TRUCK STOP: pickups discussion

modvptnl · January 2001

It wasn't that difficult. I took the MOST EXPENSIVE Chevy 4X4 extended cab, onstar blah blah blah, added a locker, Z71 and a few things. It had a lot of stock stuff.

Took a F150 Lariat and had to add 5.4 motor(stock 5.3 on Chevy) electric shift on the fly(YUCK, stock electric on Chevy) I added leather capts chairs and off road group. and 3.73 limited slip.

Ford invoice 29,467
Chevy invoice 29,449

Ford MSRP 33,475
Chevy MSRP 33,565

I could have added $1000 7700 GVW AND $1000 upgraded Lariat package to Ford totally shattering the cheaper theory but I'm trying to be nice.

The middle ground extended cab 4X4's with 5.3 vs. 5.4 etc. came out with the Ford being almost 2K more. I didn't add the Instatrak on the Chev but I think I got 'em close.

I didn't know Ford and Hummer were in direct competition for sales! I guess you're right, the Ford must be better!!! To be honest, unless I got Arnold's 454 Hum Vee or a 502 or the new 8.1 put in one I think Hummers are big, SLOW wastes of money.

Next theory on why Ford outsells Chevy is eagerly awaited, Boss. I mean Ace.

Hope you're not hurt too bad. Snow?? Beer?? Chevy fell off blocks on 'ya? j/k. LOL!!

mgdvhman · January 2001

..Lots of idiots?

LOL

Must sleep now

- Tim

modvptnl · January 2001

It's only around 7:30(?) for oby!!!!

Don't talk that way about red. I thought he was your bud. LMAO!!

obyone · January 2001

Do the comparison with stripper trucks. Seems that what ford sells most of in fleet sales. Run the numbers and see what comes out. That won't count for dealer quantity discount though, but you might be surprised.

I would also say give Chevy/GMC a couple years to get their HD rolling seems that right now they are losing customers to the Ford SD cause people can't wait.

This debate can continue but it's getting late and need my beauty sleep..LMAO!!

czarna · January 2001

ok looking for a full size x cab (kiddos). gas mileage is important. My husband will only drive a 5 speed. which engine will get the best gas mileage? uses for trans to and from work, occasional mulch and trips with our 2000 pound pop up camper. dont need a 4wd, and just need a basic model. looking at the f150 cause it has a v6. do chevy and gmc make a 5spd xcab. imports too expensive. pls advise asap

87lion · January 2001

I don't think you can get the Chevy x-cab with V6 and 5spd. Only 4.8l V8 and auto. I have that combo and get about 21 mpg highway, 17+ mixed driving. That's with a 2WD x-cab longbed. The Chevy has the biggest back seat for the kids, too. Happy shopping!

akjbmw · January 2001

czarna
Key in on the cargo weight capacity of whatever you choose. You may want to give thought to a ¾ ton. Go visit the Campers topic here in the Pickup Zone.

akjbmw · January 2001

czarna
Just saw your post under gas mileage where you said "pull" a camper. Changes the color of the horse... My interpretation of you post was flavored by my West Coast orientation of campers being carried by trucks and trailers being drug behind whatever you can hook it on to. Caravans are a whole 'nother confusion... ;-)

sf0383 · January 2001

I have seen a few references to synthetic motor oil and increased mpg. My question is how forgiving is that stuff as far as switching back and forth between it and petroleum based? Can you mix the two or is it a situatiion where once you go synthetic you pretty much have to stay there?
Any experienced feedback is appreciated.

cspaulding · January 2001

We have used Mobil 1 in all of our new trucks, beginning with our first oil change. It is wonderful...for the extra money, they say you can go about 20,000 miles between oil changes...we generally run 5000-8000 between changes and the oil is generally cleaner than 2500-3000 on regular oil.

The synthetics will mix with regular oil...however, we've never switched back and forth between the two.

Our '92 has 125000 on it, we've run Mobil 1 since day one. The oil still comes out pretty good, even though, we've been neglecting it (going between 15000 - 20000 per oil change).

Our opinion...it's well worth the extra money to not worry about oil changes every month or so.

z71bill · January 2001

Silverado X-cab V6 and 5 speed manual is standard equipment. one base and LS models. I would guess most in stock are V8's and automatics.

gsiefken · January 2001

why can't I order camper pull out mirrors for my chevy 2000 old body style 3/4 ton crew cab truck from the factory? I'm a chevy fan from way back, but ford is so far ahead right now I question whether chevy will ever catch up. Examples, tested and tried 7.3 diesel motors, fine looking camper mirrors, and plenty of trucks to choose from in the car lots.

tucsonjwt · January 2001

extended cab is V6 and 5 spd, but mostly I see on the dealer lots the V6 auto - this is the most popular truck sold at the local Chevy dealer's commercial lot, next to the long bed regular cab.
I wonder what the V6 auto ext. cab short bed gets for real life gas mileage.

cspaulding · January 2001

You're right on one thing...at least on the 2000 Chevy 2500s...the options are missing... a list of the options we would have taken, but couldn't get...

Aluminum Wheels

power seats on both sides (why just the drivers??)

larger mirrors (like you're talking about)

power slider (we couldn't get any slider in it, so went after market power)

larger tires (and not stupid Generals...they suck!, what ever happened to the "good tires" Chevy used to have (Goodrich?)

etc., etc. The list goes on.

Guess we just have to live with it...oh, the stupid chrome wheels are already rusting after part of one winter (we got our truck in April). Can't afford another grand for aluminum right now.

PS...hell, we'd settle for a motor that worked properly, or some customer service right now...(without the fight we're going through)!

bco · January 2001

mod,
not gonna get in the price wars witcha...as tim would say, "i don't care".

and i'm not offended by your comment about humvees being big and slow...hell, they are. but have you ever ridden in one? i don't care what people say about ford, dodge, toyota, jeep, etc. humvees are some pretty damn durable vehicles. for someone who wants to do some serious off-roading, i really don't think there's a more versatile, durable, and capable (and here's the kicker) production vehicle available.

i've seen humvees take some abuse now...and not even blink. they are amazing vehicles. as an every day commuter/family style/do-it-yourself weekender kinda truck - nah. but for the serious off-roader...worth every penny.

bco

mgdvhman · January 2001

..you talking about the Older C/K style?

My 2K 2500 Ado has good mirrors/tires/and dual power heated seats

- Tim

cspaulding · January 2001

If you are referencing my posting about our 2000 K2500...yes, the 2000s were still the old c/k body styling. We couldn't get any of the items listed in my post. We were told by the dealership that Chevy did not have those options available.

I don't believe in 2000 they made a 2500 silverado, as we weren't able to get the old "silverado" package.

modvptnl · January 2001

Actually was looking at purchasing one! It was a used one from a Humvee dealer. $39,000 with out any haggling because I didn't like it after the test drive. I'll agree that the suspension is very supple and we did take it through the desert and actually ran over an unsuspecting couch!!

I've said before that off roading means many things. As a plodding pack mule with the defunct GM diesel the Hummer may be in its element. As a rock crawler, nope. As a woods/trail vehicle, nope. As a pre-runner........maybe. As a fast pre-runner that you can induce throttle oversteer powerslides? NFW!!

My last truck was a mildly built up F-150 with extended radius arms, 4" coils, 6 Rancho 9000's and some other cool stuff. It would run circles around a Hummer. Would it last as long? Probably not. But it was 1/3 the price after I built it. After the 3 year lease I yanked the suspension and installed it on my buddies Bronco.

Ultimate off roader? depends what your needs are off road.

obyone · January 2001

I'd take the Hummer for the available options.

mgdvhman · January 2001

...uhh..I've been driving one since August 1999.
(new style Silverado)

in 99 they cancelled my order for a new style 2500 due to too many orders.....

I believe in 2000 they had both styles at first

I know you can get a 2001 either HD or New ado style 2500

- Tim

87lion · January 2001

some of the options pictured on the Hummer for your Silverado.

cspaulding · January 2001

I find that funny, due to the fact we ordered our 2000 K2500 crew cab in January 2000 and received it in April of 2000. Was yours not a crew cab? Maybe that's it?

obyone · January 2001

it's an extended cab....

redsilverado · January 2001

just so i could take 'ol mod down. he he LOL

-
red

mgdvhman · January 2001

...I didn't know it was a Crew....those are new with the HD's....new style Ado still isn't in a CC.

......as for the hummer options of an Ado....if you have enough moolah..anything is possible...

hmm..Kyle can get us some M60's.....

- Tim

modvptnl · January 2001

I'll just borrow the keys to one of them A-10 Warthogs!! 4200 rounds per minute cannon and a 'lil faster than that sitting duck!

Bring it on!!! LOL!

gsiefken · January 2001

I am thinking of buying a Dodge 2500 Quad cab with the six cylinder diesel in it. Should I get an automatic, which I want, or a five speed? I,ve heard the diesel has too much torque for the automatic transmission. Another question, I know the cummings diesel is good motor, but will it start as well as a ford navistar diesel without plugging in the winter? I live in central Iowa. I want a truck thats a brute master with a diesel that gets the best fuel economy available.

n75v111 · January 2001

Know where M'town is??

Have HD 8100 coming in late Feb.

75v

bco · January 2001

i would agree with your #119. i guess i was looking at it from more of a "all-in-one" aspect. hummers ain't fast, but they'll tow/haul/drag damn near anything damn near anywhere. fording rivers? yep - with a little tweak on the exhaust so it can breathe. rock crawling? a little. woods? a little. trails? not sure why you said no. unless you're referring to speed. humvees ain't fast, but they can get you a lot of places if you've got patience. very reliable too. oh well...off topic...no big deal.

timmy...why go with the small stuff (m60)? if you're gonna go...take a ma deuce and 120mm smoothbore witcha. mod...gotta love dem warthogs too. wish the army still had 'em organic like the marines do. no offense, oby...but the air force just don't cover us like our own guys would.

off topic again...

bco

mgdvhman · January 2001

would be fine mounted an a jeep....I mean we gotta be able to keep the darn thing on it's wheels when we shoot it!

LOL

- Tim

nosirrahg · January 2001

This weekend I bought a "new" 1982 Ford F350 XLT Lariat LWB w/158,000 miles. It's got the original 400ci V8 (non-fuel injected), which to my knowledge has never been torn into. The transmission has been redone, as well as several other things. Overall its a solid, straight truck - the paint is a little tired, but otherwise it's in good shape.

Questions: Any known advantages/disadvantages of the Ford 400 engine? Any suggestions as to ANYTHING I can do to increase gas mileage? I bought the truck as a weekend vehicle, but I've been driving it to work this week to make sure everything is sound. I'm estimating gas mileage to be in the single digits at this point (I'll know for sure when I fill it up in a day or two); I'd love to at least get into the low teens. I've replaced oil & filter, air filter & breather element, and PCV valve. I've got spark plugs and a fuel filter to put on some time this weekend; anything else I should consider doing?

obyone · January 2001

mgdvhman Jan 29, 2001 5:37pm

I remember they tried the .50 cal M2 on the Hueys. Pilots couldn't fly straight while firing. so they had to downgrade to the M60. M60 is ok, just that Rambo made it look kind of wimpy.

nosirrahq

I would also check the brake fluid, p/s fluid, antifreeze, trans fluid, and rear end. To be safe check all the brakes looking for signs of abnormal wear. Belts, hoses, anything and everything you can think of since this truck is in its late teens...going on twenty next year...good luck

modvptnl · January 2001

The 400 is an allright motor. It was produced during some of the worst times in Auto history concerning performance. Basically it's a tall deck Cleveland motor( it is actually called an "M" motor, a lot of people mistakingly refer to it as a Cleveland) with bigger main bearings and the big chamber 2 barrel heads. I believe it made around a whopping 170 horsepower! It does share the 429/460 bellhousing pattern so a 460 wouldn't be too hard a swap if/when the time comes.

You have a giant truck with an old motor. I'm not sure MPG in the teens is a realistic expectation IMHO.

nosirrahg · January 2001

I filled up both tanks in the F350 on the way home tonight; mileage came out right at 8mpg. This is actually better than I thought it would be. For a weekend hauler I guess it isn't that bad, but not something I'll want to drive to work unless I have no other choice. It may be a false sense of security, but at least I feel pretty safe driving the thing around.

bco · February 2001

what??? the M2 made the helicopter move while firing? wow. i didn't think it had THAT much kick to it. never budged my m1 a bit. LOL! got them mini-guns now. those things are BAD. what? 6000 rounds per minute or something? zoiks!

bco

obyone · February 2001

Yep, this was a bit before your time though. It was tested in Nam back in the '60s. Must be true cause I never saw Rambo trying to carry and fire an M2...LOL!! First saw those miniguns on Puff. Those old C3 conversion cargo planes. Tore up a whole lot of real estate those mini guns did.

On another subject, how did you go about deciding which amp and what speakers to buy from Crutchfield. Just wondering cause I found NEW speakers for half Crutchfield's price on ebay. I was orginally worried about warranty service for the speakers but found out that a lot of the companies selling are authorized dealers who have given up their expensive storefronts for a "web store" thus passing on the savings in form of an auction.

igreen · February 2001

I am looking to buy a pickup truck. I really like the dodge sheet metal but all the posts I've read suggests DC transmissions across their entire product line are crap (at best). I like the Chevy sheet metal also and I haven't found a lot of complaints about them mechanically. But, I'd really like an informed opinion about the quality of the vehicle. Edmund's review refers to schetchy build quality but I'd like to hear from real world owners - particularly about the transmission and engines. Thanks for your advice.

jcmdie · February 2001

If you haven't read much to support chevy's poor build quality then you havent done much reading or looked very far. Just on Edmunds alone there are quite a few topics that are filled with Chevy complaints. That said and to be fair you will also find problems that are characteristic of each and every brand. I've had a Dodge 3 years,45,000miles and if I were buying another 1/2 ton today I'd buy the same thing. 3/4 or 1 ton may be a different story.

cspaulding · February 2001

Have you had any warranty problems with your truck? Did Dodge stand behind them?

Just curious, we're thinking of looking at a Dodge in the next year or two. Bought a Chevy last spring (swore by them to this point, also own 2 others '92 & '84). Chevy/GM definately does not stand behind their products. (See our problems at 2000 crew cab postings).

Thanks,
Chris

mgdvhman · February 2001

.....but Dodge is known more for weak tranny's than GM.

I have had very good success with GM for Transmissions.

- Tim

pocahontas · February 2001

"I'd like to hear from real world owners"

In addition to the feedback here, you should also post (copy/paste) your question in some of our individual Dodge and Chevy pickup discussions.

Try using the board search to find discussions (i.e. chevy silverado) of interest on the Pickups Message board.

Good luck. And keep us posted on your decision. ;-)

Pocahontas

Host

Pickups Message Board

pocahontas · February 2001

I've noticed some people are posting pictures that are violating copyright properties of other individuals/organizations.

The information is appreciated, but please just post a link/url to these kinds of pictures. Otherwise, these posts will have to be deleted. Thanks.

Pocahontas
Host
Pickups Message Board

jcmdie · February 2001

Tim, some of us have had much worse experiences with GM trannies than Dodge, myself included.

cspaulding- I had a few minor items go out like my hazzard switch etc... Its not so much if Ford, GM, or Dodge will stand behind the product as much as the dealership. Find out all you can about the dealers you are considering. Are the customers, particularly the service customers, satisfied? Drive all three and for a long enough time to notice the little things that could drive you crazy. The two main things that people have picked on Dodge about in the past is poor fuel economy and rear drum brakes. Both issues are supposed to be addressed in the 2002 model. Even with these issues I would still buy another Dodge today.

bco · February 2001

i did a better business bureau check on all the dealers i considered working with before wheeling and dealing. it will tell you a lot about the dealership. one flat out lied to me that they had not had any buy back problems with any vehicles in the last five years or so. i called the bbb...the dealership had bought 3 vehicles back in the last five years and was currently dealing with a fourth.

not trying to be brand loyal either, but three separate gm vehicles now with combined mileage of almost 100k and no problems with any. (knock on wood).

bco

mgdvhman · February 2001

I know.....Pops had a tranny go early on his 81??..Olds 98..(and I remember when it was new....it sucks to be old....LOL)...but across the board Dodge has more tranny problems

- Tim

mblrds · February 2001

I don't know if you've heard, but starting Febuary 1, 2001 you will no longer be able use a cell phone while driving unless you a have "hands free" adapter.

So, I went to Circuit City and they wanted $50 for a hands free adapter!

I have managed to get hold of some "off brand" units and was wondering if anyone is interested. These kits are compatible with any mobile phone and one size fits all. I paid $8 each for buying in quantity. I'm selling them for $10.

I tried them out on Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia, Qualcomm, and Samsung phones and they worked perfectly.

Take a look and let me know if you want one.....

http://funnywebsite.com/handsfree.jpg

smoker1 · February 2001

What is the difference between these two? Gas mileage, pulling power, and is the ride as far as shifting gears in an automatic the same? Have not been able to drive the 2001, 250, ID, Silverado with a 3.73 in it, only the 410.

cruiser32 · February 2001

I am thinking about purchasing a '91 mighty ax 4x4 for 3500.00 It has 120,000 miles and is pretty clean. I would like to know if this is a good truck, baste on others experience. I know nothing about trucks. My mechanic said it was in good shape. How does the mighty max normally hold up? Thanks

mfarmer2 · February 2001

I'm curious to know exactly what constitutes a full size truck? Is this a power train issue, or are we talking about physical dimensions? I'm assuming that the nhtsa, or some government organization, must have some kind of guideline. Does anyone know?

This is a serious question, so please no bashing of certain makes/models. Thanks ahead of time for your replies.

Mary

jcmdie · February 2001

There is no official designation but originally the 1/2 ton model (f100, c10 etc..) was the the standard. When they came up with the F150 and 1500 series trucks these were designated as "heavy halfs". When the compact trucks started hitting the market, they had about the same payload as the F100 and c10 so they were phased out. Full size was used to separate the compacts from the "full size" trucks( 1500 series and F150). Along comes the dodge dakota that split the lines a little because it was larger than all the compacts and smaller than the 1500 series. Nobody made an issue of this as it was marketed as "right sized" not full size or compact. The T100 comes along and badges itself as full size, yet is smaller than the dakota. The Tundra is about the same as the dakota yet toyota insists it is "full size". So far they get away with this because some people feel that anything that carries a 4X8 sheet of plywood flat between the wheel wells is full size.

It all started as a means of separating the compacts from what was the standard size.

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