jd87

The only problem any 7.3's ever had was the cam position sensor. But that's not a big deal and even if you have one starting to go out any Ford dealer will replace it for free under recall. It'll only take them about 10 minutes to swap it for you. Even that problem was pretty rare and there were no other problems with the 7.3L Power Stroke. The 94-97 and 02-03 7.3L Power Strokes are the best trucks ever made. If you're getting an 02 or 03 you won't have to worry about the front ends. Those years they went back to the dana 60 front end. The only trucks that really had any front axle issues are the '99-01s. The hubs on the '99-04s are kind of weak if you 4-wheel the truck too hard. The hub can break and crack the outer axle shaft when it does. I've seen several do that but it's not something I would worry about. Finally, if you're getting an automatic transmission, definitely stay away from the '01s because they had a lot of problems.

3.73's are way too tall for a diesel, I couldn't even imagine trying to pull anything with a V10 and 3.73's. 4.10's are the way to go.

The 7.3 Power Stroke was the best motor ever made. By anyone. Just to add to your list, there were 3 versions of the 7.3: Naturally aspirated 7.3 7.3 Turbo IDI 7.3 Power Stroke

The rear of the crew cab is finally bigger, too. But the front door is smaller and, as usual, they made the bed even smaller. Soccer moms rejoice! Better looking than the new F150, but still by no means a good looking truck. I will give props, however to the exaust pipes pushed up into the rear bumper, though.

The older diesels don't have near as much heat to deal with as the new 6.4 does. All the new emissions junk uncle sam forced on them makes the engine compartment much hotter, especially with the DPF filter that BURNS the particulates out of the filter. Some of the very first 6.4's had an issue where they ran just a little too hot in regen mode: http://youtube.com/watch?v=v36MCcRPRTc I guess we could remove all of the vents, badges, spoilers, and other unique parts of all cars on the road. That would be sweet. Every car looks exactly the same. Awesome. Gotta love those barren, flat sides.

Then I will not buy one. There is no reason why they can't make this motor run on 100% vegetable oil except laziness. Hell, that would be a good selling point to advertise if they were B99 compatible.

Nope. Went from the best looking trucks ever made (05-07 SD) to THIS????? Ew.

Please Ford, bring back a real body on frame, 4 wheel drive, removable top, short wheel base Bronco! Hell, even give it a small Diesel or a big block option! Oh, who am I kidding? If they do bring the Bronco back, it will probably be another glorified minivan. Unibody, Electronic stablity control, safety police nix the hard top, 4 banger, etc. Sigh....

That will be SWEET! Now I've just got to figure what it will take to adapt it to my 6.0.

I have to partially disagree. My parents have an '02 Mustang GT that looks WAY better with the fake hood and side scoops than it would without. At least it doesn't look as flat and plain as almost every other car in production today. But I do agree that they'd be a lot better if the hood scoop was actually part of the intake, and the side scoops actually were for brake cooling.

The old Cummins engines (pre '98) were great motors, but the '98 and newer Cummins weren't all that great. The main problems they have are not the base motor itself, but the accessories (mostly the weak and expensive fuel pumps) they attach to them. But if Ford spec'd their own motor from Cummins, not use the same ones that Dodge uses, or any other I6, I bet it would be a great powerhouse. I do, however, look forward to how the 6.7 Cummins turns out as far as reliability. What it has going for it is that it doesn't have to be replaced in 2010, which will make it easier to keep reliable. If the '03 and newer Dodge truck wasn't such a POS, I'd consider buying one. In a dream world where the government would leave us alone, we could bring back the 7.3 Power Stroke and all live happily ever after. I don't think I'll be replacing my '05 6.0 with anything but a used 7.3 for many years to come because of all this computerized EPA BS the automakers are forced to put on their trucks.

I agree they are beyond fugly, but they won't bomb just because of their looks. No one else has anything close to as good as the super duty, and too many people know that. Chevy=IFS front end (no thanks, I want a truck, not a camry), also ugly interior and exterior. Dodge=bad fuel pumps, front axles/suspension, and paper thin frames and bodies. Good Cummins motor with junk parts bolted to it in a junk truck. The first couple years the 6.0 powerstroke was out there were a few problems, and the people who had them cried all over the internet thinking that they're all junk and will never be good, but I know too many logging companies, construction companies, and personally owned 6.0's that run perfect, and anyone that has had a 7.3 knows ford and international put out a good truck. On the TV show Xtreme 4x4, they put an aftermarket front bumper on it and I have to admit that it helped the looks immensely. I personally would swap the 05-07 front clip on it if I had one, but might consider just puting a front bumper on it. If people can buy Titans, Frontiers, Silverados, and Tundras, they can handle this. I just hope they change it within a few years when I'm ready to upgrade from my '05.

They're still advertising '07's because many dealers still have them on the lots to sell, and there's probably a few that have a couple '06s left. They don't really need to advertise 08's much because no one has very many in stock that they need to "push" yet. I still see more ads for '07s than '08s on TV.

It should be optional because a lot of people would like it, but I like the little normal keys that don't have a computer chip or anything in them. I didn't like fumbling around with the big key my '97 expedition had with a computer chip in it, and I was glad to see my '05 super duty still has a normal key when I got it.

I can't wait to try a 6.4, but I can't afford one. My dad's thinking about getting one next year, so maybe then. I'd have to swap the '05-07 front clip on to it, though, but those progressive turbos ought to make for some sweet lauches off the line. I just hope all this new emissions garbage the government made them put on holds up, or even better; someone figures out, soon, a good way to take all that junk off. I know it's illegal, but it's friggin cold up here; I could use some global warming right about now.

Fuel quality in this country really is crap, and I've heard that people are getting worse mileage with the new Ultra Low Sulfer Diesel. I haven't tried it yet, so I can't give an accurate mileage estimate for mine. I just run vegetable oil in my '05.

I don't know but that would be nice if it is a factory option now. I know Toyota and Nissan have had it for a few years, but they use some cheap unheard of brand. It'd be really nice if Ford offered Rhino linings. That stuff's hard to beat.

Make sure the dodge dealer gives you a warranty to cover the front axle that'll need to be rebuilt and fuel pumps that'll have to be replaced every 50k miles.

Even if ford doesn't "offer" it as a DRW option or accessory, there's no difference in the '99-08 SRW and DRW beds on the inside, so it would just bolt in. I'm thinking about getting one for my '05.

Anyone read the 4 wheeler magazine Truck of the Year test? With all of the new trucks being released this year, the test involved the chevy silverado, GMC Sierra, and Chevy Avalanche. that's it. No new superduty or tundra. what a waste.

They've got a new motor, but that doesn't make up for paper thin frames and junk front axles/suspension. The most good that could come from just upgrading the motor is if they finally fixed the fuel pumps that have been bad since 2001.

I think repainting it would be all any dealer(Ford, GM, Toyota, etc) would do for a minor cosmetic defect like that, but since it's only been a few days, who knows? It's really not a big deal to paint it, though. I've worked in a body shop for years and something like that would only take 2-3 days. You DEFINITELY should demand a loaner pickup to drive while it's being worked on since you're the one that forked out thousands of dollars for a brand new truck from them. the only thing I would worry about is that dealers typically are not known for having the best painters, but it's not the sprayer that makes the paintjob, it's the body work, and since that truck doesn't even need any body work, It should be fine. Just scuffing the clear, spraying it, wetsanding & buffing and you're set. I would give it a thorough inspection after it's done before even leaving the shop, preferably in clear sunlight. I have to admit, though, that I find it hard to believe that no one noticed that when it was being assembled at the factory. A guy would think that the robots wouldn't have trouble painting the same pickup they've been building for the last 14 years. Good luck with it. These things can be pretty annoying.

I thing Ford should offer a big block gasser(5.4 is TINY!!!). I know some people will cry gas mileage, but some people don't care, and like having a half ton with some power. A diesel, for obvious reasons. Locking differentials (limited slips suck). They should be controlled separately from the transfer case so that they can be used in both high and low range, 2 or 4 wheel drive because other rigs that have them (Toyota, for example) make it so you can only use them in 4 low. Tailgate step like the super duty, but off to one side instead of the middle because if you've got a trailer hooked with a jack or storage box on the hitch you couldn't pull the step out and use it.

So why does everything have to look the same now? Unique attractive vehicles not gonna be ford's thing anymore?

....until thelemon or otisfordsucks join in, of course. Once it gets to that point it's just just as much of a BS-fest as that forum.