yachtjim

I am shopping for a truck and have been presented with a F350 w/5.4L that is heavily discounted. Enough to really get my attention and make it a contender. I know the obvious thoughts are that it is underpowered but I'm wondering if it will be fine for my needs. The alternative to this is a GMC Sierra 1500 also with around 300HP. So no matter what I'm looking at a truck with around 300HP unless something else surfaces from one of these dealers. I tow a decent amount but don't really go anywhere, just putz around the island where we live, all flat. I like to tow pretty fast but don't really care how long it takes to get to that speed. I couldn't really care less about pedal stomping performance either, as long as its got enough oomph to get out of its own way then I'm good. Anybody have this setup? What do you think of it?

__________________

gradyguy2956

F350 w/5.4? Must be a 2WD. Will also be a gas hog, tryin to get you up to speed with that heavy 1 ton frame.

yachtjim

Its a 4X4. I'll drive it tomorrow and will know better how it does. My commute is now 3 minutes long so I'm not going anywhere. I don't know. I guess I'll need to figure it out tomorrow after the test drive. Just was wondering if anybody else here has this setup.

__________________

katkt

You already know it's under powered for a truck with the towing potential that one has, so I can't help you there.
I've got an 01 150 super crew with that motor that I pull my boat with. Its a 4x4, so that hurts my mileage abit, but it tows my 24 Tomcat(boat and trailer is close to 6500 lbs, maybe a little more) without any problems. It'll run 70 if its flat and your not bucking a wind(theres alot of boat exposed with the cat on a trailer).......I know its not recommended, but when conditions are right(ie it'll stay in OD), I'll push the button and let it run into the overdrive.
I get 15 w/o the boat, and about 6 or 7 with it.
You could expect similar mileage from the 350???

If your looking for a blessing so you can blame me later, I didn't say anything.

yachtjim

I'm not concerned with mileage at all. I am buying a big hydraulic trailer from Hostar to pull boats this winter but we have a dually for that. But I'll probably use my new truck for this every now and again, but nothing over 45 MPH.

I'm trying to justify this thing in my head. A big diesel is not needed since this truck is just my daily driver with a trailer hauling every now and again. I'd rather have the big diesl or V10 any day of the week bu there are no 09 leftovers any where around here and dealers are not giveing much of anything off 10's. You can see above I'm comparing this to a Sierra 1500. I am not hung up on specs at all as this is just a daily driver going to and from work, hauling a boat up and down a local ramp 10 times or so a year, an dhauling my MX Bike around. I am more after a truck I can feel good about. Drives nice, looks nice, and feels nice inside. I don't like the looks of the F150's or the GMC 2500's.

__________________

Mist-Rest

I have a F350 SD 4X4 used for plowing snow with a 9'6" Fisher V plow.

As much as I hate the plow I think I hate the truck more. Today I drove past the Chevy dealer and looked at a 2500. I never thought I'd go back to GM after the loan BS.
FWIW my daily is a 06 Titan

The 6.0 will walk all over the 5.4 when at work and the brakes along with the front end parts will out last the Ford at least 3:1. The Ford also really sucks to climb into more than 4 times a day if your over 35 years old.

__________________
2003 Boston Whaler 255 Conquest w/ twin 200 HPDI's




I've never been a racist. I don't like the white half either.

Boatless33

We have an '08 F350 5.4L srw utility body. The gas mileage sucks and it is very underpowered however the truck is very reliable and it tows what we need it to. It was definitely a very good addition to the fleet. You can always throw on a cat-back exhaust system, tuner, and CAI to get some more power and mileage for not too much $. One of my good friends had a 5.4L truck and did these mods and the engine responded very well to them. My vote is to go for the 5.4 providing you can get a good deal on it. Good luck with whatever you do!

Heres the pick of the ass end of the truck towing a small load (sorry but its the only pic I got)

__________________
2009 Boston Whaler 305 Conquest - twin 300 Verados
1999 Carolina Skiff 16

jay12clay

If you're looking for a comfy daily driver, don't buy the 350. That sum beach will beat ya to death. 1/2 ton would be my 1st choice, they just ride sooo much better! F 150 prolly the best truck a man could buy. Overall, #1! I'D LOVE TO GET RID OF MY CUMMINS 350HP STIFF 2500 FOR A COMFY 1/2 TON F 150. WON'T BE LONG.

gf

If you like the ride of the Sierra 1500 then you will not be liking the ride quality of the F-350 and it sits way up high. Sounds like the GMC will do everything you need it to.

evensen

I think it is a VERY ATTRACTIVE package.
It should make you a better towing driver, meaning
you will have more patience to let the engine do the
work with less hurry up.
I had the same truck with the V-10, and two with PS diesels.
The diesels are nice, but there are just too many issues with the new
clean diesel engines. The V-10 sucked gas like three trucks.
The nice heavy frame, better brakes, heavy duty axles, are all in the bonus category.
I assume it has the towing package because almost all 350s are ordered with it.
That means you are MUCH less likely to have issues with over heating the transmission.

Plus, it is much more manly, you will be the subject of ramp envy.

__________________
People should not be afraid of their government-governments should be afraid of their People.

The need for "torches and pitchforks" is at hand.

Boatless33

I didn't really read the original post but due to the other responses, if you want a comfy daily driver, do not buy the ford! In our fleet, in addition to the aforementioned Dodge 3500 and 5.4L Ford, we have a Silverado 2500 and another Ford F-350 with a Diesel. The Chevy by far has the best ride. It replaced a V10 F-250. The difference in ride comfort is unbelievable. If your towing 10,000 pounds and under, but the 1/2 ton. The ride will be substantially smoother and it will be more than capable.

__________________
2009 Boston Whaler 305 Conquest - twin 300 Verados
1999 Carolina Skiff 16

Bluefishing

fwiw, http://special-reports.pickuptrucks.com/ says the ride of the chevy 1500 is the best.

kerno

Jim: There's another thing you may want to consider. Some states (and I don't know about yours) impose different licensing requirements for towing with trucks rated over 10,000 pounds. There's very little structural difference between a 250 and a 350 except for the rear springs and the badges. The 350 does have a harsher ride, but you can always pull a leaf out of the rear spring pack and add a set of Firestone air bags that you can inflate if you are hauling something heavy. I own 2 F-250s. Both are 6.0 diesels and both are pre 2007 because I did not want to put up with the cat converter technology until they sort it out.

The 5.4 350 you are looking at may be attractively priced, but I fear the resale will be devastating downstream. For the use you are describing, the 150 or 1500 is probably a better choice. I find the Chevy interiors to be plusher, but more Mattel like at the same time. I also find their ride softer, but less controlled. You can feel the amount of rubber that is used in the front suspension. I run several trucks in my work life. I was closely associated with GM for a long time and ran only GM products until I bought my first Ford in 1999. The only trucks I now own that are not Fords are my two El Caminos. We've simply had better service histories with the Fords. GM has done way too much electronic integration in their vehicles. When the body control module checks the VIN in the radio and the radio chimes for low oil level, they've gone too far. Somehow the art of building trucks has gone awry. There's no reason a truck A/C system should use an external or in cab ambient air temp sensor. Give me a knob to make it warmer or colder and I'll happily take the place of the temp sensor.

__________________
Kern O.

Just1more

Don't do it Jim! That gas engine in an F350 is a .
Additionally, that F350 puts you above the 10k GVWR and you will be potential target for the MDTA. Never thought I'd say this, but get the Chevy 1500.

__________________

'88 Kencraft Challenger w/ 225 Optimax

When all you have in life is a hammer, treat everything like a nail.

katkt

Drive it and see what you think. The motor for what your doing, will be more then sufficient. It just sucks the fuel.....but then, 3 miles to work, big deal. The 4x4 part of the deal will be harder on the fuel then anything else. Heck, I had a Nissan Frontier(01) with the Crew Cab and 4 wheel drive, and it'd only get 18 on the highway. The post with the pic of the service truck, outta dispel any qualms about it not doing the job. That 350 was carrying alot of weight with the box and equip.



"Deep discount" may be the clincher. Make sure they think your struggling to settle for the 5.4.
I drove ford vans for years, because they were better(IMO) then the competition, I simply moved away from them when a better mouse trap showed up. I'm not sorry I bought the 150, and it was slightly used. When the time comes to buy another, it'll be a Ford........and I think almost all new vehicles suck.

Post50

Jim,

What are you getting for a trailer, I have 5 hostars, best company in the world to deal with.

DrJim

Well, that settles that I guess.

__________________

yachtjim

I am not sure of the model. It has 2 hydraulic pads in front, 2 in the rear, a sliding track system that goes all the way fore and aft for the keel, a wheel that pops down in front to slide it down a ramp, a fifth wheel option as well as regular hitch, and the tongue goes up and down hydraulically. Its pretty badass.

__________________

welder

Jim , I drive a F250 at work ,when not in my Frieghtliner , the F250 has a 5.4 gaser with a 5 spd Man. and 4.10 rear end and it is a GUTLESS POS and I am a Blue Oval guy . More to that story later [ I run a CUMMINS now ] .

If your going Gas , get the 6.8 ltr V-10 .

__________________
F350 4x4/ Dodge 2500HD 5.9L Cummins
Leaving the Picture of the Ford cuz I miss it
Pacific 2325 cc
Honda bf225
aluminumalloyboats.com

dave11

I have a SD F250 with the V10. That F350 will not make a pleasant daily driver. I love my Ford, but I think for your application the Chevy will be better.