll over to 40,000.. so I figured, if I ever wanted to get anything for it, now would be the time since the price of gas, etc. etc. Speaking of gas, it gets OK gas mileage, not the best for a 4.3L (262ci) V6, about 15-18 if I'm lucky? Somewhere around there, never really calculated it out. One of my main reasons to considering a Powerstroke is to get back into having a Ford daily driver, I pretty much bleed the blue oval but I'm not naive enough or biased against other domestic manufacturers.
My reasoning is, most of my family has been with Ford for aslong as I can remember, and before my S10 I was driving an 86 Bronco 2.. which was alright to cruise around in, but I decided I wanted a small truck for a DD routines and went with the S10, and it's been a pretty good truck for over the three years I've owned it, unfortunately I replaced a lot of parts on the S10 including all four shocks, axle U-joints, Waterpump, CV Joint took a **** on me, factory oil cooler hoses started a small drip everyonce in a while. This does suck for having under 40 thousand miles, but I'm too meticulous even for a DD to let things go down hill, and let me honestly say I'm not abusive on it at all.
With gas prices being up there and the mileage I get on the S10, I've been really thinking that I could get myself a Powerstroke that has close to the MPG I'm getting in the S10 and be able to do more with it if the situation calls for it. I don't do any heavy hauling except occassionally, and towing, I don't tow anything for the most part. However, I could imagine it being a nice towrig too.
I already have to pay for 93 pump gas for the Lightning, so the price of diesel fuel (pretty close to 93 octane gas right?) has me scratching my head on the whole deal as well.My budget wont be much more than $24 thousand, as I don't think I'll get over $9,000 on my S10 in a tradein. I don't think I'm going to privately sell my S10, not sure how much I'd get versus a dealer trade in. My S10 is for the most part stock, it's not modded in any way except for a catback exhaust, and some BFG All Terrains is pretty much as far as aftermarket I went on it, asside from some of the replacement parts I've thrown on were aftermarket (Ie. Rancho shocks).
I've read some information that some people don't like Ford's new 6.0 liter diesel, saying it has this problem, and that problem.. Go with the 7.3 liter. Alright, so what's the deal? You'll have to excuse my ignornace, as I have not really researched a lot on this yet. I was pretty much in the range for a 99-03 F250, leaning more towards the 7.3 from what I've read so far. Super Crew cab is out of the picture for me, but I'm considering standard cab short/long beds, Super Cabs with a short bed. It has to be 4 wheel drive, and be an automatic. Duallies are out of the picture too. What other transmissions came in Super Duties? I know the 4R100 is one of them, Lightnings have those in them. I was told don't be afraid of high mileage diesels, as in +70,000 as long it's been maintained well. I'd consider an F-350 with the same body configuration, I figured I don't really need the best of the best for payload and GVWR, so an F-250 will do me fine enough.
I found this picture of an F-350 on this forum, props to the guy who owns in. This is something that cetches my eye real good. I didn't know Ford had a standard cab F-350.
I don't plan to go mod crazy on it. I'll probably have to throw in some gauges, and maybe an exhaust. That's about all I think I could afford even if I can do that much.
I have some helpful information already that isn't common sense stuff. I'm fairly mechanically inclined so diesel maintenance shouldn't be too hard for me to pick up on. I'm pretty overly critical on maintenance, etc. etc. of both of my trucks. I don't know anyone with a diesel, so thats why I have a few questions. I'm not planning on going to a dealerslot to sign any papers next week or anything, but within a few months I'll hopefully be driving a Powerstroke as I want to have some mod money for the Lightning.
What do you guys think if you were in my situation? I'm pretty fixed on a Powerstroke even though the popularity of Dodge's Cummins is up there a ways.
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