And its gone.

[Ls208]

so a few weeks ago i started looking for a truck, i will be moving to alabama for about 8 months and needed something that could pull a trailor full my :q:q:q:q. so i traded in my LS and got a 05 fx4. its a pretty nice truck and runs great. got it for 17,500 and had to roll over almost 3k on the LS which sucks but the dealership gave me 4 for the LS and it had 115k miles and he didnt want my 20s or stereo so i had to take the offer. Its got dual 4 inch exhaust which i will change eventually (looks a little big and not a fan of the tips). 2 10 inch rockford subs in a custom box under the backseats with a 800w amp. spray in liner too.




the only real body flaws are these chips on the front bumper which i will get fixed in the summer.

 

[lincolnx2]

Congrats

 

[fastmark1993]

oooh sexy truck! nice!

 

[De-marko]

Yes, very good.

 

[Frogman]

Good luck towing stuff with that lift. You'll have loads of fun going down the highway pulling a trailer behind you.

 

[Mechanicboy]

Tow/haul mode.

 

[Frogman]

What?

WTF does Tow/Haul mode have to do with the suspension and the much higher center of gravity that truck now has?

Furthermore, since you mentioned Tow/Haul mode, (which all it does, is delay tranny shifts), another question comes to mind. Is the rear end stock? How much torque is he losing by going to those ginormous tires? How much more power does it take to turn those tires as opposed to say, the factory tires?

You see, there is so much more to it than just "Tow/Haul mode".

But then again, what do I know about towing? It's not like I have an F450 Diesel sitting in the driveway... oh wait.. I do. And I actually TOW with it.

 

[Silver_LS]

Thats a nice truck Frogman, the 5th wheel isn't too bad either (it's an LS)

 

[Mechanicboy]

Good luck towing stuff with that lift. You'll have loads of fun going down the highway pulling a trailer behind you.

My experience with tow/haul mode is that it adjusts shift points, line pressure and torque converter lockup. You didn't say anything about center of gravity, don't see what that has to do with towing unless you drive crazy through the twisties or live where they you have dramatic crosswinds.

But thinking about it it is a 1/2ton. I'd be more concerned with brakes.

I'm used to F250-350 85'-03' diesel models and a 00' 2500 silverado(this one is lifted 35's). Between them I have about 12-15k miles of towing under my belt. Usually 8k-15k lbs both on the hitch and gooseneck. Did drive a dodge 1 ton 6 speed once, that thing needed better brakes for sure.

Edit, It looks like you have the 6.4l, If so I'm sorry. I've had the misfortune of driving one of those for a day and only towed about 1500lbs with about 1k lbs in the bed. It was a 250 crewcab.

 

[lincolnx2]

My experience with tow/haul mode is that it adjusts shift points, line pressure and torque converter lockup. You didn't say anything about center of gravity, don't see what that has to do with towing unless you drive crazy through the twisties or live where they you have dramatic crosswinds.

But thinking about it it is a 1/2ton. I'd be more concerned with brakes.

I'm used to F250-350 85'-03' diesel models and a 00' 2500 silverado(this one is lifted 35's). Between them I have about 12-15k miles of towing under my belt. Usually 8k-15k lbs both on the hitch and gooseneck. Did drive a dodge 1 ton 6 speed once, that thing needed better brakes for sure.

Edit, It looks like you have the 6.4l, If so I'm sorry. I've had the misfortune of driving one of those for a day and only towed about 1500lbs with about 1k lbs in the bed. It was a 250 crewcab.

Boy you are brave, I am going to grab some popcorn, the fireworks are about to start.

 

[Mechanicboy]

I'm just speaking for my experience. Been towing almost 10 years. And in my experience the 6.0 and 6.4 ford (international) engines are junk. I'm not really a fan of the 5 speed autos either. I hear the sticks are much better to drive, but no one around here buys them.

My favorite ford that I've drive was a 99' F250 CC SB 7.3 diesel. I liked that truck. Did most of my towing with it towing a gooseneck trailer.

 

[Frogman]

My experience with tow/haul mode is that it adjusts shift points, line pressure and torque converter lockup.

And all that results in...

Tow/Haul mode, (which all it does, is delay tranny shifts),

You didn't say anything about center of gravity, don't see what that has to do with towing unless you drive crazy through the twisties or live where they you have dramatic crosswinds.

Really? So you're fine driving a jacked up F-150 pulling say, 8K lbs behind it on a drop hitch? Because you'll have to use a drop hitch to level the trailer.

In that case, you've either never pulled anything in a lifted pick-up truck, or you have bigger balls than I do.

But thinking about it it is a 1/2ton. I'd be more concerned with brakes.

Hence dual axle trailers have electric brakes.

I'm used to F250-350 85'-03' diesel models and a 00' 2500 silverado(this one is lifted 35's).

A lifted 2500 Silverado? LMAO! Every GMC pick-up truck I've towed with was scary to tow heavy loads with. Independent front suspensions and towing do not go together well. The trucks were all over the lane I was trying to keep them in. There's a reason why serious pick-up trucks have solid front axles instead of independent suspensions. Yes, yes, I know, "what are you talking about? My 3/4 ton chevy tracked straight down the road with a load behind it." Yes, and I'm the Pope.

Between them I have about 12-15k miles of towing under my belt. Usually 8k-15k lbs both on the hitch and gooseneck.

Ok. I'm not going to get into a contest about who's dick is bigger, what with how many miles you have under your belt towing and all. It's not worth it, since I can't exactly prove my miles behind a pick-up truck and semi towing trailers I have under "my belt".

Did drive a dodge 1 ton 6 speed once, that thing needed better brakes for sure.

It's a Dodge. 'nuff said about that.

 

[lincolnx2]

I don't know much about towing, I just tow my car, and a travel trailer once, but my dad has a 40 ft R/V, and I think it has a "Cat", it is pretty powerful, he pulls his tahoe behind it, and when I got a chance to drive it, I could not tell I was pulling something, it hit 85MPH easily.

 

[Frogman]

I'm just speaking for my experience. Been towing almost 10 years. And in my experience the 6.0 and 6.4 ford (international) engines are junk. I'm not really a fan of the 5 speed autos either. I hear the sticks are much better to drive, but no one around here buys them.

My favorite ford that I've drive was a 99' F250 CC SB 7.3 diesel. I liked that truck. Did most of my towing with it towing a gooseneck trailer.

The 6.0 and the 6.4 are junk, you say? And why is that?

Surely, it couldn't be because the 6.0 was suffering from injector failure? Of wait! The Duramax motors were suffering (and still are) from injector failures. Just as much as the FORD 6.0 did. But GMC kept it quiet. FORD did not.

And furthermore, the 6.0 is used in International's busses. They go a million miles easily. Do you know why? I'll tell you, since we're on the subject. FORD did not want to use International's software to run those engines. Whereas the International software had big parameter leeways, FORd constrained those parameters quite a bit.

The 6L can easily be made bullet proof though. New ARP studs, Dual HPOPs, Fuel crossover line and ATS injectors.

The 6.4's are junk? How many do YOU own? You speak from experience here? Because I do. I have both a 6.0 and a 6.4. The 6.4 I have, has been running a hot tune for the past 10 months with no problems whatsoever. 1104 Ft lbs of torque at the wheels, and 19.5 MPG. Where does your definition of "junk" come in?

And yes, we're just talking, Lincolnx.

 

[Frogman]

Thats a nice truck Frogman, the 5th wheel isn't too bad either (it's an LS)

It was either that or the Champagne... And I didn't like the colors in the Champagne.

 

[lincolnx2]

Mine is bigger than both of yours, check out what I was working with.

Its a Joke!

 

[Frogman]

I was gonna say "Well Damn, you're black! It better be bigger than ours!"

Then I got the pun. LOL

 

[Mechanicboy]

Really? So you're fine driving a jacked up F-150 pulling say, 8K lbs behind it on a drop hitch? Because you'll have to use a drop hitch to level the trailer.

In that case, you've either never pulled anything in a lifted pick-up truck, or you have bigger balls than I do.

Hence dual axle trailers have electric brakes.

He's already bought that truck and made up his mind. The other then tow/haul mode and buying a new truck what advice would you give him?

I know what a drop hitch is, I've had to make them before. It's legal because of AG exemption. Yes they have farms in California other then wife vineyards. It's actually a huge part of cali's economy.

As far as brakes, we don't know what trailer he's going to use, just that it will carry all his **** so he might not have trailer brakes.

I was not trying to start a pissing contest.

 

[lincolnx2]

I was gonna say "Well Damn, you're black! It better be bigger than ours!"

Then I got the pun. LOL

WTF? You say whatever comes to you mind.

 

[Frogman]

What advice would I give him? I don't know much about towing, you're the guy with the paltry 15K miles under your belt.

Maybe get steeper gears? Or maybe just lose the lift and go with OEM diameter tires? Then again, it could be that he likes the lifted look, and in that case, that's cool. No accounting for taste, but nevertheless...

If it's a single axle trailer, that's only good for anywhere between 4500 to 7500 lbs GVW, depending on the axles. The F150 should be fine with that... not sure about it stopping the same as with stock tires, but eh. FORD engineers did take that into account when the brakes were designed.

If it's a dual axle trailers, as noted before, it will have brakes on it. Now, he may need a brake controller, but those are relatively cheap nowadays. I suggest Tekonsha controllers, incidentally.

 

[Frogman]

WTF? You say whatever comes to you mind.

And this is news to you?

 

[Mechanicboy]

The 6.0 and the 6.4 are junk, you say? And why is that?

Surely, it couldn't be because the 6.0 was suffering from injector failure? Of wait! The Duramax motors were suffering (and still are) from injector failures. Just as much as the FORD 6.0 did. But GMC kept it quiet. FORD did not.

And furthermore, the 6.0 is used in International's busses. They go a million miles easily. Do you know why? I'll tell you, since we're on the subject. FORD did not want to use International's software to run those engines. Whereas the International software had big parameter leeways, FORd constrained those parameters quite a bit.

The 6L can easily be made bullet proof though. New ARP studs, Dual HPOPs, Fuel crossover line and ATS injectors.

The 6.4's are junk? How many do YOU own? You speak from experience here? Because I do. I have both a 6.0 and a 6.4. The 6.4 I have, has been running a hot tune for the past 10 months with no problems whatsoever. 1104 Ft lbs of torque at the wheels, and 19.5 MPG. Where does your definition of "junk" come in?

And yes, we're just talking, Lincolnx.

Because everyone I know that has had the 6.0 and 6.4 have had them spend more time at the dealership then on the road. My boss has gone through 2 08' 250's and two engine on the second one. both of them with less then 50k miles on it. 2 trucks and 3 engines in not much more then a year = junk. The shop I used to work for had a 6.0 250 and it constantly was running on 7 cylinders it has about 220k miles now. The 7.3 in the CC has well over 300k and has been abused and just keeps going.

At least we agree on one thing, that dodge trucks suck.

The only person I've known to get more then 15mpg out of the new ford diesels had 6 speeds. You have a 6 speed?

On the duramax engine's I only know one person that have had problems and he was a friend of a friends dad and he got the variable turbo when it first came out and it blew up.

 

[Frogman]

Because everyone I know that has had the 6.0 and 6.4 have had them spend more time at the dealership then on the road. My boss has gone through 2 08' 250's and two engine on the second one. both of them with less then 50k miles on it. 2 trucks and 3 engines in not much more then a year = junk. The shop I used to work for had a 6.0 250 and it constantly was running on 7 cylinders it has about 220k miles now. The 7.3 in the CC has well over 300k and has been abused and just keeps going.

I would definitely question your claims. My diesel guy, who's a FORD certified Powerstroke mechanic, who has touched nothing but Powerstrokes since they came out (at work), tells me he's replaced only TWO 6.4 motors. And both with burned out #2 and #3 cylinders, after someone else installed the FORD TSB mandated cooling cross over T.

I don't know what "morons" your friends are. How often they change the oil, what oil they use, where they get their diesel fuel (not all diesel fuel is the same, you want to get diesel at big truck stops, not mom and pop stations that sell 100 gallons per year), how long they let their trucks "warm up" before they drive them, and lots of other such silly non consequential (it seems at the time) facotrs.... damn, that was a long sentence...

As cliche as this may sound, a diesel works best and last longest when it's actually working. You know, pulling heavy loads, doing the stuff it was designed for. Buying a diesel just to keep up with the Joneses leads to issues.

Whereas you speak from what your "friends" and "boss" have been through, and again, I speak from experience. Who knows, maybe I just got those two good FORD trucks in existence... however, I doubt this to be the case, since everyone I know with a diesel who works them and takes care of them, doesn't seem to be having these problems either. Sure, you'll always have a bad apple in the basket, but come on! You can't call something junk because you heard someone complain about how "junky" something is.

At least we agree on one thing, that dodge trucks suck.

Uhhh. No. I never said that Dodge sucks. The Cummins motor in the Dodge trucks are f'ing great. Matter of fact, I'm getting a 5.9 ISB with two turbos installed in my F450 next year. As great as the power stroke is, it's hard to make it put 1500 FT lbs of torque to the ground reliably. Whereas a Cummins can do that all day long. Where Dodge fails, is in it's construction. Damned bodies start to fall apart after 50K miles. But for 50K miles, they are great.

The only person I've known to get more then 15mpg out of the new ford diesels had 6 speeds. You have a 6 speed?

Again... Experience over what you've heard. I'm getting 19.5 empty and around 17 pulling 37,000K GCVWR.. Yes, I know a little over legal, but eh. And yes, it's an automatic, not a 6 speed. There's more to fuel economy than a transmission. It kills me when I hear people say "well, I get 21 miles per gallon!" "That's great. What gear ratio do you have?" to which, I usually get a "huh?". I'm running 4.88 gears in the F450 (8L Axle code), and I'm getting great fuel economy. With a Gear Vendors overdrive, (3.80) I can easily see 25MPG empty. Thankfully, I've never been one to concern myself with fuel economy.

On the duramax engine's I only know one person that have had problems and he was a friend of a friends dad and he got the variable turbo when it first came out and it blew up.

Again, friend of a friend experience. You can't base your belief in something being great or junk on a couple of stories.

 

[Mechanicboy]

If the 6.0 and 6.4 are so great, then why did ford for use the 6.4 ford only 3 model years, the 6.0 for 5, and the 7.3 for 15 years? They changed to the 6.0 because they wanted a more efficient diesel then the 7.3. After losing "hundreds of millions of dollars" according to ford. They claim that they changed to the 6.4 for emission reason, and not due to the reliability issues of the 6.0.

The 6.4 is so reliably that ford is dropping it's relationship with navistar international and developed their own 6.7 diesel in house

Oh, and the 6.4 has been blamed by the local fire department for several small fires due to the engine over heating at idle creating extreme EGT at idle. Ford has recognized this issue and produced a recalibration for the ECU as it has also caused engine failures.

I knew that every product has it's "bad apples" but when the company it self says they aren't going to use them anymore because of reliability issues, that should be a red flag for most people.

You don't have to believe me, and you should never believe the opinion of one person(much like you said). In my experience, however, if most say a product is bad, it probably is.

Edit: Also I never believe onboard computers. They are usually within 10% of actual, but I prefer the old fashioned method. My Ford Fusion Onboard is always about 1mpg optimistic.

 

[CrackerJack]

Shoulda just kept the 7.3.... one of the best diesel motors ever built... Uncle has one for a mud truck, beat the living :q:q:q:q out of it and the damn thing just will not die!