Trade trucks?

Brian VT

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I'm in the camp of keeping the bird in hand. And unless you get a 300-6 any other Ford engine will get the same or worse MPG than the IDI. But you said you never drive it so maybe that's not relevant.

If you're looking for ways to make the ride better, everyone says the D60 swap is the cat's pajamas for turning radius and comfort. Along with that thought, I've moved to bigger wheels and if you run them at a PSI that allows the best tire wear, you'll have a MUCH softer ride than with the stock tires. I'm really surprised how much better the ride is with these. I have 285/75-16's and it took a while to dial in the PSI's but the front takes only 30psi front and 15psi rear unloaded. And that's not a joke-- I've run those pressures for over a year. Eats bumps like crazy, potholes are just for laughs. Pretty cool how it takes the shock out of bumps. I actually run 20psi rear so I can put the occasional pallet of wood pellets into the bed this time of year but still get decent tire wear. Too much squish at 15psi for me, lol. Even though I only drive 3 miles with the pallet.
MPG isn't a factor.
I'll look into the D60 swap but I'm thinking that's way out of my league.

Mine's got 235/85-16 tires on it. And I've been running them per the door card at 51 psi cold.
They have lots of tread left but they suck for traction. I think they're meant for highway mileage?
I'll try running them softer. Or replace them. Thank you for the idea to run them soft. That may help a bit.

But I'm still left with the engine noise in the cab and the limited top speed of the C6. Neither of these are deal-breakers for me since I don't often go very far and I'm usually by myself.
But when I do have to get on the highway, or have a passenger, it's uncomfortable.
This is a great work truck and I'm not working it. I guess that's my problem.
 
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Nero

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Swapping from the ttb to a d60 isn't that hard, I have two of them, and they are both very comfortable rides, however in my opinion they're too bouncy unloaded. With my camper on, it does glide though. I also had a 250 that we swapped in a ttb d50 from the ex cab, and fully rebuilt it with new bushings, bearings, ball joints, ect. Unloaded, it was far more comfortable to drive than a d60.

If you find a truck that ticks all the boxes, I say go for what will make you happy.
 

Stu Bailey

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@Brian VT It all works out different for everyone, hopefully you’ve at least had some interesting/fun moments with your old chug-a-lug. There was a time when ai considered selling my 86 idi and I’m glad I never did. I have a bond with that truck now like none other. It’s slow, it drools, it stinks, but damn, it’s a part of me. Like a good faithful dog that has its days, just reach down and give it a pat now and then.

Hope you get squared away soon enough to make the family whole, that’s what truly matters. I’d second the option for a 300-6. No truck payment and still a solid truck that will last yet offer you some time in the garage bonding and learning, growing old together :cheers:
 

Old Goat

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Here you say.

it's more truck than I need. I don't need the extended cab

I don't need 3/4 ton because my heaviest load is 2 dirtbikes + gear, and the only real towing I do is my boat twice a year.

I would be interested in a trade for a 1/2 ton, 8' bed,

Regular cab or ext. cab or 4-door. Cab doesn't matter.

Say you get another Ford, but a 1/2 ton 8ft bed.
what the Difference?
Ok, 3/4 ton sits a bit higher.
You don`t need an Extended Cab, but say.
"Regular cab or ext. cab or 4-door. Cab doesn't matter."

Sure you know what you want?

I don`t understand a Wife saying I won`t ride in that thing etc.... I would say, (with my personality) "ok I`ll meet you there".....Etc...

When we got the 86 F250 in 2014, my wife said "Iam not going to drive it."
So one day we were heading to town on one of the back roads, it`s paved but no painted lines, running out here in the sage brush.
"Here, just drive down the hill to *** point to see
how it feels etc....."
Now it`s not her favorite thing to drive, but does it w/o any complaining. I wanted her to know how to shift it and get use to the bigger
size it is. Biggest thing she ever drove.
My Wife and I are best friends, and do everything together. You have to be....we have 37 yrs coming up.

Edit: wonder what that bad word I said? :dunno


Goat
 
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catbird7

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A doctor might prescribe: #1. Gear Vendors, #2. Addition of acoustic materials, #3. Remove a couple leafs in your spring package, #4 Thinner ply tires with reduced psi And possibly an antique license plate. As others have said, these engines handle sitting for long periods far better than most other alternatives. Good luck, I hope you find a way to justify keeping it.
 

Brian VT

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I just checked the tires again and they are 10 ply and at 80 psi. per the sidewall specs.
Would it be safe to run them at 30 psi?
Maybe my Christmas bonus will be going to new tires.
 

Diesilee

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Yup, Take some leafs out (easy!), get 6 or 8ply tires instead of 10,
retard the timing 4 to 6 degrees (quieter). There. New, wife friendly, truck!
 

Cant Write

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I'll trade you a 1991 V2500 Scottsdale Surburban (350 tbi/4L80/NP241/3.73's) with 179k, all service records, and a envelope full of tests + a 1984 C10 "Redneck" pickup box trailer that was my high school pickup for your dirt bikes.

I will even drive it there to show you its reliability. I need to visit my brother in ME anyway.

It will happily run 80, but it really likes 70. (16mpg @ 65-70, 12 mpg everywhere else)
 

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Brian VT

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That suburban is pretty cool. I had a '78 and loved it (except that it was 2wd).
But I really want to stay with a truck.
 

franklin2

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I just checked the tires again and they are 10 ply and at 80 psi. per the sidewall specs.
Would it be safe to run them at 30 psi?
Maybe my Christmas bonus will be going to new tires.
You asked your question in the wrong forum of course. All these guys are going to try and justify why they have a f250/f350 with a diesel engine.

I know what you are talking about. My wife doesn't like my truck either. The leaf spring suspension on 4 corners rides rough. The diesel engine stinks and is noisy. And they are hard to climb up into.

I actually have/had two pickups. My idi for big jobs and I had a little Ranger pickup for everything else. I actually used the Ranger pickup more than the F250. 90% of the time it got the job done, was easier to load, got better fuel mileage, etc.

The problem you face, you want a 1/2 ton gas truck that does not have electronics. Well that will be late 80's and back, and most of those trucks are wore out or command high prices. When you get into the early 90's, everything was fuel injected which is nice, but all the wiring is getting very old and you have to figure out how to work on the fuel injection yourself or it won't be worth it if you have to pay a shop.

I personally would get something old with a carb, that I could work on easily and get parts for. But you know something like that is probably going to require a "restoration".
 
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Cant Write

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I think you should keep your pickup and not go down the rabbit hole....

I have done that, and miss a few of the vehicles I got rid of, and my kids remind me all the time of the ones I should have kept. :rolleyes:

The current price difference between gas and diesel has me PO'd to all get out.

Everyone here has given great advice, the only issue I see is getting the wife to ride in it, along with a quieter cab. The ext cab is nice to lock tools inside and still have a fully functional bed without a toolbox.

Good luck on your quest.
 

captain720

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I also support the 300 cid, although if you want it to sit awhile you can’t beat an idi. Mine sat for over 10 years in the ground and fired. If you switch to gas you will likely find you have to “tweak” it after it sits every time. But a happy wife is very important to.

On the diesel side consider a good truck muffler and running your exhaust as far to the rear as possible.
 

Nero

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I just checked the tires again and they are 10 ply and at 80 psi. per the sidewall specs.
Would it be safe to run them at 30 psi?
Maybe my Christmas bonus will be going to new tires.
When I run unloaded I run my rear tires at 50, helps with being bouncy.
 
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