After comparing, bought an F-550

[Builder]

So funny how we can have different luck. I have had nothing but good luck with all 3 of my Superdutys. Never needed brakes until around 60,000 miles of hard pulling miles. Never a big deal. New pads and get the rotors turned. Both of my 6L's have been by far the best diesel trucks I have owned. My dmax was the worst.

I think the difference is that I can find dozens, if not hundreds that would find the same faults with Ford Superduties as me (they eat brakes, ball joints, diesel engines are record breaking troublesome, shorter warranties), but far fewer who have had the same problems as you with your dmax.

Now that I own, drive & tow with both, I can tell you the GM product, despite being a full model year older in design, is a nicer built more cilvilized, quieter, better drivetrain truck than the Ford. Even with almost double the miles on the GM and holding up better.

Time will tell. Promise to be honest.

I am glad you are having good luck with your dmax but its not been the same for me and my neighbor. His ally was just out for the second time last week at 75K for leaking input shaft seal. This is the second tranny issue and he has had to have the transfer case replaced. He is also considering a extended warranty.


Good luck with all your trucks. Ford and GM.

Chris

I appreciate that.
If this economy gets turned around, I believe I will be in a used 4xxx IH 4WD or maybe a new Dodge Cummins/Aisin or possibly a Ford next time around.
Times change, trucks change.

 

[ironwood]

Builder,

I like the look of your 550. I have a 02' F-350 7.3 CC 4x4 that is my over the road and family driver (sold a 2wd 00' 550 7.3 std cab), and bought a 00 550 4x4 v10 crane/log truck. The 550's have been SERIOUS work trucks for me. I need to get both of my "new to me" trucks painted, waiting for my buddies shop to do them is killing me. My 350 has the same bed as yours although I redid the headache rack. I want to buy your running boards if you wanna sell them. I am going to put Rickson 19.5 steel buds all the way around on my 350. I love love he 19.5's I must have 25 tires here waiting to be used.

If you have not bought a GN yet, look at using 4 @ 17.5 tire/rims instead of 8 @ 16". ALOT nicer set up.


Ironwood

 

[Builder]

More bad news. Truck threw a couple codes last week. Dealer threw scanner on it and it read low coolant pressure. Answer is a new thermostat. They thought that was it, then found the low pressure fuel pump had taken a dump, too. Not covered under warranty $469.

Looks like it's gonna be a very, very expensive truck to maintain.

So far in 2 months of ownership at 44,800miles.:
#5 injector
Injector wiring harness
Thermostat
Low pressure fuel pump

 

[aczlan]

Makes you wonder how much the selling dealer knew and how well it will do once you get the bugs worked out of it.

Aaron Z

 

[Builder]

Makes you wonder how much the selling dealer knew and how well it will do once you get the bugs worked out of it.
Aaron Z

Yes indeed.
I did notice all the codes were cleared from the truck. Only ones stored were the 2 stored since I bought it.

I was thinking the same thing you said.
I hope things smooth-out after this latest problem-can't afford a money pit.

 

[Dmace]

Sorry to hear of all these problems.

Not surprised, but am sorry...

 

[aczlan]

Yes indeed.
I did notice all the codes were cleared from the truck. Only ones stored were the 2 stored since I bought it.
I was thinking the same thing you said.
I hope things smooth-out after this latest problem-can't afford a money pit.

Good luck with it. Sounds like it could be a good truck if it would stay out of the shop

Aaron Z

 

[Builder]

Sorry to hear of all these problems.

Not surprised, but am sorry...

I should have known better. The truck is set up correctly for what I want to do. That's not the issue. The issue is reliability is terrible so far. I really thought the 6.4 was supposed to be an improvement over the previous diesel and its' issues. The other thing is the oasis report only shows 1 "major" repair for the first owner and a couple minor repairs. I figured that meant it was at least somewhat reliable.

Aaron is right, I think if it could stay out of the shop, it will do the job fine.

I won't even go into the fuel economy issue.

 

[jenkinsph]

More bad news. Truck threw a couple codes last week. Dealer threw scanner on it and it read low coolant pressure. Answer is a new thermostat. They thought that was it, then found the low pressure fuel pump had taken a dump, too. Not covered under warranty $469.

Looks like it's gonna be a very, very expensive truck to maintain.

So far in 2 months of ownership at 44,800miles.:
#5 injector
Injector wiring harness
Thermostat
Low pressure fuel pump

Builder,
Hope your luck improves soon. While all of these problems are irritating to deal with I think you will find that once the bugs are worked out it will be okay. Thanks to the EPA all of the new engines are much more complicated than the old ones, we all know that but it does make us feel uneasy when these problems arise.

 

[Martian]

Although no longer being built the GMC and Chevrolet medium duties were some of the best around. You could get everything from gas to the duramax to a cat engine in them with an allison automatic. Really like them. Have a GMC 4500 myself. Wouldn't trade that truck for anything as I bought it new but have put over 6 figures into upgrades into it. Haven't hauled anything that has challenged it yet. My only complaint is with the 4x4 you can't get a gooseneck into the bed. Which is a pretty big deal for some but I just have a tag trailer so it doesn't matter. You can find some good deals on them these days and I would be looking for a Topkick or Kodiak over a Superduty any day. Not to say they aren't good trucks. They are. I've just never had good luck with the Superduty's and have falling in love somewhere else.