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Mort
Nitrous Member
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Joined: May 2005
Member # 86
From: Mortville WA
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 Posted - March 26 : 1:06p
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I recently put a few hundred miles on a 2008 Ford F-350 Crew Cab Lariat 4x4 with the new-for-08 6.4 liter twin turbo Powerstroke Diesel. My route was Snohomish, Washington (Seattle area) to Spokane, Washington (damn near Idaho) and back through I-90, the major route through the northern United States.
I was impressed with both of my test trucks. For starters, they both were heavily optioned, with stuff like navigation systems, traction control, leather seating (although I don't think any real cows gave their lives for my comfort), integrated trailer brake controllers, redundant steering wheel controls for the audio and dual zone automatic climate controls, sunroofs, power rear sliding windows, and mirrors that adjust, fold, and telescope at the touch of a button. All the controls were intuitive and in the proper place. They were also large enough to operate wearing work gloves, because after all, its still a truck.
The driving experience says big rig, if not screaming it. The driving position reminds me of a Kenworth, with the shape and placement of the mirrors, the curve of the hood, and the (relatively) short windshield. This was probably the idea, Ford's way of conveying a macho image (as if a diesel truck with two solid axles needed any help in that area). I didn't hear the engine at all on the highway, unless I was doing the 60-80 pass (which didn't take very long, by the way), and when i did hear it, it reminded me of the late 6.0 liter diesel (before the reflash). The power curve was also similar, and from speaking with some dealer employees (who will ALWAYS give me the straight answer because I used to be one of them), they are holding together quite well. They aren't getting much for fuel mileage, which in an area that sells diesel for $4.19 a gallon as of this writing, is a big problem. I averaged about 13 miles per gallon on a fresh engine on the trip over, at a speed around 75 miles per hour the whole way.
That was the first truck. Then I jumped in the second one.
About 10 miles out of Spokane on the way back, I noticed a shimmy. The land is relatively flat right there, and I was already to cruising speed, so I didn't think anything of it. But when pulling a small hill out of town, it starting sputtering and missing like no one's business. I stopped at a rest stop and shut it off, thinking maybe that would clear whatever ailed it. It did not. It did trip the check engine light, as if I needed a reminder. It would make it up to the 70 mile per hour speed limit, but not very fast, and not up hills.
Thankfully, when I stopped for $75 worth of fuel (half tank!), it got better. Not great, but able to pull the 4000ft + Snoqualmie Pass. Apparently it was an easy fix the next day, but it didn't exactly restore my confidence in Ford's ability to build a quality diesel engine. My ratio of good to bad running 6.4s is 50/50, and that isn't up to snuff.
Overall, Ford did a good job with the redesign of their meal ticket. Super Duty sales should remain strong, even if fewer people buy them for daily drivers because of fuel prices. Oh, and those ugly headlights that people complain about? They are REALLY bright.
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| offroad250
Horsepower Member
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Vehicle: 2005 F350 4x4 Diesel
Joined: Dec 2006
Member # 1754
From: Macedon NY
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Posted
- March 28 : 9:18p
| Nice write up Mort. I love my 2005 PSD. The 2008 interiors are reeeeally nice.
And the $155+ fillups suck. These rising prices are going to have to stop sometime!
Jason | | MrSVTGal
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Joined: May 2005
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From: South OC CA
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Posted
- March 28 : 11:17p
| I pulled a camper out to the high desert last weekend (4000 feet or so) along with a caravan. I got 7-10 mpg in my 5.4L gas Expedition.
We had one guy with a modded 6.0 diesel 5th wheel, and another with a stock 6.4L 6th wheel setup (both had huge toy haulers). The 6.4L guy liked his truck, but his one complaint was fuel mileage. No other issues. The 6.0L guy (2nd year of that engine) had popped head gaskets, etc., and had about 6 pages of Ford TSB's done to his engine, but NOW it's pretty reliable.
I think the 6.4L is a step in the right direction, but they gotta figure out what's going on with that fuel mileage.
MrSVTGal | | Mort
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Joined: May 2005
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From: Mortville WA
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Posted
- March 29 : 12:18p
| | Apparently, the Big 3 are blaming the ULSD for it, because everybody is down. But I suspect something else is the matter. Has anyone with an older diesel noticed a drop in mileage after the ULSD became mandated? | | ford_trck
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Peoria IL
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Posted
- March 29 : 8:07p
| | I dropped 1-2 mph with ulsd. I was running number 2 until November and then I ran out so now I have to run the ulsd | | DAFBFD58
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Vehicle: 02 F-250 Farm Fab Edition
Joined: Jul 2005
Member # 200
From: Milford DE
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Posted
- March 29 : 9:55p
| | The ULSD is one reason and then other is the regen stuff, you know DPF and all that. Dodges are getting worse milage when in the regen mode. Like 7-9 MPG while in regen. The way its looking I won't be buying a new diesel any time soon. Just will have to save my pennies and drop in a 24v CR into mine. Get the best of both worlds. The better body design, inside and out(IMO), and a motor with the ability to build massive power. | | offroad250
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Vehicle: 2005 F350 4x4 Diesel
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Macedon NY
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Posted
- March 31 : 4:28p
| I have seen a drop in fuel economy too.
Jason | | | |
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2008 Ford F-350 6.4TT
