Gas Vs. Diesel

[Powerstroke]

"why does it have the worst powertrain warranty?" I'm not really sure how that quantifies the quality of the motor. You can have all the warranty in the world, but If its a bad motor people won't buy it. Look at the Ford 6.0L. A warranty nightmare and people know about it. Adding a longer warranty is like putting lipstick on a pig if its a bad motor. That and it wasn't Ford's motor, it was made by Navistar which is why they don't build motors for Ford anymore.....

To landscaper, having a 450 vs 350/250 won't matter in your MPG. That's only in the spring ratings. That V10 is a nice motor, but it doesn't belong in the same sentence as MPG. You are going to be happiest with the superduty and diesel, not to mention safer. I would be curious if the F150 could even handle that tongue weight. A skiddy and some block would need a tandem axle trailer, fairly heavy duty. We tow some around at my work with 3/4 ton v8's and they get around ok, but the brakes are pretty tired at the end and the truck really has to work hard.

I do have my diesel and I love driving it, but it isn't for everyone. I know RyanV and I have about the same uses for our diesels. Not everyone likes to drive a diesel every day.

[Mike_Top]

I love my Duramax.

[tonkapat]

powerstroke read my post again. It says ecoboost has the worst powertrain warranty which is 60,000 vs 100,000 from chevrolet and dodge.

I was not referring to the powerjoke diesels of the past. They speak for themselves. There is a reason why ford has a lot of new motors.

[Alagnak]

What I really question............... is what is your question again?

On the ecoboost do the spark plugs shoot out the hood or just not come out. Will the cam phasers last just past the warranty again. If the eco is so great why does it have the worst powertrain warranty for trucks of the big three.

What I really question is a vct engine where the truck computer tells you not to change the oil for extended periods (8000 to 10000) The 5.4 3v would sludge the oil well before that.

only time will tell

[landscaper]

thanks guys for all the replys!!

Kinda got the wife talked into the diesel. We both agree that it would be safer But i do like the ecoboost.

Hows everyones diesel starting in the winter?

If I do get a diesel it will most of the time be "able" to get plugged in.

But would like to take a few trips to LOW or whereever icefishing.

[Scott K]

The diesels are just as reliable as a gas engine in starting when its cold.

[CJH]

powerstroke read my post again. It says ecoboost has the worst powertrain warranty which is 60,000 vs 100,000 from chevrolet and dodge.

I was not referring to the powerjoke diesels of the past. They speak for themselves. There is a reason why ford has a lot of new motors.

60k is standard Ford warranty for their engines, not just the EB engine.

[Ice Hole]

powerstroke read my post again. It says ecoboost has the worst powertrain warranty which is 60,000 vs 100,000 from chevrolet and dodge.

I was not referring to the powerjoke diesels of the past. They speak for themselves. There is a reason why ford has a lot of new motors.

A longer warranty doesn't necessarily mean better quality. When companies can't compete on performance, styling, brand recognition, etc., warranties often become a marketing tool used to help sell a product.

Kia and Hyundai have some of the best warranties in the auto industry - does that make their quality better than Honda and Toyota?

[Powerstroke]

IceHole said what I meant. I just used the 6.0 as an example. I know what you said and meant tonkapat.

Landscaper, I think you will be lots happier with the diesel.

[tonkapat]

My point is don't recomend something you don't own or have experience with. Yea go spend 40,000 + on a brand new truck the infomercials are great

The truth is ford has not made a truck with a reliable diesel in a long time. Now they are taking a shot at making there own which they haven't done in a really long time. But yea go buy that one its a ford and its gotta be great. There gas motors of the past haven't been the best either. Not saying any brand is the gospel. Ever heard of any car or truck where the spark plugs just won't come out? It may be just me landscaper but the cummins or the duramax seam like a whole lot better idea than any ford of the last decade.

[Powerstroke]

I actually do have experience with everything I've spoken about. The trucks I haven't owned, I drive them for work. After working for two cities, the state and a nationwide company, they all continue to buy Ford's, even when the others are cheaper upfront. The only bad powerstroke has been the 6.0L, the same one I own.

Landscaper asked about Ford's, we answered. If you have information that is helpful and not just taking shots, feel free. We try to be helpful and positive.

[landscaper]

Yea sorry guys i have thought about different trucks but all we own (my family) is Ford and John Deere. SO i plan on sticking with both of them.(but thats just me)

F-250/F-350

Does the 250 seem to "sag" a little more? I have read they wanted a smooth ride empty in the 250 so they removed or did whatever to the springs?

[Valv]

Lanscaper, I would honestly go with a F350, the capacity will overcome the slightly different stiffness, which is barely noticeable if in fact there is. You will be clear of any controversy in case you get pulled over by the pesky Patrol reading your door sticker and questioning the truck capacity.

Obviously you are a Ford guy, so the typical debate which is better of the 3 brands will not be needed here, please everybody refrain from comments or opinion on this matter, let's stay with the his decision. Thank you.

[Powerstroke]

There are only two differences between the 250/350. The 250 will not have the overload spring which provides the additional capacity in the rear and the 250 have a 2" shorter block in the rear. The block makes the 350 sit higher, but makes it seem to sag less under heavy load.

The front springs are dependent on the spring options you get such as the heavy service suspension, camper package, plow package etc.

The 250 may sag more if you are operating at its max capacity. Since the overload spring only comes into play in heavy loads, the two trucks will actually ride exactly the same when empty. Now that they have coil springs in front the ride fairly well. I'd say get the 350. It has a very small impact on the price, but it has greater capacity for towing the big trailer.

[jeffreyd]

I look at brand of vehicles like i do toothpaste. There are many on the market, each having its own signature for what the sales folks want to push. I also worked for the city and have gone through the "ford" debate. One reason you see so many fords in the "government" is that i can go to the houston/galveston bid program and purchase a pre arranged ford product for a heck of a lot cheaper than i can buying it from the dealer up front.

Now with that in mind, i have a garage full of dodge products, all with gas motors and all i great running shape. This is my preference, not because i could get them cheaper or more expensive than the others but that this is what I want to drive. Can i find faults with them, sure. But i can find issues with nearly all automotive products out there. It is simply how much you want to look past the blinders.

As far as the engine goes, gas wise i will go Hemi anyway, diesel i will go cummins. Does that mean i am sold only on dodge, as noted above, not really but have driving all of the compete ors and found that these two seem to work better for my use than the others.

I buy what I want, i look at the reviews with a grain of salt, check out forums for people who have had issues in the past, noting the date and that technology changes by the hour. So if you had a guy in 2010 with head gasket problems and you are looking at a 2012 model, chances are the mfg has addressed that issue already.

Good luck, sorry to be long winded but the whole VS. question drive me nuts sometimes.