Ford has done an overall excellent job designing and building their new Super Duty line of trucks, with only a few exceptions. I own a 1999 F250 Super Duty crew-cab short-bed 4x4 with the Powerstroke diesel engine and an automatic transmission that I ordered from the factory and took delivery of in May of 1999. I also recently helped relatives order their new 2000 F250 Super Duty super-cab, short-bed 4x2 with the Triton V8 engine and automatic transmission.

The Excellent stuff:
The new Ford Super Duty trucks are the largest, tuffest, roomiest, nicest-riding, and have the highest available tow ratings of any full size trucks in their class. The crew-cab is particularly spacious in the front and rear seats. I am 6'2" tall and 225 lbs, and I and 5 others of my size could quite comfortably ride for many hours in my truck, all the while towing a very large boat or travel trailer. I call my truck the, "4x4 Limo!"

I love the Powerstroke diesel engine, but it is definitely not for everyone. The diesel engine has a very high torque rating of 500 ft lbs. and can more easily tow large boats or trailers than the GM trucks with their existing diesel engine, or the Dodge trucks with their Cummins engine. I know this because I used to own a 1994 Dodge 3500 4x4 with the Cummins diesel engine. The Cummins diesel engine is a great, extremely durable engine, but the Powerstroke is equally durable and has a more modern electronically controlled direct injection system. The Ford Powerstroke engine also meets California Low Emissions Vehicle status, as does all of Ford's Super Duty engines.

The styling of the truck is also excellent. When driving down the road, you sit about a foot higher than most other similar trucks and SUVs. The drop down window design in the front doors contributes to excellent visibility of any nearby objects, and helps in parking, etc. The optional telescoping-trailer-towing mirrors are large, extremely useful and adjustable for wider or narrower trailers. The truck has a key-locking tailgate, a nice touch. The crew-cab seats are very comfortable and the leg room in the back is better than most luxury full size cars! The solid body structure of the crew-cab is another contributor to a nice solid and quiet ride.

The Not As Good Stuff:
The Ford Super Duty trucks are very heavy across the line. They are between 500 and 1,000 lbs heavier than comparably equipped models from GM and Dodge. My truck weighs 7,200 lbs. full of fuel with no one and nothing in or on it. That is a lot, and more than I expected. Some of this weight is due to the somewhat larger size of the Ford Super Duty trucks. Some of it is because the other manufacturers (GM in particular) have been more aggressive in trying to keep the weights of their trucks down. As a result of this heavier weight, the Ford Super Duty trucks get slightly lower fuel economy when compared to similarly equipped competitor trucks.

Some people have complained of automatic transmission problems, particularly when towing/moving very large loads in extended extremely hard-working situations. I have had absolutely no problems with my automatic transmission. There has been some other minor problems that I have heard from others and one recall notice for a minor fix. So, the truck is not perfect, but I love mine very much and wholeheartedly recommended it to others.

If you live and drive in a crowded major city, parking will kill you with this truck. They are simply large and heavy trucks, and one must be completely honest about what you really need, want and can live with...

P.S. I have a tremendous amount of additional information from my ownership experiences, negotiating and ordering the truck, and from past trucks that I have owned (1992 Ford, 1994 and 1998 Dodge and my new 1999 Ford). If anyone has specific questions, please feel free to email me at LVSeng@aol.com

Good luck and enjoy!