Yup. Another Truck Thread

Rainy day… looked over my month gas bill… outrageous.

Lots of good input for my last truck purchase from the NBR crowd so here it goes again:

Disclaimer: My vehicle knowledge is the extent of replacing rotors and pads, starters and handing over my credit card to the local mechanic. I'm not a backyard mechanic but I can handle a wrench.

Also my truck needs to look clean, sharp and not beat - It gets company logo/contact sprayed all over it. But I'm not a bitch, bling is not my thing - simple and utilitarian is my style. So I'm not into paying for the Toyota premium or leasing a 2011 eco boost. My trucks are work trucks and are treated as such - no white gloves.

Here's my story - I'm a GC. I live in Squamish and work in Vancouver - all over. But mostly West and North Van. I typically drive 1200 km a week. Last week I spent over 300.00 on gas (lots of towing and heavy loads). Usually I visit four jobsites a day - deliver materials, crack the whip, collect cheques. I tow a 2 ton trailer a couple times a week - way overloads the 1/2 ton truck.

What I drive now: 2008 F150 supercab. 100litre tank. I get 600k per tank @ 1.40 pr litre = 16.67 L/100km or about .25 per k.

Current truck has 150,000 K (I drove 70k in the last 15 months)

Here's my question:

Should I buy this truck:

2006 Ford F-350 Lariat
Drivetrain:4x4
Engine:6.0L V-8 cyl
Transmission:5 Speed Automatic
Kilometres:112,084

Any websites I can see reviews of the 2006 Power Stroke?

Looking into a veggie oil conversion.

Comments from the unwashed masses. I'm 8/10 happy with my current truck - will I save any $ on the diesel?

Just google powerstroke start with wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Power_Stroke_engine

the worry with the 6.0L was prone to head gasket failure early on..(late 03-05)

by 2006, they "should" be ok, but i would request an "oasis " report from your local Ford dealer.. take in the VIN of the truck in question..the ideal yar for a 6.0 is the 2007 model year.

basicly this report will show any warrenty related repairs done during the warrenty period.

if this truck had a head gasket failure it would be on there.

the MPG saving on a stock 6.0 is not gunna be a massive diffference from what your seeing but it will be an improvment..

the days of fantastic deisel MPG are long gone, if you want 30MPG+ look into a early 90's Dodge with the cummins. basic as a 1800's covered wagon but great MPG and long life motors.

the rest of the F350 ur looking at is solid as a rock. great truck. mine has 330K KMs and still as new.

Thanks
IFO - what year is your 350? A quick google search has made me a bit nervous of the powerstroke. I've never owned a diesel so all I really know about it is the engines are more expensive to repair and the engine typically lasts longer than a gas.

I really like the idea of the increased towing capacity.

I think I'll do a google search for 06 recalls.

You'll only save money with diesel if you're towing hauling weight. Otherwise maintenance will get you. Get a ford ecoboost.

Check out the Sierra 2500HD Duramax.

Everything I have ever read about running veg is that you need a source of WVO, the collecting/processing all takes time and becomes somewhat of a lifestyle, it might fuck up your engine depending on how modern the engine is … WVO is not like just filling up at the pump

it sounds like you haul enough weight often enough to need the big diesel PU

I've got a 2008 F350 with the 6.4, I've put 175k miles on it in the last few years with no major issues, this includes a shit load of shuttling and i've got a lead foot… I also own a custom granite business and have never had any issues hauling.
I have beat that truck with a stick and it continues to run strong. That being said you will not save any $ on fuel but you can grind out 500k if your so inclined.
I also have 03 dodge 3500 with the inline 6, that is a champ(20mpg)!! if you can find one in good condition with low miles, don't buy it - but let me know… lol

mines an 03.

Yeah the SVO might be a cluster fuck at my house. But I do have enough room to install a holding tank and get it delivered. I def wouldn't take on processing on my own time, I leave my house with phone in one ear and toothbrush in my mouth as it is.

I think the current truck is a bit undersized for me - it's that 15% of the time that's killing me. I don't need a one-ton 85% of the time - but when I do… christ… Brake fad, suspension maxed out, shit show.

I think I'll take the 350 for a drive tomorrow and see what kind of extended warranty I can rangle out of them. If I can get 200k for a reasonable price I might go for it. Will get the Oasis report as well.

IFO - Really an 03? - any warranty work done? Any of the drama that I'm reading about on the web with head gaskets and injectors?

Give me the short pros and the short cons if you have a minute.

I don't make these decisions easily… lots of money at stake that could be spent on vacation….

sorry mines not a diesel, but i frequent the largest Ford trucks forum so i know all about the ins and outs of SD ownership.

feel free to go poke around here if youve got the time. tons of guys with some great input on what ur after.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/index.php

theres sub forums on the SD line and the 6.0 in particular. hope that helps.

from the guys i know on that site getting a later model 6.0 or a earlier repaired 6.0 with the latest headgasket designs should easily get you into a super dependable motor.

but again, go in there and mix it up asking questions and opinions from people who have/do own the 6.0L SD's..

as far as the rest of the truck is concerned i can offer advise on anything else if you need it.

ps if your going for a extended warrenty, ONLY purchase if its a genuine Ford one.. the aftermarket ones aint worth shit.. DONT waste ur money.

Check out the Sierra 2500HD Duramax.

The work trucks get 18l/100k. Not exactly what I call good.
Always start though. Unlike the 6.0 ford. Don't even bother wasting your time to look at it.

I have a buddy selling a 6.0 l ford in a dually from 03 - The heads are shot. He wants 11 000 for it… swears he'll never buy another.