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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Community Chat -> Another Step Closer!
Post Info TOPIC: Another Step Closer!
DagoRanch


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Another Step Closer!
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So I was kinda bummed about the upcoming weekend, I WAS going to try and get away to my "retreat" in N.E. Arizona and meet up with some folks up there, but the weather was threatening on Thursday, and I needed to get an oil change and transmission service before taking my little rig on another trip and I really did need to finish what I started last weekend in bringing the pool back to life.....

So another weekend stuck at the old sticks and bricks.  no

But last night, just before going to bed I stumbled across something we needed.

My Tow Rig

So early this morning Madonna and I got up and went to go look at this jem.

And a jem it was/is!

2002 F350 Lariat Dually 4x4.   The cleanest one I've seen, and the price was right, pretty much exactly what I budgeted for.

Side View of my Rig

It's in my driveway now!   biggrin

One more step complete.  Guess I better get my other vehicles sold, My place is starting to look a dealer lot!

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Tony & Madonna
Class of 2011 Flunkies
Class of 2019
Terry and Jo


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Nice looking truck!  Now, does it match the paint on the camper?

Terry

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Terry and Jo

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DagoRanch


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Well, the current off-road pop-up... definitely not! The future 5er this thing was bought for... depends on what we end up with! If I get one cheap enough, a paint job may be in order :)

This is one sweet rig, we took it around to show it off to our folks and they could not believe this was NOT a brand new truck. It is that clean and well cared for.

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Tony & Madonna
Class of 2011 Flunkies
Class of 2019
Mallo


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That appears to be a Powerstroke badge on the side of it.  If it is a 7.3 diesel you have a great truck but one suggestion.  Check to see if it has an aftermarket transmission cooler.  The one week spot in the 1999 to early 2003 7.3's was the transmissions can burn out unless the cooler is upgraded. 

It's a very good looking truck though and for the size fifth wheels you've been talking about a very good truck.

Mallo


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heyduke


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congrats on the new wheels...

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Hdrider


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Mallo wrote:


That appears to be a Powerstroke badge on the side of it.  If it is a 7.3 diesel you have a great truck but one suggestion.  Check to see if it has an aftermarket transmission cooler.  The one week spot in the 1999 to early 2003 7.3's was the transmissions can burn out unless the cooler is upgraded. 

It's a very good looking truck though and for the size fifth wheels you've been talking about a very good truck.

Mallo


I agree.... I had a 7.3 in a F350 and went through a tranny. But after I had it upgraded I never had a problem... Nice looking truck ya have there. I love a good Ford.  

 



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Dave & Diane 

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Racerguy


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Way to go Tony. Isn't it fun when things work out the way you planned ? Even though I'm a Dodge guy that is a great looking truck.If it is a 7.3 you will love it.A friend has had really good luck with his.

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Happytrails


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Congratulations...... beautiful truck!!

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DagoRanch


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Mallo wrote:

The one week spot in the 1999 to early 2003 7.3's was the transmissions can burn out unless the cooler is upgraded. 


Point well taken Mallo.  When I crawled under it, it appears to be the stock "trailer package" cooler.  I'll definitely be upgrading that!

Me and the dealer both agreed that the transmission must have been replaced at some point, it shifts too darned perfect and there's no way the original transmission lived this long without a rebuild. But he didn't do a cooler upgrade... so we'll remedy that!


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Tony & Madonna
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Class of 2019
janieD


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Congrats on the truck. I think my husband was just as excited about his truck as the 5vr. Enjoy!

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jagco


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Congrats on the new2u truck. Love the color!

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Jeff and Georgia
Dreamers


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What is your tow capacity. We got burned on a 2004 Ford F350 Lariat Dually (beautiful, clean, like new with low mileage) Super Duty Turbo Charger Diesel truck. The tow weight is so little that its impossible to find a 5th wheel it will tow.

Hope this isn't your case. Lots of luck.

Judy (and Bob)

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DagoRanch


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I didn't get burned. I'm going to keep the 5er's gross weight at around 12-13K.

If you recall I was the guy who sent you the PM about how to increase your capacity to match an 05+ F350, a rear gear change to a 4.30 ratio is all you need. It's the only difference between the two.

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Tony & Madonna
Class of 2011 Flunkies
Class of 2019
Speedhitch


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Congrats!! Have fun with the new truck

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Mike and Terri


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It's a beauty!  Congratulations!

Terri

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DagoRanch


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Racerguy wrote:

Way to go Tony. Isn't it fun when things work out the way you planned?



Absolutely!  It always works!  You never really know when it comes, but there's always that serendipitous moment where everything just comes together.

This truck I bought, I have seen for sale before.  I've been scouring around for tow vehicles for quite a few months now and 2 months ago, I saw this very same truck on Autotrader and eBay at a local "BIG" dealership for nearly twice what I paid for it. It being out of my price range, I didn't give it a second look.

I didn't realize it at first, but when I went to go look at it Saturday I asked about it's history and if he knew anything about it, you know maintenance records, stuff like that.  He was honest and didn't know anything beyond that it was for sale at a "BIG" dealer lot and that it was a trade-in that they just couldn't sell, so they wholesaled it to this "specialty" dealer who deals almost exclusively in heavy diesel trucks.

It dawned on me later, and I looked up the VIN and lo and behold I found the listing.

They were asking $24K for the truck!!!  Some of you may recall that my tow vehicle budget is $15K.  I got the truck for $14,500.

So yes, I LOVE it when things come together like this.

Thanks for all the well wishes... We appreciate it!



 



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Tony & Madonna
Class of 2011 Flunkies
Class of 2019
Dreamers


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Tony, your truck is beautiful and thanks for the tip in regards to our truck. I still have your original PM but have a hard time understanding this truck technical stuff.

What about the banks system?

Good luck to you!

Judy (and Bob)

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2 Old Crows and a dog named Berryjane!

http//:rvpilgrims.blogspot.com

2004 F350 LWB duelly Diesel with Banks Power Brake System pulling a 37' 2009 3605RL Montana
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