New Truck

[GeoffDiamond]

I am starting to look at buying a new truck for summer and winter work. I will either trade in a 95 F 350 or add another truck, i am not sure yet. I went to see my Ford Dealer, who i have always bought a truck from. In the past i have always bought the truck cab and chassis, and had the body installed at a truck equipment shop. The dealer will order the truck for me with out having to put a down payment on the truck or anything, so i can always see what i am buying before i buy it. This time they were really pushing me to buy a truck through Dejana ( i think thats the right name) a pooling company. Have any of you guys boughten truck through a pooling company or do you have your body and or plow installed at a truck equipment shop. One thing about buying the truck cab and chassis is that you don't pay as of high cost to register, because the body and plow isn't included in the price.<p>Geoff

 

[plowking35]

Geoff my truck came from a pooling co. They were great, the truck came to me better than a local body co could have done. And they sell any plow and alot of bodies co's to pull from. Plus they will probably have the type of truck you want in stock.<br>Dino <p>----------<br> Professional Ice and Snow Management <br>Products:Services:Equipment www.sima.org

 

[GeoffDiamond]

Dino what type of body do ya have? I used to buy Gallio but now it only Rugby, higher quality all around.<p>Geoff

 

[SLSNursery]

Geoff - My 99 is one of the DeJana Pool trucks. As I noted previously, I usually do the same as you, order, wait, and have the local shop of my choice do the job. The DeJana truck is OK, problems with trailer wires, and fortunately they said they would work with us to make sure its ok. No backup alarm either. The 2000 I bought c&c was put together locally and I was able to have a couple of nice touches put on. On the 2000 we measured and matched the hitch set ups that I prefer, and covered the back of the frame rails. Dejana left them open on the 99, and it looks unfinished. On the 2000, I made sure to get front and rear mud flaps. DeJana's were/are crappy plastic ones and only rears. They look like a guy with one hand behind his back put them on. It always makes me think about the rest of the job, if you know what I mean. The one near the exhaust is melting now. The difference is that the personal touches I got from the local guy (who changed me over to Diamond by the way) made the truck exactly the way I expected it. The mechanic even stopped by the shop after a week to make sure everything was OK. The pool truck was close, but no AC. <p>By the way, I'm not sure it was the equipment dealer's fault on the screwed up chain for the Diamond. The chain just falls funny. I'll check it out this summer. <p>Bottom line - if I can wait, I'll have the local shop do the job. Cost wasn't really a factor.<br>----------<br>Phil Grande - Soundview Landscape Supply - http://members.aol.com/slsnursery<br>Ivy League Landscaping - http://members.aol.com/scagrider<br>

 

[GeoffDiamond]

I wish i knew about this forum when i bought my other trucks, it never hurts to get imput from others. <p>Phil one thing about Ford's is they all come pre-wired for 7 wire trailer plugs. All you have to do is go to the Ford Part's Department and have them pull up the wiring specs on your truck with the tow package. This is what ya need cost around 200, but all wired together correctly and neatly.<p>7 wire plug assemply goes on the back of the truck. Cost around 70 bucks<br>Trailer Brake tap goes inside the cab. cost around 30 bucks<br>Back up light relay goes near the fues box under the hood. cost 90 bucks.<p>This way you have a complete 7 wire trailer set up that is under warrenty and works great.<p>Also i am trying to decide to get either a dump body or a rack body dump. It would haul mostly pipe, wire, and other electical components, some times stone. What do you guys think?<p>Geoff<p>

 

[tru cut]

geoff,<br>what are you looking for? isaw a f350 sd drw 4x4 w/ dump central hydro ,hydro sander& 8ft plow not hardley any mi for 30,000 let me know if you are interested i can give you the number of the dealer . its in western ny<p>----------<br>Todd <br>

 

[GeoffDiamond]

I am not sure if this truck will plow the first year in service. It kinda depends on if i add more plowing accounts and if i keep the 95 or not ( note the 95 has 150,000 miles on it) The truck has been used hard it has a v-box in it but i think a 550 is in the works for later this year and that will take the v-box. Right now the truck will become one of the construction trucks in the summer, i want to get as much input as i can because i want this truck set up right. <p>Todd, i don't think i want another hydrolic v-box i have one in my F 650, i think i will go back to the standard engine. <p>PS 8' plow is way too small for a drw truck, at least in my mind. It might be ok on a chevy because the turning radius on a chevy beats the ford hands down everytime. My 250 HDs with 8' blades really need a 8.5' just because of the turning radius. If i buy another 3/4 ton 8.5' plow is the only thing i will use.<p>Geoff

 

[plowking35]

Geoff I have a crysteel, with sides that drop down. the truck came from Robert Greene out of Monticello NY. I am happy with the crysteel body, its a little lighter than what you would like I suppose, but that is do to the drop sides. the bodies with non drop sides are alot stouter, plus the back corner is tied into the side rails. On mine they just have pins that lock into the back corner.<br>I have been very happy with the truck, they did a class job on my rear pintel plate, they did cover the frame rails. I see alot of trucks that just have a reese type hitch bolted to the rear frame, strong enough, but looks tacky.<br>Greene also used a great undercoating that never seems likely to wear out.<br>Did they do everything, no. I installed a set of mud flaps in front of the rear wheels, and a b/u alarm, but overall they did a very nice job. <br>I would recommend them very highly. I also know that there is another pool in mass, but cant remember theor name right now.<br>If Vinnie P reads this, he will know their name.<br>Dino<p>----------<br> Professional Ice and Snow Management <br>Products:Services:Equipment www.sima.org

 

[steveair]

Hey plowking, <br>We just got a chevy 350 and had the crystal body put on at monitcello too. They did a nice job, but only thing is they left a ground off somewhere for the taillights and our mechanic had to fix it real quick. Real happy with the bod though. Its not the side drop model, but the regular 8 foot, and we love it. We got the optional quick release tail gate, and <br>can't say enough for it. It's so nice not having to take those pins out of the gate anymore. Just like a pickup tailgate now, just pull the level and drop. Not real sure how the system will hold up, but guess we will find out. Just have to make sure no one drops anything real big on the middle of the gate and screws it up. Also, we have the same job in the back with the plate and receiver covering the rails. We ordered a tarp and roller from them also, and it was suppose to fit right on, but when we got it, we had to do some welding to get it in in a good spot. <br>

 

[plowking35]

I installed my own roll cover, it also took a little time, but I drilled and atpped my into place, didnt want to weld on the new truck.<br>Dino<p>----------<br> Professional Ice and Snow Management <br>Products:Services:Equipment www.sima.org