New Truck - Which accessories would you buy?

[hgf]

Getting a F-350 Extcab,4x4, SRW, V-10 XLT next week. Will be used as "snow" vehicle in winter, and to haul 9.5 camper and boat in summer. What kind of accessories do have on your truck that you really like? Or hate? I will be adding steps for sure. Anyone add any aftermarket engine or suspension items that are good??

[fordman]

get the optional 7.3 turbo diesel the v-10 is a dog

[Mckoz]

A dog??? Maybe a 315 Hp greyhound! I've got both the diesels and the V-10. I would recommend a diesel for working or towing everyday. The gas is a lot more fun to drive and you don't have to deal with the fumes and noise.

Only complaints I have are the headlights need help and the rear of the truck looks better with a set of helper springs.

Only option I miss on the work trucks is the outside temperature.

[Jimmy Mac]

I 2nd the diesel option. Although I do not own a Ford, I do own a diesel and cannot say enough about the power.

I would look at the specs on the v-10 and compare it to some of the G.M. motors. I think there are smaller motors that put out just as much if not a little more power than the v-10. I only raise this point becuase the v-10 may not be as powerful as you think. If I was getting that rig, I would want as much torque as I could get. In a Ford, that should be the diesel.

You probably won't go wrong either way. Just my .02.

Good luck in your purchase,

Jimmy Mac

[Phil T.]

Obviously the first accessory for any 4X4 is a shovel, the second a Hi-Lift jack. If you're really adventurous, you may want to add a winch.
This isn't meant to be a joke. You'll need a shovel for sure.

[Engine Guy]

I relly like the duramax. Would work real well in that truck. The resale would be lots higher too.

[Rob]

Mudflaps are a must if you wanna save your paint-job. Next, you'll need chrome step bars I think mine are Werners. They will make getting in and out easier. Don't but the painted steps they will scratch and look bad after a while. Then an X-Liner for the bed. Those are just the basics and should total around $800. And you thought just getting the truck home was expensive. Good luck.

[EyeBoy]

hgf;
I won't debate the Ford/Dodge/GM issue, that cat will be flat enough by the time this thread is over. Same for the diesel vs. gas.
Let's talk accoutrements.....AKA, truck toys. If you are getting an automatic transmission a tranny temp guage is nice. Side step "nerf" bars. Nice grill guard, to deflect dumb deer. Driving lights and fog lights, with the fog lights that give off amber light; don't cheap out on these, get the ones with glass lenses. K&N air filters work well. If from time to time you need 110v to run something an inverter is nice. Put halogen bulbs in your back up lights, if they are not already there. Letsee what else can I spend your money on.........Two sets of tire chains just in case. A nylon jerk strap (these are not suspenders for the village idiot), minimum of 20,000#. If you opt for a winch, go for the one that slides into the reciever hitch, then install a reciever on the front as well, then you can winch from front or back.
I didn't mention many brand names because there is a lot of great acc. out there, and I think that shopping around is half the fun. I do not consider a lift kit as a good acc. I feel that it raises the center of gravity of the truck too high. Other than that have a great time with the truck and with the accessorizing.
Tom
Catch a wave.

[wyosteve]

Go to www.GenosGarage.com and consider a set of the Night Bright back up lights. 2 55w bulbs that fit over your receiver hitch. Complete kit. Have one, love it.

[bountyhunter]

IF your set on the gas engine ,hope you got stock in an oil well ,gets about 11 mpg and the diesel gets 16 mpg

[Mckoz]

Ditto on the mileage but I did not buy a V10 expecting good mileage - I did however buy the diesels for mileage and towing and usually get about 13 to 14. (this is fully loaded and towing daily)

[Todd_NE]

Cheapest Performance Upgrade - K & N Air Filter System

Next Best - Larger Exhaust, Better Headers and/or a Superchip

[hgf]

Thanks eyeboy. You hit the nail on the head with the flat cat fight of diesel vs gas. I really did look at the diesel, and had one in the past. Awesome engine. But, the gas mileage difference won't pay for the diesel unless you run 100,000 to 150,000 miles. But my biggest reason for not going diesel is payload. I will not be towing heavy stuff, but will be carrying a camper. A diesel takes away at least 600lbs payload. Payload was more important than pulling, and I did not want the dually.
One question. I have heard of the K&N air fileters. Why them and what do they do better than regular air filters?? Also, why the nerf bars? I have used DeZee aluminun running boards in the past to keep the gravel off the paint job. But they catch dirt. I will get the fog lights and protector- had not thought of those.
Thanks for the info.

[hgf]

Why?? What do these things do? Any brand names and costs? Thanks. How much better gas mileage????

[eyegetit]

I like the idea of putting halogen bulbs in the back-up lamps, but I'd consider taking it a step further and installing a light bar to illuminate the boat while you tie down. One of my pet peeves is morons who block the ramp to tie down under the one & only mercury vapor light located at the head of the ramp!

[Mckoz]

Steve:

How easy was that to wire? I'd like to put it on a 2000 F250SD.

Thanks Mike

[hgf]

I had not thought of the halogen lights. But I will have a camper on the truck, so a light bar won't work. But I may put one on the camper. Good idea.

[WAeyes]

Get a good spray on bed liner, Rhino Liner is the best I have found. If you like to bird hunt get the push button 4wd rather then the lever on the floor. This will open up the center floor area for guns and/or a third person in front. Also the split bench with a movable console will help during hunting. Get 4 doors for access on both sides in back. Get a canopy with dependable locking system to protect any toys you have to store in back. If you don't need a vented windows for animals or sleeping, get the side pull out windows for easier access to gear without having to crawl in on your knees...ouch! If you tow alot get the heavy duty stuff to keep the engine cool. I love to spend other peoples money. Let me know if you want to spend more!

[vetspet(ind)]

good advice...i also have 4x4 v-10 ram....like the truck...poor gas milage other than that not one problem and it is in its third yr...fun to drive except i leave my truck camper on it 90% of the time...gets 10-11 mpg best when no camper on it....7 when loaded and pulling boat...i still am not certain as this is my first 4x4 but when i ordered the truck i got limited slip differential on the rear...i thought both front wheels had power but about a month ago a post on wc said you only have power to one front unless you get limited slip diff on the front also...i never knew that and wish i would have at least been privy to that to research this option before buying the truck... i have been stuck twice already...both times because i went off road w/o putting into four wheel drive...not too smart...i only had the standard jack when i got stuck the first time and the problem is if you get stuck to your axle you can only get the jack under the frame and most of the lifting only raises the frame...took many hours to get out and my 52 yr old body was so tired i did not even go fishing and almost puked all the way home...have a high rise jack now...great advice...also put in 4x4 if off road!!! bring a board for base of high rise jack and they make a gadget to lift the front end as the jack will not get under the front bumper..still have not bought this accessory...know me as well as i do , i will probably get it after the next time i'm stuck!!!...steve

[vetspet(ind)]

ditto on rhino liner...forgot to mention that...everyone said do not get the regular liners...water gets under and they scratch your bed and rust will set in...seen it happen...steve

[EyeBoy]

hgf;
The K&N filter is a gauze oiled element, it will capture smaller paritcles than your run of the mill paper type, and you clean it your self. Reusable many times and it will pay for itself. In addition, it flows more air than your paper type, even when dirty.

The reason for the "nerf" type side bars is that they do not catch and hold mud and dirt. They also protect the rocker panels on your truck, where the alumimun will bend and then they are toast. Full contact 4 wheeling so to speak.

Just for the record; I own a 97, Ram 2500 HD, V10, SLT, w/manual 5 spd trans; love the truck, didn't buy it for milage, bought it for power; 450 ft#'s peak torque @ 2500 rpm. Talk about smooth power, one knows that it is not a V8 the first time one steps on the throttle. This truck has more grunt than a herd of constipated buffalo. The torque stays above 400 ft#'s from 1500 rpm, through 3500 rpm. I don't know what the specs of the triton V10 are, so I can only speak to my Dodge.

The one gentleman that posted about digging out; that is why I recommend the reciever hitch winch, a real cardiac saver, or as they say if the heart attack doesn't kill you the emergency room and ccu bill will.

Tom
Catch a wave

[Starfish]

I'll second the vote for halogen backup lights-- I was able to easily add some cheapo halogen driving lights under the back bumper on my truck. I was delighted to discover that my SDF250 was pre-wired with auxiliary backup light wiring; I just needed to tap into an existing wire at the back, and add a ten-dollar relay to the relay box under the hood. It took all of an hour, most of which was spent figuring out the fact that it was pre-wired. By the way, I also discovered that there are a few spare wires that go through the firewall and terminate next to the fuse block in the cab, making it very easy to wire accessories/switches such as driving lights or winches. It's a very nice setup for the do-it-yourselfer.