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VetteLT193
12-12-2011, 08:55 AM
So... I'm looking to trade my Navigator on a truck. I found a 2004 Ford F250 Powerstroke, 110k, 2WD, for a good price. My question is... Do I need 4x4??? I have it in the Navigator. It gives me peace of mind but I've never actually needed it. With the potentially lighter rear end of the 250, will I need it at the boat ramp? I'd rather 2WD for regular driving which is what I would do with the truck 90% of the time.

zelatore
12-12-2011, 12:41 PM
Everybody has their own opinion, but I'd say no. An LSD and half decent tires should do the trick on all but the worst ramps. Heck, my half ton dodge gasser was (barely) able to get a 33' Regal up a ramp on a steel triple axle. That's more weight than I'd ever want to tow even with a 3/4 ton truck, but I got it out of the water wi a little work on worn tires. Should be no problem for you and the Donzi with a 3/4 ton

Ghost
12-12-2011, 01:41 PM
I'm going to say it depends on the ramps you use. Rear wheels only works fine on decent ramps. Get an old, smooth concrete ramp with no grooves and a layer of green slime? Can easily be a different story.

VetteLT193
12-12-2011, 03:15 PM
alrighty... it's worth a test drive at least. Going to check it out and we'll see if a deal can be made.

I rarely trailer anymore. if I go with 2WD maybe I'll just get a winch to save me :bonk:

BUIZILLA
12-12-2011, 03:28 PM
on the door jamb is a sticker with the axle code, call your local Ferd store and have them decode it FIRST and see if it's 3.73 or 4.10 and LSD, 2004 is a 6.0 so your taking some big chances there.. unless the EGR cooler and oil cooler have been upgraded already at minimum, i'm doing that today on a 2007 and it's a bloody dirty job and NOT cheap, the truck has 60,000 miles on it...

RockyS18
12-12-2011, 06:31 PM
My friend has a 2006 F-250 and he trailered a 35 Formula Fastech on it and the 2 wheel drive wasn't enough to get the boat and the trailer out of the water. Luckily his truck has 4 wheel drive, so he flipped a switch and it came right out. Since the rear wheels are in the water slightly or on the very wet ramp, they get no traction vs the front wheels which are usually on a dry part of the ramp.

Ghost
12-12-2011, 07:09 PM
Fixx, I'm not actually challenging what you wrote, just thought this would be amusing in context.

69157

VetteLT193
12-13-2011, 07:43 AM
[ QUOTE=Buizilla]on the door jamb is a sticker with the axle code, call your local Ferd store and have them decode it FIRST and see if it's 3.73 or 4.10 and LSD, 2004 is a 6.0 so your taking some big chances there.. unless the EGR cooler and oil cooler have been upgraded already at minimum, i'm doing that today on a 2007 and it's a bloody dirty job and NOT cheap, the truck has 60,000 miles on it... [/QUOTE]

I was hoping you would reply. The axle is 3.73 according to the ad, haven't checked the door yet.

I'm blown away they even made a non limited slip rear on a 250.

What do you suggest engine wise then, and mileage, and things to look for.

I've been staying away from cummins because they are ridiculously loud but could be convinced.

biggiefl
12-13-2011, 01:32 PM
All 4 of my friends with the 6.0 Ford have had extensive engine repairs. The EGR was a pain and cost about a $1300 but the fuel rails or something else requires the CAB to be removed to service. It is something screwy like the rails are in the heads and basically you need to do an upper end on it. Easier to remove the cab then to work around it. I think that job is about $3k+. After heard/witnessed this I would either find a good 7.3L Ford or go Chevy/Dodge. The new Dodge is VERY quiet. The EGR cooler was usually about 60-80k miles. The rails varied from 70-220k miles.

2WD should be fine. With my little Liberty Diesel I pull my 22C up any ramp in 2wd and my rear is not a LSD. I never use my 4WD.

PMZONER
12-13-2011, 01:33 PM
I'm also on the hunt for a new tow vehicle, I am not even concidering a 2wd.
My old underpowed Rover pulls the boat just fine, but at 196K miles I'm not sure how much longer? You may not need the 4wd every time, but when you do you will be thankful. :yes: That tune...Slip sliding away... comes to mind :hyper:

BUIZILLA
12-13-2011, 03:19 PM
nothing wrong with a V10 Ford

bulletproof engine

VetteLT193
12-13-2011, 03:27 PM
If I'm going with gas I'll just keep the Navigator. My biggest complaint is gas mileage with it. The nice to have would be an open truck bed to do work stuff with.

BUIZILLA
12-13-2011, 03:31 PM
then pony up for a 2008-09 6.4 and do the DPF delete and programmer, pulling sumbitch after that, fuel sucker if you don't

or find a 2002-03 7.3 Excursion/pickup

or make it easier on your self and get a 05-07 LLY/LBZ Duramax

Donziweasel
12-13-2011, 05:46 PM
Vette, 2 things. If it is a 2004 6.0, run as fast as you can. In 2004 I think you could still find some leftover 7.3L. Great engines.

In Wyoming, you simply have to have 4wd. My thoughts on it in other parts of the country are-better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

silverghost
12-13-2011, 06:01 PM
I have been using my two wheel drive 1991 Chevy 454 SS 1500 sport truck to tow all my toys for many years.
It easily pulls-out my 5000 lb boats & trailer combos from slippery & slime/seeweed covered boat ramps.
This truck has a 4:10 locker style rear end with high-speed highway performance tires.. The locker style rear is the key here. You need to have both rear wheels actualy pulling on a 2WD truck on a slippery boatramp for safety.

Fuel Consumption on this 454 SS truck is very poor ~~~as might be expected.

Greg Guimond
12-13-2011, 07:24 PM
Do you have to have the pickup?

Greg Guimond
12-13-2011, 07:28 PM
And what will you be towing?

Tidbart
12-14-2011, 01:56 PM
[ QUOTE=$originalposter]{$pagetext}[/QUOTE]

Greg,

He has a 28 ZXO

handfulz28
12-14-2011, 10:22 PM
[ QUOTE]The nice to have would be an open truck bed to do work stuff with. [/QUOTE]

Lincoln Blackwood? Chevy Avalanche? Or just get a 5x8 utility trailer?

Craig S
12-15-2011, 11:59 AM
I agree...find / buy a cummins, especially over a 6.0.

Team Jefe
12-15-2011, 12:40 PM
I've own most of them and driven them all. Current truck is an 09 Chevy 2500 LTZ 4X4 SRW LWB 6.0L Gas....LOVE IT!!! But it does give up some in towing, over the diesel. The Revenge is about the same size as your ZXO.

The problem I have it the HUGE price differential in Trucks and Fuel. As often as I trade (this is my 5th tow vehicle since buying the Revenge....11 yrs), I just can't justify the investment for diesel.

Diesels I have owned
7.3L Ford 4X4....ther one truck I should NOT have sold.
5.9L 24V Cummins in a 4X4 Mega Cab Dually....THE BEST TOW Vehicle I have ever been in. Period!!!
6.7L 24V Cummins 4X4 Quad....Very Nice, but the "Quad" part of teh cab is too small.

If you are buying it to keep for a long time, Look for an 07-09' Mega SRW 2500 with a 5.9 or 6.7. That motor is already configured for ULSD so you won't have to worry too much about engine lubricatuion.

I loved my Ford, and the Duramax pulls well....But nothing compares to the low end torque of the Cummins. The inline 6 generating power at low RPM's will alleviate the need for 4X4 even on slippery ramps.....most of the time!!!! My Mega Dually was a 6-speed, all I had to do was release the brake and clutch at the same time and it walked the boat out without ever touching the accelerator.

The Hedgehog
12-15-2011, 04:51 PM
I have pulled my 35 foot Fountain with my 7.3 2wd F-250 a few times now and found it to be plenty of truck. I would not want to pull anything bigger, but it works just fine. I pulled my heavy 27 zx non step all over then place with that truck and did not come close to needing 4wd. I came in and out all sorts of crazy ramps. The nice thing is that after 212,000 miles, my front end maintenance has been a good bit less than 4wd.