Question Please help, I really dont want to buy a new truck

[Bigblockyeti]

The 6.8L is new and that was a deal killer for me, not so much that I don't trust it (I do trust it less than say a Toyota or similar where engineers outnumber lawyers). The 2wd F250, that I'm looking for, was initially offered with the 7.3L gas which is what I require if my money will be paying for it. They introduced the 6.8L and the 7.3L became available only on the 4x4 which I neither need nor want. I sent the salesman a screenshot of "Your Ford, Your Way" and reminded him of what that means to the customer. Needless to say it was out of his hands and it was corporate that made the decision to ensure they won't have my business. I remember way back when (10 years ago) you could order a truck how you wanted it, now they just come packaged with profit margins in mind. It's bad enough I've considered making my own from a new ~$40K E350 van chassis cab in 2wd with the 7.3 gas and a 55 gallon fuel tank with my pick of axle ratios.

 

[Nanoman]

Yeah the package thing drives me crazy. I tried building and ordering the truck to start but it kept kicking me up to the XLT package which changed the price dramatically. So I guess Im just off on a hunt to see what I find, but being in the north east it seems like I’m going to have to dish out the cash to make it work. From what I see so far the super duty’s are still the more affordable option.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

The package thing certainly is killer and depending on what you're used to and what you'd like to spend, is great if you want something all gussied up for ~$100K. Even stripped down they come with so many features now but any little tiny thing you want adds a $4K - $6K "package" so it's really more about their way than your way. For fun I put together a stripped 2wd crew cab 8' bed XL F250 with a diesel since I can't get the engine I require. It was still $65K for basically a work truck.

 

[Rosy]

Thank you Sand Dog! After all y’alls help. We have decided we are going to get a 1 ton and a little smaller of a trailer. I would much rather be way heavier on the truck side. I’m sticking with gas but I figure if a go with the 6.8L V8 F350 with the 8‘ box Ill be in much better shape going forward.

Why not the 7.3L Godzilla V8?

 

[Rosy]

The 6.8L is new and that was a deal killer for me, not so much that I don't trust it (I do trust it less than say a Toyota or similar where engineers outnumber lawyers). The 2wd F250, that I'm looking for, was initially offered with the 7.3L gas which is what I require if my money will be paying for it. They introduced the 6.8L and the 7.3L became available only on the 4x4 which I neither need nor want. I sent the salesman a screenshot of "Your Ford, Your Way" and reminded him of what that means to the customer. Needless to say it was out of his hands and it was corporate that made the decision to ensure they won't have my business. I remember way back when (10 years ago) you could order a truck how you wanted it, now they just come packaged with profit margins in mind. It's bad enough I've considered making my own from a new ~$40K E350 van chassis cab in 2wd with the 7.3 gas and a 55 gallon fuel tank with my pick of axle ratios.

I can't imagine hating a feature like 4x4 that much...

 

[Bigblockyeti]

I just don't need it, there's pavement everywhere I want to go and I have and ATV & a dirt bike that will go no where any truck ever could if I really need an off road fix. It adds cost, ride quality suffers (on a "super" duty anyway), raises the CG, reduce fuel mileage, reduces the payload capacity and adds to maintenance efforts (costs if I didn't do everything myself).

 

[Nanoman]

I agree. I have always lived in the North East so with the winters 4 wheel drive has always been a must but now I’m excited to put that option out of my mind.

 

[Nanoman]

The package thing certainly is killer and depending on what you're used to and what you'd like to spend, is great if you want something all gussied up for ~$100K. Even stripped down they come with so many features now but any little tiny thing you want adds a $4K - $6K "package" so it's really more about their way than your way. For fun I put together a stripped 2wd crew cab 8' bed XL F250 with a diesel since I can't get the engine I require. It was still $65K for basically a work truck.

When you built this truck did you use a SC zip code? The reason I ask is I just built a basically stripped down XL F250 truck using the same specs with a New Hampshire zip code and I was at $70k. I have already price out the 5th and its way cheaper in other areas. So much to my wifes dismay I’m thinking if we head out in our F150 towing the nano and upgrade on the road it could possibly save us thousands.