Pickup trucks

MrMoo · October 25, 2004, 09:52:33 AM

Hi Folks,
Well I got bad news last week. Yup my pickup truck did not pass inspection. The corrosion underneath has gone beyond what is acceptable and its time to replace it.

I have been out looking at pickups both new and used. In used though I am only considering 2001 and later.

I was wondering how you are making out with your pickups.

I am mostly interested in the GMC 2500 and F250.

Any comments you could offer would be great.

Thanks,
Mike

Timber_Framer · October 25, 2004, 10:18:00 AM

You may as well have asked which chainsaw is best or what religion we all should be! :D
I guess my first questionwould be what do you want your truck to do?
In my experience GMC products ride nice but both Ford and Dodge 3/4 tons can haul and pull more then any GM 1 ton.
A few years back on an elk hunting trip I was pilling a four horse trailer with an F-250 and my brother in law had a two horse trailer pulled by a shiney new Chevy and I had to wait for him at the top of every hill and at every gas station.
The only local dealership we have up here is Chevy dealer nad everyone that works for a living drives a Ford.
Now I'm bettin someone here has a difference of opinion, and that's Ok ;D

shopteacher · October 25, 2004, 11:07:46 AM

Mike,
I've driven new fords since 1985. Had 3 since then and can't complain. The 98 1/2 ton I have now pulled my LT40 from below Birmingham, Al. to Pittsburgh without a hitch. However my real only requirements of a truck is that it runs good and doesn't give me trouble. One thing that I hate about all the Fords I've had is the danG seat belt doesn't retract fully and is always caught in the door.

Timber_Framer · October 25, 2004, 11:10:38 AM

QuoteI hate about all the Fords I've had is the danG seat belt doesn't retract fully and is always caught in the door.

>:(And it's been like that since the 70's!

shopteacher · October 25, 2004, 11:16:11 AM

You'd think they'd get smart enough to go steal a seatbelt design off of chey, chrysler, nissian, kia or somebody. Come on Ford get with it. Takes them corporate types a while to catch on I guess. :D

Murf · October 25, 2004, 11:20:04 AM

Mike, I think the TimberFramer has it pretty well nailed down.

I drive an F-350 PSD and have good friend who is a dyed in the wool GM-by-the -C fan, I don't hold that against him though, ddep down he's a nice guy. :D

After a few runs side by side with a variety of trailers, he has come to the following deep philisophical conclusion; He would like to have a Ford PSD, but he has a "Chevy Butt" and no matter how hard he tries or wants, he can't get comfortable in a Ford pick-me-up-truck. ;)

So we have an 'arrangement' all worked out, when we are making a one truck road-trip, we take his 'sport model' (1/2 shortbox) if there is little work involved and my 'Ford-nominium' (crew cab 4x4 long box dually) when a big trailer or load is involved. It works very well.

etat · October 25, 2004, 11:43:38 AM

F250 ;D

Norm · October 25, 2004, 11:48:57 AM

Ford Powerstroke F-250! Now I know some chevy diehards will tell you the 2500 but down deep they really lust after the powerstroke. ;D

Murf · October 25, 2004, 11:59:39 AM

Up here there's a popular saying.

"Real trucks and men work for a living, they DON'T wear Bowties.". ;D

In fact there was a big comotion over a new GM commercial shot near here recently, all the fall colours, twisty turning roads, etc., seems some bright advertising genious decided to emphasize the GM roadside assistance program too. They showed a lady and 2 kids being 'assisted' by a nice young man in a tow-truck.

Then someone realized it was a FORD tow-truck.

They tried to re-shoot that section but were unable to find a GM tow-truck in the area, all of the trucks the GM roadside assistance plan brokers have in this area are Ford PSD's.

They just cut that section out of the commercial completely.

Tom_Averwater · October 25, 2004, 12:27:07 PM

F- 250 with the PSD. I like it alot. 8) Tom

JD350Cmark · October 25, 2004, 12:30:45 PM

What do you mean your truck will not pass inspection? I have not heard of that. Please fill us west coast people in that may not be familar with it.

I have a 1990 Dodge 3/4 T, w/ Cummins and never had a problem. It's got 75,000 miles on it and waits to go on trips. Perhaps it will see Alaska next year. ;D

My 2001 F-450 on the other hand... been towed to Ford 3 times now. Bent push rods, bad injectors, turbo problems, another bent push rod, both rear wheel cyinders started leaking. Oh, and this started at 8,000 miles and now it has 13,000 miles. :-/

jgoodhart · October 25, 2004, 12:55:49 PM

Ford F250 Powerstroke, cab and 1/2 at my camp.

Fla._Deadheader · October 25, 2004, 02:09:31 PM

Mr. Cummins gets my vote. 20 MPG on my Dually. ;) ;D ;D

beetle · October 25, 2004, 02:15:24 PM

Been a GM fan all my life, maybe due to the fact that I get GM family discount ??? Never had problems until I bought my last new one, a 1997 4X extened cab Z 71. Biggest peice of ____ I ever owned. On top of the purchase cost I have dumped over $6000.00 in it under 100,000 miles. GM says not their problem, well, GM aint going to be my problem anymore.

Dom · October 25, 2004, 02:36:07 PM

For work, Ford, for play Chevy. ;D Not that it matters to me I drive a car, but it seems to be the general philosophy in my area, and it seems to be true. :P

Bruce_A · October 25, 2004, 03:44:28 PM

Shopteacher; You are so right. If you want to tow something without a hitch, get a Ford cause ????????? gm products will lose their grip before you get where you are going.

rebocardo · October 25, 2004, 04:11:25 PM

It all depends on what "features" you can not stand in a make and model, they all have their "features" and downfalls. All three OEMs play to different markets. You go to Maine and NH and it is 4x4 Ford country. Other states, it is more Chevy and Dodge.

Having worked at all sorts of dealerships (stealerships?) I like Ford the best. Some (-) things that distinguish a Ford:

> the danG seat belt doesn't retract fully and is
> always caught in the door.

Does not matter if it is a Ranger or F-150, it happens. Noisy power steering pumps you can hear 2 blocks away are another feature.

Generally speaking, the Ford trucks are way beefier then the Dodge and Chevy. Especially in the frame area, spring hangers, and rear axles. The 7.3 PSDs are fine engines and they even put the fuel filter up front where it is easy to change. Though I think I would wait a while until the 6.0 is unbugged.

GM - computer problems that leave you stuck for no reason, lousy trim that falls off and squeaks. Inferior drive train and the placement of items like spark plugs designed so you can't change them in a driveway.Count on your 4x4 not working at the worse possible time - when it snows.

Dodge - bad auto trannies that die between 60-80k miles no matter what you do to the vehicles. You would almost think they were designed by the guy that did the Ford A4LD transmission.

For a log/wood/work truck I would go Ford F-250/F-350 followed by Dodge. I think your best bet is go F-350 4x4 and get the solid front axle.

My former boss had a newer Dodge dually 4x4 diesel and basically the only problem is it overheated once in traffic (GA summer) and it keeps going through transmissions every 60k. Someone I know that had a Dodge (1/2 ton) had her tranny go at 60k too. So ... she went and bought a new "RumbleBee" Dodge truck instead.

I have done his starter and batteries for him too, though you have to consider that normal for a diesel work truck because they would be replaced on any make and model after three years of contractor work. About 250k so far and three trannies at $2500-$4000 a pop.

Larry · October 25, 2004, 04:25:06 PM

Appears most Forum member know a good truck when they see one. :D :D :D

F350 PSD new in 97 with no regrets and no plans to trade for quite a while.

Brad_S. · October 25, 2004, 04:33:29 PM

I once had a summer job working at the GM engine assembly plant in Tonawanda, NY, so I was a Jimmy man for most of my life. Got a GMC3500 when I started milling, but it nickel and dimed me to death, and couldn't pass anything, especially a gas station. :( Bought a used Ford 350 1T dually flat bed, 7.3 ltr. diesel and it is awesome. ;D Except, that is, for that part where the oil pan rots out at 120K miles and cost 2 grand to replace!

sprucebunny · October 25, 2004, 04:37:53 PM

Ford is my favorite for a real truck. Owned over 60 vehicles in my life. Had 2 new GMs and hated them. Only had 1 new Ford in 1979. Loved that one ,too. If you only need a smaller truck you really can't beat Toyota. Wish they made a one ton..

Kevin_H. · October 25, 2004, 05:02:01 PM

I own a '95 chevy 1/2 ton that I bought new...I will never buy another one >:(

Use's/leaks oil, inside door latch replaced several times, pins in the drivers door replace. window track on drivers door worn out, power locks dont work, power mirrors dont work...Well you get the idea, Plus I get to put new break lines on it tomorrow, seems they rusted in half :(

We run about 30 PSD in the ambulance fleet, most of them 7.3's but we have a few of the new 6.0

My next one will be a ford!!!

beetle · October 25, 2004, 05:26:25 PM

Rebo,

You are so right "inferior drive train " Chevy 1997 4X Z-71. 5.0 liter.

10k miles = transfer case. warranty
55k miles = new transmission. $2200.00
60k miles = front wheel bearing assemblys. $1100.00
100k miles = fuel pump including sending unit. $950.00
123k miles = again front wheel bearing assemblys. $1200.00.
Not to mention, water pump, alternator, heater core, mutiple brake changes. the list goes on.

Back and forth to work only, truck does not even got a hitch, so it has never pulled a trailer.

Front wheel bearings get slight slop and it affects the anti-lock brake sensors, truck wont stop.

Junk, Junk, Junk, Junk ! Anybody want to buy it ? ???

dutchman · October 25, 2004, 06:10:53 PM

I'm running a 1999 F 250 super duty, 4x4, with 373 gears, and Triton V8. Love the way it hauls logs, lumber, and the mill.
Now on the wish list is the new International 7300 CXT.
Check it out.

http://www.navistar.com/site_layout/severe/cxt.asp

bighoss550 · October 25, 2004, 06:44:48 PM

2003 F550xlt 4x4 crewcab with a 1ton bed on it:) the ultimate truck:D 8)

ill try to post u all a pic....

Corley5 · October 25, 2004, 06:49:14 PM

Dad and I both have (OK my wife drives ours ;D) Cummins Dodge 3/4 ton 4X4 quad cab short boxes and we couldn't be happier with them. His a 2001 and mine is a 2002. We've pulled our 26' gooseneck flatbed all the country with them and love them. The only thing I'd change on a new one is the gear ratios. Ours have 3:55s in them and I'd go with 3:73s. Just driving the truck it'll get 20MPG easy. Hook the trailer to it and add an 8,000lb tractor and that figure goes down considerably. I shopped extensively before buying ours and really kinda had my heart set on a Duramax Chevy but the incentives couldn't compare to Chrysler and Ford was even farther out. My favorite truck of all time is still the 96 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 P.U. I had that was the trade in for the Dodge. I miss that truck. I currently drive a 94 GMC 1/2 ton 4X4 with V-6 and a five speed. What a piece of junk. Actually it's very dependable and I wouldn't be afraid to head out anywhere with it but it is the most gutless hulk of a truck I've ever had.