Article Comments 2008 Ford F-450 Super Duty First Drive

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

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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)

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#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
#21 of 21 Head Gasket by scorpion2 Sep 17, 2009 (1:19 pm)
I have a 2004 F350 that has presented with a maintenance issue that I do not think is normal or fair that I should be held accountable. Allow me to recite the history and please let me know what you think. I purchased an F350 King Ranch. My hope and intention five years ago was to have a long term pickup truck to assist on cleanup and construction activities I still have on our property in the mountains. It is my first diesel even though my father was a diesel mechanic all his life and swore that “a diesel engine just starts to break in at 100,000 miles”. I planned on owning this truck for 10 years plus. After much research on the internet, I found the make, model and color I wanted located in Portland, OR. I had it delivered on January 24th of 2004. On April 23 2004, I had my first oil change on the vehicle. According to the receipt and the multi point inspection check all was working fine. Two days later though, while driving up the mountains here in California the turbo failed. Symptoms were heavy black smoke and a 50% loss in power. I managed to drive the vehicle to nearest Ford service center. I was informed that a recall was in effect on the tubo seal that had blown. They did not have the parts, but they could repair it enough for me to get back down the mountain. I had the seal ordered and the truck repaired a week later. I had minor issues I considered routine over the next three years. A rattle here and there and an oil leak from a glow plug I consider minor, even though my $100 deductible was hit on each occurrence. In March of 2006 I drove to Duarte, CA to the Banks dealership. I had the Banks Power PDA and Six Pack installed on the engine. I had read the warranty issues and determined that this would not void my warranty. This fact was further confirmedI found the computer very informative on how my engine was responding and performing. That was nearly three years ago. I routinely had the oil and filter changes at 5,000 mile intervals. I was informed that the 6.0 diesel only required oil changes at 9,000 miles, but I have always changed oil at 5,000. Old habits are hard to break. Unfortunately I did break that habit this year. I had the oil changed in January of 2009 with 70,025 miles; still within the five year warranty. Having not had any issues for three years and listening to the dealership, I decided to go 7,500 on this oil change; thus bringing me to me out of warranty issue. In early February while driving in the mountains near our property, I noticed a strange sound coming from the engine while climbing. I looked at all my gages and all was normal. I thought “transmission” but nothing was slipping and travel was normal. I seldom used my Banks PDA, but pulled over and got it out of the console to hook it up. I went through all of the diagnostic checks and found a code I did not understand. I proceeded to check all specific temperatures considering water last as my gauge on the dash indicated normal (absolutely in the middle). However, when I went to monitor the PDA for water temperature it read 240 and rising. I pulled over and checked my radiator water. I put three gallons of water in the reservoir. I pulled over again while coming down the mountain to add water as my Banks PDA indicated temperature rising while my dash water temp still read very normal. As I needed an oil change at 77,500 miles I waited the extra two weeks to hit that mileage. So in late March I take my F350 in for an oil change and ask them to replace my temp gauge as it does not read properly. I was informed that the gauge is fine. I asked why when I am water low and other monitors indicate I am overheating, my dash gauge reads normal? I was told by the service manager that that is the way it is set up on the Ford F350. He said the transmitter is in a high location on the engine and when the water is low it cannot read air temperature and the water is too low to read. I find this very disconcerting as I am more interested in the condition of my engine than whether I have hot or normal water circulating within it. Who knows how long I had low water, or over heating incidents over the past three or four years. Adding a little water or a radiator flush has camouflaged the real issue at hand today. After further diagnosis, the service manager informs me that I have a head gasket leak. Furthermore, the truck is now out of warranty and the repair will cost me about $6,800. I do not consider these fair or normal workings for a diesel engine, or for the business operations or Ford Motor Company. The engineering of a gauge that does not give indications when a malfunction is pending is inconceivable to me. And then to hold me accountable for repairs is further beyond my acceptance. I do not drive my truck irresponsibly. Although I have had the computer chip installed on this vehicle for nearly three years, I routinely had it set at boost level 3 and installed it for the gas mileage and performance monitoring capabilities. I have been religious on the repairs and all of the maintenance as I truly intended to drive this diesel truck for another five years at least. The impotence or ineffectiveness of a temperature gauge is one thing, but the lack of accountability is inexcusable. I have dealt enough with the local dealership and sent enough emails to Ford. I do not wish to take this issue any further than this letter to your department, but I am asking for some form of customer satisfaction. The $6,800 repair estimate should not be on my shoulders. What can you do for me? This letter went to Ford HQ in May. This past week, the service manager informs me that the most I will pay is $2300. I find out tomorrow the final bill for repairs.