Went truck shopping today

[Diamondpilot]

I personaly have never owned a 6.0 powered truck. I have driven and serviced lots of them though. A very common spec for our fleet is 2500hd 4x4 W/T, 4.10, 6.0, AC, plow and tow package 4L80 auto trans. We do not have any 6.0's newer than 06 as of right now, everything newer is Ford, as they have been coming in cheaper on state bid. The older 6.0's ran real strong in my opinion, but definately not the one I drove the other day. Just to be sure, I plan on driving another one preferably with 4.10's instead just to be sure.

Ryan, I really think it was gears, wheels size, and HEAT.

I had a 2001 F-150 5.4L 4x4 3.73 gears I pulled a 9,000# boat all over the country with for 3 years. I did fine until one August day down in Tennessee when it was 105. Went to leave the cabin and the truck would not move. Just did not have the guts. Had to put it in 4 wheel low and drive it 5 miles out of the Holler.:laughing:

This was on a Sunday. On the way home I called my Ford dealer at his house and asked him what he had on the lot. He met me there around dinner time (law in Indiana is dealers are closed on Sundays) and swapped my truck for a brand new 2004 F-250 Diesel. Never went back. Keep that truck and did the rest over the phone.

Same thing happened with my friends 2003? or so 2500 4.10 geared truck. It had aftermarket wheels on it so that hurt. I was between one truck that I had sold and was 10 days difference in getting my new one. He offered to put in my boat for me. Not a big deal since it was stored at the marina. No problems launching it at 15,600#, over its tow rating but when it came time to pull it from the drink it was not up to the task on a hot day, about 90+ even in 4 Low. He said the tach was a 5K and just not moving. Had to get a Suburban to give him a tug up the ramp.

Heat can be a killer and so can the final drive ratio.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Chris, I know how the heat and humidity can rob power, but you would have had to been there to understand. It felt almost as bad as a early 90's 5.8 ford or 350 TBI chevy in a 1 ton cab and chassis. It was a SLUG !!!!!!!

Wow, that bad. What, 180HP worth. and 250 FT TQ

Chris

 

[Wolfy]

I have a early 90's Ford 5.8L. 200hp, 310ft lbs. Might not win drag races, but it is one of the most reliable engines I own.

 

[RollingsFarms]

I recently was truck shopping as you are. I searched used, new, high, low, in-between....you get the point. I had an 04 Z71 that was beginning to show it's age some. In my opinion the quality of the 03-05 GM trucks were not very good, but that's just my opinion so take it for what it's worth. I looked at F-250's both gas and diesels, 2500HD's both gas and diesels, even looked at Dodge 2500's with the Cummins, looked at F-150's with both the 5.0 and the EcoBoost motor, looked at Tundra's......as you can see I was all over the place looking for the perfect truck for all of my uses. I was content on not regretting this decision a year or so down the road, I wanted to buy enough truck for those times I needed to do some heavy towing/hauling but at the same time be able to afford to drive it everyday too and afford the cost to maintain it. I didn't just have one use for my truck, I had many needs/uses for it and I wanted to find the truck that fit that the best.

I won't make this any longer but will just tell you that after lengthy searching, finding the deal I wanted, finding the truck I wanted for that matter....I settled on a 2011 GMC CC 1500 SLT(every option availible except nav and dvd) 4x4 with the 6.2(403/417), 3.73 gears. Turns out this truck set-up like i got it is highly sought after in my area. It fills the needs of those of us who need more then a regular 1500 but not quite what a 2500 offers. This truck has a 14 bolt 9.5" rear end and is rated to tow 10,600 lbs. With 500 miles on it I'm getting 15 around town and 17 hwy and it should only get better over time. It does reccomend 93 octane but I read it was not required. Some only fill up with 93 when they want to tow I heard.I wasn't even planning on going back to GM but no Ford dealer wanted to deal with me and I just wasn't satisfued with other makes that I test drove. the salesman knocked off $10,000 in rebates and also gave me another $10,000 for my truck. When all was said and done I went home with a truck that stickered for $47k and I only paid $27k(including tax, tags, trade-in). Might not be the deal of the century but felt like a good'n to me!

 

[Diamondpilot]

Sounds like you got a solid deal.

I hear this all the time that the Ford dealer will not bargin and GM is doing anything possible to move them off the lot.

Chris

 

[Ryan03]

I plan to drive another 6.0 2011 2500hd, just to be sure. I was initialy slightly leaning toward GM due to the fact that I can get employee pricing through a family member. That being said, I would rather pay $4500 or so more for a Ford or Dodge if one of them turns out to be a truck I like significantly better. If I like them all the same, price will be the deciding factor.

I did not get to test drive trucks today, got roped into changing the brake booster on a family members Lexus, then dinner plans with the wife. Taking the boat out tomorrow weather permitting, so probably wont drive the Ford or Dodge till Next Friday or Saturday.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I plan to drive another 6.0 2011 2500hd, just to be sure. I was initialy slightly leaning toward GM due to the fact that I can get employee pricing through a family member. That being said, I would rather pay $4500 or so more for a Ford or Dodge if one of them turns out to be a truck I like significantly better. If I like them all the same, price will be the deciding factor.

I did not get to test drive trucks today, got roped into changing the brake booster on a family members Lexus, then dinner plans with the wife. Taking the boat out tomorrow weather permitting, so probably wont drive the Ford or Dodge till Next Friday or Saturday.

Anyone can get employee pricing on most brands. Ford for example has a deal with the EAA. Just pay a small membership fee and you will get a pin for a Ford Vehicle.

EAA - The Spirit of Aviation - Oshkosh, WI

Chris

 

[Ryan03]

I recently was truck shopping as you are. I searched used, new, high, low, in-between....you get the point. I had an 04 Z71 that was beginning to show it's age some. In my opinion the quality of the 03-05 GM trucks were not very good, but that's just my opinion so take it for what it's worth. I looked at F-250's both gas and diesels, 2500HD's both gas and diesels, even looked at Dodge 2500's with the Cummins, looked at F-150's with both the 5.0 and the EcoBoost motor, looked at Tundra's......as you can see I was all over the place looking for the perfect truck for all of my uses. I was content on not regretting this decision a year or so down the road, I wanted to buy enough truck for those times I needed to do some heavy towing/hauling but at the same time be able to afford to drive it everyday too and afford the cost to maintain it. I didn't just have one use for my truck, I had many needs/uses for it and I wanted to find the truck that fit that the best.

I won't make this any longer but will just tell you that after lengthy searching, finding the deal I wanted, finding the truck I wanted for that matter....I settled on a 2011 GMC CC 1500 SLT(every option availible except nav and dvd) 4x4 with the 6.2(403/417), 3.73 gears. Turns out this truck set-up like i got it is highly sought after in my area. It fills the needs of those of us who need more then a regular 1500 but not quite what a 2500 offers. This truck has a 14 bolt 9.5" rear end and is rated to tow 10,600 lbs. With 500 miles on it I'm getting 15 around town and 17 hwy and it should only get better over time. It does reccomend 93 octane but I read it was not required. Some only fill up with 93 when they want to tow I heard.I wasn't even planning on going back to GM but no Ford dealer wanted to deal with me and I just wasn't satisfued with other makes that I test drove. the salesman knocked off $10,000 in rebates and also gave me another $10,000 for my truck. When all was said and done I went home with a truck that stickered for $47k and I only paid $27k(including tax, tags, trade-in). Might not be the deal of the century but felt like a good'n to me!

I have heard of 1500's optioned just like yours, but have not been able to find any in my area to drive. Everything around here has the 5.3, and mostly the 3.08 rear. If you look around you can find a 3.42 rear in a 1500, but they are not common. Rated to tow 9600 in ext cab 4x4 configuration.

 

[RollingsFarms]

Sounds like you got a solid deal.

I hear this all the time that the Ford dealer will not bargin and GM is doing anything possible to move them off the lot.

Chris

Honestly GM is throwing every kind of rebate out there immaginable, I just don't think they're advertising them like they were in 08. I looked and looked but could only find $4,500 in rebates and i know my barganing skills didn't make up the rest.:laughing: I even went back to the Ford people and told each one of them if they could get at least within $500 of the deal GM offered me on a 2500 Duramax as well as the 1500 I bought, I was theirs. they each pretty much told me to take a hike. it kinda made me mad because I feel like I'm going to be stuck with GM for life because no one else wants to deal! I'm sorry, but I'll drive ANY GM truck any ol' day when they beat other makes by $4,500.

 

[Ryan03]

Anyone can get employee pricing on most brands. Ford for example has a deal with the EAA. Just pay a small membership fee and you will get a pin for a Ford Vehicle.

EAA - The Spirit of Aviation - Oshkosh, WI

Chris

Thanks for the tip Chris. We got X plan pricing on the wifes 2011 Expedition through another family member. It saved us around 2k. The Expedition has been Great by the way and is averaging 16.5 MPG {computer calculated} in 60 percent city and 40 percent highway driving.