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Lets see your "ultimate" service truck!

simonsrplant

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2014
Messages
554
Location
Alberta CANADA
Occupation
Heavy Duty Off Road RSE
Here's some encouragement...
You'd get a bunch more space, better weight distribution, better ride.
And you could set it up in your spare time while running your trusty F450...
Spare time...
 

Mbar

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2018
Messages
263
Location
North Carolina
Very true. I’m like a kid with a new toy. I’ve worked my butt off to be able to but this truck and can’t wait to get in it. I’m starting on the changes this weekend
 

simonsrplant

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2014
Messages
554
Location
Alberta CANADA
Occupation
Heavy Duty Off Road RSE
Little progress today.
Cut off and removed the welding deck and cabinet addition.
Looking a little more normal now.
 

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Mbar

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2018
Messages
263
Location
North Carolina
Yes. I am very happy with it. My 450 has a venturo body on it, I can tell the imt bed and crane are built with more thought and care.
 

02Dmax

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2007
Messages
687
Location
MO
How has the engine been on the 08? We had one from similar year and couldn't get rid of that albatross fast enough. Engine was a disaster in every way.
It's great but it's also modified. Lol. The 6.4 is a fantastic engine, unfortunately the emissions system is the engine killer.

I overhauled mine at 195,000 but it's still on factory turbos, fuel system, block, crank, and rods.
 

DMiller

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
16,432
Location
Hermann, Missouri
Occupation
Cheap "old" Geezer
Two neighbors had 6.4s, ended up going same way, BACK to dealer in trade out while running good, one had three FULL engines under warranty in less than 30,000mi. where Dealer performed the services from new. The other had the typical turbo/emissions crap failures.
 

92U 3406

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2017
Messages
3,100
Location
Western Canuckistan
Occupation
Wrench Bender
The more and more I see emission problems I'd almost consider going with a gasser myself. Gas has been cheaper than diesel here and the local dealers always seem to have service trucks lined up to get in the door. If I needed the truck for income, I'd want something that won't break the bank sitting in the shop.
 

Birken Vogt

Charter Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2003
Messages
5,305
Location
Grass Valley, Ca
That seemed to be the wisdom around here too, lots of fleets went to gas engines for a while but I am starting to notice a lot more Powerstrokes in the newer trucks again. I wonder if they figure the bugs are finally worked out? Somehow the bean counters have to know what costs more or less, that is, if they are counting the beans correctly.

That being said, as a small independent I would still say gas engine. Even if they have the diesels 95% figured out, if you get the odd 5% lemon still, it still bankrupts you and that is not such a risk with a gas engine.
 

DMiller

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
16,432
Location
Hermann, Missouri
Occupation
Cheap "old" Geezer
As for a Service truck I still prefer Class 6 & 7 equipment as a stronger choice, may not have 4wd but in most instances have better ground clearance and tow eyes so can be dragged in/out by heavier machines if need be. Last Service wagon I worked out of was a Int'l S Series with a Mechanical DT466 5&2 in it, Utility Service body massive compressor and 6K Truck Crane electro hydraulic boom. The previous was a K3500SRW GMC Gas with a four speed, always stuck always overloaded(likely why stuck) no room for much of anything and had to use a generator driven electric impact for tire swaps or for wrestling stubborn fasteners and NO boom.
 

funwithfuel

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2017
Messages
5,519
Location
Will county Illinois
Occupation
Mechanic
When I was at the mine, their field trucks were ford 550s with V10s. 4WD . Front axles were always clapped out. Constantly rebuilding steering hubs and linkage. They could climb grade pretty good though. That was an all surface pit, that'd never fly in Underground.
 

02Dmax

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2007
Messages
687
Location
MO
Emissions systems are like any other kind of fresh technology, it's going to suck for awhile in the real world no matter how many tests are done in a lab. The newer trucks are doing much better in my opinion. Plus, after the 6.4 debacle with IH, Ford started building their own engines in house.

I plan on running this one until 400k or slightly more if I can. I dread the day I go back to a class 6 or 7 truck but with as much mining equipment as I work on, it's probably only a matter of time.
 
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