F450

[DLRAKOWITZ]

to much truck for me...just put your dignity in your pocket and get a ram...no issues with any of my trucks so far if you don't mind a little rattle here and there...it pulls like a mule on fire and mileage is at a happy medium weighted down.

[lwg]

Originally Posted by atom ant

Any argument one way or the other for limited slip axle on these tow beasts? I understand the concept for off road or foul weather, but seems the extreme weight of these would just tend to wear on a limited slip rear end. Maybe not - I don't necessarily understand how they work.

With the trouble I had before, you might say I'm Pumpkin Shy

Living where you live I wouldn't have a truck without it. I'm extremely impressed with the limited slip in my truck.

Case in point: A few weeks ago I turned off the highway onto a side road where a semi was parked. Right before I turned he pulled out onto the side road in front of me. I went to pass him and hit the go pedal a little hard, the road happened to be wet as it was raining, the truck didn't fish tail or anything. Only thing that made me notice was a slight noise (rear end limited slip doing it's thing) and looked down to see the LS light appear on the dash. On my old 2000 Ford 7.3L if I did that with no LS in the rear I would have spun sideways from the torque.

To test this theory, take one for a test drive in the rain and get on it. Its impressive how well it keeps the spinning down considering the ridiculous torque on these monsters.


As to the FX4 package. Get it! The knob to shift into and out of 4WD is very useful when maneuvering the monster Redwood trailers in less than ideal conditions (think mud, etc). I've used mine several times to move the trailer when it sat in gravel that was soft or freshly laid. Keeps from spinning the tires as well and throwing dirt and gravel all over the beauty queen you're towing!

[JerryL]

Originally Posted by atom ant

Correction - Government Motors

Na - I don't have time for all those recalls, and wife says no bow tie's in this garage after what happened with the handouts. Hertz gave us a Suburban the other day and she refused it.

Is this a political forum?

[JerryL]

Originally Posted by DLRAKOWITZ

to much truck for me...just put your dignity in your pocket and get a ram...no issues with any of my trucks so far if you don't mind a little rattle here and there...it pulls like a mule on fire and mileage is at a happy medium weighted down.

I've loved all 4 of my Ram diesels(2002, 2005, 2010, 2013). I'm not a Dodge fan per se, but it is Dodge that uses Cummins engines. FTR, my 10 and 13 were/are very quiet.

[DLRAKOWITZ]

Don't get me wrong. I've owned 3 fords before anyhing else and loved everone. One Chevy and enough said about that tight noose and all the rest have been dodge rams. But I have to say I do miss the loud origional sound cummins had. I was raised to listen to the sound to know how and when to shift when pulling. I just don't like the quiet sounds of diesels now. But I do love my cummins. If it's not a dodge then ram it

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by DLRAKOWITZ

to much truck for me...just put your dignity in your pocket and get a ram...no issues with any of my trucks so far if you don't mind a little rattle here and there...it pulls like a mule on fire and mileage is at a happy medium weighted down.

I've never ruled out a Dodge. I will admit I hate the sound of the Cummins, especially when they jack with the exhaust, which is one of the reasons I never really considered one, but now that they quieted them down, they are a nice truck.

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by JerryL

Is this a political forum?

Actually it is a thread about an F450 vs an F350 which has somehow drifted into unsolicited inferences of other brands.

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by lwg

Living where you live I wouldn't have a truck without it. I'm extremely impressed with the limited slip in my truck.

Case in point: A few weeks ago I turned off the highway onto a side road where a semi was parked. Right before I turned he pulled out onto the side road in front of me. I went to pass him and hit the go pedal a little hard, the road happened to be wet as it was raining, the truck didn't fish tail or anything. Only thing that made me notice was a slight noise (rear end limited slip doing it's thing) and looked down to see the LS light appear on the dash. On my old 2000 Ford 7.3L if I did that with no LS in the rear I would have spun sideways from the torque.

To test this theory, take one for a test drive in the rain and get on it. Its impressive how well it keeps the spinning down considering the ridiculous torque on these monsters.


As to the FX4 package. Get it! The knob to shift into and out of 4WD is very useful when maneuvering the monster Redwood trailers in less than ideal conditions (think mud, etc). I've used mine several times to move the trailer when it sat in gravel that was soft or freshly laid. Keeps from spinning the tires as well and throwing dirt and gravel all over the beauty queen you're towing!

Thanks LWG! I didn't realize there was a difference on the FX4 package either.

[rob_fla]

We have always had 4x2 trucks for our Tow Vehicles over the years and never had a need for 4 Wheel Drive, no snow here in the South and we do go off road.

We went to a Rally about a year ago at Tom Johnsons Camping Center in NC, it as a grass field that was quite wet due to all the recent rain they had in the area.
I actually got to use the 4 Wheel Drive for the first time, it we did not have it would have had to be pulled out of that field.

We have not had to use the 4 Wheel Drive since but we have it if we need it.

[johnboytoo]

That's the way I think of it, too..
better to have it when needed and
we just like the stance of the 4x4....
but not sure the fx4 is req'd for 4x4 as we have 4x4 and it's not an fx4....


I actually use 4x4 low range every time I go in and out of storage and many times when backing into a site...just much 'finer' control / response to throttle input than when in high range...

our storage area has a pretty good grade and large limestone rock base in the driving areas...

the hill requires pulling up the hill and backing down into my 10 foot or so wide garage...
when not in 4x4 easy to 'dig out' (sic) when pulling up the hill so 4x4 low range does it easily both when putting it away and taking it out of storage.

[lwg]

Originally Posted by johnboytoo

That's the way I think of it, too..
better to have it when needed and
we just like the stance of the 4x4....
but not sure the fx4 is req'd for 4x4 as we have 4x4 and it's not an fx4....


I actually use 4x4 low range every time I go in and out of storage and many times when backing into a site...just much 'finer' control / response to throttle input than when in high range...

our storage area has a pretty good grade and large limestone rock base in the driving areas...

the hill requires pulling up the hill and backing down into my 10 foot or so wide garage...
when not in 4x4 easy to 'dig out' (sic) when pulling up the hill so 4x4 low range does it easily both when putting it away and taking it out of storage.

Yep, it's also wise from a maintenance standpoint. Every few months you should engage and drive in 4wd to keep everything in working order.

[Buddy Wallace]

Originally Posted by lwg

Yep, it's also wise from a maintenance standpoint. Every few months you should engage and drive in 4wd to keep everything in working order.

I've switched it to 4WD a few times, but don't exercise it regularly, I guess it would be a good idea. I wonder why they still have the manual locks on the hubs with the full automatic in the truck?

[rob_fla]

I agree, probably a good idea to engage the 4WD once in a while.

Guess I will start engaging it a few times a year just to exercise it.

[johnboytoo]

Originally Posted by Buddy Wallace

.... I wonder why they still have the manual locks on the hubs with the full automatic in the truck?

the dash switch works on vacuum and can be used while underway so you can switch in and out as you see fit...

(but switch it to 4x4 BEFORE you need it because if you are stuck it can't switch unless you roll a bit)

if you lose vacuum though, you can manually switch... and it is locked into 4x4 as long as dialed...

good idea to flip the hub dial every once in a while too so that it doesn't get frozen with 'crud'

[rob_fla]

No hub locks here

[TexasRver]

Thanks for the info JohnnyBoyToo. I just got a new f350 and really didn't understand the shift-on-the-fly and the manual locking hubs. Good info.

[Buddy Wallace]

Originally Posted by johnboytoo

the dash switch works on vacuum and can be used while underway so you can switch in and out as you see fit...

(but switch it to 4x4 BEFORE you need it because if you are stuck it can't switch unless you roll a bit)

if you lose vacuum though, you can manually switch... and it is locked into 4x4 as long as dialed...

good idea to flip the hub dial every once in a while too so that it doesn't get frozen with 'crud'

Thanks for the info, again. lol

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by johnboytoo

if you lose vacuum though, you can manually switch... and it is locked into 4x4 as long as dialed...

Yep - just had to do that the other day in the sand. Not sure what happened to the vacuum side

[lwg]

Originally Posted by rob_fla

No hub locks here

That's too bad, it's good to have a manual backup in case it's ever needed.

[travelin' texans]

Not 100% sure, but I think GMs are electronic, not vacuum& they haven't had locking hubs since they got rid of the solid front axle I think.