Dang it, my old dually is giving up the ghost. Got a bad rattle coming off the top end. It's a 2002 F-350 dually 4x4 with over 250,000 miles on it. Guess Julie has to take it to the dealership tomorrow for me. We don't have a spare truck so I rented a U-Haul half ton. Chevrolet . Got the insurance so I'll be sure to flog it, hard. Loaded up all my tools and the frame is but a couple inches off the axle. Got a wicked backward rake. I got high beams and sky beams now.
So looks like my dually needs some motor work done, suspension needs overhauled, and six new tires. Sure hope I can get the thing fixed. That truck rocks, love my 7.3 PS.
Might have to retire my faithful buddy, my good friend. Let her rest as my spare truck. What to get though? I wouldn't touch a new 6.0 with a ten foot clown pole after Julies van. Maybe a Dodge (oooh, hurts to even type that) 3500 4x4 chassis cab. Get the crew cab with a DewEze flatbed. Throw some Weatherguards and a Tommy Lift (save my achin back) on it and call it a day. I'd rather be castrated with rusty scissors than buy a Chevrolet or GMC.
Keeping a lookout for a low mileage "soccer mommy keeping up with the Joneses" 7.3 PS. 'course those will have slushboxes and I want a stick. I knew I should have bought 2 dually's in 02 and put one in the garage. Kickin' my own butt now.
Paddy

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If man wasn't meant to have triple digit trucks God wouldn't have invented Cat engines.

shoot it and give it a proper burial...........j/k. that sux man.

Well it went to the shop first thing. Here's the verdict:
Reman 7.3: $4800
Front and rear suspension overhaul: $1250
New brakes: $400
Clutch replacement: $650
New tires: $825
Change transmission, t-case, and front and rear axle lube: $205
All prices include labor.
The mechanis says the camshaft went flat and broke the valves. A piece of valve got into one of the bores and scored it beyond repair.
That's an awful lot of money to spend. I know Paddy loves this truck but we might be better off with a new one. We'll see what he says.
Julie

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If man wasn't meant to have triple digit trucks God wouldn't have invented Cat engines.

add that up (about $8000) and you got one awesome down payment for a new truck. just think about it.

Theres a "special" on the lot. 2007 crewcab F-350 2 wheel drive. Has the V-10 and the six speed. However it's a single rear wheel and XL trim level. It's the only manual on the lot. It's a real stripped down truck on sale for $27,500. I highly doubt he'll go for it though.
I was just starting to make some nice money running the Peterbilt a few days a week and now this...
Julie

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If man wasn't meant to have triple digit trucks God wouldn't have invented Cat engines.

I would rather repair a truck that I know than take a chance on a new one. The 6.0 PSD should be a lesson. Get a second or even third opinion, one reason I won't work for dealers anymore is I have been asked at every dealership I ever worked for to inflate the estimate if the customer seemed interested in trading. I can't imagine Mr. B being happy with a gas burner ever after his 7.3 PSD,especially when filling the tank.It is cheaper to repair older technology than new & if repairs will get you another 2-3 years it would be well worth it.JMO.

We've been doing business with them since 1989. They've always done right by us. They stand behind their work and our vehicles always come back detailed. Paddy is getting a used loaner dually from them, free of charge, to use until his truck gets fixed. Due to parts availability issues (reman 7.3) the truck will be in the shop two weeks minimum.
Julie

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If man wasn't meant to have triple digit trucks God wouldn't have invented Cat engines.