Ford Diesels

[namusmc65]

Just out of curiosity, I am looking at a 2012 Ford F-350 diesel. Currently pulling with a 2007 Dodge Ram with the. Cummins Diesel. That is like working on a 57 Chevy or Ford. All kinds of room in the engine compartment. Looking under the hood on this 2012 Ford Diesel, could not fit a hand in there! I understand the body has to be lifted to work on the engine. Can anyone elaborate on this who has experience on the later model Ford Diesels???
Thanks for your replies.

[Panhead]

Yes, in order to perform some types of repair they most often will raise the cab. It really is no big deal and only adds about an hour and a half of labor. The other side of that added labor is that it is much easier and therefore quicker for the mechanic to perform the needed repair.

The 2012 Ford with the 6.7 motor is a towing monster and has a very good track record so far. I would buy one in a heartbeat if I were to need a new truck. My 07 with the 6.0 is doing a great job for me at this time so I wont be selling it anytime soon.

Steve

[UPCamper]

Haven't had to repair mine so I can't speak as to the difficulty of the process. But I am aware that some extreme repairs will require cab lifting. What I can say is that it has a ton of extra power and tows beautifully. Most everyone I talk to that has put more miles on their truck, hasn't had any issues and loves it. All regular maintenance and then some is very easily accomplished on this engine. They have made filter changes much easier too.

[drk98]

The 6.4 2008-2010 required the cab to be lifted a LOT more frequently than the 2011+ 6.7. There are extreme cases where the cab needs to be lifted but Ford designed most everything to be accessed without it. They also made the cab lifting easier on the 2011+ models as well.

[RedHorse1]

I have a '13 F350 with the 6.7 diesel and pull a 5th weighing 12700# with 3020# on the pin. On level highways I get low 13's mpg which makes me a very happy camper (pun intended). This is my first pickup and first diesel and since I've always been a blue oval guy all I had to do was decide between the F250 and 350.
Like others have posted, I understand that removing the cab is how the engine work is done and that a good tech can do it in a very short time.
The Ford, Chevy, Ram debate will rage long past my point of caring. But all I can say is my truck is an OX and it loves to pull!

[DKRITTER]

I have a 2012 F250 with the 6.7 and tow a TT that is almost 10K. It has been all over Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming with no issues. The truck has a little over 86K miles on it and all I do is keep up with regular maintenance.

It has more than enough power, is comfortable and will most likely be my next truck.

[krsmitty]

Keep the Ram and do not worry about it!

[TCNashville]

As UPCamper stated, Ford made routine maintenance on the engine very easy. The only additional cost you'll find with the '12 over your 07 Ram will be diesel exhaust fluid, available everywhere. As everyone else has said, it's an amazingly powerful, quiet engine, but you know that already if you test drove it. It is a crowded engine bay, but quite easily accessible for those of us that do our own general maintenance.

[SmokerBill]

Originally Posted by krsmitty

Keep the Ram and do not worry about it!

+1 on that.

[cariboocreek]

As you can see I am a Dodge guy and have been all my life. That being said all three of the major truck manufacturers make good trucks. Aside from a little fun teasing that goes on around here, you wont go wrong in the Ford or in any of the other brands. For me what it really comes down to is dealer support. My local Dodge dealer is reliable, honest (relative to the fact they still are an automotive dealer) and our local Ford dealer has a less than stellar reputation.

I don't have to lift the body on my Dodge to do work, but the Dodge has other issues. In the end buy what gives you a warm and fuzzy standing in your kitchen looking at it parked in the driveway. I envy you because shopping for a new rig is the fun part.....paying for it not so much.....

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by Panhead

Yes, in order to perform some types of repair they most often will raise the cab. It really is no big deal and only adds about an hour and a half of labor.
Steve

At my shop that is over $150.00..

[eldermike]

Sometimes you pay for one thing but you save on other things. Removing the cab is a cost, but once that's done access to all other tasks is eaiser than it would be hanging upside down through a truck hood.

[UPCamper]

Originally Posted by Seann45

At my shop that is over $150.00..

For the types of repairs that require the cab lifted, $150 is small change. We aren't talking regular maintenance. We are talking major engine repair or injector replacement type repairs. Once or twice in the life of the truck hopefully. That wouldn't keep me from buying it.