It looks as though I will be pricing new trucks very soon. After a recent aftermarket crusade that failed. I need some advice on what to get. I haul about 800-1200 lbs. constantly. I do mostly city driving hardly ever on the interstate. I also do a lot of getting in and out and keep a lot of paperwork in my truck. I occasionally tow my trailer with mowing equipment etc. I love my current truck except for the seat. I have to be able to reach in the back and keep a lot of keys, etc. with me at all times. At the same time, my carpet cleaning business is growing well and I haven't been driving the truck much this week (one day maybe). the van I have for the business has 171,000 miles on it and is having massive electrical problems. I am thinking of ordering a Ranger SC 4X4 4.0 5spd. with SPORT BUCKET SEATS (I learned my lesson) and buying a less used van for the business. I am also thinking of ordering a new E-150 Extended van and use it for everything. I don't really want to use the same vehicle for everything and I will probably hire someone in the next two years for the business so I will need another vehicle anyway. I also am thinking about going all out on a F-150 Lariat 4X4 or a F250 SD Lariat 4X4. My question is, does anyone here use a F-150 or F-250SD for similar driving situations (like delivery, etc.)? I am kinda leaning towards the Ranger 5spd to zip around in, better mileage etc. Since it seems like I have to use the van a little more each week. Whatever I do I am gonna take my time and get whatever I decide I want, seats and all. Thanks guys and gals.

 

I use Mine to haul stuff around in. Milage will suck if you 'zip' around with a load like I do. But I wouldn't be able to stand driving a Truck that is lame when loaded. If I were you, I would rent each of the Trucks you've described for a week. Then decide. Especially if you live in the Truck for at least 4 hours a day, they should be enjoyable ones.
Heck, when everything else sucks, late loading time, bad run, bad traffic, road DEstruction ect., somtimes the only good thing about my work day is that I'm in my favorite place: MY TRUCK!!

 

Personally, I think the SuperDuty is just too big a truck to use as a daily driver/work truck. Chances are, especially if it's a 4x4, you won't be able to get it into most multi level parking garages.

I feel claustrophobic in a Ranger. Even an SC Ranger. It's kind of small, especially if you're used to the F-150 SC. Of course, I'm a lot bigger than you are, so you probably will not feel as squeezed in as I do. It's definitely cheaper to operate, so that's a big plus.

I still think the F-150 SC with a shortbed is the best all around vehicle.

I suppose you have to decide just how much truck you need.

BTW, have you considered one of those Explorer SportTracs? Not sure if that's what it's called. I saw a black one the other day and I really like the way it looks. The bed is a bit small, though. There's no way you could easily carry 4x8 sheets of plywood that you may need for the next hurricane.

 

I use my F250 Crew Cab as a daily driver but I don't work. Just kids, dogs and grocerys with the occasional trip hauling something. I am looking into getting a travel trailer to expand my truck's working abilities Crew Cab is harder to turn. Forget 3 point turns, it just aint gonna do it. I have had it in parking garages but I walked in the garage before driving in just to make sure I'd make it. I also ordered reg mirrors on mine instead of tow mirrors just so I could get the truck in the garage. Milage is great, about 20mpg average for stop and go city traffic. I've got the captains chairs, they're great too. The crew cab gives you more than enough room in the rear seating area. It'll tow anything!!! A lot of people will not even look at the diesel because they see it as JUST a tow truck. I love mine and love to drive it. Even if it's only to pick up the kids. If you think this is too much truck for you, try out the new F150 SuperCrew.

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2k F250 CC SWB 4x2 6 speed 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)

 

You might be a redneck if...

...both your family vehicles are pickup trucks.

I have a Ranger XLT long bed regular cab 2wd and the Y2K F-150. Both are great - and are very different.

The Ranger is a wimpy 3.0 litre 5sp 3.73 LS that seems to struggle to cruise at 70 mph. It is smooth as silk, and gets 19.5 mpg at any speed.

The tilt wheel is very welcome, since my famiine-resistant 5'10" frame needs to move a bit on long trips -- and the 60/40 seat is reasonable, but certainly not luxurious.

The 4x4 version looks much more 'beefy' -- and I bet the 3.0 litre engine is ok with 4-Low off-road.

I've only got around 40K miles on it and just love the way it shifts (cable-mechanical clutch) -- and the throttle-body fueling is accelerator-pumped-carburator-like in throttle response.

An extended cab would really be nice, and would probably help a bit with noticeable but not objectionable (to a truck owner) road chop -- and the suspension does not telegraph noise to the cab.

I travel 2-laners to work at 55, and the truck is a dream around town.

The F-150 is just like the Ranger -- only on steroids!




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Y2K™

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"

 

Well, I spent the whole day truck shopping. I looked at ALL MAKES and all models. First of all, Ford can not be beat in any one catagory. I liked the Tundra but everything is too small or cheap feeling/looking. GMC is only available in red, grey, pewter, or white but I do like the 40/20/40 seats they offer (if Ford did this it would help sove my problem). The GMC is also kinda ugly. Dodge is "old school". My local Ford dealer has about 25-30 Rangers, about 15-20 F-150 Supercabs, about 30 other F-150s, about 15 SuperCrews, basically a good selection of everything. I think I have it narrowed down to a Ranger Supercab 4.0 4X4 loaded, or a Lariat SuperCrew/Supercab in Wedgewood blue/Gold two-tone. I also liked the F-250 SD Supercab in the Dark Blue color. I am closing on a new house June 30th so I will make the final decision sometime in July or August and place an order for exactly what I want. Thanks for the input. BTW, of all the Ford trucks I looked at today, around 150-175 total, only one F-150 and one Ranger had Dark Graphite interior and the F-150 was a 60/40 just like the one I have/hate. The way I figure it about 1 in 100 F-150s have Dark Graphite interior. In the thousands of F-150s I have noticed in parking lots, car lots, etc. I have only actually seen Dark Graphite captains chairs only once in the tow model years it has been offered. I bet 1 in 1000 F-150s has Dark Graphite captains charis. A little trivia for ya. Thanks again.

 

SeaCrow: just one more piece of info for ya: you said if Ford offered the 40/20/40 seat arangement that it would make it a lot easier for you. Well they do!!!! The 40/20/40 seat comes standard on the F250 XLT and in a leather version on the Lariat!!! It's just like haveing two captains chairs w/a little fold down seat/console inbetween them. The seats for the captains chairs are the same as for the 40/20/40 version. I didn't go w/them because the console w/the captains chairs is so much deeper/roomier and I need my junk out of sight. The captains chairs is a no cost up-grade in the F250

 

The F250 SC and the F150 Sc are the same length actually. The wheel base is a little longer on the F250 but the longer nose of the F150 makes up for that. Side by side they take up the same space. the F250 SC with the 5.4L in it will net you 15 mpg's mixed driving, about 17-19 mpg's highway and I get 11-12 mpg's towing a 4500 pound trailer around in the mountains. Now that's a 4X2.

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2000 F-250 Super Duty, SuperCab XLT, Oxford white with medium grey cloth captains chairs, 5.4L Triton V8 (260 HP - 345 FP Torque version!), 4R100 4 Speed Automatic Transmission, 4 wheel ABS, Deluxe Aluminum Wheels, Trailer Towing Package, Class IV Hitch, Reece load distribution system, Escort Sensor II Electronic Brake controller, Sure Stop towing skirt, "Westin" black powder coated step bars, "White-White" head lamps, Herculiner bed liner, ISSPRO Tranny Temp Guage, Excursion center console, Ford moulded mud gaurds, K&N Air and Oil filter, Amsoil XL7500 5W-30,Air filter minder.

 

Good news for seacrow. While I appreciate all of the info I have recieved, I have decided to hang on to my current ride. I got a phone call today from a long time friend who is now a Ford parts man at my local dealer. He has been on the lookout for some captains chairs for me for the last 6 months or so. He called me today with a local guy that wants to trade his 97 medium grphite chairs and console for my 99 Dark Graphite 60/40. I bought this truck with the intention of keeping it for a long time before the captains chair issue came up. I figure that this is a case of function, not fashion, so if they are the wrong color then what do I care? I need the funcional benefits of captains chairs more than something to look at. So we are arragning to meet and do a swap. That guy does not care about the color either. If I truly can't stand the color in the end, I will break down and get them recovered. The fact is, I like my truck and want to get the most from it. I will order what I want next time. Again, thanks for the info.

 

Oh, I can't wait to hear how this deal goes bad. NOT!!!! Just yanking your chain, Seacrow. Hope this deal goes well for you.

 

I would suggest the F-150 7700 just so you have a good amount of usable payload. The 5.4l engine gets 19mpg hwy on a 4x2. The Ranger is much more succeptable (sp?) to overloading. 1200 lbs will already lower an F-150 significantly. If you are doing city driving, might as well get the V-8's, I have a V-6 and on a 50/50 mix, I get 15 mpg's, and 13 mpg's on 90% city. Also, why a 4x4? If you want payload, 4x2 is the way to go. Also, I hear the 4.0l Ranger gets about the same mileage as the V-8 F-150, and you get less payload and bedspace.

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99 F-150 XLT SuperCab, 4x2 3.55 rear, V-6 4.2l Pretend Triton (haha) HEAVY HAULER (for a 1/2 ton)

V-8, who needs a stinkin' V-8? The question is, who wants a stinkin' V-8? Me!

 

Believe me Dennis, I am prepared for anything! Stupid seats! LOL

 

All's well that ends.


um, you do know that once you are satisfied with the outcome, ...... you will be flooded with offers of DK Graphite Captons Chairs!!

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Andthensometoo ®
"Moonlight Blue" 98 F150 SC (FREAKING SUPER CAB!)
XLT 2WD 4.6, 3.55 LS Tow Pkg.
SUPERCHIP, K&N Airbox mod. w/ "Cool" intake,
Mobil One Oil, Bosch +4's, Throttle Body Spacer Plate. Lund Fastback, Lighted visor, Runninng Boards, Crome Taillight covers, Polished Steel Fenderwell Moldings, Smoked Bug and Rain guards, Shelf-it,
Carpet dash cover, "Andthensometoo" in silver Letters 3" tall on tail gate.
275/60 Pirelli Scorpian Zero's (rated @149mph as if) on KMC Inferno's!!
Red Wings license plate in front,
Red Wings license plate frame in back,
Little Detroit Viper hanging from mirror,
Oh yeah, and one "Blacked-out" grill.
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"Rocks don't move unless pushed, and neither do chevys!"




[This message has been edited by Andthensometoo (edited 06-07-2000).]

 

Yes, ATST. andthanksforremindingme
Crap like that always happens to me.