new 2000 f-250

[Evan528]

i have been truck shopping for sometime and have been going back and fourth between the chevy 2500 and the ford f-250 many times. Yesterday at a dealer they had a 2000 f-250 extended cab xlt... beutiful truck fully loaded... i fellin love with this truck. i was going to wait aother month and order a 2001 to have it by october but the salsman said he would make it worth my while to buy the 2000 beause they want to get rid of there 2000's. The price is $32,000 but figure i i can get it for 28,000 im going to get it. what do you owner like and dislike about your new f-250's? this is a very big decision for me so i need all the help i can get. thanks in advance for your help.

[KirbysLawn]

Evan, I have a 99 Ford F250 and it's GREAT! I traded my 96 Dodge gas truck for the F250 with Powerstroke and I'm saving $100.00 a month in fuel! Great power, strong truck, good fuel economy 12.5-13 mpg towing, 16.5 city, and 20.97 highway.<p>BUT BEWARE.....some PSD Fords, mostly the 2000 models have a problem called cackle. It causes a loud &quot;knock&quot; sound from the #8 cylinder due to lack of fuel. Most people who have the cackle are very unhappy with the problem. <p>I would check here http://www.ford-diesel.com/downloads/index.php3 and click on cacklemove and stop .wav files and listen, if the truck make that sound you may want to avoid that truck because Ford can't seem to find a fix for it.<p>And for what it's worth consider looking at a crew cab, what a difference! Sit in each before buying. You can find out much more info about the Ford's at http://www.ford-diesel.com<br>Ray<p>----------<br>Ray Kirby - Kirby's Cuttin' Edge Lawn Maintenance<br>Home Page (http://www.kirbycuttin.com), My Truck (http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=681893&a=4967153), Lawn Photos (http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=681893&a=4967155)<br><p><font size="1">Edited by: KirbysLawn

[accuratelawn]

I would love a new truck! How do you guys justify spending all that money. I have a 98 F-150. Wish I had a 3/4 ton but $$$

[GrassMaster]

Hello:<p>The ford truck with the Power Stroke Diesel is by far the best out there!!!!!<p>Don't believe me, go find anybody that hauls horses around with the big gooseneck trailers & ask them.<p>When going up hills pulling heavy loads the Ford Power Stroke Diesel passes the rest of them by far!<p>----------<br>GrassMaster - Home: www.lawnservicing.com<br>My Start Up Page www.lawnservicing.com/startup/

[lawrence stone]

Take a look at a GM 3500 HD Chassis cab.<br>About $20k. Payload cap is 3-4 tons.

[KirbysLawn]

accuratelawn, I WAS spending $270.00 a month on fuel when it was $1.10 a gallon, I'm NOW spending $160.00 a month and it's $1.45 a gallon. My new truck payment is $120.00 a month more than my old one, simple math tells you it cost me $10.00 a month to upgrade to a 99 Ford F250 SD PDS. Actually, I'm probably saving $$$ if you convert the fuel prices and I have twice the truck!<p>Ray

[Evan528]

im not even considering a deisel.... for the 4-5 grand more that deisel costs i can buy a whole lot of gas with! also i hate the noisyness and smell of a diesel engine! i would love a crew cab but im already up to a 32,000+ truck.... plus very rarly will i have people sitting back there.

[accuratelawn]

Kirbyslawn,<br>Your high amount of fuel use was just on your truck? or truck and all other equipment together?

[KirbysLawn]

TRUCK. I drive between 1800-2000 miles per month. My 99 truck has 42658 miles on it today.<p>Ray

[Lazer]

Forget about the Chevy until they come out with the new model. If you're not plowing with it the 3500HD is an option, but it's not a pick-up and I don't think they're available XtraCab.<p>You're in the same boat I am, but I'm going to get a 2001.

[thelawnguy]

Grassmaster writes, &quot;Don't believe me, go find anybody that hauls horses around with the big gooseneck trailers & ask them. When going up hills pulling heavy loads the Ford Power Stroke Diesel passes the rest of them by far!&quot;<p>Thats nice but most of us in the lawn care business dont use horses we use mowers lol and I dont know about the rest of you but how fast a truck can pull a load is last on my list, fire it up, drive a half mile, park, get to work.<p>Too many people buying oversized vehicles they dont really have a need for is one reason why we pay $2+ a gallon for gas today.<p>Dont get me wrong Im sure its a strong truck but if you really dont have a need for such a heavy vehicle save your maintenance, fuel, insurance future dollars and go with something a little lighter.<p>Bill

[nlminc]

Evan528, Sounds like to much money for that truck. Dealers in my area (MA) have been selling the f-250 SC diesel 4x4 for 25-28K fully loaded.<p>Chris

[Bobby]

Hey guys. I heard on a previous post that GM bought Isuzu. Dose anybody know if they are going to use the four cylinder they use in the cabovers? I mean for the pickup application. That little 3.9Turbo would be great in a pickup.<p>----------<br>Yesteryear L/S<br>Hollywood Fla

[SKDCO]

Bought a 2000 F-250 Super Duty 1/21/00 w/ 5.4 Triton V-8,5spd manual,4:10 gears no A/C and vinyl seats. A REAL work truck. The best truck I have ever driven and/or ridden in. this truck pulls like a champ.Gas mileage isn't that great but well worth it!!

[Evan528]

ive thought about getting a basic work truck like that (would be like 10 grand less)but since my truck is my personal automobile i want something very nice. i will not be putting anything in the bed of this truck...everything is going in the trailer so i dont risk any dammage.

[Lazer]

Chris,<br>I think Evan was talking 4x4, you're talking 4x2.

[Evan528]

chris, i highly doubt your prices are correct.... the price for a fully loaded deisel f-250 withy extended cab here is 36-$37,000. If a dealer was selling one for 28,000 thed be losing a whole lot of money on each truck!

[Dingo]

i have been looking at the same truck and you can get a 2000 f-250 7.3 powerstroke diesel with cd/fm/am, power window and keyless locks for only 23,000.

[pottstim]

Bobby,<br>For 2001 GM will offer the Isuzu developed &quot;Duramax&quot; 6.6 liter V8 Turbo Diesel in the next generation HD 3/4 and 1 ton Chevy and GMC trucks. This engine was built by a voint venture between Isuzu and GM. It's supposed to have best in class horsepower and torque. If memory serves me right, it has 300 horsepower and 520 ft lb. of torque. I think one of the reasons for the high torque and horsepower ratings is the 4 valves per cylinder. It sure sounds like one stout powerplant.<p>Tim

[plowking35]

Along with that engine you also get an Allison 5sp auto tranny. It by far the best truck drivetrain ever available in a light duty p/u truck. the other makes have had a great power plant for years, but the trannie were not up to the task. Now with the allison tranny Gm has completed the package.<br>In fact there is video of the new GM dragging the ford and dodge around by the bumper. Might be PR hype but still fun to watch. But it will cost you. If you dont plan on keeping the truck forever the diesel wont pay off to at least 100K or later.<br>I have read of the ford cackle and it only seems to happen at idle. <br>For longevity the Cummins is king. And people that hual for a living usually run the cummins engine in a dodge. With a few simple mods it will out pull the PS. <p>----------<br> Professional Ice and Snow Management <br>Products:Services:Equipment www.sima.org

[Evan528]

i just got back from the ford dealer.... put down a deposit for the f-250. ill be driving it home on wednesday after its all detailed and ready to go! i am very exited...its a awsome truck. i am getting the truck for 400 dollars over dealer invoice wich seems pretty dam good to me ($29,600.) the dealer i bought it from also has a chevy place so me and the salsman drove the f-250 to the chevy dealer and parked it right beside a equal chevy 2500 because i couldnd make up my mind whether to go ford or chevy...after about 5 minutes i decided on the for f-250. a very similar truck options wise and price was almost identical, they both had a incredably smooth ride but there was something about the mean look of the ford that convinced me to buy it. tomorrow will take for ever to go by because the wednesday is the big day!

[KirbysLawn]

Evan, is it a diesel?

[Evan528]

no, its a gas v8. i was very impressed with the power and aceleration when i test drove it. they had The exact truck as i got in a diesel but its not worth 4 grand more too me.

[KirbysLawn]

Evan, I'm sure the power is great, as was my Dodge gas truck. As I've stated earlier the extra $$ I spent on the diesel, I'm saving in fuel. Spend extra $$ each month paying for fuel on an engine with a lower life, or pay more per month for a engine that will pull like crazy and last a long time with the savings in fuel compensating for the extra expense. To me it was a no brainer. I fill up my diesel each week at around $43.00, I was filling my gas truck every 2-3 days at $26.00 when gas was cheeper. <p>Ask yourself the folling questions:<br>1. How is it at pulling a load? <br>2. How much weight are you pulling? <br>3. What MPG will you get when you are pulling your load. (8 MPG is what I got with my gas truck)<br>4. How long do you plan on keeping this truck? <p>These are questions you should have a good answer for.<p>FWIW, I bought my F250 used for $30,500 loaded with the Larait package and the PSD.<p><font size="1">Edited by: KirbysLawn

[HOMER]

I agree with you on the fuel bills Kirby, I didn't choose the Ford but my Chevy gas burner was eating my lunch.........money! I fill the Dodge up for about the same money, $39-42.00 and ride all week. Its the only vehicle I've ever owned that got 400+ miles to a tank. Gas is great for everything else but for pulling I wish I would have got the diesel a long time ago. <p>Homer

[Evan528]

kirby, the engine life diffrence is not all that important to me... i dont care if it dosnt last 15 years because i dont plan on keeping this truck for more than 4-5 years at most. Im getting rid of it while its still young enough to get very good money for it... then i get a nice new shiny one again!

[GrassMaster]

Hello:<p>Yep, for pulling, maintenance & fuel economy diesel is the way to go.<p>Don't know about you other guys, but I pulled quite a load, my trailer & 2 riders alone weighed over 3 tons. Not including 2 walks, 4- 5 gal cans or anything that I carried in back of truck.<p>I want a vehicle can get me out of the hole quick & one that has plenty of ass so I can stop it quick.<p>After I got my good out of it, I would then turn it over to the crews.<p>The reason gas is so high, is the same reason everything else is so high. Everybody charges just as much as the market can bare & then some.<p>If all the trucks on the road were Diesel, it would probably be $4 to $5 a gal.<p>Work Smarter Not Harder.<p>Buy Diesel, Save Big on Fuel & Maintenance!!!!!<p>----------<br>GrassMaster - Home: www.lawnservicing.com<br>My Start Up Page www.lawnservicing.com/startup/

[KirbysLawn]

OK Evan, we warned you. When your spending $$$ on fuel every 2-3 days, just thinking how much more truck you could have had with that extra money, don't get mad. Hope you enjoy your new truck.<p>Here are a few links for you to read at the Ford-diesel website about gas v/s diesel:<br>http://forums.ford-diesel.com:8080/ubb/Forum19/HTML/001450.html<br>http://forums.ford-diesel.com:8080/ubb/Forum20/HTML/000056.html<br>http://forums.ford-diesel.com:8080/ubb/Forum20/HTML/000128.html<p>There's much more for you to read there but this will help some.<p>Oh yea, if you are planning on selling it in 4-5 years consider what the resale value will be gas v/s diesel<p><font size="1">Edited by: KirbysLawn

[lawrence stone]

grassmaster wrote:<p>&gt;Don't know about you other guys, but I pulled quite a load, my trailer & 2 riders alone weighed over 3 tons. <p>Only a flatlander would be able to haul that<br>much weight. In the mountains we have to keep<br>the weight to a min. so we can climb 17% grades.<p>I have 3 mowers on my trailer mowing 135 inches of turf and everything including the trailer weights 2300lbs. <p>My 6 cylinder c1500 with 4.10 rear axle gets<br>15mpg loaded/pulling a trailer or empty (at 70 mph).

[KirbysLawn]

Lawrence, my trailer weighs 2800 pounds empty and my Great Dane Chariot weighs 1100 pounds. According to you, my one mower weighs 1/2 the total of all of your equipment. When I buy fertilizers, sod, or whatever I buy it by the pallet. <p>It's good you get that with your 6 cyl, again each person has certin needs, just trying to make sure he gets enough truck to do the job. <p>How would your truck do pulling the trailer, say 1000 pounds fert and 1000 pounds seed, or 2500-3000 pounds of SOD?<p>I KNOW my old Dodge 1500 gas would have tapped out and would have been dragging the ground.

[KirbysLawn]

My last comments (I hope). I looks to me, that above your regular truck payment you are going to spend a certain amount of dollars extra, either for fuel or diesel engine payment. If the truck you are going to buy cost $29,600 and is financed for 6 years at 8.00% your payment would be $518.98 a month. If you add $4000.00 for the diesel engine your monthly payment goes up to $589.11 per month, only $70.13 a month!<p>Say you drive 1500 miles a month, with the diesel you get 5 MPG better (that's average for towing). With the gas engine you use 187.5 gallons of gas, at today's price ($1.52 gal) here in NC that would be $285.00 a month in gas. Now for the diesel, you would use 115.4 gallons of fuel, again, at today's prices ($1.35 gal) that would be $155.79. You just saved $129.21 in gas! OR you just put $50.08 in your pocket! ($129.21 saved v/s $70.13 for the additional truck payment Again, a no brainer!!!!<p>Please tell me which one makes since? You are either going to GIVE away $129.00 a month to the gas companies, or you are going to INVEST that $129.00 in your truck for future resale!<p>I don't know what else to say.<p>Ray

[Barkleymut]

I too have been considering buying a bigger truck. My reasons are simple, more pulling power, and better stopping power. The 98 Ram 1500 w/318 has been great for me except when it comes time to stop. My tandem axle trailer has brakes but they don't seem to do enough. I don't feel safe and that is the bottom line. Anyone know what a brake shop would charge to put bigger brakes on? I really don't need a diesel (but it would be nice).

[Eric ELM]

Barkleymut: If you have a tandem axle trailer with brakes on just one axle like most landscaping trailers, you can add brakes to the second axle for approximately $160 in parts. That would help a lot.<p>----------<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://pages.prodigy.net/eric.erickson/&quot;&gt;Eric@ELM&lt;/a&gt;<br>The Grass is always Greener on the other side of my competitors fence

[GrassMaster]

Hello Barkleymut:<p>I hate to but in but, I think you need to take a look at those trailer brakes.<p>It sounds to me like something is not right with the trailer brakes. The trailer brakes if they are set right, they should be helping stop the truck.<p>With everything right, when you are going down the road & you put on brakes the trailer should help stop the truck!<p>You should with full load be able to stop the truck & trailer as quick or really quicker than a truck empty without trailer & brakes!<p>Honest, I would get the trailer brakes checked, it's very dangers pulling a load down the road & you have to depend on your truck to stop the trailer. You get easily get pushed into back of something or jack knife very easy.<p>If you are working on it your self, you can E-mail me & I can try to offer some help. <p>If you are not the one working on it, please do yourself a big favor & have it looked at SOON!!!!!<p>It's definately a safety issue.<p>----------<br>GrassMaster - Home: www.lawnservicing.com<br>My Start Up Page www.lawnservicing.com/startup/

[Evan528]

kirby, i dont put 1500 miles on my truck per year because my route is very compact. JUst about all my lawns are within 5 miles of my house. Today i pick up my truck... ill let you no how i like it!

[KirbysLawn]

You will love it!

[lawrence stone]

1500 a year NO way.<p>Thats 30 miles a WEEK.<p>I only put 7000 miles last year on my truck and it was 100% used for work<br>only.

[Evan528]

sorry.... i meant i dont put 1500 on a month.

[thelawnguy]

heres more fuel to the gas vs diesel argument: If you are moving up from a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton just to get a diesel you will not have the savings you think; everything for the 3/4 is more expensive, maintenance taxes insurance on and on.<p>Around these parts, the serious mowing operations hacve several crews using LD trucks, chevy w/t or ford 150s with 6 cylinders, the heavier trucks are dumps and arent used for towing mowers around. Only solo guys seem to be the ones buying HD diesels 4wd since they are also used for plowing.<p>Myself, I had bad experience with a 85 Ford diesel so for now Im sticking with gas.<p>Bill

[SKDCO]

The only question that I have (if anyone really cares)is; Why do you guys insist on these Country Cadillacs? A simple basic 4x2 or 4x4 3/4 ton (or whatever) truck does the same job for less cost and if you mow/landscape all day, you are going to trash the interior any way.Gas or Diesel is a matter of opinion both deliver power if geared right it is just a matter of what you like.I got my 2000 F-250 4x2 for (hope you are sitting) $19,025.00. Alot cheaper than $23k or 29k don't you think.

[Evan528]

well im not getting my truck till tomorrow now because the bedliner didnt come in early enough today! i went at 7 tonight and handed them a big check and signed all the papers! afterwards i just stood next to my new truk in the lot for 10 minutes admiring it! there evne giving me a full tank of gas included! thats a 55 dollar value!

[KirbysLawn]

SKDCO, I bought my truck because I wanted that style truck. I do not &quot;insist&quot; that everyone buys one like mine either. I did try to point out the differences between them and still can't understand why or how some use light duty 6 cylinder trucks to tow and carry heavy loads. Some people look at the $4400. option for the diesel and say &quot;no way&quot;, just wanted to make sure they understood the difference.<p>As far as my truck I use it for my business and personal use, I have 2 children and need the room. I wanted a nice truck, found mine loaded with leather, crew cab, long bed, and several custom options and bought it! What a tax write off! <p>Yes, it is a task keeping it clean that's why I have seat covers I put on during mowing days and have floor liners also. As you can see in my photos, after over a year of service my truck and trailer look new.<p>The price you paid is a good price for a heavy duty truck. What trim package? What engine? What size cab? $19,025.00 is not far off the price around here for a V-8 gas, regular cab, 4x2, XL trim. <p>----------<br>Ray Kirby - Kirby's Cuttin' Edge Lawn Maintenance<br>Home Page (http://www.kirbycuttin.com), My Truck (http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=681893&a=4967153), Lawn Photos (http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=681893&a=4967155)

[Jason]

Speaking of sixes, I used to own a 84 F250 2wd, with a 4 speed, 300 ci six and very low gears, not sure on ratio, but it wasn't the factory gears. The previous owner swapped in some ultra-low gears, thinking probably 4.88 or lower. That thing would flat out pull any gas v-8 I've ever driven. Tons of torque down low. We'd regularly pull 2 full anhydrous ammonia tanks. Only problem was starting out on gravel with that much weight. That poor truck took a severe beating, pulling tanks, to 1500 bushel grain dryers that are only meant to be towed by tractors. I would love to own a nice new truck, but I could never see spending the cash for one, when there are so many older trucks that are more than capable at many thousands less. Need to present a professional image. No problem, slap on a paint job at Maaco for under a grand, add some custom wheels, and lettering on the door, and your 3,000 dollar truck looks as good as any other &quot;new&quot; work truck out there. Just my personal opinions, to each their own.

[SKDCO]

KIRBYS LAWN,<br> THE TRUCK THAT I BOUGHT IS AN XL TRIM PACKAGE(WHITE W/ GRAY VINYL) 5.4 TRITON V8,5SPD(CAN NOT USE 1ST UNLESS REAL HEAVY LOAD OR STEEP GRADE PULL OUT) NO A/C,4.10 GEAR RATIO, CLASS IV TOW PACKAGE IT IS A REAL NICE &quot;WORK&quot;TRUCK. MY POV IS A '93 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4 DOOR,4X4 W/5SPD AND CLOTH INT.ONLY PAID $3,8000.00 FOR IT IN MID '99 (HAS 212589.0 MILES) OFF OF A CUSTOMER. HE SELLS CONEYOR SYSTEMS FOR AGRIGATE/CONCRETE MFGS. ALL HIGHWAY MILES.

[KirbysLawn]

Like I said, price sounds about right, sittin' or standing. No A/C? How do you survive? Worked today here in Charlotte, temp 96 degrees with what felt like 100% humidity! Went through 4 soaked shirts, thank GOD for cold A/C. Today, the A/C alone felt like it was worth thousands! ;)<p>Evan......what about your truck?? Did you get it??<p>Ray<br><p><font size="1">Edited by: KirbysLawn

[SKDCO]

VERY HOT TODAY! WOULD RATHER GO W/O A/C THAN GET IN AND OUT OF IT ALL DAY AND GET SICK. SO I JUST GOT THE TRUCK W/O A/C. THE REASON YOU WENT THROUGH SO MANY SHIRTS, IS YOUR BODY TEMP KEEPS FLUCTUATING BACK AND FORTH AND NEVER GETS ACCLIMATED THEREFORE, YOU SWEAT TWICE AS MUCH. p.s. i'm not shouting, my caps lock button gets stuck sometimes.<p><br>&lt;font size=&quot;1&quot;&gt;Edited by: SKDCO<br><p><font size="1">Edited by: SKDCO

[Eric ELM]

We don't turn on the AC til we are on our way home. If I turned it on during the day, I'd never get back out of the truck.<p>----------<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://pages.prodigy.net/eric.erickson/&quot;&gt;Eric@ELM&lt;/a&gt;<br>The Grass is always Greener on the other side of my competitors fence

[Evan528]

kirby, i picked it up last evening! its is so great i cant even put it into words! i cant even get out of it once im in it. its comphy ,rides smooth and just looks mean as hell! now my z master is no longer the love of my life! the truck is my new baby. im going out right now to go get a bug deflector,seat covers and vinal floor mats so it dosnt get beat up when i get in it dirty! whaatta beast!<br><p><font size="1">Edited by: Evan528

[Evan528]

Here is a picture of my new truck. The picture color is not great but it is Dark blue with grey bottom. I love this truck! The gas miliage is my only complaint.... i expected that though!<br>&lt;img src = http://elms.bizland.com/evan.jpg&gt;<p><p><font size="1">Edited by: Eric ELM

[Evan528]

finally got the picture up here! thanx Eric

[Eric ELM]

I got the picture up Evan.<p>----------<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://pages.prodigy.net/eric.erickson/&quot;&gt;Eric@ELM&lt;/a&gt;<br>The Grass is always Greener on the other side of my competitors fence

[KirbysLawn]

How's the truck working out? What kind of MPG are you getting?<p>Ray

[lawnforce1]

Now I know what I'm going to ask Santa to bring me!! We have an '88 F250 4x4 that has close to 125k and has had no major repairs since new. Pulls like a champ, drives like a dream!

[Evan528]

love that truck! what power! I still havent figured out exact gas mileage but its not good at all. My only complaint with this truck is thevery wide turning radious. The chevys were a little tighter. Overall Im very, Very happy with this truck and am gald i got the ford!