"I drove an 08 today..."

[Maintain]

Here is a something a guy on another site wrote about the new 08 6.4L...

I went up and saw Cochise to look at the '08 mentioned in the other thread. Here's the scoop.

It's extremely quiet. If you like diesel noise or turbo whistle/whine this truck is not for you. The truck was parked about 30 yards from a feeder/service road for a major highway. I started it up with the hood up and the driver's door open. Cochise was standing right by the door and we couldn't hear the truck running. I had to give it the pedal to hear it over the ambient noise. I got out and stood by the exhaust, again no noise. If it was parked in a neighborhood you could hear it but anywhere that there is a fair amount of ambient noise you will be hard pressed to hear it.

If you like to tinker with your truck under the hood, good luck. It's very crowded under there. Also, if you lean over the front you will bend some fins on the various coolers mounted there. The Dodge guys have after market suppliers that sell guards for such things so I'm sure they will be coming for the new Fords. The one piece grill/hood feels very solid when you pull the hood closed.

For you 4X4 guys there is a new bumper filler piece on the back side of the front bumper that will keep most dirt and mud out of your front bumper when you go 4 wheeling.

The tail pipes look like something off of a jet.

The interior fits me very well. The cloth seats look like they have been upgraded from years past. The gauge layout is nice but the boost gauge is small if you just need a quick glance. When I first saw the pictures of this thing posted on the Internet I thought the interior looked too squared off. After seeing it in person I feel much better. It really does flow well. Everything is up to Ford quality (even on this XL). This truck had the 40/20/40 in it. The center armrest/console seems shorter than in years past. Meaning that is doesn't seem to be as long from front to back. It seems that on my old truck it came closer to the front of the seat. For you XL or carpet delete guys the new rubber flooring has ridges built into it which should keep mats more in place. In the 40/20/40 configuration the lower cup holder will not hold a very large cup straight up (which seems to be the case in all trucks no matter what the make).

The trailer tow package has some new plug fittings that look nice. Overall the truck looks very solid as you would expect from a Super Duty. The problem I have with the exterior is that Ford has embossed the words Super Duty on the top of the grill and the bottom of the tailgate. It's like you will forget if you don't see it on your truck.

I know it may sound like it but I'm not bashing the new truck. Just pointing out things I saw and liked/disliked.

How did it run you ask. Absolutely no turbo lag. You hit the go pedal and it goes. It goes real good. I got onto the freeway and shot over three lanes. I looked down and I was doing 80. It sure didn't feel like it. It happened pretty quick for a truck. The turning radius seemed better than my current truck. The ride was fairly smooth for a short bed CC 4x4. Again though, not much noise from the motor or the turbo. The salesman that went with me (Cochise didn't go he was busy) said that maybe we could get a CD with turbo whine and diesel noise on it. I thought that was pretty funny.

Overall I would give the truck a 9.9 on first impression. There are a few things I would have done differently but then I don't design trucks. If the motor gives buyers good service (and you know what I mean) Ford will have a winner because the rest of the quality is still there.

Click on my truck pictures link to see some of the shots I took of it. If you have any questions fire away. I might be able to answer them. If not, I'll make something up.

Here is a link to his pictures he took...
2008 Ford F350 XL 4X4 pictures from cars photos on webshots

[Stroked95]

Don't sound too bad, but I think I will wait til someone sends their truck to a junkyard, that way I can swap the 6.4 in to my 95, minus all that emissions crap of course . Without all that stuff on the motor (18 catalytic converters and all those egr's) I'd bet you would be able to hear a little more engine noise. And if it doesn't want to run right without that stuff, I'm sure Twildman or DP-Tuner could straighten it out Just my ramblings

[Ditty]

That would be a pretty good idea. Wait until some Construction Company flips one and shoehorn that 6.4 in to my 2000. Delete all the emission junk and free up some power. I'm willing to bet that without all the emissions stuff, that motor is good for near-400 hp without tuning it much. (Exhaust and intake with emissions missing).

[Albie30]

The front end is going to take some gettin used to I just dont see why parking lights need to be the same size as headights

[Ranch96]

The bumper filler deal is pretty neat. Mine is full of rocks.

[BigGreen06]

When he said the engine compartment is cramped, I didn't think it was going to be exactly that. There is no free space in there whatsoever. The front doesn't look too bad, but that is the "Fleet" or contractors model, the consumer one looks different.

-BG06.

[CHenry]

I want a new one!!!
I'll be able to get an 08 model in 2012!!!

[Worm Drowner]

Can I just get a 2008 without the engine? I know we have several 3126's down in the shop that would go nicely with that body!

[Stroked95]

wormdrowner- probly a dumb question, but what exactly is a 3126. I'm pretty sure its a CAT but not sure the size or what they come in. It's not the 7.2L is it?? My dad said something about putting a 3126 in his 01 SD a few weeks ago but I was day dreaming cause I didn't ask him about it at the time. TIA

[dercody]

looked nice overall, that grille has to go though, have to be a billet grille. i like the fact that you can stand on the front bumper though, that is cool, also the lower cup holder thing is cool. dissapointed they only have 1 tray in the drivers door, mine has 2. also, the air intake is directly from the outside, that's good, you could put a small scoop to increase the airflow. dont like the vinyl though. otherwise looks good, it is a bit cramped under the hood. also, the lettering on the tailgate should be filled in. make it stand out.