Need opinions

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Need opinions
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Will Copeland - Evans Mills NY on Sunday, December 23, 2012 - 02:52 pm:

I have a 2006 Dodge 2500 Cummings Diesel truck. She's only got 55,000 miles. I only use it for pulling the model T trailers.

Here's my problem, Other than the filters I cant work on it. So far anything that has happened has been under warranty. The warranty is almost over and now I have to make a choice. Do I keep it and take a chance on a future repair bill that I may not be able to afford or do I sell it.

I had this wild idea, What if I sold the Dodge and used the money to buy myself a real nice late 60's or early 70's Ford. There is just about nothing I cant do on those trucks.

What I would have to sacrifice is power windows, and cruise control. The cruise control is rather important to me as its very hard for me to hold the accelerator down for a long period of time. But I think I'v heard of cruise control kits a person can install. The air-conditioning I can do without.

I could really care less about airbags and all that safety stuff, If its my time then its going to happen with airbags or not.

I can tune a 302ci,390ci or 351/M400ci to sound like your listening to Mozart or Beethovan, Or at least that's what it will sound like to me.

So I'm asking, What do you guys think? Should I sell off the Dodge and buy a truck that I can maintain with my own tools and know how. Right now I've been told my Dodge is worth around $21,000. If I wait the Dodge will continue to go down on value.

I'v been watching the Ford trucks on E Bay and it looks like I can buy a very nice one for under $10,000.

So, Don't be afraid to hurt my feelings. Give it to me straight. What do you think about this wild idea?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Matthew David Maiers on Sunday, December 23, 2012 - 03:04 pm:

Ive been driving a 75 ford 5-250 4x4 with a 390 since i was 16.

there isnt anything these trucks wont do, they are tough as nails and easy to fix, parts are available and cheap.

i was complaining about having to replace the voltage regulator in mine when i talked to my buddy who has a 2006 f-350 that blew out an "EGR cooler" cost of parts was about $800. I stopped complaining. the sad thing is is not the first time he had done it.

If i were you i would go somwhere these fords are abundant and buy there, they will be much cheaper than on Ebay, buy one with an FE in it, namely the 390, the 360 is a great motor but not as powerful as the 390, only way to tell is check the stroke. then replace the cam with an RV and put flat top pistons in it and have more torque than you know what to do with.

The only drawback to these is gas mileage, or lack thereof.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Sunday, December 23, 2012 - 03:30 pm:

I may be prejudiced (my 16-year-old daily driver is my newest vehicle), but I would go for this in an instant.

A few thoughts:

Airbags are for people too lazy or deluded to fasten their belts.

Yes, cruise control kits are available. Google the term and you get a jillion hits.

I'd research availability of parts for specific years. I don't know if the Ford situation is anything like the Chevy scene, but I could get just about anything for my Suburban if it was 1965-1972. But because it's a 1973 a lot of those parts for it are unavailable.

I agree it's likely to be a gas hog, but it's also something you don't drive very often.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie B actually in Toms River N.J. on Sunday, December 23, 2012 - 03:36 pm:

You have a pretty good truck and the mileage is fairly low. Exactly what's worrying you about breakdowns? It's a work horse. Built for what your doing with it. Plus you know what you've got. You won't know that with some one elses vehicle. I suppose an extended warranty is out of the question? Still, if your minds made up, I'd go local if possible as opposed to e-bay. My 2 cents: I don't think you'll be happier with a big gas engine.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Henry Petrino in Modesto, CA on Sunday, December 23, 2012 - 04:32 pm:

Will,

There's another choice, I think. You could contact your Dodge dealer and inquire about extended warranty costs and options available. I believe (not positive) that as long as it's still under factory warranty you can buy extended coverage that can be either "bumper to bumper", or "drive train only" and perhaps some other choices too.

Good luck whatever you do!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Les Schubert on Sunday, December 23, 2012 - 04:59 pm:

Will
I have a 2000 Ford F250 7.3 diesel with 6 speed I bought new. It now has well over 200,000 miles (350,000 km) on it. So far my only true repair has been a new clutch about 50,000 km ago.. I will keep driving it and pulling my trailer until it gets unreliable.

Even on warranty I only had two repairs. One was a cam position sensor and the other was new turbo case bolts. Now my engine came with factory extended warranty to 100,000 miles (engine only).

None of this truly applies to you BUT;
How much warranty work has it needed? How much lately? If it seems like it has a on going problem then get rid of it! If the things that have been fixed are not likely to recurr then keep it, do your maintenance (and change your fuel filter when you should)!
Do you like the way it drives? This is important too.
Good luck


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George_Cherry Hill NJ on Sunday, December 23, 2012 - 05:09 pm:

Will,

We just got rid of a 34' trailer and went with an early 70's F-250 dually car hauler with a PTO winch.

OK so the ramps get a little long :-)

And until we understand the PTO clutch will probably mount an electric winch...

But here in Jersey tag it once as an antique and never have to pay again nor ever have to have it inspected...

Insurance is dirt cheap......

Anything that breaks is probably laying out back as a spare on another stored treasure or if something needs to be bought it is usually less than 50 Bucks and you can do everything yourself...

Sure the gas mileage is in single digits....but since we never go more than about 120 miles in any direction figure we will come out ahead anyway because towing a 34' trailer with a modern F-250 seemed to only get single digit MPG anyway...

Sure, it's ugly as all get out...but...the purpose is to get from point A to point B, and it still has a good strong Class 3 across the back for a tag-along :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Aaron Griffey, Hayward Ca. on Sunday, December 23, 2012 - 05:16 pm:

I like the Dodge.
A close friend has one and he loves it.
I have worked on it and i have never found it that difficult.
Twice he put gasoline in it and I found it easy to drain and clear the lines to get it running again.
I've done brakes and ball joints and wheel bearings, rear seals, etc.
Once the alternator quit and it turned out to be the computer.
mucho $$$$. We went to a junk yard and got a small regulator off a late '70s (i THINK, maybe '80s) Dodge and just wired it in to the alternator and it's been fine more than a year. Otherwise no expensive or difficult problems.
he bought it used several years ago to haul his cars but has made many, many trips empty from Oakland to Seattle with it. Good mileage and very reliable.
I hauled an AA on a heavy trailer with it, was amazed at the mileage and good power.
But I totally understand why someone would feel better driving an old truck with less computer controlled junk on it. I always used to worry that the fuel injection might go bad when I least need a problem to happen. I can always limp home with a carb problem, or points distributor.
My problems have been automatic transmissions leaving me stranded.
Also, that Cummins powered truck will hold its value for years to come, I'm sure.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Luke Dahlinger on Sunday, December 23, 2012 - 05:25 pm:

I've had a few 73-79 Ford trucks, while all of them were good workhorses, the 360 in my '73 was a gas drinking b****.

The '79 F-250 with homemade rollback bed had a 400M with over 250K on it when I sold it. Only thing I did to it was fuel pump & double roller timing set. If I wasn't out of room at the time I'd still have it today.

Myself, I've been looking for a decent older mechanical 6.9/7.3 F350 that I can put a rollback bed on.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Les Schubert on Sunday, December 23, 2012 - 05:32 pm:

Luke
You are going to hate me. I just sold a '92 Ford 7.3 idi with E4OD E350 mini school bus (with no seats). It had only 240,000 km (yes I live in Canada). It went 12,000 km before the dipstick got to the add mark (which is when I change oil). Oh well it is gone!! The Mexican I sold it to was happy.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Sunday, December 23, 2012 - 06:08 pm:

Les, the cam position sensor in the FWD Ford V6 doesn't get lube to the top, so it runs dry, then squeals, then quits. I drilled a 1/8 inch hole in the plastic cover on each one of mine and squirt oil down once in awhile, like with oil change.

Diesels can be prone to fungus in the fuel, clogging the filters, especially when not driven a lot. At that, auto trannies are more likely to leave you stranded with expensive repairs than either kind of engine.



I have used the E-350 with 460, 14 foot box van to haul the T. Works good. Coincidentally, it was broken into at zero dark thirty this morning, and a car load of audio stuff was taken. Fortunately, one of HB's finest made a "routine" stop, saw the gear piled in the perp's car, and made an arrest by 0430.

All was retrieved. Younger son's name on his golf bag made the identification.

Lucky day.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Thode Chehalis Washington on Sunday, December 23, 2012 - 06:28 pm:

Will,
If you are interested in reliable transportation, keep the Dodge. It is not uncommon for the Cummins to go a million miles. Other things like the drive train, brakes, steering and such are no different to work on then the older pickups.

I've got nearly 200K on my 98 Dodge and the only things I had to do to is are a starter solenoid and rear end seals. Both of those repairs were the same as if I was working on my 1949 Diamond T pickup.

Jim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Matthew David Maiers on Sunday, December 23, 2012 - 06:35 pm:

hes got a 2006 dodge, not a 98, totally different beasts.

if its an auto expect it to go out soon. lift pumps go out, injectors, and turbos burn up on those. common rail 24 valve right? yeah a friend of mine has one. cool truck, costly upkeep.

also expect each of those repairs to be in the thousands.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ex trooper on Sunday, December 23, 2012 - 06:37 pm:

[IMG]http://i45.tinypic.com/34t3kgo.jpg[/IMG]

CUMMINGS


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Will Copeland - Evans Mills NY on Sunday, December 23, 2012 - 06:42 pm:

On the Dodge I keep getting a P2506 code. The last couple of times it turned out to be the batteries. This last time the fan clutch kicked on with the engine not up to temp yet.
I cleaned all the connections and cleared the code and seems to be fine now. I had the batteries checked at Advanced Auto and they checked out just fine. The truck does sit for sometimes two weeks at a time in the winter and then I just take it for a ride around the block.
This morning when I started it, it acted like it wanted to stall out a few times before it smoothed out and ran right. I'm going to try it again tomorrow morning and see what it does. If it goofs up again I'll drive it some more. The wife and I are supposed to go up to North Jersey on Christmas, Maybe I'll take the truck and see if a few miles will help it. I don't drive it much so maybe that's why its messing up.

Like Ricks said, the auto trannys do mess up on these trucks and that's what I got, But from what Iv heard they don't make a clutch anymore.

I do like this truck, I like the feel of the power and the way it drives down the road. As I mentioned, I just got this bad feeling that something is going to let go and then I'll be stuck with a dead truck that I wont be able to afford to repair.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim on Sunday, December 23, 2012 - 07:35 pm:

Will,

My daily driver and trailer hauler is a 94' F350 crew cab dually with a hard to find
7.3 IDI K code factory turbo diesel (final assembly in Kentucky).

I like to be able to work on my truck.
I don't like computers.

You can get an extended warranty for your truck, just make sure you check what is covered
and what the deductible(s) are and specific exclusions and coverages ..... :-)


Merry Christmas


Jim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Sunday, December 23, 2012 - 08:43 pm:

Hey Steve Jelf
Airbags are to force people to wear seat belts. if you do not wear a seat belt with air bags, you chance of injury or death is much higher. Oddly enough. people who wear seat belts are more likely to be in accidents according to statistics compiled in southern Idaho in the early 90s, is was not until airbags were added to the mix that people who wore seat belts were more likely to survive, because if the accident did not kill you, the air bag might throw your head through the window.
Best
Gus


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mack Cole ---- Earth on Sunday, December 23, 2012 - 08:58 pm:

If it were the older Dodge with the Cummins I would say keep it.But the newer 1's with the computer stuff,it would take a rich man to keep those going once out of warrenty.
Same with the Power chokes er uh strokes
.
My trucks are 6 cylinder or wore out and I need a towing truck.I just looked at 1 yesterday and test drove it.
This was a 96 F250 with a 5.8 engine and manual 5 speed.4-10 rear gear.I think it would pull the earth off it's orbit.But it has some techical problems like heat controls messed up and such.IF the dealer fixes that and the bad tire on the front I may go see about getting it.He is asking 3995 for it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Sunday, December 23, 2012 - 09:19 pm:

I've got a little F150 with the little V-8 in it and I love it. I use it for everyday transportation and pulling my open model t trailer. I use to pull a 20 ft enclosed trailer with it with the '38 ford in it and it worked really great. I wouldn't have done it without an equalizer hitch though. But now it pulls the open single axle trailer with the Model T on it and never breaks a sweat. But I did have to have the tranny rebuilt at 50,000 miles and the rearend as well. I had purchased an extended warranty and it was all covered. The extended warranty saved me a lot of money. I guess if I was going to buy a different truck I'd go to an older F150 with a 300 CI inline 6 cylinder engine in it. I had a '86 set up that way once and I thought it was the best truck I ever owned I still miss it. I've only ever owned one 3/4 ton pickup and that was a '76 Chevy with a 350 in it. I went out one day to go to work. I figured I better check the oil and found it to be right up at the full mark. I left for work and a mile down the road a rod blew right out the side of the block. I wouldn't buy another Chevy truck on a bet.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Neil Kaminar on Monday, December 24, 2012 - 07:50 am:

Will,

Adding a cruise control is easy. I added one to a 1986 Landcruiser with no problems. Make sure you get a kit that will work on a pre computer truck. Most of the kits use the signal from the computer to sense vehicle speed.

You could always add a hand throttle under the steering wheel.

Neil


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Monday, December 24, 2012 - 08:38 am:

".. the air bag might throw your head through the window."

Never heard of that one. I was shotgun in a 3 year old Ford Focus going about 40 when a horse spooked and hit the left front of the car, broke the windshield, caved in the top over me, and landed behind us.

I wasn't even aware of the airbag until it was shrinking away. I didn't feel it at all. Same for the driver.


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