I'm finally going to upgrade the truck. It won't be until this fall, but I'd like to figure out exactly what I want, so I can research and be ready when the time comes. I'll be going used and plan on spending about $15000.

So far, I've decided on 4 full doors and a long box. The undecided's are 1/2 or 3/4 ton? diesel or gas? brand?

I want something that will be able to haul a 25' boat, a 5th wheel camper, and a 4place snowmobile trailer (Not all at the same time!). Although, we would like to pull a 5th wheel and the 16' boat at the same time. Brand isn't a huge issue with me, as I think they're all good.

Does anyone have any thoughts? Anything to stay away from? Anything that I absolutely have to have?

IT'S A NO BRAINER MAN-FORD F-250 TRITON DIESEL.
IT'LL BE YOUR BEST FRIEND FOR A LONG TIME!
THAT'S A FACT.FORD IS TRIED AND TRUE=YOU'LL NEVER REGRET IT. :wink:

I will go along with the diesel. As for Ford being the best, well everyone has there favorites. But you will be happy with any diesel with those options you want to go along with it.

Originally posted by boss hoss@May 23 2005, 08:53 PM
IT'S A NO BRAINER MAN-FORD F-250 TRITON DIESEL.
IT'LL BE YOUR BEST FRIEND FOR A LONG TIME!
THAT'S A FACT.FORD IS TRIED AND TRUE=YOU'LL NEVER REGRET IT. :wink:
421241

Actually, its a "Powerstroke diesel" not a Triton. Other than that, I agree 100%.
An F-250 SD will pull/haul anything you can imagine with ease. Id go with the V10 myself. Unless you drive 20,000 miles a year, it will take a very long time for the fuel milage to make up for the added cost of the diesel. The diesel costs about $4500 more than the V10. You can buy a lot of gas for $4500.
You also might want to try out one with the new 5.4L. Its got the new, 3-valve heads, and its 300 hp, so it might be all the motor you would need in that truck.
Im going to be in the market for an F-250 when its time to replace my F-150. I like my F-150, but it would be nice to have the added spring rate and bigger brakes of the F-250, especially when the bed is full of firewood. Im going to be looking for an F-250 with a 5.4L. I dont pull a trailer and I will only use it for hauling firewood and hauling my sled, so I dont really need the V10 or Powerstroke.
Octane

well 3/4 ton minimum. diesel a must and look at the sig ,I can tow at those levels of power getting great mpg, not a ford with a navistar motor though, CUMMINS baby. and the only truck to get the best diesel in is dodge, sorry guys the power stroke is not in the same class. not to bash them thats a fact. I prefer my 6 gear manual, some like the autos, idooski has one and he is making some pretty good power I hear. not bashing any brand but if you say the best you should know it. any of you strokers making the numbers I am,I am not the baddest 3 gen truck out there by any means. and to those that want to know, just plug and play modules to get there. :ohmy: thats right. numbers will go up when I can get a new turbo.not enough air to support the fuel now, say smoke :cool: . either way go diesel and don't look back. http://www.turbodieselregister.com for more in detail topics and info on the best trucks :blahblah:

A Dodge is fine as long as you dont get one with an automatic. Dodge's auto trannies just dont hold up.
You dont have to get a Dodge to get a Cummins though. You could get a Ford F-450 or F-550 and get your choice of a Powerstroke, Cummins or Caterpillar engine. Of course, an F-550 is in a completely different class than a 3/4 ton truck.
Octane

to get the light/medium duty Isb common rail engine you doo.be easy on the auto's I work in the plant that builds them. I can debate the issue with you for a long time about the duabilaty of them. my first had double the stock power levels and had 147,000 miles on it when it left with the original trans.like stated idooski has at least 100 more hp than stock and he has been ok. the 48re trans is better and proving it over time. with less warrantee claims per 100 units built than the mighty allison(gm) had,but thats not hard to do the 47re had that beat. but yes the torque converters are junk first change. next one will be an auto here, just ready for bomb mods. any of you strokers want to show your stuff, diesel thunder show is coming up at Indy (IRP) show -n-shine ,pulls, dynos ,drags. put up or shut up thats what I say :) , be there or be square june 25. :dazed:

I knew Dooman would be around shortly :cool:

Debate with him all you want octane, this man know his diesels and can back up everything he says. :whistling:

I will be looking for him at diesel thunder. or any dhra race he may attend. bring on the stroke :hallo1: . :lmao: :whistling: after looking at his sig, I do not think he has what it takes to beat me on the rollers. by the way ,I know the numbers of the claims per 100 units built for all 3 manufacturers and ford is out front by .5 claims less than dodge, so I guess when you look at the numbers of complaints they are not far out front. or if they had the power they might be even. allison behind dodge by 3 claims. or broke down its 3 @ ford, 3.5 @ dodge, 6@ chevy. I know bombed trucks will tax a weak tc in the dodge ,but many owners out there say not and buy again. internet hype blows a few failures out of proportion, espc. when you have a following like the tdr for info. either way you can stay here if you come to thunder :thumbsup: .

I did want to say I forgot to mention your correct the 650 does have the isbe. it is not rated at the same power level as the dodge, lower hp same torque. I meant in the light truck, ie:3/4, 1 ton. note ford uses this engine in their heavy trucks dodge has in light hmmm. I am told scott bentz will have his dragster at indy should run mid 7's, cummins powered.

Originally posted by mlabudda@May 26 2005, 07:22 AM
Debate with him all you want octane, this man know his diesels and can back up everything he says. :whistling:
421460

I clearly dont have the technical knowledge about diesels that he does. Besides, Im really not here for a debate.
My father works for a Ford/Dodge dealership, so I am constantly hearing about all the Dodges that come back for warranty work. On an average day, they get 5 Dodges back and 1 Ford back.
Nothing aganst Dodge, Im sure there are people out there with over 300,000 miles on their Dodges. Every manufacturer makes lemons, even Toyota (recently recalled over 700,000 vehicles). Its all in what you like. :thumbsup:
Octane

My dodge has 331 000 klicks on it, and she is still purrin like shes new. Got the injectors gone through, and they set the valves, now I am just gonna have the turbo looked at, then she willbe good for another 300 000 k.


Bauer

:) my guess after the cummins will be another cummins to replace it. if you plan on keeping the vehicle for 100,000 miles or more the diesel of any brand is worth it. I would just for the resale, or power really. reading a new rag I found at work. in it they had all three brands in the test and the ford will out run a auto dodge loaded, stock for stock. I think thats true. I am not really defending my truck as its a manual trans. I am however defending my livelyhood as I work in the auto trans plant. I see the numbers at work for all three for comparing. the 48re is heads above the previous trans ,I made one of them last under my hard foot for 146,000 miles. but not all of them could do that obviously they are some bad ones. one factor in the Q inprovement is the line that makes the 48re is now running half what it did before.thanks to the newer 5spd line up the road.I know an auto will take some money to make it last at the higher power numbers than the stick thus my manual trans. when this ones paid for I will buy an auto to tow it with :lol: . or for my wife to drive daily while I drive this one :cool:.