I'm finally ready to buy a new truck and have found a F-350 crew cab short bed 4x4 with the King Ranch package that really needs a home.  My main concern is with the diesel engine, since I have never owned one before.  After driving one, I fell in love with the huge power and good fuel economy, but what are the downfalls to a diesel engine and Ford super duty's in general?  It would suck to spend that much money on a truck and end up hating it after a few months.

Also, if anyone purchased an 05 Superduty recently, what did you pay for yours?  This one stickers for $50,300ish and they have come down to$46,000 plus tax.  Good price?

I own an f350 with the 7.3 in it  so far 110000 miles it has been very reliable But I fear the new 6.0 that ford is using is a POS it does not redline till 4500 rpms  with that much tach it may aswell be a gas engine. other things I have noticed on the 05 f350s are you will need to remove the radiator in order to change the serpenteen belt And obtw I have never been a big fan of coilspring front ends it did not work for ford before so I am very skeptical about the new front  end I really don't have any good answers for you other than finding a "creampuff" ford with the 7.3
As far as maintenence goes keep your fluids and filters changed use a good fuel sorce (I also use power service aditive) plug it in when it is cold let it warm up before you leave in the morning and you should be all set
Good luck
BIG

Dude...please don't pay that much for a truck!

GEt 1 years used or last years model at least.


You are getting raped on that price regardless of how good a truck it is.


SGtar15

Quoted: Dude...please don't pay that much for a truck! GEt 1 years used or last years model at least. You are getting raped on that price regardless of how good a truck it is. SGtar15

The price is the only reason I'm still thinking it over.  I can get a F150 4x4 crew cab with the same King Ranch package, which is much nicer inside than the F350, for a full $10,000 LESS.  I'm still deciding whether it's worth the extra bucks.  

Let put it this way.  I recently got a Ford Expidition with 47k miles.  It was around $35 k new.  I paid $20k.


Thats almost `1/2!


As sone as yoyu drive that truck off the lot it will be worth maybe 38k....maybe...


Sgatr15

Ford has some big rebates right now you should be able to get atleast $7000 off sticker on a $40000-$50000 truck
Good luck
BIG

Why a F-350? Are you hauling around a Bobcat skidsteer or X331? I ran the numbers (Gas vs. Diesel) and unless you're going to put a ton of miles and lug a lot of heavy trailers, the F-350 Diesel wasn't attractive.

I went for a F250, gas, V-10 Ext Cab. It doesn't even know my trailer and skidsteer are behind it. It's thirsty in town but does okay on the highway. Most of the time, it's either empty or sits; but my truck is more of a tool then a surburia-status-symbol.

I have a 350 7.3 crew cab long bed and love it lots of power. got about 50,000 miles no problems and sarge is right 2yrs of payments I think I still owe close to 30,000.

Quoted: Let put it this way.  I recently got a Ford Expidition with 47k miles.  It was around $35 k new.  I paid $20k. Thats almost `1/2! As sone as yoyu drive that truck off the lot it will be worth maybe 38k....maybe... Sgatr15

Absolutely.  Depreciation on new domestic vehicles is brutal.  Get something 2 or 3 years old instead.  The older Ford diesels are better anyway.

King Ranch is a very nice package, interior is the nicest of any PU IMO.

www.ford-trucks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=185570

The 6.0Ls have had quite a few problems.

I personally wouldn't pay that much for a truck. Be better off to look for a 2003 with a 7.3L with low mileage

Quoted: The only thing I have ever experienced with diesels is that I have a slight allergy to diesel smoke, that causes me to snneze and cough sometimes.

... Oh man, it gives me a pleasant buzz and an all over warm-fuzzy with the sense of feeling fresh all over.

The 6.0L had some teething problems.   As I understand it they're worked out now and the engine is as it should be.   Way better hiway power than the older 7.3L diesel.  I have a friend who just bought a 250 with the 6.0L to replace his dodge cummins.   He likes the PSD much better and hopefully it wont eat it's transmission like the dodge did.   Btw I have a 99 F350 V10 and with the 97K on the odometer it's never needed anything outside normal wear and tear parts.  The gasser is much thirstier than the diesel though.  You might want to drive an 05 V10 as I understand they've improved the power output significantly.  

Affimative on the '05 V 10 with more power. I am on my third SD, and this is the best one so far. The '05 seems to be much better in fit and quality than the previous year models. Mine is a super cab six speed 4x4 long bed with 4.10's.  First tank netted 13.3 mpg.

If 362hp and 457 ft.lbs isn't enough, go for the 6.0, 325 and 570. The six speed manual is best suited for a gas motor, and the Torqueshift works best in the 6.0.

My bud with the 8.1 Chev refuses to race me now, and have already made a confirmed kill on a 3/4 ton Mopar with a Hemi.  

Ford:  $50K for twin I beam suspension............rides like a buckboard.

Next year Dodge will combine the best and most reliable diesel engine with Allison transmission technology.  It will be built from Allison blueprints, but cannot be called one.  
This engine will easily put out 600 foot pounds of torque with a chip.

Quoted: Ford:  $50K for twin I beam suspension............rides like a buckboard.

Super Duty 4x4's don't have twin I beam suspension.

My family made the switch (both business and personal vehicles) from Chevy to Ford, and we couldn't be happier. Damn fine trucks. The 05 is the best yet. I am not a fan of the radius arm suspension, but for a stock height vehicle it works great. Great brakes, great syling, interior and all very durable. They are incredibly powerful, and the rear axle will hold for almost anything you could eever do (44s and an upgraded diesel might break it) and the front axle is the strongest anyone puts under a 3/4 or 1 ton vehicle. Also, the five speed tranny is better than the Allison, and better by far than any of the four speeds out there right now. If I were to buy another 3/4 or 1 ton, it would be a SuperDuty.

BTW, the 6.0 has been fixed, they worked past the problems. Our was finicky for a while, works perfectly now. Nothing like being pushed back in your seat by almost 600 pound feet of torque, thats for sure.

Any specific questions, feel free to email me at my username @AR15.com. I'll take the time because I don't want you to get a Dodge or Chevy

The 05 superduty is an amazing machine. Dont hesitate.

The front control arms are taken from the F 550 series, along with a Dana 60 front differential and 35 spline axles. If you can break this, you need an M1 Abrams. The coil springs provide the best ride ever offered in a heavy duty four wheel drive truck.