Back to the Freightliner FL70 Again

We had the discussion about me possibly selling my 2016 Ford F350 and buying a friends 1998 Freightliner FL70. The consensus was I would miss the comfort, which I am sure. Keeping in mind I only drive about 20K miles per year, most years.

Well, since then, I have had the 3rd turbo installed on the Ford. The first was on it when I got it at 23K miles and I assume the original. The second at 53K miles was done by Ford. The 3rd at 68K miles last week done by a super diesel shop. They are telling me the starting and stopping of the Ford is killing the turbo. I have to park it due to length in my shop, but have to start it up and back it out to work in the shop. It usually gets started, backed out and shut back off 3 to 7 times a week, which I know is very hard on the variable vane turbos. They need worked hard, which is what my diesel shop just told me again.

I pull a 34' gooseneck horse trailer with 4 big Percherons at 2000 a piece, plus wagon and harness/gear once in awhile, plus a 35' gooseneck flat bed with hay, or to haul a tractor to the shop or the like. Plus here and there when needed.

So with being tired of replacing these turbos, and not wanting to build another shed, I am going back to thinking about the Freightliner. I am thinking the FL would have a straight turbo, and not the new fangled variable vane. Anyone have any insight on that? I know starting and then shutting them right down is not great on any vehicle, but will the 1998 FL handle it better? I assume there will be another turbo next year if I keep things the way they are. Thanks - Bob

That turbo is just the tip of the iceberg. Frequent short runs may hurt that FL-70 more than the Ford. Whatever reason you have for pulling it in is probably not a good enough reason for the abuse of the motor.

No more than you are using it, I would sell the F350, and buy a similar sized gas truck. Forget diesel. If a diesel isn't pulled hard consistently, you'll have trouble with it, no matter what year it is. Gas engines are more tolerant of how you're using your the truck.

Go for it. You only make so many trips around the sun.

Vito

Change to a regular vane turbo on the next one. For no more than you are running it I don't think the starting is the turbo problem. Though for just moving in and out of the shed the turbine could be held in a fixed place for that long with no danger of injury to it. Biggest thing with short starts like that is the turbo doesn't get oil before you are shutting it down. Try letting it run for 5 minutes each time before shutting down might just make a big difference in the durability of the turbo. Only costs a little fuel to find out too.

You just had the Ford repaired. You know what your have.
What needs to change are habits. Like parking it inside and starting and stopping every too many times to access your shop
Park it outside and start it up when you are going to use it. If you need it covered get a tarp or portable garage
i.e. tarp with a frame under it. If you go with the frightliner it think you would have the same concerns.
Kris

from what you said you could sale the ford truck for it would have a new owner. As for the freight liner I used a 10 wheel drive version one for about 6 years with a 93' bucket mounted on it carrying about 58,000# all time, for that weight the transmission was to light weight it tore up the high gear synchronizer 3 times, I had it changed it to an overdriven 10 speed that solved that problem, the engine was under powered for that much weight even so all that was replaced on the engine was a faulty set of injectors at about 3 years old. The engine was operated a low load and medium engine speed running the hyds for the bucket probably 60% of the time, then pulled hard the remaining time while being driven from point to point it was a reliable engine. If I remember correct that 3116 was rated at 300 hp I have an FL112 with a 325 hp Arcet twin turbo set-up that will easily out preform it for sure, it want ride or drive like the ford, but even at that me personally for trailer towing I would prefer the FL70 especially if it has air ride suspension.

No comment on the FL but I think you have some other problem on your 16 f350. We have a 16 f250 with the same engine here on the farm. It has 286 thousand miles and original turbo. Lots of days it will start and stop all day like when we are fencing or something. I just believe you have a oil line pinched or something causing those turbo failures. Something up somewhere with your engine .

Sounds like you just want to buy the Freightliner weather it makes any sense or not. Your money - you don't need anyones approval.

Is this your only pickup or do you have a lighter pickup to drive around for errands? I forget if you mentioned this in your first post. If you are using this vehicle for only pulling, get rid of the pickup and buy the real truck that is built for hard pulling. You will have a heavier power train all the way from the rear ends to the drive shaft cross to the tranny to the engine and radiator. You can put the pedal to the metal on a long upgrade and not overtax the vehicle. I haven't sat in either vehicle so I can't compare the ride between the two but sometimes a semi with air ride cab will ride smoother than a hard jarring 1 ton pickup. It just depends on the vehicle. I have driven a Ford 350 diesel dually that jarred my teeth. I rode in a 450 that wasn't too bad. If this Freightliner does not have an air ride cab it just might jar the teeth too, I don't know that. I assume this Freightliner has an air ride seat and that helps but if the general ride is jarring the air ride seat though helpful it isn't enough. The steering wheel and dash board will still be shaking and stuff will still be flying out of storage compartments. The Freightliner will definitely have more braking power. Horsepower wise, does it really matter? If the Freightliner is a pooch compared to the Ford you might get there fifteen minutes slower. Yes it is nice to have the power, I like the feeling of power just like anyone else but that should not be the only deal breaker or maker. I don't know what the difference in licensing and insurance will be but we all think more dollars when we thing about putting a heavier truck on the road. Let us know what you end up doing.

One more thing to check. In Oregon, several of my farmer friends have been notified that their older diesel trucks have to be retrofitted for polution emissions or the state won't renew their license. I'm guessing your state may be different but it's something to consider. If not now maybe in the future?
Oregon DMV

Just a couple more notes on the FL70 vs the F350. The F350 blue books at $64,000.00. I don't let any vehicles set outside, let alone that one. In Kansas you never know when weather will pay a visit.

Also, even though I am far from rich, I can sell the F350 and pocket close to $40K after paying for the FL. I certainly don't need the money, but it would be nice to have in the bank. Tags, taxes, and insurance would be cheaper on the FL.

There are times I like to jump in the Ford and go to a horse sale that would be 6-8 hours away. Certainly a more comfortable ride, but most of the times it is just less than 100 mile trip. I have driven a semi close to a million miles, so there is no bother there, and do have a CDL.

Someone mentioned the FL being heavy on the front axle, which is something to consider. I have never had the Ford in 4WD yet as I avoid those situations.

I do have an older 3/4 ton Chevy with gooseneck ball and flatbed, plus a 2016 F150 for putzing around. The 1991 Chevy will pull the 2 gooseneck trailers, but not far..lol. I do appreciate the replies, and am hoping someone will blurt out the magic words to convince me one way or the other. Thanks again - Bob

What is going wrong with the turbos? Are the bearings getting starved for oil at shutdown?

Someone mentioned the FL being heavy on the front axle, which is something to consider. I have never had the Ford in 4WD yet as I avoid those situations.

If you ask me, all OTR tractors are heavy on the front axle when you look at all that's up there. Don't know why FL would be any different than KW or Pete.......if anything, lighter.

Could you float it financially so you could run the FL for a while and see how it works out for you before you dump the Ford?

I could but hate to. I realize that you are correct in that would be the ideal way. I can certainly drive it for a bit as I know the guy and he
is not using it.