What do you think? F450

[exav8tr]

Well, I think I have decided to bite the bullet and buy an '08 F450. Priced around $50g's seems to be the going price. Anyone have any comments, pro or con about this move?????

Looking for honest input.....

Thanks

Phil

[RC and Samantha]

Phil and Cathy,

Dennis (HamRad) should be able to jump in here and give you some real good info. He's been driving one around since (I believe) before the club began. I do know he loves his! I'm sure you will as well.

Patty

[kerry]

Love the truck, hate the motor. Had Fords all my life. When Ford went to the 6.0, they have really had a lot of problems. I had an 04, head gaskets blow. got an 05, blew all the coolant out of the reservoir, first sign of the head gaskets going. The 6.4 is an 6.0 block and head design, and what I've read, their still having their problems. Read some of the diesel forums. when Ford gets a good engine back in their truck, I might go back. Now I have a Dodge, and the Cummings Keeps on Comin. (and I'm sure this is going to stir up the pot) Kerry

[sreigle]

I've been watching but haven't seen hardly any problems with the new 6.4L. That could change but thus far it appears to be a good one. I've only seen a couple of tests of the new 2008 F450 but those who did those test were in awe with the truck's towing ability. Here's a link to one that towed a 20,000 lb. trailer up a 25% grade.

A quote from the summary: "And the Ford F-450? It's in a class all its own. With the form factor of heavy duty pickup and the towing power of a medium duty, this is one bad-to-the-bone pickup that begs to be used for towing and hauling only the biggest payloads." This is at http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/2007...otout9mpg.html .

And a quote from the page where they did the 25% grade: "We know some folks who would be hard pressed to run 100-meters in 17.36-seconds on level ground, let alone up a 25% grade. But the mighty Ford F-450 was able to move a GCWR of almost 30,000-pounds in that time up this insanely steep inclination.

It was a demonstration of pure, gratuitous, triple axle-rated towing capability. Which is why we're calling the Ford F-450 Super Duty PickupTruck.com's Trailermate of the year." This is at http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/2007...otout8mpg.html .

[Cyrus]

I read the article that Srigle posted and was impressed. Thursday I was having my 05 serviced and my salesman came out and started a new one that the guy was picking up and I had to run over and ask him if that was a diesel, quiet. My salesman made the comment that he thought Ford had gotten the engine right on the 2008’s

The front wheel drive looked massive compared to my F250.

[Delaine and Lindy]

I tried to buy the F-350 Super Duty, just couldn't get Ford to deal???? However the only problem I have read about is the emission problem, but Ford has corrected that. The F-450 seems to be a awesome TV. The only other concern I have seen is Fuel mileage, with the 4.88 rear gear you will be turning a lot of RPM's at say 60 mph. But it will tow large 5th wheels. The Chevy 4500 we had turned about 2500 rpms at 65 mph. I really think I would go with the 4.30 rear gear unless you just have to have the extra towing ability. I would guess you will get about 6 to 9 mph while towing and maybe 12 to 13 when not towing. Keep in mind that the F-450 is designed for towing heavy trailers. I don't have first hand knowledge, this is just my opinion and things I have read. I do believe it will do the job for what its designed to do.... Good Luck with your choice... GBY....

[GregN]

Well I think it is a Very nice ride. The dealer in my area finally got one in. When over to look at it. He handed me the keys and said lets go for a test drive. NICE. Very smooth ride for being a 4X4 truck. Very quite, for a diesel.It was a crew cab model dually. Interior very nice. Side mirrors are all power, adjusting, telescoping out for hauling and they fold into the truck so no one would hit them in a parking lot. Seem to be more back seat leg room. I asked the saleman about the engine, he said they have made changes to the new 6.4 and made it better than the 6.0.. There were alot of goodies added. Trailer Brake, Dual climate controls, intercooler and a lot of other nice features. The price for the 4X4 model was about60 grand, less if you wanted a 2 wheel drive. He said put down $500 and we will order the one you want, when it comes in you can take it or pass and get my $500 back. I wish it already came with a 5ver hitch so it could be test drove properly.

[HamRad]

pparamore,
Phil, I wish I could help you but my 450 is a 2002 model and has the old 7.3 engine. But I can tell you that the 450 is massive compared to the 250, which I had before. Everything about it is bigger and beefier. Take the brakes for instance: On the 250 you have 12 inch and on the 450 you got 15 inch! I do not have the 4x4 model. I suspect it might be even a bit beefier! In my rig there is a significant difference between the ride quality. The 250 rode more like a car but the 450 rides more like a truck. It is very "stiff". The ride quality is most notable when solo. When towing the Montana the ride is actually smoother.

The main difference is that when coming to a sudden stop it feels much more secure. There is not "tail wagging the dog" type problem that I had with the 250. I really feel much better about the stopping ability of the 450. If we were to get another truck it would most likely be another 450. But if I had my way I'd have a truck like Firetrucker and Firetruckerwife. I love those big Volvos. And a good used one is actually somewhat cheaper than a 450. Ah.... guess I'll just keep dreaming.

I think you will be very happy with a 450. From what I've read and heard the latest engine seems to be working well. Good luck.

HamRad

[Tom Gina 06]

Saw a contract hauler in OK City a couple of weeks ago and he had a Dodge 5500, looked just like the 3500 When I Pulled up next him. Never heard of one until then but he told me that he had it for almost a year just starting to use it the last few months. I wonder if all manufaturers will be starting market the bigger trucks in the next few years. Seems Ford is leading the way on the marketing of these bigger trucks. I also wonder if there reason maybe because of the possible mileage requirments if passed by Congress? Only makes sense to start making and marketing if that is the case.

[traveljunkie]

Phil,

We ordered an F450 and can't wait. Our sticker was around the $58K. The only options we did not go with was the King Ranch, Navigation System and the Camper package. We basciall got everything else. The dealers we were going to around the northern Illinois area were not willing to deal much at all, only a couple of thousand off of sticker. I then sent up the exact specs of the truck to a dealer in Wisconsin and he got us down to just over $50K, almost $8,000 under MSRP. So, we put down the $500 and ordered it. Should be in in about 2 weeks. If you want more info just let me know.

[bsmeaton]

Go for it Phil!! I be jealous!

[Ozz]

It looks like they are all DRW, and Crew cab, with 8' box only.
This information was out of the brochure, it states 'Maximum capabilities' so I may not have all the information available here to make that assumption.
The new F-250 shows 5th wheel towing at 16,400# SRW, and the F-350 at 18,700#
It appears that 5th wheel towing is listed higher than the conventional towing by around 500#.
The 450 May be too much truck for us dual purpose types, but they are a hauling monster. Heavy duty to the core.

[ols1932]

The 450 is a great truck but is it worth the extra money over a 350? I believe the only difference is in the suspension and minimal load capacity increase. I know several people who have the 450. Half say they love it, the other half say they wish they had purchased a 350.

Orv

[sreigle]

quote:Originally posted by Ozz

It looks like they are all DRW, and Crew cab, with 8' box only.

I've read the same thing.