I'm making the move from a 1997 Ranger to a 2001 F250 CC LWB this month (in fact, I should be picking up the truck next week!).

I've already gone through the decision making process for bedliner (I'm going with the duraliner) and cap (Jeraco Cab High).

As I've seen posted in other forums here, I am interested in putting a pushbar/brush guard on the truck. I would really like to mount a pair of driving lights...

...but...

(1) I've _heard_ that Ford won't sell the trucks with pushbars on them (something to do with the airbag sensors in the bumper. Can anyone substantiate this?

(2) I think the superduty has an already aggressive front end, and I don't necessarily want to interrupt it.

I found a product called a bumper guard on-line yesterday. It basically wraps from the frame over the bumper, and has mount points for lights.

What are you doing with your superduty? Did you mount a brush guard? If so, what brand, and would you be able to send a pic?

Thanks for the advice!

 

Boy when you move up you go all the way to the top Which engine are you getting??? And let me tell you, I moved from an F150 SC to my F250 CC and it took me "a while" to get used to the lack of turning radius. You will though. Are you getting the auto or manual?? As far as the brush guard goes, I don't have one and I don't plan on getting one. You could try www.ford-diesel.com there's bound to be someone over there w/a brush guard. I use my truck just to get me around town, pick up my kids and grocery shop (kind of a waste of a diesel, don't you think???) To make up for that, I also have a 30' travel trailer. There's a picture of my truck in the towing & hauling section here (under topic about showing your rigs) Welcome to the world of bigger trucks, let us all know what your first impressions are when switching from the Ranger to the SuperDuty

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2k F250 CC SWB 6 speed 4x2 Diesel XLT Super Duty, Woodland Green
Power Mirrors, 3.73 LS, Captains Chairs, ARE tonneau top, rear privacy glass
TT Pkg, Class IV hitch, sliding rear window, running boards, mud flaps
265/75/16 AS OWL tires, am/fm/cassette/cd, rechargable MagLite
Clarion APA 5240 amp, Memphis speakers:Components front, 5x7 rear, 10"sub
SuperChip, Stepshields, Ventshields on windows, rubber bed mat
rugged liner bedliner on tailgate, quick disconnect jumper cables
unaFORDable (decal on tailgate) Western Diesel Turbo Brake (whoa boy)
Finally gauges!!: Pyrometer & Boost on the A-Pillar mount

 

Thanks for the suggestion. And yes, I made a big move... but you should have seen the grin from ear to ear when test driving it.

After a LOT of deliberation, discussions with the dealership and even a friend from ford engineering... I settled on the 5.4L V8.

I have to admit, I was close to buying the v10, and the money wasn't much of a difference. I had some very knowledgeable people in my life suggest that was the better engine.

Like you, I will be using the truck mainly for getting around town, traveling to triathlons and other outdoors -- not a lot of hauling/towing.

I _did_ go with the 4.10 LS in the back...

Oh, and even though it broke my heart, I went with the auto. I have a 5sp today, and our other vehicle is a 5spd... and when I drove the F250 Manual, it just wasn't the same.

I have to admit, though, I thought long and hard about the F350 Diesel Dually (until I realized it wouldn't fit in the driveway )

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

You should have no problems w/that V8; my husband's truck is an F350 w/the V8 in it. His truck is loaded w/heavy equipment tools (you know the type, one wrench is the size of your arm and weighs double what you would think). He also pulls small equipment with that truck (skid steers ect.)on occasion. Truck/engine does just fine. Now I too have pulled his trailer w/the equipment on it and there's no compairing the two. So if you're occasionally gonna pull something and then not large distances, then your choice of engine is just right. The V10 also would have suited your needs but it's downside is "consumption" (it eats gas!!) You said you test drove a manual and it wasn't the same. Which manual??? My F150 had the V8 5sp manual in it (loved it) and I test drove the 6sp manual diesel. I found them to be VERY different. My diesel shifts like a "TRUCK" and my old F150 was more car like (smoother/faster shifts) My first two weeks with my new diesel, my left leg was so tired from using that stiffer clutch that it would shake when I tried to hold the clutch in. I did a lot of double shifting when I first got it.
Good luck with your new truck. Did you order it??? When you get it, work up a signature so we all know what you have. And also, since you've got the 5.4 engine, make sure you check out the engine sections here. Lots of reading for you. And I added a superchip to this truck when I had 500 miles on. I added one to my last truck too. Really woke that truck up. See Mike over in the computer chips section.

 

Thanks for validating my choice! It's nice to hear that I chose the right engine. And I read -- with much interest -- about the superchips yesterday.

I was rather pleased to learn that installing the chip, per se, doesn't invalidate the warranty.

As far as the standard, I drove an F350 SuperCrew with a 5.4L V8 matched to the 5sp Manual. The clutch was a _lot_ different than my ranger, and even more different that the other car we have (a lincoln).

While at the dealership, I then drove a F350 CC V10 with the Auto -- and it shifted and handled nice. I've always driven standards, but the difference between the lincoln and f350 was big enough that I decided on the auto.

After driving it for a while, I may be inclined to switch back on the _next_ truck (which is thankfully a few years away).

And I will go work on my signature block now.

Thanks again!

 

I don't know what ford thinks of grill guards and pushbars and stuff but, they shouldn't affect your air bags. They use to have the sensors mounted in the bumpers or behind the grills but, I don't think they use those on anything anymore. The one for the superduty is mounted in the cab under the dash. I'm not sure what you want to use your truck for but, alot of those brushguards are just for looks and can end up doing more damage to your truck if you're ever in a fender bender. I've heard of a few stories where people were in a minor accident and the brushguard ended up bending and getting jambed through the grill. Instead of just needing a new bumper, they had several hundred more dollars worth of damage.

 

I have a Smittybilt Outland Sport Bar on mine. Here are some pictures:

http://www.eurekaboy.com/outland.htm

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My Ford truck page

 

Stan -- GREAT truck! (and I really liked your page; I might try to do something similar).

I like the sport bar alot. It actually meets my needs --> doesn't interrupt the profile of the grille, but would let me mount the lights.

Well, the dealership called today. My truck has arrived. So, hopefully I'll have it by the weekend.

Of course, that means now I need to figure out what to add, and when.

Thanks!

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2001 F250 CC Lariat LWB, 5.4L V8, 4.10LS
- Jeraco Cab High topper, color matched.
** Expected delivery 1/29/2001 (almost there).

 

Ranch Hand is the only way to go on a Superduty. If you wanna get serious, then that is the way to go. Toughest around.

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Patrick aka Mudder or MR.Daylighter of Arlington Texas (D/FW), member of the Texas Chapter club DAYLIGHTER edition F150 ®, Black 98 S/S S/C F150 4x4 0RP 5.4 V8 3.55ls, Ramsey Pro 8000 hidden winch, Grizzly roll bar, Superwhite Bulbs, 2 Baja back up lights, 2 KC 57 Series 5x7 100 watt long range lights, 2 KC 55 watt fog lights (all-season kit) 10 165 watt KC Daylighters, 2 chrome, 4 Stainless, 4 black ( with 14 KC's, I come alive at night), Manik grill guard, Westin step bars, Rhino Taillight guards, Magnum bug shield, Sonic aluminum treadplate 36" tool box, Flowmaster 40 series dual exhaust, Airaid High Flow system, Edelbrock IAS shocks, 285/75/16 BFG AT/S KO, American Racing Baja wheels, Pro Comp headlight blackouts, Red Top Optima battery, personalized plates, Cobra 18WXST CB radio with 3' whip antenna, Escort Laser/Radar detector, Nokia cell phone, a Mobil Speed Pass on the back window, 3 F150World stickers, a Texas Chapter of F150World.com sticker, a BIG KC block sticker on the back window and a DAYLIGHTER sticker on the front windshield, and yes, I also have been infected with the infamous door crack. More to come for the Daylighter: JBA headers, superchip, 1 more Daylighter for the front, 2 KC reverse Lights, a Lighted Ford tailgate logo, and a 4" Rancho suspension lift (yes boys and girls, it's just about time). If you would like to see pics, email me at Mudder@TexasChapter.com
Also the Moderator of the Ford Trucks vs. GM trucks and Ford trucks forum over on fordvschevy.com so check it out.
Check out the Toughest SOB in the WWF crush the Rock's Lincoln: http://www.amta.net/files/sc-2.avi
OH HELL YEAH!

2 BRT 4U "Go ahead, flash your brights at me, see what will happen."

Got light?
It's a KC thing.....you wouldn't understand.
Candlepower to date: 4,214,000. Gonna add more soon.

See all my pics at my zing.com site: http://www.zing.com/album/?id=4294059243

Also check out www.F150World.com/Mudder