Article Comments 2008 Ford F-450 Super Duty First Drive

21 messages, Last post on Sep 17, 2009 at 1:19 PM

You are in the Ford F-Series Forum. Your Host is kcram

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

Article comments for First Drive: 2008 Ford F-450 Super Duty Pickup - Ford's fully equipped F-450 pickup surpasses the competition with a tow rating of 24,500 pounds, over 7,000 pounds more than its heavy-duty rivals. (more)

Outline

Messages Page 2 of 2: 1; 2; Prev; Next; Last

#11 of 21 Re: Wow... [usa1] by rockylee Jan 29, 2007 (7:05 am)
Replying to: usa1 (Jan 24, 2007 10:35 am) What is so bad about owning this truck if you don't really need it ? Rocky
#12 of 21 Re: Won't buy one for a while [truckjunkie] by fire952 Feb 22, 2007 (8:44 pm)
Replying to: truckjunkie (Jan 19, 2007 6:48 am) I think Ford may have screwed the pooch on this truck. 1. 6 coolers including the radiator...right behind the plastic grill. 2..Do you know, to have any major engine work done on this truck, THE CAB HAS TO BE REMOVED !!!! Think about the commerical applications of this truck, ie: ambulances, rescue trucks...This will be a night mare for them. There are approximatley 60 wires that have to be connected between the cab and the ambulance box, do you really think ford is going to diconnect all those wires and hook them back up? NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. 3. You can attach no devices to the front of the truck that impeeds airflow (ie:brushguards, no extentions for winches) It voids the warranty of the engine. After the 6.0, everyone was hoping that ford was back in the game, but this chassis is a night mare. Speaking of nightmares....There will be no FORD E series chassis built in 2007 model year. The 6.4 will not fit in between the frame rails. They will start building the E series again in late August or early September, using an ISUZU motor (GM) in a Ford.....lol... The other draw back to the F350 and F450 is the hood, when it is raised the grill is attached to the hood. Damn, Dodge must have design that for Ford.
#13 of 21 Whats wrong with the grill opening with the hood? by mschmal Feb 23, 2007 (7:32 am)
The F-150 has done that since 2004. No one has claimed to me yet. Also the only way I have ever seen the guys do major engine work on the 6.0 here at my dealer was by raising body off of the frame. So I don't know why you think that is such a big deal. Mark
#14 of 21 Whats wrong with the grill opening with the hood? by mschmal Feb 23, 2007 (7:38 am)
The F-150 has done that since 2004. No one has claimed to me yet. Also the only way I have ever seen the guys do major engine work on the 6.0 here at my dealer was by raising body off of the frame. So I don't know why you think that is such a big deal. Also E-series is available with the 6.0 for 2007. Don't know what they are doing for 08 yet as the order guide is not out. June is Final order for 2007 models, 2008 Job 1 is in August. Mark Replies to this message: fire952 (Feb 23, 2007 11:41 pm)
#15 of 21 Re: Whats wrong with the grill opening with the hood? [mschmal] by fire952 Feb 23, 2007 (11:41 pm)
Replying to: mschmal (Feb 23, 2007 7:38 am) Obviously, you must own a pick up truck..I don't use or sell them as pick up trucks, I convert them into ambulances. You don't have to remove the cab in the 07 to do engine work. I sell between 200 - 300 of these trucks a year. Your right the F150 hood has done that for a few years, but this is a first on the 450 - 550. It's just not practical on a commercial application. Removing the cab is a nightmare and would be impractical to think that fleets that perform their own maintenance could do this. As far as the 07 E series I stand corrected, the E series is available with the 6.0, but will not be available with the 6.4 for the physical yr 07 or 08 . And probally won't have the 6.4 in 08 without a total chassis redesign. possibly 2009 is what I'm being told. I have 130 on order right now and my stripper sheets shows me my first delivery will be Jan 09 and I have one of the first orders.
#16 of 21 First drive by mschmal Feb 24, 2007 (11:00 am)
The 6.0 diesel is very very quiet crusing, you barely hear it. This truck is a big upgrade. The thing that impressed me the most is that if you stand right next to the tailpipe outlet with the engine running, you don't smell any "truck fumes." If it takes 6 coolers etc to get this result, then I guess its something we are going to have to live with. Mark.
#17 of 21 time to chose by nmmike Oct 21, 2007 (2:03 pm)
I just purchased a 2 axle 5th wheel Cedar Creek 37 foot Rear Den Quad Slide. 12,000# unloaded. 15,500# GVWR. I will be needing the tow vehilce March, 2008, and we will begin full timing in the summer. I am trying to decide betwwen F-359 and F-450 and axle ratio 3.73, 4.1, 4.3 or 4.88. Headquarters is Las Cruces N.M. so there will be pleny of heat and steep. Also on the flat open I-10 probably some speed. I would appreciate referrals to data bases where I can do some research. i know there are a lot of differences of opinion about Powerstroke v. Duramax; 4.1 vs 4.88; saving gas vs. overkill. Replies to this message: skip21 (Feb 13, 2009 6:19 pm)
#18 of 21 This is what you need to do... by mschmal Oct 23, 2007 (9:34 am)
You need to read the 2008 Ford Towing Guide. 2008 Ford Towing Guide Figure out the weight you are going to be towing. That number should not exceed 85% of the Max Tow rating of the truck you plan to buy. If you plan to tow the trailer pretty light, the F-350 is for you. If you plan to max out the trailer then you are fine with the 4.30LS. You do not need to get the 4.88. Also keep in mind that due to the speed rating of the commercial tires used on the F-450. Max Speed is goverend to 85 m.p.h. If fuel economy is a concern of yours, LEAVE YOUR EGO at home. People have NO RIGHT to complain about the fuel ecomony of the F-450 for 2 reasons. 1. They bought a truck that far exceeds their real needs (these are the people who fish with dynomite) accordingly, its their own fault they have a truck with low fuel economy. 2. They need to fifth wheel tow in the neighborhood of 20,000 pounds. The F-450 is the only pick up available that would handle that trailor. Your options are to get a smaller trailer or live with the lower fuel economy. The F-450 is a true commercial vehicle in the guise of a pickup truck. Mark. Replies to this message: goldman1 (Nov 13, 2007 8:11 am)
#19 of 21 Re: This is what you need to do... [mschmal] by goldman1 Nov 13, 2007 (8:11 am)
Replying to: mschmal (Oct 23, 2007 9:34 am) It would have been nice to have someone apparently as knowledgeable as you to advise me in my decision to purchase an 08 F-450. Unfortunately that was not the case and now I'm saddled with a new truck that gets 8-9 mpg. In addition, it sounds like a shrieking banshee when you let off of it and apply the brakes. The dealer said this was normal and likely was turbo bleed off. Don't get me wrong, after all of this the truck is still a great truck and looks fantastic. However it appears that not all dealers are willing to sit down with their customers and help them truly evaluate their needs!
#20 of 21 Re: time to chose [nmmike] by skip21 Feb 13, 2009 (6:19 pm)
Replying to: nmmike (Oct 21, 2007 2:03 pm) did you buy yet?ford has a problem with there 6.0.check on the head gasket problem in message bord.They are lifting some times when under strain such as climing long hills and grades.They are also cracking heads according to messages in here I have read.It has happened to me,I have a 2007, 24,700 miles and can not pull my 31ft 5th wheel or drive it over 45mphn with out it blowing anti freeze out of filler cap.I am thinking of putting it in a parking lot near the ford dealer with big YELLOW LEMON signes on it.I would also like to get other people with this problem into a class action suit.Am going to contact a lemon law laywer here in jersey.Go for the duramax.has better trans as well as engine skip21