thinking newer truck

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dtoots1
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thinking newer truck

Post by dtoots1 » Sun Nov 19, 2017 12:43 pm

My old 89 gmc can do what i need it to, but i do not need 2 vehicles.

Am considering a newer truck....ford f150 coming out with a 3.0 diesel first of year..seems from the dodge group. quite a lot of $$$...
However, is used gas ones available with what needed for hauling gooseneck etc with the old jd440 on it, just don't like set ups with big engines cause thats what everyone gets in em...at about 1/3 the price of new ford but some miles

like our old machines....steady and considerate gets her done elephants aint always necessary

I like the full 8ft bed w/ext cab or maybe crew cab for convenience and room, don't think i want a 6ft bed.
prefer 4wd but aint always necessary.

Lets hear about what your thoughts/preferences would be.

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Re: thinking newer truck

Post by oldtanker » Sun Nov 19, 2017 1:57 pm

I'd want the most important option.......paid in full!

I like the new trucks but I've been hearing about so many problems with the tier IV diesel engines I don't know if I'd go diesel. For me I just wouldn't use it enough to justify the added cost.

Rick

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Re: thinking newer truck

Post by Seth » Sun Nov 19, 2017 3:20 pm

Look for a pre 07 Cummins, they were the last one to get all the emissions, around 07.5, but the front ends are known for ball joint issues. I have some work done to mine, get between 18 to 21 mpg and can pretty well tow anything.

dtoots1
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Re: thinking newer truck

Post by dtoots1 » Mon Nov 20, 2017 9:13 am

so i wouldn't know a tier IV from a frog... i assume that must be latest type diesel which includes the 3.0....and i don't know what for mileage that would even do on the road. just thought being smaller than the big jobs in the f250s might be a viable option...i know we can use 1/2 tons to get job done just a matter of how configured.

In the gas engines i know the old 350 to be reliable and certainly more conservative than the larger ones.

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Stan Disbrow
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Re: thinking newer truck

Post by Stan Disbrow » Mon Nov 20, 2017 5:45 pm

Hi,

A year ago I opted for a 99 Dodge with a Cummins Diesel for a second truck. This one being single rear wheels and a supercab versus my 97 Ford IH Diesel Dually with a crew cab.

The Ford I bought new for hauling my race trailer literally all over the country. I have a permanently mounted service body with van doors and full length tool boxes down each side. Sometimes, though, I need an open truck and this one can't be easily converted. Then, too, the 4.10 gear is great for towing but otherwise a bit too low.

So, the Dodge has 3.50 gears and a simple clamp-on cover so it is easily converted from closed to open and back. It also has a gooseneck option, although I don't happen to have that kind of trailer. But, one never knows what might crop up in the future. I do like the gearing which means 2000 RPM at 70 MPH v 2500 and so 24 MPG v 17. Being a little shorter and narrower makes for nicer road trips for the wife and I.

Of course, both trucks are nice on the open road. I can easily run 600 mile days in either. Anyway, those are my thoughts. FWIW....

Stan
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dtoots1
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Re: thinking newer truck

Post by dtoots1 » Mon Nov 20, 2017 6:15 pm

I assume the dodge is 1/2 ton and i like the super cab ....am not afraid of going diesel but don't know what size is best for use like i need. I know a 350 gas job fills the bill but do like the 24 mpg.. Hauling gooseneck etc is not major use of truck just as needed. Don't know if f250 has small diesel or not.

i know i can get a f150 already set up for gooseneck etc but it got over 130000 on it with the big gas engine in it, 2 wheel drive.(if recall right is only couple years old like 2013 or so) think was at $12000 vs something like over $30k for new f150 and the 3.0 diesel not available just yet.
At least now they clearing off the 2017s at lower prices too....

what kind mileage can we expect from the gas job???

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Stan Disbrow
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Re: thinking newer truck

Post by Stan Disbrow » Mon Nov 20, 2017 7:29 pm

Hi,

The Dodge is a heavy 3/4 ton at 8800 gross and the Ford is a 1 ton at 10000 gross. Back in those years one had to go for at least a heavy 3/4 to get a Diesel. Personally, I steer away from any truck which doesn't sport a full floating rear axle. I have seen too many rear axle failures with semi-floating rear axles. The duals are a handy option when hauling slab-sided barn-doors in a cross wind. I don't notice as much of a need for them with a flatbed trailer.

And, I haven't been into gas engines in a truck since 1993. That was when I bought a non-turbo Ford to yank the race trailer. Before that I had a 83 Chevy crew cab with a 454 gas. It got a whole 6 MPG towing. The Ford got 20. Both had 3.73 rears. The non-turbo was fine up North, but slowed down a bit in the hot, humid, Southern summers. That is why I bought the 97 earlier than I otherwise would have. It got 15 MPG with the barn-door hung off the back. But, it was well worth the lost 5 MPG for the extra power. ;)

Stan
There's No Such Thing As A Cheap Crawler!

Useta Have: '58 JD 420c 5-roller w/62 inside blade
Useta Have: '78 JD350C w/6310 outside blade
Useta Have: '68 JD350, '51 Terratrac GT-25
Have: 1950 M, 2005 x495, 2008 5103 (now known as 5045D)

dtoots1
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Re: thinking newer truck

Post by dtoots1 » Sat Dec 16, 2017 1:04 pm

well guys...not sure just what size engine gonna need for pulling a jd440 on a 12k gooseneck....for good gas mpg...suspect should probably be at least a 3/4 ton and ext cab or crew, 4whl...would the 6.5 bed be a problem?? or need 8ft? mite get new thou maybe better equip with used for less. gotta find haul tow limit seems new showed tow wt at 7000lb??

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Re: thinking newer truck

Post by Lavoy » Mon Dec 18, 2017 1:34 pm

Engine is really only an issue if speed and being able to run the hills is an issue for you. I've run everything from tired old 70's 350 in a 1 ton to 6.6 turbo diesel pulling loads larger than what you are talking. No gas is going to get anything for mileage period. The diesels will get better and pull better as a general rule. I have had nothing but 6.5 box since 97, both bumper pull and gooseneck, never had any problems or desire for 8' as far as pulling the trailer goes.
Long boring engine story. My Dad bought a new 74 C60 Chevy grain truck, 16' box and hoist, 350 two barrel, 4 speed with 2 speed rear axle. Unless it was the last load of the day and a short round, that truck never left the field at less than 24,000lbs in its life, and I'm talking a grain field, not sitting on the road next to the field. I remember rolling over the scales once hauling edible beans at 33,330lbs to a bean plant 30 miles from the farm. A few years ago, my brother talked to a local company about putting a small contractor body on there to use for hauling rocks and etc. Guy behind the counter told him that it wouldn't even pull itself down the highway empty, not enough engine. When I was pretty young, used to drive the neighbors 56 Chevy tandem with a 292 6. Many times crossed the scales in the high 30's, low 40's on heavy wheat, and it was only that low due to it having a shorter box on it.
I guess my point is the engine is irrelevant other than how well you want it to pull. To me the most critical item is the trailer, not the pickup. Buy a good trailer, with good brakes, and maintain it. Last trailer I bought has electric over hyd brakes, NEVER going back to straight electric for my 5th wheel, there is just no comparison whatsoever.
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dtoots1
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Re: thinking newer truck

Post by dtoots1 » Mon Dec 18, 2017 6:54 pm

Lavoy,
So...would you think that the 3.0 diesel in the new f150s or dodges would be big enough and better than a 350 gas job????...i have no idea what size the 3.0 compares to...also you say hydraulic assist on the trailer??? is that add on or specifically come with trailer....looking at a 12k gooseneck for highway use, but can haul locally with pull behind on local roads 30-45mph.. would like full floating axle...tho probably have to be 3/4 ton or better?? i certainly don't need a 454ci or 5.7L

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Re: thinking newer truck

Post by Lavoy » Tue Dec 19, 2017 9:45 am

Don't know anything about the new Ford, sorry. But being a diesel, it should pull better than a comparable gas, but lots of differences in the 350's as far as performance between the years. I like 3/4 tons personally, but if GM comes out with their new half ton diesel as I am hearing rumors of, I might look at half ton the next time around. There are rumblings of 315HP and high 400's to low 500's torque. I don't haul as much as I used to, and usually never more than one crawler either.
I had to order the trailer that way, it was an option, but not terribly expensive if I remember correctly. Little electric over hyd master cylinder unit in the tool box on the trailer. I did have to add a factory resistor to the system to make it work with the newer GM factory brake controller. The electric over units don't have the resistance of magnet brakes, so the computer freaks out and won't run them. Resistor unit was $70 if I remember correctly. I have a lighter deck between 5th wheel, but I ordered it with 3 7000# axles. With the electric over hyd brakes, it will lock up all 3 axles with any load I have ever had on it. Plus I used to have trouble with the magnet brakes actuator arm rusting in the backing plate if I didn't use the trailer for a while, not any more.
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Re: thinking newer truck

Post by Tigerhaze » Tue Dec 19, 2017 8:28 pm

I am a big fan of the late 90s F250s and F350s with the 7.3L Powerstroke diesel (not the pre-95 indirect injection 7.3L). That Powerstoke is actually an International Navistar T444 engine and have been proven to be very reliable- both of mine are over 300K miles with no major problems. Being a V8 and turbocharged they have a wide power range as compared to an inline Cummings which is good if you may do a lot of empty driving or driving around town and on the highway. The E4OD transmission and the later 4R100 (if automatic) is nearly bulletproof and gives you a little bit of fuel savings with the OD (again driving when empty). The truck itself is built like a tank and has been pretty reliable for me- some electrical issues here and there but nothing too major. Mine has 4WD and is singe rear wheel but you can get duallys too. It's becoming harder to find one in good shape but they are out there.

I would not recommend the mid 2000s 6.0L Powerstroke as they have had some issues with the engine itself (valves) and I am not as familiar with the newer 6.7L but heard they had issues too. However you can get early 2000s body style with the 7.3L Powerstroke.
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Re: thinking newer truck

Post by dtoots1 » Wed Dec 20, 2017 2:44 pm

well searching and find that the gmc's are running the 5.3L and that is only325 cu in...oops on the 5.7L that is equivalent to the 350 cu in.. I don't think the 5.3L thou that might just be what is in my old 89gmc...it got the fuel injected carb and pulled anything i wanted tho only 2wd

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Re: thinking newer truck

Post by Lavoy » Thu Dec 21, 2017 10:11 am

The 5.3 will out pull the 350. I still like the sound of the old style Chevy v8's, but after looking at one at my machine shop, I can't argue that the new LS stuff is way better constructed. I just bought an 03 5.3 Tahoe with 175,000 on it, mechanics special of course.
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dtoots1
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Re: thinking newer truck

Post by dtoots1 » Thu Dec 21, 2017 2:07 pm

ok...that does sound better.....gmc don't have 5.7L.....so that is a relief....think i can go with that...and still have better mpg when not hauling..

THANKS i needed that.

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