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BaitBoy

One lengthy and involved subject - need a new(er) and big(ger) truck. Looking to get either a Dodge 3500, GMC 3500, or Ford F350 or even F450. I'm not sure I really care which, but prefer a 6-speed standard, which GMC does not offer with diesel. That's right, the subject truck will be a 4WD, crew-cab dually, diesel, preferably standard 6 speed, but I guess I could take the GM Allyson auto tranny if forced to. I like the Dodge Cummins HO engine most, but it just seems that Dodge can't get away from weak body and interior. Heard bad things about the Fords, so I'm really cornfuzed here. Would like some input on selection process. Will require to pull heavy loads, as in cattle, horses, big-a$$ 5th wheel a couple of years hence. Not likely to take it on the beach but will pull the 5th wheel to the beach (on top of the campground at Malachite,) 5th wheel likely to be a toy-hauler with a couple of street legal dirt bikes in the back.

Second part of this foray - buy right before the election, or buy on the last day of the year? Notwithstanding that whomever is elected won't take office until 20 January of next year. Will be pre-approved for the necessary funding, but my own credit union has said that on large SUVs and pick-ups that they won't finance over 80%. Given that, do I go for a new '09, a new '08, a used '08, or '07, 0r '06 with (not likely to find) low milage?

Time is running out for your input. Personal experience with the vehicle selections available and your own experience with all three is more heavily weighted than those who grew up favoring one over the other. With the low milage I have been putting on vehicles up here on an annual basis (7-8,000 per year,) this could likely be the last vehicle I will purchase (or next to last if God is so willing.)

I really did like the Honda concept truck we saw at the state fair here a couple of months ago, but at $50K suggested for the diesel crew-cab dually - not likely.

ShawnQ · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 8:51 pm Post subject:

I'm a big fan of the Cummins and would much rather have a 6spd hand shaker and the Cummins workhorse. The interior is much improved over the 94-02 models, and the fuel mileage (from my experience) is better than the competition. The biggest advantage of the Cummins is the proven track record. Unfortunately, my Wife going to school to get her Master's caused me to sell my Cummins. I miss it daily..almost as much as I miss the Wife being 5hrs away at school Laughing

Ford's newest diesel is a major PITA to work on - so make sure you get an extended warranty if you decide on the blue oval. My uncle is a Ford heavy-line Tech and does cab-removals almost weekly. The smallest repairs require cab lift/removal due to the twin turbo setup. The engine is somewhat unproven in the reliability department, so that alone would keep me away. I will say that Ford's interior is nice, especially the king ranch. I love Ford, I own three(focus, 2 mustang 85 and 91)...but I wouldn't buy one of their diesels unless it was an older 7.3L circa early-mid 90's. I also hate the looks of their new 'frowning' front end...looks sad all the time Sad

GM makes a fine truck. The interior is comfortable, the ride is nice, and the powertrain is refined. The auto is supposedly very tough, although I haven't ever driven one hard enough to see how it does. My Father-in-Law owns a Duramax/Allison combo, and he loves it for pulling his 32' travel trailer cross-country. The biggest downfall to me for the GM was the price. They seemed to be much more expensive then the Dodge was. I also wasn't a fan of the looks until just recently when they redesigned them. I believe they have the IFS suspension still, which is likely a big part of the ride improvement - but a big downfall in my mind as I'm not too worried about a cushy ride.

So, in short:

Workhorse with not as much comfort, lowest cost of ownership - Dodge
Unproven powertrain, Mid level price, nice level of comfort - Ford
Plush interior, Nice 'lincoln' ride, high cost, Auto - Chevrolet

With that said...Dodge is redesigning their H.D. trucks as we speak. So, if you can hold out a little longer, you may get the best out of the three with their new design. The new 1500 interior is MUCH refined, very nice. I would assume the 2500+ will get the same (or similar) interior. OR, you could pick up an older model that someone traded in to snag a new one...or a 'leftover' from the previous year.

Go drive all three - you'll know the one you like best when you are done. With the level of competition these days, almost anything off of any lot will be comparable. The biggest factor is what you want to spend your money on. Be sure to get a good deal as these trucks are basically being given away right now.

Take care,
Shawn

BaitBoy · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 9:03 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Shawn. I have driven all three, owned a 2001 Dodge 2500 HO diesel w/ 6-speed and, briefly last year, a Ford 350 diesel w/ 6-speed until I found out I need major rotator cuff surgery and couldn't deal with a long-a$$ crew-cab in the parking lot at work w/ manhandling the 6-speed. I currently own an '04 GMC gas, auto 4wd single cab and it is definitely a good truck for what we currently do, but looking for more beef and more room to haul more beef and do what we want to do.

BTW, I also much prefer the straight front axle on the 4WD that only, as far as I know, Dodge provides.

ShawnQ · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 9:14 pm Post subject:

Gib · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 9:27 pm Post subject: dodge or chevy

Your workhorse is going to be the Dodge.

Your highest comfort level is going to be Chevy.

I am not a fan of Ford diesel due to many break downs on as many as 5 different ones with exception of the 7.3L.

New 6.7 on Dodge is a fuelaholic but very nice.

If this may be the last, and you want new, go for it. Buying one a couple of years old greatly reduces the price.

As Shawn is saying, shop around because there are some awesome deals out there right now.

Personal experience in all three, I would go with the Dodge in a standard. They have greatly improved automatics, but pulling cattle trailers is a call for standard.

Yes, Dodge still has its little headaches, but most of it is cosmetics and not mechanical.

BaitBoy · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 9:39 pm Post subject:

Shawn - any particulars in short straight talk on the 'good' vs 'bad' between the bigger and smaller? My ability to study up is greatly reduced due to workload on the job and still cleaning up from the ice storm of December '08, plus we seriously have major house renovations in process here that are precluding a lot of time to study up to take advantage of the big truck market situation. Ergo, the reason for my post - if you've got the knowledge, I want to take advantage of it ASAP. And I do appreciate everyone's input, even if it doesn't do more than assuage my own preconceived thoughts. BTW - on the straight front axle thing, if given an accident or other calamity that damages the front end, it has GOT to be cheaper to replace a straight front axle than a more complicated IFS or twin-Ibeam suspension.

flyindrdre · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 11:46 pm Post subject:

3rd Ranger · Finger Mullet Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Posts: 11

the 4x4 ford f250,350,& 450 are solid front axle. its only the 2x4 f250& 350 that are ifs& the f450 2x4 has a solid Ibeam

Blast-n-Cast · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 1142

I drive a 2002 Ford F350 and have never had a problem pulling anything. We have 3 of them in my family all 7.3l and we all do our share of pulling. My father is in the cattle business (BeefMasters) so he pulls a goose-neck most of the time hauling cattle or round bales with ease. As far as the Chevys they look nice but were really pricey last time I looked at them and the Dodges really the only thing I can say about them is a cosmetic flaw in that everyone I have been in (older models) end up with a dashboard cracking in several places. You can still run across several used diesels with lower miles for much better prices than new.

Here's few pics of my dads rig loaded with round bales....lots of weight

SandJKENNELS · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 2:07 am Post subject:

I have the new dodge with the HO 6.7L with jake brake and I like it a whole lot more then my old dodge. My father in law has the new Chevy and it seems like a decent truck, but I have not seen a load on it yet. I Hauled a full size kubota tractor w/bucket behind mine and never felt it back there. IMHO from what I have seen with work and alot of the hotshot drivers I know they all say get either a Dodge or Chevy.
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Shane

ccbobber · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 4:47 am Post subject: hello

good to hear you & donna are well and fueling the economy. hope to meet you someday.
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ccbobber

Fishin Rod · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:31 am Post subject:

My 2 cents ask the owner of a wrecker service they run the ______out of their trucks Shocked

Team Buddhahead · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 7:02 am Post subject:

ShawnQ · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 7:19 am Post subject:

Baitboy,

A buddy of mine is a diesel mechanic in the oilfield industry. He drives them all day, and works on the bigger ones at the rigs.
He also races a 800hp/1300ft-lb 5.9L, and a couple of mustangs...so he comments on the power as well.
Here's what he had to say:

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Shawn, If I had to pick between the big three, I would still give the nod to the Dodge, but I might seriously consider getting an automatic over the 6spd. We have four 6.7 auto trucks at IDM, and they drive awesome. It's a 6sp auto with a tow/haul mode and a little tiptronic up/down selector on the gear shift if you require that much control.

the integral e-brake does a great job of holding back a load, even with the auto!

the auto is surprisingly quick... I mean... our little quad/short single wheel trucks will get loose really easy, and a little brake stall on dry concrete = lots of tire smoke when the hammer is dropped.

the 6.7 6sp trucks are really bad about eating clutches! I'm seeing reports of bone stock trucks with less than 20k miles already hosing clutches, and these are guys who've owned/driven dodge diesels for years, so it's not like they're abusing them or riding the clutch excessively, etc.

the biggest problem w/ the 6.7 is all the emissions junk... but you can't really avoid that on any of the big 3 offerings, and the 6.7 still gets better mileage than the others. and tied in w/ that emissions junk is poor fuel economy and extra maint. the variable nozzle vanes like to freeze up in the turbo, DPF's clog, etc. BUT, if he actually USES the truck like a truck and doesn't just joy ride it around at 1/10 rated power, it'll keep everything warm enough to keep the DPF clean.

I dog the piss out of our trucks at work because I feel like I'm doing my part to keep them in good shape. some WOT runs to get everything hot and exercise the VNT section of the turbo, etc.

the 6.7's are really nice from a driver's standpoint... especially hauling w/ that factory exhaust brake!

BUT... if this man is towing on relatively flat ground more often than not and he wants a 6sp, I'd just buy a used 5.9. The prices on them have plumited. especially dualies. I don't know what kind of incentives they're giving on 6.7's, but I would venture that he could find a sub 100k 5.9 version of what he's looking for in the $15-20k range from a private individual if he shops around.

texmike · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:56 am Post subject:

I know you are busy and this is from 07, but it't not long and might help with your question. Short video on each model you are looking at.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4230317.html

Mike
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Diplomacy is the art of saying "Nice doggie" until you can find a rock.
Will Rogers