2002 Ford Super Duty F-250 - READ ONLY

99 messages, Last post on Jul 17, 2002 at 8:50 PM

You are in the Pickups - Archived Discussions Forum. Your Host is kcram

This discussion is ARCHIVED. To reactivate the discussion, post a request in the Lost? Ask the Pickups Host for directions! discussion.

What is this discussion about? Ford F-250 Super Duty, Truck

Outline

Messages Page 1 of 10: 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; ...; 10; Prev; Next; Last

#1 of 99 Super Duty Production Problems by skv78 Dec 19, 2001 (5:35 pm)
I ordered a Ford F-250 Crew Cab 6 weeks ago, only to find out now that production is suspended until Feb. 2002. Is this really true?
#2 of 99 RE: 250 suspended by wpalkowski Dec 20, 2001 (4:58 am)
Hi, I don't see any news about Superduty production suspensions at http://www.blueovalnews.com/ What options did you order? There were problems associated with heated seats on Lariats and Advanced security group - auto lock doors with std. trannies earlier in model year, thought they were all fixed by now. If there's a snag with one of the options you ordered, the factory could put your truck on a hold until it's resolved. Go talk with your Dealer, he should've gotten some info on what's causing the hold. If you can't wait for truck it may be possible to have them delete or change the offending option (if you can live without it) and speed truck delivery. Otherwise you wait. Ford had supply problem with wheels on '01 '350 cc XLT I ordered - changed order for more expensive deluxe aluminum alloy wheels and truck came in on time. Hope this helps
#3 of 99 Looking for a truck... by jmgaitan Jan 01, 2002 (8:41 pm)
My husband is interested in a BIG truck....Why? I have no idea. We are travelers, but pull nothing of great weight. We do have 2 motorcycles that we occasionally haul or put in the bed. I would be fine with the 2002 Ford F150 Crew Cab, but my husband wants to go to the 2002 F250 Crew Cab SB with the auto deisel engine. Can anyone give me some insight into these trucks and should they be bought by a family like ourselves who are not got to WORK them as they are built to be....Thanks.
#4 of 99 jmgaitan by bugwizr Jan 01, 2002 (11:39 pm)
Let him get what he wants. If you are lucky, he will let the family ride with him. Some things defy explanation. It is more than transportation. Kind of like a Rolex is more than a watch- it's jewelry. Be happy that you do not have to work them as they are built to be. It can be an option for you. In the meantime, if it is important to him, cancel the opinion poll. IMHO
#5 of 99 jmgaitan by jcmdie Jan 02, 2002 (7:04 am)
Most people who buy sport motorcycles, which are essentially street legal racers, never race or see a track. Same goes for sports cars. People get them because they want them, not need them. I think that's whats going on with the truck. There may even be a few things things that you want that he "doesn't understand why". By the way he has excellent taste in trucks.
#6 of 99 F-250 for sure by white250 Jan 02, 2002 (3:23 pm)
I purchased a new F-250 in september & never looked back. I love this truck...really..lol. I did look at the F-150 & it would have been more than enough truck for me but, since I was buying a truck, I wanted something that could handle all my truck & towing needs in the unseen future. Plus I think the F-250 is the best looking truck out there. Here is a list of options & add-on's on mine : F-250 black 4x4 sc swb off-road electric start, 6 disc changer, tinted glass, bug guard, Rhino liner, Hard folding tonnue cover.
#7 of 99 It's not that I don't want it... by jmgaitan Jan 02, 2002 (8:52 pm)
It's not that I don't agree with him wanting it, because I actually think it is the best looking truck to choose from myself. We have looked at them ALL! Have not missed a beat it that arena. The Ford F250's are definitely the meanest truck out there. It's just that I have read statements like "don't mistake it for a car" which I take as meaning it is a work truck not a passenger vehicle. I've read where it does not ride nice unless it is loaded down. Kind of like an SUV/1/2 ton truck/van can haul but is still intended to be a passenger vehicle and rides like one. I have heard that the 3/4 tons don't "last" like they would if you don't "use" them. Is this true? We expect to have this truck for a long time. I just don't want to waste a a brand new truck for a desire I guess if the more likely option is a 1/2 ton vehicle. As far as the comment above from "jcmdie", well you are exactly right about having race bikes but never seeing the track and I guess that IS what is going on here! I never thought of it that way! Thanks for opening my eyes to it. My husband handed down to me our 1999 Copper Suzuki GSXR1300 (Hyabusa) and it only saw the drag track once with him and will most likely never see it with me. I guess you hit the nail on the head! And I guess to top it all off is that once you get the price set on the XLT's F150 you might as well go for a couple thousand more to get the big truck, right? They really aren't far off in price. Trust me guys, I am not totally against the idea of getting the bigger truck. You definitely get more for about the same money. Okay, so the next questions are:.....1)should we special order or look until we find what we want on a lot? We are in no hurry. He is is Bosnia right now and our 2000 trade in vehicle is in storage waiting on his return. 2a)I am almost postive we will go with the diesel engine. What "extras" should we be sure to get for our purposes of using this truck? (IE - I notice things on the list like double alternators, axle ratios, and what not) Are these a necessity? 2b)Are there certain extras that a diesel in no way requires but you owners have found you just can't live without? We have never owned a diesel but know it is the better option in the bigger trucks. Won't be doing any snow plowing here in Louisiana which we would need the gas engine for! 3)Do you care of a diesel any different than a gas truck? 4)Are there any REAL GOOD interent sites specifically on this truck alone that we should be sure to take a look at? Sorry for all the female nagging questions guys. Hang in here with me! Thanks so much.
#8 of 99 jmgaitan by eric102 Jan 02, 2002 (9:36 pm)
Don't get an F250 unless you really need it for towing or hauling. I have a F250 supercab long bed diesel and only use it a couple times a month (mostly just to run it) because it rides so rough, is noisey (diesel clatter) and is a pain to find a parking spot. I need it to tow a large heavy boat, but will always drive my car if I have a choice. If you need a truck, go as small and light as you can. Your wallet will be happier to. Good luck. Eric
#9 of 99 re: jmgaitan by wpalkowski Jan 03, 2002 (7:55 am)
Don't wanna start a diesel vs. gasers flame war here, but I'm expressing my opinions. I've got an '01 F-350 V10, CC, SRW, LWB, 4x4. I've driven Power Stroke Diesels, and considered buying one, but decided they weren't for me. They're wonderful if you tow heavy and a lot. They get much better mileage than gaser when towing too, moderately better unloaded too. The Powerstroke will probably run 300K miles before it needs to be overhauled and diesel's a bit cheaper than gas in the North East. Truck'll have moderately higher resale value with a diesel. Diesel's got its drawbacks too. An oil change on a Power Stroke is 11 quarts plus. The oil filters cost $10-12 at Walmart (more at Dealer). You've got to put an additive in your coolant to prevent cavitation and prevent uneven heating of cylinder walls; need to check it periodically too. You've gotta constantly be on the lookout for sub-par fuel - you need to check for water and drain it from your fuel filter. Water in diesel can get you stuck a lot sooner than water in gasoline. If you're out in the sticks sometimes you can't find a station that has diesel (, or if they do have it they sell very little, so its old and you probably don't wanna put it in your truck anyway.) A lot of guys put an additive to fuel to improve its lubricity as well. Diesel fuel gells in cold weather (probably not a concern for you in La.), folks up north need block heaters to make for easier starts in winter. Diesel fuel itself stinks - don't get it on your clothes, and especially don't walk in it, makes a mess on the truck carpets - yeah gasoline smells bad too, but at least you can clean it quicker. As far as driveablilty goes, it's different. You "should" wait for 15-20 seconds before starting to allow glow plugs to warm up, so diesel starts with minimal cranking. ( My buddy usually then sits another couple of minutes to allow things to warm up "properly" - but he's married to his truck.) Also, you should probably get an AIC (Automatic Idle Controller) if you let truck idle for long periods (> 10 min.), because normal idle speed on Powerstroke is too slow to run accessories (like A/C)for long time without running down batteries. Also if you idle for long periods (at slow idle), the motor doesn't maintain optimal operating temperature and you can get carbon build-ups on valves and pistons (called wet stacking) that can mess up engine over time. If you've pushed the truck hard and it's hot, you should let it cool down at idle for 5 or 10 minutes to prevent carbon buildup in the turbo. Personally, I don't like the exhaust smell. Bothers me at traffic light with windows down. Also, while Powerstroke is quieter than a CAT or a Cummins diesel, you can't hold a conversation standing next to truck while it's running (Ford does do a good job sound proofing cab - don''t notice noise at all on highway). Your neighbors won't like you, if you start truck at 5 am. Now my best friend has an '00 F350 PSD. I've driven it and it'll pull 10,000 lbs like nothing - better than my V10 up a hill, and diesel tranny doesn't downshift. It's a wonderful vehicle - but for his needs, not mine. He's in love with his truck, and considers all of the "problems" listed above to be just a labor of love. He's used to the added maintenance, and added cost. He considers diesel exhaust to be perfume, and will roll windows just down to listen to the motor. I don't think he uses the radio except for the weather reports! He puts 30K miles on per year, and always tows a 6000lb work trailer or 10,000 lb 5-ver on vacations. It's a great truck for him. I have the V10, I only tow 7900 lbs max maybe 8-10 times, and drive less than 10K per year. I love the power it has when I put my foot into it, and since it isn't my daily driver I don't mind getting 10-12 mpg. It's the perfect truck - for me. Just my opinion. PS. Compare size of Crew Cab between F150 S-Crew and F250. Night and day! Maybe ride isn't as comfortable as S-Crew, but I wanted a "big" truck and I love the one I picked.
#10 of 99 Exactly what I wanted to know.... by jmgaitan Jan 03, 2002 (9:49 am)
Thanks WPalkowski. That is exactly the kind of information I wanted to know. I didn't think you just drive a diesel off the lot but had no proof for the hubby! He is able to do those kind of things to a truck, but he does not have the willpower, I don't believe, to keep it up. He sure hasn't done the basic maintenance on our regular gas vehicles so don't know why he'd change when it came to a diesel. Thanks so much for the info. This is exactly what we need to know to weigh our decision.