It was some long days but it was a joy to drive. That is coming from a truck guy. I took a load with me but was not a heavy load. Mine is a crew SB.

It has the 7.3L Godzilla motor and the 4.30 rear end. Has large off road tires that are not great for cornering but not bad on the highway for noise surprisingly. Mileage was 13-15 probably. It is taller than I like with a factory lift and large tires. But overall i like it a lot. Seems to be a good truck. Hopefully it is a keeper.

I'd have to have a REAL good reason to do a trip like that in my 250. It's comfortable and drivable enough, but I'd cringe every time I pulled in for gas.

I'm taking it in for it's first "free" oil change today. 15 months old and still short of 5000 miles.

Haha!

I just got home last night from a 300 mile trip in my F-350 CC SRW LB diesel. We love that truck. Even with a small lift and 35” Toyota AT3’s it rides great. You just have to drop the tire pressure to about 60-65 PSI when empty.

BTW mine is less than 23 ft long. Not sure how you get to 26 feet…

I think ORC meant '26 as in 2026.

At 186,000 miles I'm fairly sure if I did the math I'd find the fuel has cost more than the truck.

ORC, what are you going to do with it next now that you got the break in miles out of the way?

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
I'd have to have a REAL good reason to do a trip like that in my 250. It's comfortable and drivable enough, but I'd cringe every time I pulled in for gas.

I'm taking it in for it's first "free" oil change today. 15 months old and still short of 5000 miles.

Hell I hate to take my Ridgeline on a trip (unless I'm hauling or towing something) and it gets 23-24 mpg on trips.

My car is now 13 months old with 5,200 miles and I told them they could keep their free oil changes along with the 3.5 quarts of cheap oil they use. For me it's not worth driving 50 miles each way plus wait around for an hour. I've already changed it myself at 2,000 then 5,000 and it'll be every 5,000 from now on.

A friend just bought a new Ford F250XL (or maybe F350) with the 7.3 gasser, crew cab, then he had leather seat covers fitted which look factory to me. He has a farm and said his accountant suggested he trade for a new truck. It mostly sits because he drives his 2025 Ranger most of the time.

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:


Hell I hate to take my Ridgeline on a trip (unless I'm hauling or towing something) and it gets 23-24 mpg on trips.

My car is now 13 months old with 5,200 miles and I told them they could keep their free oil changes along with the 3.5 quarts of cheap oil they use. For me it's not worth driving 50 miles each way plus wait around for an hour.

Funny you should mention that. I just took mine in for the oil and filter plus tire rotation that comes with the service plan. I bought the truck in Bangor which is 60-ish miles, but they did the service at their Ellsworth GMC/Dodge/Jeep outlet which is 20 miles.

Dunno what brand of oil they use, but 8 quarts of synthetic anything plus a filter adds up. Plus I don't do crawling around on concrete floors any more...

Does it have the Tremor package? You mentioned a factory lift, so I assume possibly? XLT? I've been dreaming of an F250 woth the 7.3. Naturally aspirated large displacement V8, push rods, port injected, no auto start/stop. Goddamned dreamy!

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

Funny you should mention that. I just took mine in for the oil and filter plus tire rotation that comes with the service plan. I bought the truck in Bangor which is 60-ish miles, but they did the service at their Ellsworth GMC/Dodge/Jeep outlet which is 20 miles.

Dunno what brand of oil they use, but 8 quarts of synthetic anything plus a filter adds up. Plus I don't do crawling around on concrete floors any more...

A 40 mile round trip isn't bad.

I don't particularly *like* laying on my back under a vehicle but it's not that often and it gives me a chance to check things. I also spray any area with surface rust with Fluid Film while I'm under there. Plus I know come next oil change the drain plug will come right out w/o having to use a breaker bar.

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
Plus I know come next oil change the drain plug will come right out w/o having to use a breaker bar.

Install a Fumoto valve and really ease your pain! I have considered buying a fluid transfer pump to suck the old oil out the dipstick tube just so I don't have to jack up and get under the damn car. Getting old isn't for sissies!

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
Fluid Film

I'll apologize to ORC for drifting his thread, and then ask you: do you do your own Fluid Film application entirely, or do you have a pro applicator nearby?

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
I think ORC meant '26 as in 2026….

Ah that makes sense. I didn’t have my first cup of coffee yet…my appologies.

quote:

Originally posted by architect:Install a Fumoto valve and really ease your pain! I have considered buying a fluid transfer pump to suck the old oil out the dipstick tube just so I don't have to jack up and get under the damn car. Getting old isn't for sissies!

Sucking oil out of the dipstick tube is awesome if you can get enough oil out. I can and do on my wife’s Explorer ST plus the oil filter is up top as well.

On the other hand, sticking a 5 gallon bucket under my truck and flipping the Fumoto valve is easy enough to get the 13 quarts out. You have to get under it for the oil filter anyway, but no ramps or jacking needed.

quote:

Originally posted by architect:

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
Plus I know come next oil change the drain plug will come right out w/o having to use a breaker bar.

Install a Fumoto valve and really ease your pain! I have considered buying a fluid transfer pump to suck the old oil out the dipstick tube just so I don't have to jack up and get under the damn car. Getting old isn't for sissies!

But I'm down there anyway to change the filter. Really about the biggest job is removing the large cover panel underneath to access the sump and filter.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:

I'll apologize to ORC for drifting his thread, and then ask you: do you do your own Fluid Film application entirely, or do you have a pro applicator nearby?

No I just apply it to places showing any rust. I probably should have had the whole underneath professionally done right after I bought it.

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
I just apply it to places showing any rust. I probably should have had the whole underneath professionally done right after I bought it.

There's an applicator up near Oak Hill... I really need to give them a call.