Rode In A 2008 F-350 Sd Today

az'03Silverado · November 4, 2007

I had the chance to ride in a buddy's brand-new F350 SD Powerstroke today. I must say, I was quite impressed. Really nice interior and tons of power. I really like the tailgate ladder and the layout of the dash controlls. Don't worry, I'm not totally converted. I'm not even going to be in the market for a new truck until about '09 or '10 so I'm safe for now. My next truck will definately be a 3/4T or 1T but I'll stick with GM as long as they don't do anything drastic to the styling. One thing about the F350 is that I'm not sold, yet, on the headlights. They're a little weird. Just my two cents. We don't need a Ford Vs. Chevy war here.

Zembonez · November 4, 2007

Just my two cents. We don't need a Ford Vs. Chevy war here.

No doubt it's a pretty decent truck. The headlamp treatment is due to a new headlamp height regulation. It looks funky but is the way of the future in larger trucks.

shedberg · November 4, 2007

I really like the dash in the F350... if GM hadn't redone the Sierra this year, I would have bought an F350. I hate the pansy looking grilles on the Sierra Classic and F150s.

jrrod2004 · November 4, 2007

I really like the dash in the F350... if GM hadn't redone the Sierra this year, I would have bought an F350. I hate the pansy looking grilles on the Sierra Classic and F150s.

az'03Silverado is correct in the powerstroke and the interior, I rode in a F450 that was loaded (supervisor truck) and it too had alot of power, but I still will forever drive and use a Duramax diesel with the allison because the same F450 sprung an oil leak when pulling a 5th wheel and the older duramax had no problem pulling the same 5th wheel, and that Duramax had well over 250,000 on the odometer. I just wish GM did not have all the rattles, squeaks and noises that they have had in the interior build quality.

montecarlo31 · November 4, 2007

I really like the dash in the F350... if GM hadn't redone the Sierra this year, I would have bought an F350. I hate the pansy looking grilles on the Sierra Classic and F150s.

az'03Silverado is correct in the powerstroke and the interior, I rode in a F450 that was loaded (supervisor truck) and it too had alot of power, but I still will forever drive and use a Duramax diesel with the allison because the same F450 sprung an oil leak when pulling a 5th wheel and the older duramax had no problem pulling the same 5th wheel, and that Duramax had well over 250,000 on the odometer. I just wish GM did not have all the rattles, squeaks and noises that they have had in the interior build quality.

You hit the nail on the head, GMs problem is two fold, lack of dealer support and squeaks and rattles, if they could build a good solid 3/4 ton truck that didn't nickle and dime the working man to death i'd buy one. GM has the powertrain down (less the IFS front end on a HD truck) but can't pull the fit and finish together. This has been GMs problems since I started driving. BTW we have a fleet of 250+ trucks and we have yet to have problem one with a 6.4

dietz4ibanez · November 4, 2007

I saw a brand new f350 pulling a huge fifth wheel getting towed by a Duramax wrecker tow truck just the other week when I went to Myrtle Beech!

wlvrn1215 · November 4, 2007

Here is an interesting tid bit of info....the new dual turbo diesel SD's have cats...and to prevent them from clogging it actually has a system that dumps some fuel into the cat and ignites it with a spark to clear it out.....there have been lawsuits and cases where people have been burnt by flames shooting out of the exhaust....just thought that was interesting and funny at the same time...

jrrod2004 · November 4, 2007

You hit the nail on the head, GMs problem is two fold, lack of dealer support and squeaks and rattles, if they could build a good solid 3/4 ton truck that didn't nickle and dime the working man to death i'd buy one. GM has the powertrain down (less the IFS front end on a HD truck) but can't pull the fit and finish together. This has been GMs problems since I started driving. BTW we have a fleet of 250+ trucks and we have yet to have problem one with a 6.4

Bad/defective F450 diesel motor? I will never know, but I do respect that truck for its capabilities though.

Ranger · November 4, 2007

Here is an interesting tid bit of info....the new dual turbo diesel SD's have cats...and to prevent them from clogging it actually has a system that dumps some fuel into the cat and ignites it with a spark to clear it out.....there have been lawsuits and cases where people have been burnt by flames shooting out of the exhaust....just thought that was interesting and funny at the same time...

Those were some rare issues with cracked injectors, which was resolved not long after it started.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v36MCcRPRTc

Most Diesels nowadays are emissions choked, so they get worse mileage, and I know on the Fords at least they got something called regeneration which increases the exhaust temperature to burn off excess carbon and crap out of their "cat" (DPF- Diesel Particulate Filter), and while this is happening engine power is reduced quite a bit. I almost do wish they still offered a 7.3L, I was riding in a buddy's 02 SD yesterday pulling a 93 K1500 and there was no lack of power at all, kinda scared me a bit when he started moving at 60 mph from a slow start.

rogerf · November 4, 2007

Here is an interesting tid bit of info....the new dual turbo diesel SD's have cats...and to prevent them from clogging it actually has a system that dumps some fuel into the cat and ignites it with a spark to clear it out.....there have been lawsuits and cases where people have been burnt by flames shooting out of the exhaust....just thought that was interesting and funny at the same time...

There are far worse mechanical issues associated with "clean diesel" technology. Buyer beware....buy a new diesel, it will have a particulate trap (which is the reason for Ultra Low Sulfur fuel). What you describe is an "active" particulate trap which is usually mounted after the cat. Traps that are "passive" (non-burning) have been used on large public transit vehicles since the early 90's and are known for plugging once full. The ash that plugs the traps is toxic and considered "hazardous material." It will require cleaning & ash disposal using an EPA approved method.

rogerf · November 4, 2007

I really like the dash in the F350... if GM hadn't redone the Sierra this year, I would have bought an F350. I hate the pansy looking grilles on the Sierra Classic and F150s.

GM got the GMT-900 on the market just in time to get my business. Was more interested in getting a late model used truck which most likely would have been an F150 for the age-range I wanted. Decided last Fall to wait a few months and ante up for a NBS Silverado.

montecarlo31 · November 4, 2007

All new diesels have cats but what people are talking about are the particulate filter. This is what catches the "smog" and once a determined exhaust back pressure is reached it will dump fuel to super heat and burn off the remaining emissions. There was no cracked injector issure, the issue was it was dumping too much fuel, to me, i'd love to have a truck that shoots a 3 foot flame.

RyanZ71 · November 4, 2007

If it were not for those ugly headlights and Ford re-using the same taillights (with just the reverse light placed up higher which quite frankly makes the thing look retarded and lame) they would probably have a nice truck. Looks are everything in this day and age.