bmanning
Explorer
Joined 20 years ago
User Profile
User Widgets
All Activity
Re: 5.4 is a screamer!!!
I had a 2008 5.4L F250 (heavy, crew cab 4x4 XLT) and I went from 3.73 to 4.30 and felt it made a big difference. Having said that, in my perception, that heavy of a chassis calls for V10 or diesel power. 300hp/365tq in a 3400lb sports car is one thing, 300hp/365tq motivating a 7500lb truck is another entirely. Very subjecrive at the end of the day; one man's underpowered is another's man's more-than-plenty. Bottom line, been there/done that, deep gears are a big aid in a borderline underpowered scenario. Gearing is funny; there's a such thing as "too much of a good thing." I have a V8 Volvo XC90, 4500lb, and with 311hp/329tq and a 4.14 1st gear it's nervous & jumpy off the line. Lots of gray in the world of the "right" gearing for the "right" weight & the "right" situation.676Views0likes0CommentsRe: Long term reliability of GM 8.1 Liter
About 3 years ago while pumping gas I was next to a guy filling up an 8.1L/Allison tow truck. I was truck shopping at the time & I asked about reliability; he said he had either 300k or 400k (it was 3 years ago, don't remember the specifics) and it had been prefectly reliable. And that's in a tow truck (lots of idling, stop & go, etc).2.5KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Should I rebuild my trans before we take trailer out west ??
Haven't read through the responses but I spent years "fixing things that weren't broken" on my vehicles and now see that it was a bit excessive/obsessive. Most vehicle components will warn you rather than just going toes-up (there are exceptions of course, such as sensors). If your transmission is acting as it should I'd leave it alone, but ultimately it's your $ and your call.550Views0likes0CommentsRe: Iconic USA Drives....List Your Favorite
89A from Sedona to Flagstaff in Arizona. I've made that drive maybe a dozen times over the years & it takes my breath away every single time. Maybe not iconic but personal favorites: Back East, US Route 7 running through Vermont will always hold a special place in my heart. Honorable mentions: 200 on the way to Heron MT, the roads in & around Mammoth Lakes CA, the Morristown/Chester/Mendham areas in NJ, the drive from Oxford OH to Liberty/Brookville Lake IN381Views0likes0CommentsRe: Are diesels worth it, for costs per mile?
Since your question is very specific- cost per mile- this is all you need: Price per gallon divided by miles per gallon = cost per mile Ex.: $4/gal fuel burning in a vehicle getting 12mpg = $0.33 per mile Depends entirely on the 2 vehicles being compared, regardless of fuel type. A gasoline Civic is going to be cheaper to operate than a F350 diesel, a diesel Jetta is going to be cheaper to operate than a 8.1L V8 GM pickup. Cost per mile is a very case-by-case comparison, but very simple to calculate.206Views0likes0CommentsRe: Suburban 2500…6.0 vs 8.1 vs Excursion V10
CKNSLS wrote: bmanning wrote: Congrats Jetemiah, on the new van AND for buying what works for YOU and not caving to the expectations/opinions of RV.net cavemen who think "if it ain't a 1-ton with a big heavy frame it's useless." One size has never fit all but simpletons struggle with that concept, and always will. The point is he was talking about vehicles in his first post that were not going to work for him in the first place, obviously. The point is the man bought a vehicle that will work well for his family and his needs, will still allow him to camp (nothing wrong with pop ups), and there was no need for negativity or criticism of his choice. Jeremiah knows it's limitations & he's obviously fine with it, and I'm guessing he & his family will enjoy their outings just as much as owners of huge 5er's & 1-ton body-on-frame pickups enjoy theirs.314Views0likes0CommentsRe: Suburban 2500…6.0 vs 8.1 vs Excursion V10
Congrats Jetemiah, on the new van AND for buying what works for YOU and not caving to the expectations/opinions of RV.net cavemen who think "if it ain't a 1-ton with a big heavy frame it's useless." One size has never fit all but simpletons struggle with that concept, and always will.314Views0likes0Comments
Groups
Bucket List Trips
Bucketlist destinations you just can't miss. Which spots stick with you?Jan 18, 202513,487 Posts Travel Trailer Group
Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Feb 06, 202544,025 Posts
