Article Comments - 2008 F-450 Super Duty Full Test

146 messages, Last post on Oct 26, 2009 at 7:20 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford F-450 Super Duty, Truck

Article comments for Full Test: 2008 Ford F-450 Super Duty - For those hauling heavy loads — whether it's an extended horse trailer, a part-time home for recreation in remote areas or even a pair of hobby cars — your steed has arrived. (more)

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#49 of 146 Re: Help [relmquist] by dyno1 Nov 20, 2007 (7:34 pm)
Replying to: relmquist (Oct 25, 2007 2:59 pm) May I ask you what rear end ratio you have in your truck? I have only heard horror stories about this vehicle until your comments. I just ordered one and I did only because Dodge does not offer a pickup with the capabilities of the Ford. My last three Dodges including the 07 Mega Cab I traded were magnificent, in all areas, but particularly with the Cummins diesel. I fear after reading all the previous comments, that I am going to regret my decision to buy the Ford instead of a toter for my 20.000 lb fifth wheel.. Toters average about 15 mpg with the same load. Dyno1 Replies to this message: goldman1 (Nov 20, 2007 9:34 pm) dyno1 (Nov 21, 2007 6:03 pm) losman54 (Nov 21, 2007 6:09 pm) losman54 (Dec 27, 2007 7:58 am)
#50 of 146 Re: Help [dyno1] by goldman1 Nov 20, 2007 (9:34 pm)
Replying to: dyno1 (Nov 20, 2007 7:34 pm) Mine is fitted with 4.88 gears. I'm afraid after all of my inquiries through these forums that I probably made a mistake in not researching gearing before I purchased this truck. I'm currently inquiring through the dealer about whether I can change the gearing and possibly improve mileage. If you have a large fifth wheel, I'm afraid that 4.88's are probably what you need. I still think that overall it's a great truck, but mileage is certainly not wonderful! Replies to this message: dyno1 (Nov 21, 2007 6:03 pm) losman54 (Nov 21, 2007 6:09 pm) losman54 (Dec 27, 2007 7:58 am)
#51 of 146 F450 mileage by losman54 Nov 21, 2007 (5:24 am)
Does anybody out there have a 2008 F450 with a 4.1 rear and is towing 16-17K? I have a Cari-Lite fifth wheel that I brought back up north from Florida and I got 12-13 MPG and I'm in the market for a new truck next Spring and I like the look of the new F450 for everything except the MPG while towing and non towing use. I wonder what would happen if Ford made available a 3.73 rear like they do on their F350?
#52 of 146 Re: My new f-450 [floorz] by welchco Nov 21, 2007 (9:23 am)
Replying to: floorz (May 07, 2007 9:11 am) I own a 08 f-450 lariat with 430 gears in 4x4 an the mileage at 9.5 on the trip on the dash. which is wrong it's about 8.9. my truck has 11600 on it I don't think it's going to get any better. and thats not towing anything yet. I had a 03 f-350 crew cab with 6.0 and complianed about 11-13 mpg big mistake
#53 of 146 Re: Help [goldman1] by dyno1 Nov 21, 2007 (6:03 pm)
Replying to: goldman1 (Nov 20, 2007 9:34 pm) Thanks for the feedback. I must equip mine with the 4:88 gear as my 5th wheel weight requires it. Replies to this message: losman54 (Nov 21, 2007 6:09 pm) losman54 (Dec 27, 2007 7:58 am)
#54 of 146 Re: Help [dyno1] by losman54 Nov 21, 2007 (6:09 pm)
Replying to: dyno1 (Nov 21, 2007 6:03 pm) how much does your 5th wheel weigh? Brand/manuf?
#55 of 146 Re: Trouble w/ 2008 Diesel [wpalkowski] by buffettman Nov 23, 2007 (6:09 pm)
Replying to: wpalkowski (Jul 03, 2007 3:46 am) I am not being smart but who pulls that much weight at such high speeds?If I were you I would be more concerned with the safety of the other motorist on the road and less about the top end speed of your truck.I have the 450 as well and pull a 1500# rv with it and it's a great vehicle and safe at 70mph.The dealer should inform you that there is a speed rating on the tires that must be observed.If they turned you loose on these tires and you wrecked because of tire failure who would you sue?
#56 of 146 F-450 for rugged strength, not towing capacity? by simpliciter Nov 23, 2007 (7:22 pm)
I’m wondering whether to buy an F-450 for the strength of its frame, turning radius, etc., even though I am not going to exceed the F-350’s towing capacity. I want a crew-cab dually to tow a boat/trailer combo of ~9,000 lb, plus a service body (RKI?) of another 1,700 lb in place of the regular pickup body (so I will order the commercial version). The total weight of ~11,000 lbs max is well within the capacity of an F-350. But I want to drive it all over northern Canada: on logging roads, dirt roads, hundreds of miles from civilization, etc (to Hudson Bay, Labrador, etc.). These roads are twisty, steep, and often in terrible shape. Having a broken axle 300 miles from help is no fun. People say “Don’t buy the F-450 unless you really need its towing capacity.” But towing is not the only thing for which brute strength might be useful. In particular, it seems to me the F-450 has at least these two advantages: 1. Smaller turning radius: (51.5 versus 56.5 feet) 2. Stronger frame, differential, etc. The first may now be available as the “monobeam extended front axle”, though I can’t find much about it online (e.g., does it require the 19.5” wheels? Or can you still get the 17” ones?). But the stronger frame is presumably only on the F-450. Thing is, I would probably want the 3.73 or limited-slip 4.10; I certainly don’t need the 4.88. Can those be ordered? Also: how much worse is the ride of the F-450? Etc. Any help would be hugely appreciated. Thanks p.s. Sorry I’m new. Should I have posted this on a different forum? Replies to this message: elwoodn (Dec 12, 2007 5:44 pm)
#57 of 146 Re: Trouble w/ 2008 Diesel [pamr] by elwoodn Nov 28, 2007 (12:18 pm)
Replying to: pamr (Jul 09, 2007 6:33 am) Sir; I to have experenced the same type noise and loss of power while pulling up steep grades with a 15,000 lb. 5th wheel . Sounds like the transmission is slipping, Has Ford given you any explanation . I will be taking my F-450 in for service very soon and would appreciate any info. I have only seen this problem while pulling steep grades and then it goes away. thanks for any info. Elwood N. Replies to this message: badluck4 (Dec 07, 2007 4:41 am)
#58 of 146 Re: Trouble w/ 2008 Diesel [elwoodn] by badluck4 Dec 07, 2007 (4:41 am)
Replying to: elwoodn (Nov 28, 2007 12:18 pm) have same problems,also smoking,black and[ white ] fuel pump and relays replaced,out of 6 months truck has been down 16 days and now in shop again and cant find problems,hold on tight. best of luck,shops are saying 1-3 wks before they can look at it,went to one they refused to look at it, to do fuel pump requires cab being taken off,now my front brakes are locking up on snow,warnings on dash for trailer hook up,when trailer is not hooked to it,and still bellowing black smoke,and chugging down the road.But no problems can be duplicated.