2004 3500HD 8.1 L
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Diamondpilot
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I guess it is what it is. Around here you could get a SRW 1 ton Powerstroke or Cummins for that money. Only issue is it will have 80,000 miles on it or more. Not many Dmax trucks around here other than RV'ers with 2500 series.
Like you said the 8.1L is very hard to find.
Chris
Another Dud, On the second look I realized that it had been hit harder than I thought (knew it had a light hit to the rear). The bed was shifted sideways relative to the cab. I had them rotate the tires and one of the rears was running right on the edge. I think the truck was bent!
Chris, SRW 1 ton GMs are relatively rare here, and what I would like to find, but, I think I can live with a 3/4. I am really hoping to find a Gm either big block or Duramax (prefer the big block though). I would not buy a Dodge, as I think they are junk, despite the Cummins. (just my .02, not trying to start a war!!!) I have started to look at Ford, there are certainly more 1 ton power strokes around. My Dad and my Uncle are both Ford guys, my Dad, had '85, '88, '98, '02, one ton Ford Diesels and I did not like any of them, found them uncomfortable, no matter how well equipped, all were good trucks though. My Uncle has an '00 2WD 3/4 ton Diesel, that has been nothing but trouble 2 sets of ball joints, 2 sets of brakes, injectors, and I forget what else and it only has 45k miles!!.
I appreciate everyone's help and opinions!!!!!
Sorry for the long post, but, bottom line, is I hope to find a decent used 1 ton Big block GM, even though it looks like I will have to pay a premium for it. But, am likely going to have to settle for a 3/4 Duramax or Powerstroke. (Fords V10 is not an option).
Chris, SRW 1 ton GMs are relatively rare here, and what I would like to find, but, I think I can live with a 3/4. I am really hoping to find a Gm either big block or Duramax (prefer the big block though). I would not buy a Dodge, as I think they are junk, despite the Cummins. (just my .02, not trying to start a war!!!) I have started to look at Ford, there are certainly more 1 ton power strokes around. My Dad and my Uncle are both Ford guys, my Dad, had '85, '88, '98, '02, one ton Ford Diesels and I did not like any of them, found them uncomfortable, no matter how well equipped, all were good trucks though. My Uncle has an '00 2WD 3/4 ton Diesel, that has been nothing but trouble 2 sets of ball joints, 2 sets of brakes, injectors, and I forget what else and it only has 45k miles!!.
I appreciate everyone's help and opinions!!!!!
Sorry for the long post, but, bottom line, is I hope to find a decent used 1 ton Big block GM, even though it looks like I will have to pay a premium for it. But, am likely going to have to settle for a 3/4 Duramax or Powerstroke. (Fords V10 is not an option).
ZDB
Silver Member
I'm buying an '07 Chevy 2500HD 8.1L ext cab long box with just under 40k miles.
end price was $22k.
Pricing on them right now is going to be $18-$25k for the '06-'07's with under 80k miles.
They are tough to find in nice shape but if you need to tow alot once in a while and don't rack up more than 10-12k miles per year the gasser is a better deal for us than the D-MAX or Dodge Cummins.
end price was $22k.
Pricing on them right now is going to be $18-$25k for the '06-'07's with under 80k miles.
They are tough to find in nice shape but if you need to tow alot once in a while and don't rack up more than 10-12k miles per year the gasser is a better deal for us than the D-MAX or Dodge Cummins.
Ended up with an '06 F350 Powerstroke!!
Never had a Ford in my life and never thought I would!
It is a pretty clean truck, with high miles. But should serve for my use well. I still would prefer a GM big block gas, but I think I bought this Ford right and was wasting a lot of time and gas looking at JUNK heavy trucks.
Interesting that it has a 6000 lb weight rating on the front axle, whereas the heaviest GMs are only 4800.
Crappy pic attached (one I took to put racks and boxes on CL). I can take some better ones if anybody is interested.
Any advice on my new (to me) Ford is appreciated.
Never had a Ford in my life and never thought I would!
It is a pretty clean truck, with high miles. But should serve for my use well. I still would prefer a GM big block gas, but I think I bought this Ford right and was wasting a lot of time and gas looking at JUNK heavy trucks.
Interesting that it has a 6000 lb weight rating on the front axle, whereas the heaviest GMs are only 4800.
Crappy pic attached (one I took to put racks and boxes on CL). I can take some better ones if anybody is interested.
Any advice on my new (to me) Ford is appreciated.
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Diamondpilot
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Yep, the Fords have a much heavier front end compared to the torsion bar that GM still uses. Thats why you see so many with plows, ect up here compared to GM's.
I have a 06 F-350 4x4 SRW Diesel and its been a beast. I pull 15,600# with it all the time and 25,000# about 80 miles a year. Mine has 11,500# GVWR. What is yours?
As for the truck change the oil every 5,000 miles, fuel filers/tranny filter/and air filter every 25,000 miles and you will be good to go. I do not like Rotella for the 6.0L. I run Mobil Delvac, Dello 400, or Ford Motorcraft oil. Rotella seems to foam and since it has hydraulic injectors economy and performance seems to suffer.
Welcome to the Ford club. Hope it makes you a changed man. They sure are nice trucks in my eyes.
Chris
I have a 06 F-350 4x4 SRW Diesel and its been a beast. I pull 15,600# with it all the time and 25,000# about 80 miles a year. Mine has 11,500# GVWR. What is yours?
As for the truck change the oil every 5,000 miles, fuel filers/tranny filter/and air filter every 25,000 miles and you will be good to go. I do not like Rotella for the 6.0L. I run Mobil Delvac, Dello 400, or Ford Motorcraft oil. Rotella seems to foam and since it has hydraulic injectors economy and performance seems to suffer.
Welcome to the Ford club. Hope it makes you a changed man. They sure are nice trucks in my eyes.
Chris
Thanks for the Advice Chris! I would have used Rotella, now I will not. The guy I bought it from claims he did the oil every 3k and fuel and air every other oil change, did not mention the trans. I am going to service everything this weekend.
GVW is 11,400, wonder what the 100 lb difference is.
I think I will like it, wish it had a few less miles and a few more creature comforts. But it does seem to be a beast of a truck. Going to add nerf bars or some sort of steps it is very high climbing in and out!
Don't know if it will convert me or not......
Diamondpilot
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11,400# is good. Mine is a Lariat with every option. I would not sweat the 100# difference. Just be glad you did not get one with a light GVWR like some makes that are 9,900# for a SRW 1 ton.
Does it have the factory brake controller?
Chris
Does it have the factory brake controller?
Chris
Factory brake controller and AUX switch panel. I think those, AC, and sliding rear window are the ONLY options inside.
Strangely though, no trailer hitch? Wondering if previous owner removed it.
I suspect that I will need to buy a pigtail that will plug into the rear and all trailer wiring (including 12 VDC battery charge) will be there?
How well do the factory brake controllers work, from the limited research I have done it is tied into the ABS system somehow?
Yeah yeah, I know the GMs are only 9900 GVW, but, I am not admitting to being a FORD GUY yet!!!! LOL
Strangely though, no trailer hitch? Wondering if previous owner removed it.
I suspect that I will need to buy a pigtail that will plug into the rear and all trailer wiring (including 12 VDC battery charge) will be there?
How well do the factory brake controllers work, from the limited research I have done it is tied into the ABS system somehow?
Yeah yeah, I know the GMs are only 9900 GVW, but, I am not admitting to being a FORD GUY yet!!!! LOL
Diamondpilot
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- Jinma 254/284 Ford 861 Powermaster at work
Factory brake controller is 10 times better than any aftermarket one I have owned, including the Prodigy. Its so smooth and applies the same level of braking that you are to the truck since it pressure driven. You push the pedal hard you get hard braking, you push it softly you get soft braking.
As for the hitch I would get a 2.5" Reese Titan or order the 2.5" hitch from Ford that they put on the Dually. It will fit. I have a 2.5" Titan on my 04 F-250 since I broke the factory 2" hitch. On my 06 F-350 I ordered it with the 2.5" unit. They tried to tell me it would not fit but it does.
A 2" hitch is just not enough for a Ford F-350. They are so strong you will be hauling bigger and bigger loads. I move a Mobil Home with mine for a church. I would have never though of trying that with any of my previous trucks.
The wiring is there. You just need to order the proper plug. Owner may have removed it or simply omitted it when ordered. Thats actually what happened on my F-350. The 2.5" hitch was not a option so I ordered the tow package and omitted the hitch and had the parts dept order the 2.5" unit and pigtail for the Dually. They installed it at no charge and was ready when I picked it up new.
Chris
