What is the general view on the Ford F250

krazy_kameleon · Post by **krazy_kameleon** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 3:47 pm

Hi Guys,

I pose this question with some hesitation as i am sure it is going to open a can of worms:

My Hilux is getting a little small for me and my family. I have looked at the option of getting a Vigo but for a reasonable amount of money I can buy a Ford F250 D/C 4x4 and this really is a big truck.

Has anyone out there owned one of these beasts? and what is your experience with them.

I would like to use it as my daily driver but also for the camping trips with the family and hopefully an Africa trip to Kenya etc one day.

look forward to the responses, let the battle begin...

FJCruiser-ZN · Post by **FJCruiser-ZN** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 3:53 pm

My neighbor has a single cab (extra space behind seat) and he loves it.

He tells me he gets 11km/l (diesel)

I've driven with him and its an awesome vehicle.

T

Agteros · Post by **Agteros** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 4:00 pm

Legend35-ZN wrote:My neighbor has a single cab (extra space behind seat) and he loves it.

He tells me he gets 11km/l (diesel)

I've driven with him and its an awesome vehicle.

T

OT. Yes Tony you should buy an FJ

The F250 by the way is also an awesome vehicle.

Post by **CasKru** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 4:02 pm

What is the general view on the Ford F250

this would be it
Image Link Broken

Rianc · Post by **Rianc** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 4:03 pm

I like, but parking might become a problem!

MOFASA · Post by **MOFASA** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 4:03 pm

Good one Cassie

Its really nice and big

but the downfall is you need a code 10 licence to drive it....

krazy_kameleon · Post by **krazy_kameleon** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 4:20 pm

I'm sure that can be readily bought...

krazy_kameleon · Post by **krazy_kameleon** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 4:21 pm

That pic is the new one, I am looking at an 06 or 07

Post by **george** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 5:00 pm

I heard that is sometimes to wide for the standard 4x4 tracks and it then it scratches a lot

Kaspaas · Post by **Kaspaas** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 5:09 pm

Jip, verseker 'n goeie bakkie vir sleep en breë grandpaaie, maar die verdomde ding spoor nie in 'n tweespoor pad nie, so jy sal moet 254 spaarwiele saam vir 4x4 roetes, of Afrika.
Was op 'n 4x4 trip saam met so kerel, later my spaarwiel se tyre afgetrek en vir hom op getrek (op sy 8 gat rim), net sodat die arme ou by die huis kan kom.

Hoppy · Post by **Hoppy** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 6:30 pm

Very nice vehicle, and light on fuel, the downfalls are;
1. The wide track and wheelbase
2. Very expensive parts
3. You need a code 10 and roadworthy every year
4. It doesn't have the right badge

Post by **Haboob** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 6:46 pm

Unread post Re: What is the general view on the Ford F250
Very nice vehicle, and light on fuel, the downfalls are;
1. The wide track and wheelbase
2. Very expensive parts
3. You need a code 10 and roadworthy every year
4. It doesn't have the right badge

x2
No spares higher up in Africa
You will struggle in thick sand, as it does not run in normal tracks
everything else you fit will cost more for oversize
Cruisers have the right badge &
are bigger &
fit normal tracks with a little scraping &
there are plenty of extras for Cruisers &
they are popular overlanding vehicles &
have spares all over Africa.

Make the right choce, oterwise it could work out a lot more expensive than the vehicle you have your sights on. You will also get a good trade on the Cruiser when you eventually sell it...
Good luck with your choice.

Post by **FIRSTGEER** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 7:56 pm

Very awsome well proven vehicle,BUT .You need to identify what you need the 4x4 for.If for very heavy work and a bit of leasure,I would score it highly.If for leasure, the points mentioned by Haboob really carry weight.You ultimatally have to choose,so PONDER ON !!!!!!!

krazy_kameleon · Post by **krazy_kameleon** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 7:59 pm

Thanks for all the feedback so far. The consumption was definitely a plus point waaay better than a cruiser but - suppose the whole cost of ownership need to be taken into account not just fuel. Also a double cab diesel cruiser (I need a bak) is mega $$$.

krazy_kameleon · Post by **krazy_kameleon** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 8:02 pm

The vehicle needs to fill these criterior:
1. Daily driver work bakkie - must be tough with reasonable fuel consumption
2. Able to load up the whole family (5) and all our gear for remote camping destinations
3. Possible Africa trip as above - needs to be reliable with affordable parts easily available if needed.

Thabogrobler · Post by **Thabogrobler** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 8:39 pm

I used to drive some when I lived in the USA, 2001's, 7.3 TDV8! Supercab and double cab - both in beautiful Candy Apple Red!

Fast forward a few years and onto African soil: It does not fit in the standard parking spot, neither garage. The turning circle is way bigger than your SFA's.

The engine that was available locally is an International, if memory serves? Quite a few blew the heads due to bad diesel pump settings. Can't remember but to recon the engine can be upto R120K!!! Eina!

The 4.2 is quite economical, but I'm not sure exactly how economical.

As a daily driver it can be quite a hard life. When you want to pop into Spar, you will park on the edge of the suburb to get a parking space big enough and walk the 7km to Spar for bread and milk. Small gaps in traffic will need to becoma a tad bigger.

BUT no Taxi will play chicken with you, size DOES count!

Will I buy one? In a heart beat!

ChrisF · Post by **ChrisF** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 9:31 pm

HAve a look on 4x4Community Forum - then contact "Madota".

He has the F250 double cab. They took the loadbin off and fitted a custom made camper unit. That thing is BIG !!

I hear the concerns about the taking this beast on trails. BUT, for overlanding this is PERFECT.

Code 10 ... jip .... Apparently also need a PDP.

Pote · Post by **Pote** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 8:42 am

My cousin bought herself one of these DC F250's.

What a beast. She travels to Botswana at least every 3 months and she told me she enjoyes the space the fact that all the farmers in Thabazimbi (Where she lives) always look at her funny. (Small little girl with this huge truck).

Also mentioned that it is a lok lighter on fuel that her fathers Patrol 4.8L.

JamesC · Post by **JamesC** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 8:53 am

Friend had one - blew the engine on 80 000km and cost R82k to fix.
Services and parts were VERY expensive. He was not impressed.

Bought a Cruiser 4.0L V6 - no on 300 000km and not a single problem (he does about 100 000km/year)

He would not touch a F250 again

DaveG · Post by **DaveG** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 9:26 am

Don't know much about the present generation F250 but I used to drive a 4x2 in the late 90s in Mali, loved that big beast, the size of it, the power either churning through thick mud (and if you have experienced a Mali downpour you know what I mean

) or thick dust no problem, didn't matter what the conditions it would just go on and on, mostly bush driving.

zepplin · Post by **zepplin** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 12:33 pm

ChrisF wrote:Code 10 ... jip .... Apparently also need a PDP.

Code 10 for sure.......PDP only needed if you're transporting paying passengers or goods.

Make sure you fit a lift kit if you get it. I don't think its high enough!

kfxnando · Post by **kfxnando** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 3:16 pm

When I read the opening post, though, am going to give my 2c worth again
However all the points I had have already been made, so will have my 2c anyway

Not a lot were brought into the country, and of those that came in have heard of enough broken ones

Have heard of two broken cranks, numerouse heads gone
Have read of at least one with a lexus V8, have seen one where the broken diesel was replaced with a petrol Ford V8
And yes when they break they are expensive

We wanted one wigh a passion couz we tow big and neavy, we have been cured and no longer have a desire for one
And this is comming from a ford fan

Yes they are good on fuel

Not sure what your get away trips consist of
However for interiour space the Triton has impressed me the most, including the rear leg room
If its towing capacity you are looking for, the jeep GC can tow up to 3.5ton
Yes the F250 requieres a code 10
Other wise a Ranger or Hilux lies in your future

Will be blunt and honest

Stay away from those F250s

Hope this helps

krazy_kameleon · Post by **krazy_kameleon** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 4:45 pm

thanks again for all the candid feedback, all apreciated...

ChrisF · Post by **ChrisF** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 5:28 pm

Rick clearly strong opinions to both sides on this beast.

Do your self contact Madota on the other forum - they have had theirs for a couple of years now, and he knows others with this as well .....

krazy_kameleon · Post by **krazy_kameleon** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 5:36 pm

Will do - thanks again :)

kfxnando · Post by **kfxnando** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 6:24 pm

Do an intersting exercise

Google " f250 lexus v8"

Have fun

Tarquin · Post by **Tarquin** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 6:39 pm

Haboob wrote:Unread post Re: What is the general view on the Ford F250
Very nice vehicle, and light on fuel, the downfalls are;
1. The wide track and wheelbase
2. Very expensive parts
3. You need a code 10 and roadworthy every year
4. It doesn't have the right badge

x2
No spares higher up in Africa
You will struggle in thick sand, as it does not run in normal tracks
everything else you fit will cost more for oversize
Cruisers have the right badge &
are bigger &
fit normal tracks with a little scraping &
there are plenty of extras for Cruisers &
they are popular overlanding vehicles &
have spares all over Africa.

Make the right choce, oterwise it could work out a lot more expensive than the vehicle you have your sights on. You will also get a good trade on the Cruiser when you eventually sell it...
Good luck with your choice.

all true, i'd go for a cruiser