[mnglandscaper]

Hello,

We have a Ford F-350 Turbo Diesel. For the last few years we have had alot of problems with the front end suspension. You could be driving down the road and hit a bump and the front wheels would start to 'dribble' like a basketball. In order to stop it, you have to bring it to a complete stop. As of right now it is also missing the exhaust, tranny leaks, brakes are shot, and the power steering seems to be going. We have been thinking about getting a new truck. I would like something a size or two bigger than the Ford, but preferably a GM. Looking at one that is still single axle, with a longer shallower dump box. Used soley for landscaping. Hauling mulch, soil, pavers, etc. Any recommendations on a good truck??

=jesse

[Fine Edge]

Let's see..... NOT FORD.
I, too, have an 88 F-350 7.3 diesel. You name it, I've fixed it on that truck. Rear end, tranny, new engine, cracked heads ( both ), everything to do with the brakes ( master cylinder, booster ), slave cylinder, everything to do with ignition, radiator a couple of times & the inside of my rim came off as I was rolling down the road. Yep, all the stud holes were still intact but the middle actually cracked in a nice complete circle. All told, I've spent close to $21,000 on repairs and such.
I'll never buy another Ford. Now I've got a 99 Chevy that I bought new. Has 198,000 on it and the only thing that's gone wrong is the fuel filter and the ABS system , which was under warranty.

Just my 2 cents.
I swear that the previous owner died in that Ford.
Does anybody know how to exorcise a truck?

[Dale Wiley]

You could be driving down the road and hit a bump and the front wheels would start to 'dribble' like a basketball. In order to stop it, you have to bring it to a complete stop.

You can thank Fords I beam suspension for that, plus wear on the suspension joints.

I was a volunteer firefighter for 10 years way back when. My favorite truck was a 1966 Ford F 650 with a 592 gas engine and the 5&2 tranny.

There was one spot in town when responding that we had to cross the RR tracks. Of course in those days I was about 26 or 28 years old, EVERYTHING you did, was done to the extreme. I hit those tracks one time doing about 45 mph with the pedal floored.

The wheel started shaking so bad it darn near ripped it out of my hand. I had to come to almost stop to get control of it again. I finally learned I had to slow down a bit (darn) and cross at an angle and they would not start shimming like that.

Of course on the same run a rookie was in the passenger seat and loved mashing the siren button. It was the old classic grinder that took every bit of juice the alternator put out on the stock electrial system, and you NEVER mashed the siren in a corner, because the lights would almost go out. Of course he did, it's a good thing I knew the corner blind, because I could not see 6 feet past the bumper.

Sigh... the old trucks were fun....but it darn near sprained my wrist that one time.

[Bill Schwab]

Jesse:

I don't have enough time or space to list all the problems we have had with Ford trucks, and can gladly say we left the blue bubble at least in the truck scene for good. The primary continuous breaks are transmissions, cylinder heads on the V-10, they spit spark plugs at about 100K, that's a $3,900.00 fix, and turbos on the 6.0 diesels, along with transmissions.

That said, if you sare going to dedicate a truck to what you want, I like the 25,900 GVW class, or class 5 trucks. We just got a 6500 and fitted it with a Galbreath roll off body, it has the 497 cubic inch Duramax, 9 speed Allison manual tranny. We pimped it out with aluminum wheels and installed a gutted muffler with chrome verticle exhaust. 12MPG loaded down the freeway, 8MPG loaded in the mountains. We carry 75 gallons of fuel, and it will handle every chore in the class we need it to. Cost wise you will be sitting around 60K, and if you use a GM trac lease for first and last months payment of $1200.00, it's yours, with a $1.00 buyout at lease end.

I've actually had people tell me they would not be able to afford our company when they saw the truck.

[John T]

Jesse, if you still have the truck and the problem with the tires bouncing you should change the steering damper. A very quick repair and relatively cheap. The steering damper looks like a shock absorber laying parallel to the ground right in front. Just look under the front bumper.

[cutntrim]

Wow Bill, you got that truck set-up like that for $60K? I think my Dodge 2500 QC 4x4 retails for $54K CDN. Must be nice to be American...