My wifes lease is up soon on her van and she wanted to drive the Ford Freestyle. While we were there ask the saleman to drive the only SD crew they had on the lot, turns out it is an 2006.

I will say I was impressed with the way the truck rode, drives, and performed. It has a boost guage built into the tach WOT it was showing about 24 PSI. Also it spools up much faster than my two trucks. The acceleration was impressive, I think my stock LLY would get beat easily in the 1/4 by the one I drove. With the coils in the front it smoothed them out quite a bit, still dosen't touch the GM ride. One other item I noticed is it Ran (WOT) to about 3650 on the tach before it shifted, afew hundred beyond the max.

The one thing I like the most is that huge crew cab, they have got the room in them.

I drove one last fall. A big dually a fellow had at the Fall Brawl GTG at Kauffmans in Dillsburg, Pa.

I too walked away impressed. Ford has a nice truck there. Too bad the drivetrain is such a risk.

I will say I was impressed with the way the truck rode, drives, and performed. It has a boost guage built into the tach WOT it was showing about 24 PSI. Also it spools up much faster than my two trucks. The acceleration was impressive, I think my stock LLY would get beat easily in the 1/4 by the one I drove. With the coils in the front it smoothed them out quite a bit, still dosen't touch the GM ride. One other item I noticed is it Ran (WOT) to about 3650 on the tach before it shifted, afew hundred beyond the max.


The boost should create about 28-29 stock with a tune you can get 32-34, redline on the 6.0 is 4200 but can handle 4500 with no worries.

Too bad the drivetrain is such a risk.

What is that all about?

If you need more beef wait till this fall, new front drive option for the Super Duty will be out...Looks like a Dana 70 center with 80 shafts and a 60 housing.....Sterling built anyhow.....Looks Sweet.

What is that all about?

If you need more beef wait till this fall, new front drive option for the Super Duty will be out...Looks like a Dana 70 center with 80 shafts and a 60 housing.....Sterling built anyhow.....Looks Sweet.

I thought they already went back to the 60 when they revamped the suspension for '05.

This one is new and will be available as an option in the fall. Massive center section and axle........:ro)

The only one i have driven is a 2004, the only thing i hated was the sterring. It was a far cry from the dmax. Do you think it has gotten any beter since 04?

MX I'm not sure what the steering felt to you. I think the Ford steering pump pressure is on demand and GM is constant. I have noticed that in several vehicles over the years. If I jump back into a GM vehicle the steering feels lite to me......not sure how to describe.

MX I'm not sure what the steering felt to you. I think the Ford steering pump pressure is on demand and GM is constant. I have noticed that in several vehicles over the years. If I jump back into a GM vehicle the steering feels lite to me......not sure how to describe.

Exactly. We have one that is fine and the other you can barely turn the wheels while not moving until it is idled up. Real pain while plowing. According to our dealer it is within normal ranges\operating characteristics. Where have I heard that before?

Several TSB's exist on pressure lines and steering gears. Contact another dealer and remember when buying a new vehicle who could actually service what they sell.

I will not be purchasing another Ford from this dealer, they just don't care about their customers, except the service adviser. Just goes to show that biggest doesn't mean best.

The TSB's, are these for '03 and newer models or are there any for older? The one we are having issues with is an '02. I just drove it again last night and I am going to have bring it back in again, because it plain sucks compared to my '00. Haven't had any steering problems with the '04 or '05 yet. Just trannies.:mad:

The last update I have is 4-23-05. You would have to use your Vin to check on the TSB's for your model.

Thanks, I will do that.

What transmission and problem do you have? Year?

'04--snap ring and planetary pins. Build date of 9/03--outside recall date range. Had it in three times for hard shifting into reverse, never solved the problem until they did the planetary pins in Dec. A month later the snap ring let loose and cracked the case. Down 2 weeks, BTW, this is a plow and salt truck. Also have had the mystery downshift from 4th or 5th to 1st or 2nd a few times. Can't get it to to it on command, just happens when you are least expecting it. Not sure exactly which gears, because I haven't been driving it when it happened.

'05--Planetary pins let loose with 500 miles on it end of Dec. This is also a plow truck. 'Recall' for the snap ring is sitting on my desk. I am hesitant to let them touch the tranny again and put in junk parts.

Both are 550's with 4.88's.

Looking at spending another $5500 for an ATS or a Suncoast and not worry about the next time one of these trucks is going to let me down in the middle of a snowstorm, again. It might be worthwhile just to relieve my worry, because the warranty doesn't do me any good in the middle of the night during a snowstorm.

I would find yourself a technition at another dealer. Same day service on the recall. Let warrenty fix the trans. If you want Suncoast has an upgrade kit for around 650.00 but that will not fix the Sunday build on the planetaries.

Are you using a tuner or box? SCT is the only one that can make the trans work right.

Back in January if you recall there were several thousand of us plowers that were having Torqshifts grenade on us. The problem wasn't the technician, it was the lack of parts.

I just don't think that a 3/36 warranty on my tranny's is worth worrying about whether or not Ford got the parts right this time. Right now, I have no faith in the Torqshift being able to stand up to plowing. I know this is hard on them, but that is why they sell 550's and snowplow prep packages. If they aren't going to build a tranny that will stand up to it, don't sell me the truck. A 3/36 warranty does me no good when a tranny goes down. I have to pick up the slack with another truck. This is what pisses me off about Ford's\my dealers attitude. They don't understand or care that I am placing my reputation and my company's reputation in their hands. When they build junk trannys, they are jeopardizing me and my family, my company, my employees and their families.

If I am going to an aftermarket tranny, I am going to do the whole thing, that's why the $5500 estimate from ATS. Haven't had time to get a quote from Suncoast, yet.

No tuners, yet. :D

How do I word this. Your 04-05 was right in the middle of bad batch of planetaries. Sorry your on the recieving end. Done right and I am talking stock your torq-shift will hold more than you can imagine. Call ATS and talk to them about SCT. You don't need to spend 5500.00 when your setting on a good trans in your truck right now.

What is that all about?

If you need more beef wait till this fall, new front drive option for the Super Duty will be out...Looks like a Dana 70 center with 80 shafts and a 60 housing.....Sterling built anyhow.....Looks Sweet.


I meant the diesel. The 6 liter is probably the riskiest new diesel out there. I also hear the Torqshift is having it's share of growing pains.

Overall the truck is real nice. If they would have nailed the engine I might even be driving one.

Test drove one in Nov 04 and liked the looks and room in the interior, thought the seats were uncomfortable and it tended to wander on the road, a little harsher ride than the GMC which is what we ended up with. It was a close call between the two. Haven't heard as much about injector problems from Fords, maybe there's hope still for GM injectors.

I drove an 05 awhile back and I really liked the truck a lot... I have been a Chevy driver since I can remember, but that Ford really impressed me... If I had the money, I would probably be driving one.

Dan

A friend of mine just traded his 96 F-250 (7.3) for a 03 F-250 with the 6.0..Not a bad looking truck at all...nice interior and such..then he opened the hood....
That 6.0 looks like a real bastard to work on....even the serp. belt looked like quite a project to change...
On the plus side, it is very easy to get at the fuel filters...

The top fuel filter is easy to change the bottom one is a lot harder.

You have to remove the cab on the Superduty to do major work.

MaxPower

You make it sound like it is a big deal if you have to work on a SuperDuty. Actually flat rate set by Ford, Gm and Chrysler is costing the technicians, so a few creative people came up with the idea to remove the cab the way the factory assembled it.

The SuperDuty is a cab forward design and in less than 90 minutes the cab is in the air with full access to the drive train but not authorized by Ford as a way to service the truck.

My Father in law purchased an '04 F350 PSD about two months before we got our '04 3500 SRW Dmax. So far, he has had the rear main replaced twice, the turbo control valve replaced twice, reflashed for "romping" and roughness when first started (which he lost the quiet idle) and the glow plug harness replaced because it was saturated with oil and dripping.

The truck is nice to ride in and does have lots of room but turning radius is dismal. I do see Hoots point about engine problems.

Ford's 1st mistake was getting rid of the 7.3 Powerstroke. THAT was a dependable engine that had proven itself for over 10 years. I can't understand why they went smaller.
I just purchased an F350 and I was intentionally looking for a 2001-2002 model with around 50K miles on it because I would NOT buy that 6.0 PSD.

I own the 7.3 PSD and couldn't be happier.

I meant the diesel. The 6 liter is probably the riskiest new diesel out there. I also hear the Torqshift is having it's share of growing pains.

Overall the truck is real nice. If they would have nailed the engine I might even be driving one.


Open mouth insert foot :D

Well than Hoot if you were so impressed with the "truck" why didn't you buy the gasser?After all with the price of diesel more than regular unleaded compiled with the cost of the "diesel" engine upfront purchase seemed like a no brainier. Fuel econo isn't considered do to the fact you didn't by GM's hybrid!

After all,your just riding back and forth to work! :)

Ford's 1st mistake was getting rid of the 7.3 Powerstroke. THAT was a dependable engine that had proven itself for over 10 years. I can't understand why they went smaller.


Pssssst........ EPA......Oh and don't tell anyone that the 6.0 has more HP and torque because of engine design.

Actually from what I've read the 6.0 does not have more HP by design, it is because of Ford messing with the programming and injectors. The numbers that this engine is producing from Navistar is something like 190 HP and almost 700 lb\ft. I might be a little off on these, but not much. In order for Ford to compete with DC and GM they changed the programming to get the extra HP and that is where the problems are coming in. The Navistar version is a very reliable engine without the problems that Ford is having.

I see....Navistar built a new engine with 4 valves per cylinder just for looks then. Not sure where your getting your info.

Please inform me what information is wrong. Navistar is having the same amount of problems as Ford with the 6.0?

I see I was off on the numbers, I apologize. It appears the max rated HP from Navistar is 230 and torque is 620.

http://www.navistar.com/site_layout/engine/vt365detail.asp

And look the max RPM is 2800 with a rated RPM of 2600. Funny how that is different than Ford 325 HP and 570 for torque. What do the PS's rev to? I wonder why Ford is having all these problems, maybe because they are trying to get more power out of this engine than it was really designed for? By revving it higher, which is a waste of energy when you are running diesel because all it is doing is generating heat (energy) that is going out the tailpipe?

Just look at the numbers, with the proper transmission and no modifications of the 6.0, Ford could have had 50 lb\ft more torque and blown DC and GM away, but they also had to have the HP numbers to match, because most people don't understand that when it comes to towing and hauling, torque is more important than HP.

Also, earlier in this thread you stated that the tranny recall should be done in one day. I have yet to hear of anybody on any of these forums that has been able to get the work done in one day. Everybody I have heard from has been 2 days.

Also, earlier in this thread you stated that the tranny recall should be done in one day. I have yet to hear of anybody on any of these forums that has been able to get the work done in one day. Everybody I have heard from has been 2 days.

Yes same day service. You want me to be the warrenty patrol for dealerships that cannot provide the service to what they sell?

No, I'm just wondering where you are getting your infor from. You state that it should be done in one day, I haven't heard of anybody actually getting it done in one day, can you explain the discrepancy?

Still waiting for an answer on the numbers, I admitted I was wrong on the numbers, what else was I wrong about? Please enlighten me.

I guess I don't see your point. I have owned both diesels.....7.3L and 6.0L and the 6.0 will respond to tuning for HP and torq. What problems is Ford having with the engine that navistar does not have?

Now I'm confused. What does a 7.3 have to do with it our discussion? The web page is for the 6.0. It shows HP and torque ratings. The torque ratings are higher than what Ford 6.0 has. Ford messed with programming, injectors, turbos and who knows what else to get the HP competitive with DC and GM when they already had them beat with torque.

Last time I checked, International did not\is not have(ing) problems with injectors, turbos, hit and miss programming bugs, reflashing every other day to solve problems that they don't have correct answers to, wiring harnesses chafing, EGR problems, etc, etc, ad nauseum.

That is the point. Ford could have used the 6.0\VT365 directly from Navistar and not had all these troubles. AS soon as they modified it to produce more HP and run it right at it's limit by increasing the rated RPM's, they started having boatloads of troubles. Now do you understand?

Nope I guess not. You said the engine has problems. Wire chafing is what it is. What would that have to do with increased HP? What would a faulty EGR have to with increased HP? The first run C-94 injectors suffered from a spring side load to the injection pin and were replaced with C-95's. The VGT is Garrets answer to turbo's....2 single staged are better.

Navistar had a bad run of head gaskets which would effect any engine. So where does the main engine problems come in here. The way your stating your point on the 6.0L is if I have a bad plug wire or computer on a gas engine the whole engine is bad.

The nice thing about the 6.0 is you can tune the engine and transmission to do what ever you want to. If you want low rev's and more bottom torq or high rev's, mid range torq you can program it. I do not look to Ford for anything I am doing.

No other diesel on the market can be manipulated as the 6.0 and Torq-shift can be with a simple program and knowlege with understanding how it works. Some people hate it others love it.

Ford's 1st mistake was getting rid of the 7.3 Powerstroke. THAT was a dependable engine that had proven itself for over 10 years. I can't understand why they went smaller.
I just purchased an F350 and I was intentionally looking for a 2001-2002 model with around 50K miles on it because I would NOT buy that 6.0 PSD.

I own the 7.3 PSD and couldn't be happier.

the 6.0 is more powerfull, more eficient and a cleaner running engine than the 7.3
i have a 2005 F250 with the 6.0 and haven't had one problem with it whatsoever, engine or tranny. i couldn't be happier with it. the first issues of the 6.0 (in 2003) did have their bugs but have since been worked out.

Where did I say the engine is bad?

I said Ford is causing the problems with the 6.0 by trying to crank up the HP to compete. I am the one who said Navistar is NOT having the problems that Ford is. Wire chafing is just one of the issues--have you heard about the latest recall for '04-'05's? Ford is using a different wiring harness, different programming, different injectors and who knows what else and having all these problems. Ford is causing the problems with this engine. It is a good engine, when used as designed.

Navistar is not having problems with the same engine, used as designed. No puking, no lifting heads, not near the injector problems, no turbo problems, no surge\stall\bucking, etc.

Had Ford done proper testing and left this engine in R&D longer or just not messed with the original design, I'm sure most Ford owners would love it, only the competition would hate it. BTW, if it makes any difference to you, I should have my third 6.0 at the end of the week.

I would say on the market share side Ford has more engines on the road than Navistar in med duty trucks. More sites are dedicated to the light trucks and the 6.0 is quite capable of more Hp than Ford programmed into it.

Your right as a wire harness can cause problems. The puking is a rapid heating of coolant from the EGR cooler in a short relation (distance) to the over flow tank. Evans Waterless coolant solves that problem.

Lifting heads? You would have to maintain over 40 pounds of boost (repeatedly)to cause problems. Ford does not program that type of boost nor do most of your after-market companies. The VGT is capable of 65lbs at 100% duty cycle.

Ford is doing the right thing by recalls on the wire harness...which by the way directly relates to most of bucking/surging/stall and ect your concerned about. Is Navistar having problems, I could not tell you, Ford is owning up to issues, are they abusing the engine? Nope

Congrats on the new truck.