Well, I dood it...

[PHPaul]

Been toying with the idea of replacing my 2013 Toyota Tundra for a few months now, but kept choking on the price of new trucks.

The Tundra is still a viable truck, just some cosmetic issues and increasingly frequent (tho relatively minor) mechanical issues. Still, I've got the itch and every other week or so cruise the dealer websites hoping to find a unicorn.

I've owned a herd of GM's, and three Dodge trucks. I've sworn off GM for several reasons including a piece of shit 2006 GMC. Of the three Dodges, one was a sweetheart, the other two were a pain in the ass. New Dodge's don't have a great reputation. Toyota quit putting V8's in the Tundra which is a deal breaker, not to mention they're stupid expensive.

I've tried multiple times since the 70's to get a Ford dealer to talk sense. All they've ever managed to do is piss me off.

Saw a 2024 F250 SuperDuty 4WD, 6.8 V8 with a $47K price tag. That's about as reasonable as I've seen in months, so I called and started playing the game. Short version: After half a day of calls, texts, smoke and mirrors, I closed on a different F250, pretty much the same level with fewer bells and whistles as they couldn't get their pencil sharp enough on the original. After I said "Nope" enough times, they magically found one at another dealer that we could agree on. Funny how that works.

I pick it up tomorrow. Let the kids know that I just spent their inheritance...

[PHPaul]

As mentioned elsewhere, 2024 F250 SuperDuty, XL trim, 6.8 "Minigodzilla" gasser, 10 speed auto. Offroad package, towing package. Single cab, 8 foot bed.

I bought this truck over the internet based on the build sheet, pictures and the negotiated price. Had I done the deal in person from the start I might not have bought this exact truck. The main reason for that is the Offroad suspension and the 33" tires. Thing rides like a tank, and steers about the same. On smooth or reasonably smooth roads all is good. On busted up Spring thaw roads, its HORRIBLE! Barely managed 20-30MPH but to be honest two of the three roads going out of town are completely falling apart. Even in the luxo-mobile car you have to slow way down and steer around the potholes and frost heaves.

Other than that, I like it and I like the features. Vinyl buckets and rubber floormats - an actual TRUCK! I can see where the 360° camera view is going to come in handy, especially the hitch view and the in-bed view. I need to play with the center dash display to see what data I want to view and what screen colors/formats are available. Right now I keep it turned off as the clock view is too bright.

It's a tall booger with the 33's, so the side steps are appreciated. Came with spray-in bedliner, also appreciated. View from the cab and mirrors is good. View over the front is a little limited and will take some getting used to. The "parking" mode of the camera has come in handy already to judge where the front bumper is.

So basically I'm happy and think I'll get happier as I transition from what was essentially an SUV with a really large trunk (the Tundra) to an actual work truck.

[GeneMO]

Sounds like you are about as happy as a pig in a mud puddle.

Gene

[GeneMO]

Better hope a coon doesn't get trapped in that new rig!

Gene

[PHPaul]

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Now to get it fit out. It has the 2.5 vs. 2 inch receiver, so new hitch inserts. Want to put a tool box and a bed cover on it but, like everything else, they've gotten seriously expensive. It'll be a while before I can swing that.

Might get a cheapo tool box to start and upgrade later after the checkbook heals up a bit.

Coons don't last long around my ranch. About the same a porcupines: Shoot on sight.

[GeneMO]

No porcupines here, but we are started getting the damned Armadildos about 10 years ago.

Gene

[PHPaul]

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After looking at options...and the asswhippin' my budget has taken...decided to go with a cheapo Husky box from Deep Homo.

More money was spent on an Extang folding bed cover that works with the box. I'm pretty impressed with it, fits nice, folds enough to open up half the box or comes completely off with two thumb-screw type clamps.

Got some WeatherTech mud guards in the garage waiting on a nice day to install them. They have a film that goes under them to protect the paint so everything needs to be squeaky clean before install. Washing the truck in 40° is a non-starter.