Any F-550 owners or towers out there ?

[Builder]

Builder,

As usual, I think you have given our original poster sound advice based on your experience. I respect your opinion and your expertise on this topic. I 100% agree with you that the GM 4500/5500 is the preferred option here for most of the reasons you mention. I do not feel GM has the "superior powertrain" anymore. It does have a slight edge with the additional gear on the Allison but can you sight more specifics on this?? Thanks.

John M

Another thing frequently overlooked: Compare Ford's 10.5" Sterling limited slip axle in the SRW250/350 to GM's 11.5" AAM true locking rear axle in the SRW 2500/3500. Lights out. GM wins there, too.

I also think the DMAX, now in its' 7th year of production has proven to be a VERY reliable, powerful and also very modifiable diesel. The Ford 6L 6 year run was proven to be a HUGE disappointment. The Ford 6.4L looks better, but with twin turbos is much more complex, requiring cab removal for anything serious.

I mean, why can GM make the same power as Ford with one turbo? Doesn't it make for a more reliable truck when you only use one turbo? Wouldn't a prospective diesel buyer with no brand loyalty be attracted to a diesel powerplant with 7 years of very good history versus another new Ford diesel with no track record (except the previous diesel was a major flop). Also wouldn't he want a diesel truck with an Allison 6 speed with manaul shifting over a Ford Torqshift 5 speed with no manual shifting? Wouldn't he want a 11.5" true locking rear over a 10.5" limited slip clutch-pack rear? Wouldn't he want the superior GM powertrain warranty over the lesser Ford warranty?

I would think GM would be more attractive.

 

[ducati996]

Another thing frequently overlooked: Compare Ford's 10.5" Sterling limited slip axle in the SRW250/350 to GM's 11.5" AAM true locking rear axle in the SRW 2500/3500. Lights out. GM wins there, too.

I also think the DMAX, now in its' 7th year of production has proven to be a VERY reliable, powerful and also very modifiable diesel. The Ford 6L 6 year run was proven to be a HUGE disappointment. The Ford 6.4L looks better, but with twin turbos is much more complex, requiring cab removal for anything serious.

I mean, why can GM make the same power as Ford with one turbo? Doesn't it make for a more reliable truck when you only use one turbo? Wouldn't a prospective diesel buyer with no brand loyalty be attracted to a diesel powerplant with 7 years of very good history versus another new Ford diesel with no track record (except the previous diesel was a major flop). Also wouldn't he want a diesel truck with an Allison 6 speed with manaul shifting over a Ford Torqshift 5 speed with no manual shifting? Wouldn't he want a 11.5" true locking rear over a 10.5" limited slip clutch-pack rear? Wouldn't he want the superior GM powertrain warranty over the lesser Ford warranty?

I would think GM would be more attractive.

Cant let you just ramble on and on without a objection - I didnt know the DANA rear was a weak point on a DRW F550? I also didnt know 5 yr/100k* Five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. Diesel engine warranty coverage is 5 years/100,000 miles was not an equal to GMC? I didnt know it suffered from frame flex -since I never felt it when I overloaded the truck routinely by 6-7k over its GWVR of 19k. If it breaks get another one, its just a truck. Oops I guess I should sell it right away -
I really hope someone will buy it, I'm really concerned now - well actually not in the least.
Just be happy with what you got - it dosent matter what you use, and who the heck cares really? Honestly if they were that good, Fords wouldnt be on the road as much as they are - Not everybody is a stupid consumer

 

[Builder]

Cant let you just ramble on and on without a objection - I didnt know the DANA rear was a weak point on a DRW F550? I also didnt know 5 yr/100k* Five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. Diesel engine warranty coverage is 5 years/100,000 miles was not an equal to GMC? I didnt know it suffered from frame flex -since I never felt it when I overloaded the truck routinely by 6-7k over its GWVR of 19k. If it breaks get another one, its just a truck. Oops I guess I should sell it right away -
I really hope someone will buy it, I'm really concerned now - well actually not in the least.
Just be happy with what you got - it dosent matter what you use, and who the heck cares really? Honestly if they were that good, Fords wouldnt be on the road as much as they are - Not everybody is a stupid consumer

I wasn't talking about the Dana rear in the F-550. I was comparing the rear in the SRW Ford F-250/350 to the rear in the SRW GM 2500/3500.

GM has an 11.5" true locker. Ford has a 10.5" clutch pack limited slip.

I'm not ripping your Ford. I'm sure it's a great truck, but IMHO, GM gives you more than Ford. Ford has a couple advantages, too, but when it comes to most comparisons, GM comes out on top in too many categories to ignore.

 

[ducati996]

I wasn't talking about the Dana rear in the F-550. I was comparing the rear in the SRW Ford F-250/350 to the rear in the SRW GM 2500/3500.

GM has an 11.5" true locker. Ford has a 10.5" clutch pack limited slip.

I'm not ripping your Ford. I'm sure it's a great truck, but IMHO, GM gives you more than Ford. Ford has a couple advantages, too, but when it comes to most comparisons, GM comes out on top in too many categories to ignore.

I respect your knowledge so dont worry about me being offended about the Ford bashing -Im not that sensitive. I think the OP was looking at the F550, which compares with the max GWVR of the 4500 at 17,000 (actually the F550 goes up to 19,000 lbs). The 5500 is rated up to 26,000 lbs, so that is definitely the F650 size class, and not the F550. I think the GWVR rating is where its gets straight forward in sizing the trucks accordingly - its all about the weight it can hold and tow in the end IMHO.

Keeping this all in perspective is the price of these vehicles - I never found a 5500 as priced as low as my F550 in 2006 with the features I needed. I'm kinda finding it hard to accept that the 5500 is the same price as an equally equiped F550 - maybe a 4500 but I dont see it as more vehicle just based on GWVR alone -

 

[Builder]

I respect your knowledge so dont worry about me being offended about the Ford bashing -Im not that sensitive. I think the OP was looking at the F550, which compares with the max GWVR of the 4500 at 17,000 (actually the F550 goes up to 19,000 lbs). The 5500 is rated up to 26,000 lbs, so that is definitely the F650 size class, and not the F550. I think the GWVR rating is where its gets straight forward in sizing the trucks accordingly - its all about the weight it can hold and tow in the end IMHO

I'm sorry, but we'll have to disagree. I think the 5500 4x4 is built to just beat the F-550.

You can put any imaginary "class" you want on the truck, but if it's priced comparably, is available in similar sizes and configurations, then it's a competitor to the F-550. If I buy a GMC-5500 and tag it at 19,500lbs (same as an F-550 with an extra weight capacity package), then it's a direct competitor. Almost every GM 5500 is in the 19,000 range, just like the F-550 with the extra capacity package.

The 5500 is not a competitor to an F-650. An F-650 is a true medium duty truck with 22.5" rims & tires, available CAT or Cummins medium duty engines, higher capacity axles, higher GCWR's and a different cab. GMC's competitor to the F-650 is the GMC6500 series. GMC also has a 7500 to compete with the F-750.

I've been around trucks a long time, owned quite a few mediums, too. I can assure you the 5500 is not built to compete with the F-650. It's built to exceed the F-550.

I was all set to buy an F-550 6.4L over this past winter. Did a lot of research. When I priced GMC 5500 4x4's, they were equally priced to 550 4x4's, but they gave you so much more truck.

I think the author of this thread really needs to do his homework here. If he does, he'll see that for a similar price, he'll get a lot more truck.

 

[LarryRB]

Speaking of the "tap" feature,, my new 07 Dodge has this on the signal stalk.. Really nice, as you can tap, and get 1 through 6 or anyone inbetween. With tow-haul mode activated,, it is just the right thing. My truck has the six speed automatic. I always had Dodge-Cummins, 6sp manuals,, At first was somewhat hesitant to try the automatic however, I am glad I did.

 

[ducati996]

I'm sorry, but we'll have to disagree. I think the 5500 4x4 is built to just beat the F-550.

You can put any imaginary "class" you want on the truck, but if it's priced comparably, is available in similar sizes and configurations, then it's a competitor to the F-550. If I buy a GMC-5500 and tag it at 19,500lbs (same as an F-550 with an extra weight capacity package), then it's a direct competitor. Almost every GM 5500 is in the 19,000 range, just like the F-550 with the extra capacity package.

The 5500 is not a competitor to an F-650. An F-650 is a true medium duty truck with 22.5" rims & tires, available CAT or Cummins medium duty engines, higher capacity axles, higher GCWR's and a different cab. GMC's competitor to the F-650 is the GMC6500 series. GMC also has a 7500 to compete with the F-750.

I've been around trucks a long time, owned quite a few mediums, too. I can assure you the 5500 is not built to compete with the F-650. It's built to exceed the F-550.

I was all set to buy an F-550 6.4L over this past winter. Did a lot of research. When I priced GMC 5500 4x4's, they were equally priced to 550 4x4's, but they gave you so much more truck.

I think the author of this thread really needs to do his homework here. If he does, he'll see that for a similar price, he'll get a lot more truck.

using your analogy If the F650 is rated at 26,000 lbs max (which it is) or for giggles on the lower end at 19,000 lbs and so is the 5500, wouldnt it be considered a competitive model to the 5500? Truth be told any truck that is rated for 26,000 lbs should be made better than one at 19,000 lbs. Which brings us back to what imaginary class are we talking about? The F550 is rated at 19,000 lbs max - end of story and does it all day long. The 5500 can be rated up to 26,000 lbs - and in order for it to do that, some of the hardware must be different. The F650 can do both (19k or 26k) wasnt that much more $$ than a F550, so it must be in the 5500 price range - so why dont you compare those two? Is it now because the F650 is so much more truck than the 5500 at a good price as well? I think Im going to just buy a F650 have it rated just under 26K (so im legal), and compare it with a 5500
In all honesty I have my blinders on on this one - I dont see the advantage at all between the F550 rated at 19k and the 5500 rated the same 19k. Ground clearance is excellent on the F550, Comes with larger tires (245 as an option) will fit in a standard garage, same powertrain warranty, same tow rating, doubt the Ford chassis is any weaker, I doubt the 5500 is cheaper, so whats all this about anyway? Worried about the 6.0 ? Ford throws in a free warranty these days, so who is worried? I think all I got out of this was I really wanted a F650

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I want an F750. I just need a reason to own one

I do see a lot more F450 and F550's here then the 4500/5500's. I do not know why as I don't have much need over an 3/4 ton truck now so I don't look at the larger trucks other then when they are at a show. I do like the looks of the Fords though and I get employee pricing so that makes a big difference in my buying choice

Now that I think of it, I do need an F-750 crew cab to gather the apples from the orchard And to think, I was going to buy an utility vehicle instead

Does Ford still offer the Cat in the 650/750? I remember seeing the Cat powered badge on one a few years back.

 

[jcmseven]

Builder,

I still agree with you about the 4500/5500 for our poster. I will still say though the 6.4L is a great engine. Yes, I have plenty of experience with the Duramax and Allison, so yes, I have used the gearing feature. It is fine, but I cannot say any better than the Tow/Haul and brake tap gearing feature except on upshifting. Since these trannies prefer to upshift based on load I do not see this as an advantage. Probably my best personal experience with the combination mentioned is my friend's new 2500 GMC with the drivetrain mentioned. His truck gets one less mpg than I empty (even when I have driven his--I could get no improvement) and the same when towing, though I pull out with around 2,000 more weight when pulling. It is slower--yes, we have raced them--and does not have a fully-integrated TBC. It weighes full of fuel exactly 952 pounds less than my 250, so the super heavy duty Allison did not make up that much weight. I assume the additional weight is frame and assorted suspension components. I do like his rear axle and fully locking setup, but must admit have had no problems with mine. The shift quality of the Torqueshift is superior to me--crisp but not clunky. That said, neither of us have had any problems with our machines. I will not go into fit and finish issues--but there is a difference. But, this is a lighter duty truck. In our poster's arena the GM offering I think is the better choice. I would say though that Ford's powertrain stacks up solidly v. the General and my experience is right now they are making a really nice truck. To compare 550 models prior to the redesign thusly might not have full bearing on the current situation, Ford has made immense strides here and has a nice product. Any purchase should be therefore made on frame characteristics and componentry unique to that vehicle. As for the turbo, the Ford is also a single housing-dual impeller setup. It is not a true dual turbo, which is a misnomer. I see no longevity or service issues related to that.

John M

 

[Rara Avis]

JohnBud,

The Ford products now--at least in pickups--are really nice. I looked at them all before buying and went back with Ford. The frame is great and the powertrain is quite good. The quality is really up there. That said, if I were our poster I would go with the 4500/5500 truck myself in THAT truck line. I have had some concerns with the thread, though. First, comparing a 1999 and 2005 model 550 which have been owned by two of our responders to a new 5500 GM offering is not really fair--Ford has improved a lot since then. Second, the implication that the Allison transmission and Duramax are somehow better the the equivalent Ford combination I believe to not necessarily be true. I see the main advantage of the Allison tranny being one extra gear--which I like--but otherwise that seems--as I mentioned--a wash. The third, and final concern, is the characterizing of the Ford product as "junk" or somehow inferior. Perhaps--and I agree with this--it is not the better choice here, but I do think Ford has improved many of the areas of concern on their product. I own a Ford, but would have loved to own something else myself as I like venturing out some. Here, I would go GM, but the implication in the thread that somehow millions of 550 users are either stupid or somehow hoodwinked into buying a Ford product bothers me some.

John M

Millions of F550s?!?

These are ALL of Ford F-Series sales...and I'm willing to bet they were not ALL F-550s...

Ford doesn't break out sales of Super Duty pickups, but according to recent sales figures, Ford sold 545,963 F-Series trucks during the first eight months of 2006, down from 625,047 during the same period a year earlier. Ford sold 598,218 F-Series trucks during the first eight months of 2004 and 545,582 units during the same period in 2003.

And the restructuring leads downward...

Ford now plans to complete much of its restructuring by 2008 - Business First of Louisville: