Does anyone have any real world experience with these trucks? What I wanna know is if the tranny(automatic)is stout? Is the Diesel engine a reliable one? What's teh fuel economy rated at? I couldn't find it anywhere. I'm looking at a 2000 4WD 4dr ford f-250 powerstroke for a dialy driver and tow vehicle...any help will be appreciated. I'm really interested in the Excursion SUV also

I can't make up my mind if I want the diesel or the triton v8 gasoline....

I've also heard rumors that the 99-00 powerstroke engines had turbo problems(the bolts kept backing out)...is it true?

I currently own a 1997 chevy tahoe 1500 and it has given me nothing but trouble for teh past 9 months that I've owned it.

key word: RELIABLE




Modified by Paul_Vang at 6:11 AM 7/17/2003

 

I would get a 2001 V8 Diesel powerstroke. A 350 with an automatic transmission is more than stout.

I drivea 2001 Cummings turbo diesel but its just to damn loud. It sounds like it has JE pistons in it. Funny, when people say they have piston slap they say its sounds like a Diesel, and when I have a diesel I say it sounds like it has JE pistons. How funny.

 

I dont know about the exact numbers but the diesel is the way to go if you are going to do some serious pulling. The mileage will be better than the gas in the end as well. Ive never heard of the turbo problem and I deal with Fords mostly. Not saying it doesnt happen but Ive never heard of it. Hope this helps.

 

I got you Paul, I have a 2000 F350 Powerstroke dually. The early 99s were the ones with turbo problems but the engine nad trans are warrantied until 100k with a $100 deductable. Mine has 30k on it now and is as strong as new. I have a Banks turbo blade on mine 1.00 trim, K&N drop in, Diablo motorsports three way chip and 5.5 inch turbo back piping. It makes about 400 hp and 700 torque. Towing the racecar trailer is like driving on the street, I dont even know its there. The 30 camper of my neighbors is heavy but I can cruise at 70 pretty easy. I get 20-22 MPG highway (empty weight) and 16 city. 15 higway (fully loaded) and 12 city.
The diesel noise is loud on the outsied of the truck but you can barely hear it on the inside.

 

My bro in law had a 99 f-350, and did a lot of towing. He never had any turbo problems, but he did go threw about 6-7 transmissions. He just got rid of that one, and got an 03, no problems with that one so far.

You may want to look into the duramax / allison trans combo.

Good Luck.

 

thanks for the feedback, keep them coming

I might end up getting an Excursion though...the Wife insists on an SUV over the pickup

 

excursion is the same thing underneath. Id definatly stay away from the gas ones though. Nothing but problems. Diesel is the way to go. I have less than $1000 in mods to mine and it will boost to 32 psi and make the smokiest burouts youve ever seen. Oh also it will run a 16.6 in the 1/4. not too shabby for its size.

 

I dove a 2001 F250 at work for a company truck. It is a stout truck and reliable, but the tranny could never decide what gear it wanted and it rode worse than a hay wagon.

My dad has a GMC and its in a totally different league. It rides like a 1/2 ton, the way the computer controls the tranny is amazing...it shifts right when you want it to every time. Comparing the interior of the Ford Vs. the interior of the GM is like comparing a Cavalier to a BMW. Not to mention that it tows 12,000lbs without breaking a sweat. One of the greatest parts is the brakes...which was a problem for GM in the past. Its probably the best braking system on the market now.

Burban over Excursion. No contest.

 

Only problem with that is the Burban doesnt come with the duramax. Yet.
I think you should just say **** the burban and the Ford and go buy a H2.
The wife will like it and you could pimp it on weekends at the track.

 

cumming has the biggest and strongest rods of all the TD's they can hold the most power. from what i have gathered

 

We have a Ford F-350 turbo Deisel powerstroke for towing to the track. You can't even tell the car is back there ever. Its got a real nice ride too, great for long trips. The extendable side mirrors help out a lot too. We've had it in both 4wd low and 4wd high and it pulls a shitload. The gas milage is fair, but it makes up for it in the ride and actual ease of driving.Plus having the FMIC and running 22psi stock is a plus.
Hopefully it'll be at some of the NDRA/NHRA SC race next year.

 

the 03' cummins engine is redesigned and is now super quiet.

 

This is my buddy's F250 powerstroke that we use to tow my car. Has plenty of towing power and has a really comfortable interior. I'd love to have one for parts hauling and towing. Supposedly there is an aftermarket company that makes ECU upgrades to up the boost and power.

 

Damn, I was looking around and I could've sworn that the pickups cost more than the excursions....why is that

 

because nobody wants an exscursion anymore, there to damn big

 

Yeah they are big, but last weekend I rode in one down to Bristol and it was real nice for that trip. It was a diesel and the dvd player didn't hurt the trip either.

 

looks familiar. Oh the propane goes on the truck next week, hoping for 1000 FTLbs of torque. Wish me luck.

 

Quick comment, I know power is everything however do any of you guys take into account on how your gonna stop? I know tons of power is great to haul a trailer and race car with, however have any of your tried to stop quickly with it? I know we almost had a close call going down hill at 70mph and had to come to a immediate dead stop. It was CRAZY...

I know for me its all about large 14" rotors on my truck with 315's in back to allow me to stop quickly. I mean yeah its a 4.6l V8 and does 0-60 in 6.1sec stock, however I took stopping into the largest consideration.
Just remember that with a truck thats hauling your pride and joy, you need to take stopping into a HUGE consideration.

 

That has been considered. From what I've read, the super duty trucks and excusions stop on a dime for it's size. NOw my tahoe is a different story. That thing does 60-0 in like 350ft and the brakes are squishier than a ****. GM needs to upgrade their brakes for teh larger cars

 

My trailer brakes are quite good, Would like to step up to bigger front brakes and drilled rotors for my truck though. I guess there is a brembo package for them but I have yet to see one.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 275Performance &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">We have a Ford F-350 turbo Deisel powerstroke for towing to the track. You can't even tell the car is back there ever. Its got a real nice ride too, great for long trips. The extendable side mirrors help out a lot too. We've had it in both 4wd low and 4wd high and it pulls a shitload. The gas milage is fair, but it makes up for it in the ride and actual ease of driving.Plus having the FMIC and running 22psi stock is a plus.
Hopefully it'll be at some of the NDRA/NHRA SC race next year.

</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yeah, and even with the civic in tow, it eats v6 mustangs for dinner

 

You should put a chip on that thing. It REally wakes them up. Youll get a little better mileage to boot.

 

I just picked up a 03 Excursion Limited with the Diesel on Wed. It puts you back in your seat when the turbo spools up Haven't had a chance to tow with it yet, but I am sure it will have no problem towing whatever I want....maybe even my house

 

i have a 03 power stroke 4 door long bed .work truck version (white/grey)325hpQ@2500 &560ft.lb@2500rpms. it gets 19mpg highway .. just towed a 2200lb.hatch(90-91)to battle of imports ..on 22ft trailer.like a champ&lt;were passing ricers like they were going out of style .. gotta love tow/haul .. the 03 are 6.0liters compared to previous ones 7.3 .(with less hp/tq.)go with a newer one you save with rebates plus ford does there own financing......

 

well I put the "Powershot" Propane setup on my truck tonight, and all I have to say is F@&lt;K! I better order some new tires now. Have you guys ever seen a dually do a 20 foot burnout from a stoplight and then catch rubber again in second gear? I have. I will be racing it this weekend at the tracks local redneck olympics known as "Truckfest" so Ill post up some vids of me racing on monday.

Peace.