Diesel Power - Ford/Chevy/Dodge - thoughts ?

[mustangGT90210]

If you're looking for a truck, should luxury be a concern?
In my book, not at all. As long as it's got basic features and comfy seat, life is good.
I don't know about you, but I equate luxury with a quiet, smooth, supple ride.
I equate luxury with "isolation chamber," and by this logic, the Camry does squeek it's way in.
I consider the Gator to be a truck. And I hop between that, the 2002, a Mercedes E320, and a Camry. The Camry, materials aside, is more of a luxury car than the truck. Refinement is possibly better than the E320, except for a droning noise on long journeys, flat unsupportive seats and a slightly wallowy suspension.

Correct me if I'm wrong here, the Gator is basically a glorified 4 wheeler with a small bed, right? I don't classify that as a truck, but an ATV.



Here's what I think of when someone says Gator

 

[Nicksfix]

+1

That King Ranch package on F250 Super Duties and even the Expedition is a high quality piece of work!

From what I have seen,they are nice.

King Ranch Ford's are very nice but pricey.

If you are planning on fitting the truck with a plow, pass on the diesel. Diesels have enough nose weight without the extra couple hundred pounds of plow bolted to the front.

Yes,the King Ranch is on the pricey side of things,but it possesses that higher class quality as well.I guess you get what you pay for.

Oh yeah,no snow plow.👎

I wouldn't recommend a pickup truck with a plow, anyway. Like I said, our work 2500's ball joints are now all out of whack thanks to the plow kit, and it's got the Vortec 6000.

I've seen this happen on many pick-ups,reguardless if they even are equipped with a snow plow package from the factory.They are just brutal on the front end of a truck,ball joints,springs don't wear very well with a plow hanging off the front end.

If you're looking for a truck, should luxury be a concern?

I don't know about you, but I equate luxury with a quiet, smooth, supple ride.

All 3 manufacturers offer their version of a "luxury package",they have different names for it,but they are upgradable.Definately want to stay away from the vinyl stuff.Cloth,velour,leather are in my mind.My current Ram has heated leather seats,and in the winter time,oh yeah,you can appreciate these things for sure.👍

Ram 2500 or 3500 Cummins Turbo Diesel with a 6 speed manual GO
The interior of the new Ram is tasty (for a truck anyway...)

On paper,reading,gathering info,the Ram is starting to look good.Thats not to say that the other 2 are ruled out yet.Still have a lot of homework to do.

 

[neanderthal]

Correct me if I'm wrong here, the Gator is basically a glorified 4 wheeler with a small bed, right? I don't classify that as a truck, but an ATV.

Gator= Navigator. Slang.

 

[Jim Prower]

Noooo...Gator's a Deere. Get outta here with yer Slang, City-boy! You don't belong in a truck thread!

 

[buickgnx88]

No, Gator's a reptile!

 

[Nicksfix]

Took a peek at a 2500 4x4 Dodge Ram "Big Horn" edition today.The Big Horn edition is a pretty laid out truck,very comparable to Fords King Ranch.Still have not peeked at any GM's yet. Thursday I'll be by a GM dealer where I can stop and gather some info and get GM's take on HD trucks.

 

[YSSMAN]

Unfortunately, Chevrolet doesn't really have a "fancy" trim level like those two. The LTZ trucks aren't bad, but really the only trim that can compare to the King Ranch is the Denali package from GMC. Even then, I'm not sure if they offer that with the Duramax.

 

[mustangGT90210]

Gator= Navigator. Slang.

Lincoln's aren't trucks in my mind. They're made with luxury and plushness first, not utility (save for the Mark LT, that was just weird). SUVs just ring that "Truck" bell in my head. Probably because every soccer mom drives one. And the ground clearance is abysmal. As soon as someone lifts it up, takes it off street tires and goes off road, it's just a fancy minivan.


Again, just my opinion here.

 

[neanderthal]

Lincoln's aren't trucks in my mind. They're made with luxury and plushness first, not utility (save for the Mark LT, that was just weird). SUVs just ring that "Truck" bell in my head. Probably because every soccer mom drives one. And the ground clearance is abysmal. As soon as someone lifts it up, takes it off street tires and goes off road, it's just a fancy minivan.


Again, just my opinion here.

It IS a fancy minivan. That rides like a truck. 👎

 

[mustangGT90210]

Called it!

I declare this match a stalemate

 

[Adamgp]

Technically a Navigator is an fancy Expedition, and the Expedition is built off the F-150 platform, so technically it is a truck.

 

[Eric.]

Uh oh. This thread's about to become the "What makes a truck?" version of the FWD Sports Car thread.

 

[mustangGT90210]

Technically a Navigator is an fancy Expedition, and the Expedition is built off the F-150 platform, so technically it is a truck.

Technically, yes. But Expeditions and the like never get used as trucks, just fancy minivans, so they may as well have had the "truck" taken right out of them

 

[Nicksfix]

So I stopped and checked out a new 3500 Chevy H.D. ,with the LTZ package.Really was not thrilled by GM's overusage of the molded plastic interior parts,matched with leather seats,it just looked bad.Seats were comfy,digital dash readout,XM Satellite radio mounted in center dash console,rather roomy (although I'm not a large type person).It was not terrible,however,it was not anything to write home about either,just kind of ho-hum,it's alright.I do applaude the quietness of the Duramax,diesel technology has come a long way in the pick-up truck line.This engine aaallllmmmooosssttt sounded like a fuel burner,amazing.I can remember back,oh just a few years ago really, the diesels in these things were - clackity-clackity-clackity-clack clack,you could here them coming from a mile away,sooty exhaust billowing out from them,my the technology has changed.Overall,the Chevy has a pretty clean look,styling cues are not bad,just am not a big fan of their interior.Ford and Dodge own Chevy in the interior department (IMO).

 

[YSSMAN]

Yeah. GM is about due for an overhaul of the GMT900s. The F-150 has already had two updates since the new Silverado debuted, I believe the Ram is in the same neighborhood. GM wouldn't need to do much with the outside look, but an interior refresh similar to what they've done with some of the Cadillac and Buick products would be adequate. Not sure how all that will work out though, as it seems most of their development cash is sitting with their mid-size sedans at the moment.

 

[mustangGT90210]

Makes sense, as the government wants them to push the sedans, not the trucks. When was this current gen of silverado introduced? I wanna say like 2004, but I'm not sure

 

[buickgnx88]

Actually the newest model of Silverado is from around 2007 (the generation before ran from 1999 to 2006, with a refresh in 2003).

 

[neanderthal]

Makes sense, as the government wants them to push the sedans, not the trucks. When was this current gen of silverado introduced? I wanna say like 2004, but I'm not sure

The investors, by that I mean the government, do not want them to be too reliant of trucks, as the last gas spike showed how devastating that can be to a truck based company. Hummer anyone?
(No pervs!!!!!!!!👎)

 

[mustangGT90210]

The only chevy trucks I like are the old K5 Blazer, that '99-'02 Silverado, and the ~'92 Tahoe 2 door, LIFTED.

Everything else is uke:

 

[YSSMAN]

Not sure if this helps your decision...


Chevy Drops the Hammer with the 2011 Silverado HD

Although there aren't any substantial differences inside and out, they've cranked up the power and the towing/hauling capacity substantially. We're talking about a 20,000lb tow rating, over 6,300lb carrying capacity. That makes it a more capable tow/haul truck than the Ford Super Duty. But, it isn't as nice of a place to be.

I'd be interested to hear what the price differences are.

 

[nitrorustler41]

i drive a 97 F-250 powerstroke with a 5 speed daily. i have a thread on here about it. gettin ready to drop a new upgrade clutch in it.

unless you know quite a bit about diesels, and know how to treat them right, and take care of them properly(not cheap BTW) i wouldnt advise getting one. do not buy a 03-06 ford with the 6.0 powerstroke.......TRUST ME they are a nightmare.


the best daily driver for a reasonable price is a 7.3 powerstroke. they may not be the fastest, but they WILL last the longest. 94-2003 is the years to look for. 94-97 are the old body style. duramax trucks are normally pretty expensive and their front suspensions SUCK. i've done quite a bit of work on them......its not fun. oh, good luck finding a clean 94-98 12v cummins ram thats not beat down for under $10,000


good luck with your search.

if you want a new truck, the 2011 new ford superduty is the best truck out.....hands down

 

[Rotary Junkie]

do not buy a 03-06 ford with the 6.0 powerstroke.......TRUST ME they are a nightmare.

Friend of the family got one of the first 6.0s, had a ton of injector issues, then once those were sorted it's been fine while making plenty of power.

Also to keep people from getting too confused... The 6.0 came out in the middle of '03 MY so some '03s will have the 7.3 and some will have the 6.0.

 

[Nicksfix]

Not sure if this helps your decision...


Chevy Drops the Hammer with the 2011 Silverado HD

Although there aren't any substantial differences inside and out, they've cranked up the power and the towing/hauling capacity substantially. We're talking about a 20,000lb tow rating, over 6,300lb carrying capacity. That makes it a more capable tow/haul truck than the Ford Super Duty. But, it isn't as nice of a place to be.

I'd be interested to hear what the price differences are.

Excellant YSSMAN,appreciate the link 👍. The Cleveland Auto show is coming up,this should be interesting,all 3 trucks (Ford,Chevy,Dodge) will be on hand.It will be a real chance to compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges.Also will be a real chance to talk to official reps. from the big 3 as opposed to salesmen who can't seem to put an act together.

i drive a 97 F-250 powerstroke with a 5 speed daily. i have a thread on here about it. gettin ready to drop a new upgrade clutch in it.

unless you know quite a bit about diesels, and know how to treat them right, and take care of them properly(not cheap BTW) i wouldnt advise getting one. do not buy a 03-06 ford with the 6.0 powerstroke.......TRUST ME they are a nightmare.


the best daily driver for a reasonable price is a 7.3 powerstroke. they may not be the fastest, but they WILL last the longest. 94-2003 is the years to look for. 94-97 are the old body style. duramax trucks are normally pretty expensive and their front suspensions SUCK. i've done quite a bit of work on them......its not fun. oh, good luck finding a clean 94-98 12v cummins ram thats not beat down for under $10,000


good luck with your search.

if you want a new truck, the 2011 new ford superduty is the best truck out.....hands down

Thanks nitrorustler41 👍. Diesels are not really all that difficult,the biggest thing is filter changes,especially the fuel filters.As far as parts,if needed,not a problem at all.I have access to all 3 manufacturers (friends in certain places),10% over cost.

 

[nitrorustler41]

sweet deal man. i got hookups through school discounts and all that good stuff.

if you do get a diesel.....please dont be one of those guys that just key's on and drives. give her a few minutes to warm up first LOL....theyll last a lot longer, and run much better. oh, and if towing, cool down time is important too. gotta let the turbo cool down!

 

[Eric.]

I can't imagine getting information about a car from a saleman. The guy that sold me my Civic mentioned the only real difference with the Si and a non-Si was the engine.

And the tranny. Suspension. Brakes. Etc.

 

[neanderthal]

I can't imagine getting information about a car from a saleman. The guy that sold me my Civic mentioned the only real difference with the Si and a non-Si was the engine.

And the tranny. Suspension. Brakes. Etc.

I was gonna say something along these lines.
The people at the show are unlikely to know much about these vehicles in my experience.

Sales people will only tell you what they think you need to hear to make the sale.
Do your due diligence.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Something about the 2011 Silverado HD... It may not hold its crown long seeing as Ford has yet to announce towing and payload specs on the 2011 Super Duty.

 

[bergauk]

Nicks, Would you be willing to buy a older model? As most people know, Diesels have a break in period that is WELL over the period for a car. An older, say 1999 model diesel should have 150k+ on the clock with no problems if its been properly taken care of. Alot of the newer model Fords have absolute crap mileage. e.g. sub 10, but the older models such as my dad's 1999 1/2 model F-350 gets anywere from 12 to 15-16 miles per gallon. Couple that with an external tank and you can get around 1500 miles without ever filling up.

Unfortunately theres not much I myself can say about diesels having very limited knowledge about them. If my brother was on this forum he could talk for hours about the Powerstroke motors in Fords. He's building one up that currently costs about 15k.

 

[Nicksfix]

Bergauk - A used one is not out of the question,but it would have to be probably no more than 3-5 years old . Ideally a 1-3 year lease turn in would definately be something worth looking into.It may not be equipped 100 % to personal liking,but the price would be right.

Rotary Junkie - right you are,Ford has not made anything official as of yet on their upcoming Super Duty. As mentioned before,the Cleveland Auto Show is coming up in a couple of weeks.A prime opportunity to talk to all 3 company sales reps,not just some salesman as Neanderthal mentioned.Sales man have this tendancy to get under your skin,they don't know enough about their product,so they tend to just baffle you with B.S.,trying to just sell you something.