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Cuda
06-21-2003, 06:06 PM
Well business has picked up again, so I went out truck shopping again. I figured I could find a left over 7.3 PSD in an F 250. WRONG! They are all gone. It seems Ford is having trouble with the new 6.0. Even used 7.3's are high. One dealer had a used 7.3 that was higher priced than a new 6.0.

I am afraid of the 6.0 until they work the bugs out, so now my options are an F 250 with a 5.4 gas, or a 2500 Dodge with either the cummins or the hemi.

Does anyone here pull a 10,000 boat with either of the gas engines, and how does it pull?

Also, any Hemi owners, what kind of mileage are you getting?

BUIZILLA
06-21-2003, 07:12 PM
Cuda, how far ya towing that 10,000#er ?

I have an '03 7.3, the LAST one the dealer had and I had to buy it in Immokalee to get a 7.3.

6.0 have been worrisome to a few, catastrophic to a few, great to a few...widely varied opinions. Did you call the Ferd dealer in Brandon, or Chiefland or Clermont?

J

Cuda
06-21-2003, 10:34 PM
I'd like to be able to tow it where ever I want to. I'd love to do the poker run in Destin next year, Savahna for the races, and to the other coast occasionally.

BUIZILLA
06-22-2003, 07:04 AM
Assuming you have a tri-axle trailer, an SRW truck is okay. Dual axle trailer, you need a DRW truck...

At 10,000#, plus truck weight, your at 16-17k gross with passengers, the Hemi will choke, even with 3.92 gears...

That leaves a V10 Ferd with 4.30 gears (not bad really, absolutely loves the 4.30's, 4.10 minimum) or a Dodge/Cummins with 3.73 gears. Or a D-max GMC. An 8.1 GMC with 4.10's will rip the foundation off anything, but 8 mpg towing and 11-12 around town. We sell modules for all of them. You have until July 4 for the good deals on financing and selection everywhere. Dodge interiors seem cheezy to me.

With the price of diesel fuel the way it is and the premium $$$ to get in a diesel rig upfront, it takes well OVER 125,000 miles to get a break even payback on gas vs. diesel. Coin toss...

J

Cuda
06-22-2003, 08:42 AM
If the dealer is open today, I'm going to see if I can find a Dodge with the new HO Cummins engine. It is rated at 555 ft/lbs of torque. It is a tri axle trailer, and I hate driving a dually, been there done that.

SS18
06-22-2003, 08:54 AM
Cuda,
I am also towing 30'Formula on Tandem trailer with
GMC HD 2500 4x4 Duramax Diesel,3:73 rears,5 speed
Allison trans and have plenty to spare.Previously
towed with same truck but gas 6100 it pulled but not like this. wink I also agree you would be more stable with the dually!

olredalert
06-22-2003, 09:17 AM
-------I know it isnt new,but Ill stack my 3/4 ton 93 Suburban 502 conversion/dually conversion against all of the above.Sans trailer I get around 17mpg,and towing a 10,000 to 12000lb. enclosed car trailer it goes down to around ten.Doesnt seem to make much difference wether Im going 60 or 90.It will do either with ease.Did alot of programming to get it there but it was worth it.
-------Poor beast has over 160,000 on it now and just wont quit.I really dont know what I would go to next as I dont much trust anything else,so Ill just have to keep it up for the rest of my life,I guess..........Bill S

Team Jefe
06-23-2003, 01:13 PM
I pull 9,500 lbs on a tandem trailer with the 7.3L Ford 4X4. I could not ask for a nicer ride. Cruise Control at 70mph, ran that way from NW Houston to Fourchon LA. and got 12.2 mpg.

Last year I made the same trip last year with a Chevy 2500HD 6.0 L gas and got 6.5mpg at 60-65 mph, plus I was in third gear the whole time at 3000 rpms. I kept waiting for the motor to explode.

I will admit, that the premium for diesel package & price of diesel means you'll have to keep the truck a good while to make it break even.

JEFE

Team Hula Girl
06-23-2003, 03:52 PM
Jefe, is the 9500 lbs your talking about your boat with trailer and fuel/gear? I hope your boat/etc. doesn't weigh 9500 lbs. If it does I hope it is because you have a massive quantity of beer in the boat. If so, where's my invite?

John

Team Jefe
06-23-2003, 07:01 PM
John, Yeah the 9500 is boat, motors, trailer, fuel, icechests, fresh water, fishing gear, life jackets, porta pottie, and the special pina coloda chap stick I have on the dash.

krakmeup
06-23-2003, 09:54 PM
Well, I'm not Texan, but I did get here as fast as I could!, and so should anyone looking for a truck. I finally made my decision, scouted for a new and a used Ford F250, decided last Tuesday to pull the trigger, and bought a 2001 F250 7.3L 4x4 shortbox on Wednesday. I got mine at Carmax and tried to get a reasonable deal on a new 6.0L through a local dealer, but couldn't get the numbers I needed. Simply put, I had several to choose from, no problem. New or used. Sounds like I made the right decision on the used 7.3L (33k miles and not one ding or scratch, black with tan Lariat interior, Supercab, 3.73 rear end).

We just towed to Austin this weekend with the Classic 18, got 16mpg @ 72-75 mph over 460 miles round trip and were VERY comfy. Want a truck? Hate to be a cliche, but look in Texas if you need one now. Good Luck!

http://www.donzi.net/photos/DSC01302.jpg

Cuda
06-24-2003, 06:32 AM
Krakmeup, that is exactly the type of truck I'm looking for. If you don't mind me asking, what did it go for?

Team Jefe
06-24-2003, 06:59 AM
Cuda - no kidding, 7.3L F250's grow on trees around here. Last year had I been looking for a Crew Cab Short Box like Krakmeup, I had hundreds to chose from, and they are still here. But I needed a long box, those are few and far between in the used market (plus most have been used hard).

Some of the big dealers around
Lawerence Marshall
Ron Carter
McRee Ford
Planet Ford
Lone Star

Also Check Auto Trader at 50 miles around ZIP's 77065 (NW Houston) & 77511 (Alvin - SE Houston)

If you find something you like on the North side give me a call and I'll go check it out for you.

I'm Sure krakmeup or JimG would volunteer to do the same on the south side.

Good Luck
JEFE

krakmeup
06-24-2003, 07:52 AM
Jefe's dead on, 'cuda! Try carmax.com, a great site to do comparisons. I don't mind telling you price, cause they are 'no-haggle' priced. Mine was $27.8k.

A couple of interesting facts about Carmax (I have a nephew that went up their mgmt chain for a while).

They do not touch wrecked, flooded, or 'encumbered' titled vehicles - EVER. Thus they can offer you a "Car Facts" type of info sheet on any vehicle, and it will be clean.

Ask for THEIR 'service order', detailing what they did to the vehicle prior to listing it, mine had all filters, oil, front disc pads, all new tires, a bed liner, new wipers, and two dings removed (which I still can't find!). It was waxed and full of fuel at delivery (this with less than 24hrs notice on their part).

Their no-haggle price is set, I'm told, and things go a lot smoother if you avoid the hassle. They make their money on extended warranties. With ~3k original Ford warranty left, a 5 day return no-questions-asked policy, and a 30 day warranty from Carmax, I didn't see the need for an extended plan. They can even transfer cars between their sites, for a small fee ($150-250). These trucks are plentiful in Texas, so let me know if you need some help!

Keith

Cuda
06-24-2003, 08:57 PM
I looked at a new one today. 2003 XLT, supercab,longed, diesel. The sticker was a tick under 40K, came down to 34.5K whick is $500 below invoice. I think I may have to spring for the Lariat Package. My last two have me spoiled. When I got in, I reached for the electric seat adjustment, not there! Had to resort to the between the legs pull. :( Debbie saw it then, I want a Lariat. Besides, I need the leather. With my work, cloth will be filthy in no time. Leather is much easier to clean.

BUIZILLA
06-24-2003, 09:52 PM
6.0 or 7.3 ??

BTW, I just got in a new ball bearing turbo upgrade for these today, more on the way, 88mm compressor. 33% more inbound air at same boost levels. I have 100mm compressor ball bearing turbo's on order, both have 1.00 trim turbines.

95+ hp increase on this alone... turbo and chip and air filter and exhaust is about 225rwhp increase now, over the 250 stock rating !!

yee haaaaa

J

Cuda
06-27-2003, 06:15 AM
I think I found my truck yesterday. 2002 F 250.7.3, 4x4 Supercab, short bed Lariat. 11,000 miles. When I opened the door and it still smelled like new, I knew I wanted it.
Buzilla, which engine is that upgrade for?

Team Jefe
06-27-2003, 07:14 AM
Yee Haa is right. I'd like more info on these turbos too.

There can never be too much power.

BUIZILLA
06-27-2003, 07:49 AM
Cuda, I also have a 107mm turbo on the way for my truck, in addition to the 88mm I just sold. I have exhaust, intake, chips, programmers, 530E injectors and turbo upgrades for these, usually in stock...

My truck just left 5 minutes ago to go to Richmond, VA area to pick up a 272 Formula.

J

Cuda
06-27-2003, 05:45 PM
Buz, does that fit the 7.3 or the 6.0? Do adding these kits void the warranty?

BUIZILLA
06-27-2003, 08:03 PM
7.3

J

warranty, what warranty?

Cuda
06-27-2003, 09:32 PM
BUIZILLA:


warranty, what warranty? I'll take that as a yes. :)