Even though I totally dissagree with you on trucks I can relate with guns and beer. I also live in Michigan and love deer hunting. In my area it is shot gun only. When my slug gun puts one down I enjoy getting my 44SuperRedhawk out for a little fun. Just purchased a 7mmSTW for long range plinking and for a fall elk hunt in Idaho. I reload everything myself on my Dillion RL550 and love it. Where are there 1000 yd. matches in Michigan? Still working on a good load for the STW. Right now I'm at 1 MOA. However, nothing beats exploding a woodchuck at 300yds. with my Swift. The B.C. of a 55gr. Ballistic tip traveling 3900 fps. is awesome. My furthest kill was just under 500yds. Good luck with your new truck. (Ford Rules)
Now that this section has turned into guns and beer...let's yak!
1000 Yd matches are at Camp Grayling. I have never done one of those..but my buddy has been state champ.
I use a Rockchucker press (RCBS) but never use their dies. It's Forster/Bonanza only for me. Their Micrometer dies are sweet. My favorite Varmint Gun is a 6MM. Similar to the 243..but MUCH better. it's the old .244 Remington. My friend is a gunsmith and builds some sweet [non-permissible content removed] guns with custom hand carved stocks as well as radical synthetic stocks. My .308 M24 he built has .0035" chamber clearance....puppy is one solid [non-permissible content removed] MO FO. I shoot 1/4 MOA all day long at 100. I wish I could do more 200-600...but I live so farr away from any place you can do that. I used to have a few places that had 200..but they are now Condo's and Apartments!..Dohh! Someday I will have a custom 6MM built with a custom carved stock. Going to make that chamber about .0015" clearance or so. For those who don't know...Factory ammo will not even chamber in a gun that tight. You must be sure no crap is in the breech or barrel. I usually wipe down the bolt and bore every 10 shots...sometimes less....Damn am I rambling!!....(Found another passion of mine) Ahhhh..Guns/Silverado's/and beer...what a combo!
.308 with 40 GR. R-15 and a Sierra Matchking 168gr.(chamber was made specifically for that bullet...just like the military) is one sweet [non-permissible content removed] combo. For 6mm is also R-15 with Nosler Ballistic Tips...can you say explode?
Guns/Silverado/beer? Yeah Tim, Shoot the truck and go drink some beer. LOL Funny about this topic--back over in 863, trucklover (remember-rammer guy) is asking if anyone has any knowledge of construction trucks--Hmmm, I started this one for that but no one came in until we started talking guns......
Tim, I prefer my Rem 222 for varmit hunting. Little heavy for squirrel but good for the big varmits. I'm no expert but my RCBS dies are precise; why do you prefer Dillion? Any real difference in quality?
Marbuck. A woodchuck is like a western rockchuck except it is about twice its size. This critter raises hell in southern Michigan fields and I am the "Critter Eliminator". I looked at the 300ultra but it was just a little to violent for me. I had to draw the line somewhere and the STW was it. Tim. Good choice on the 6mm. They have a little more case capacity than a 243 and speed kills if you can harness it. I am also not that fond of RCBS dies. Twice I had to send a set of there dies back. If anything I lean towards Redding dies for rifles and Dillion dies for pistols. Never used Bonanza dies but if I get a chance I will check them out. Is the 1000yd range open to the public? I get to Grayling quite often. Father in law has a cabin there. Roc, RCBS make fine reloading equipment. I will never get rid of my rockchucker press. Its like an old 4x4 that wont die but when it comes to progressive reloading you have to check out a Dillion press. Tim, I live just south of Lansing in Critter Country. Later Dude!
I prefer Forster..not Dillion (although good) RCBS is fine if you are not doing serious shooting. In order to get 1/2 -1/4 moa...you must use better dies that are just plain made better. They seat straighter and more precise. If you are using a standard chamber gun...it may make no difference. Perhaps we should gather some place for a hunt of some kind?
220,
Redding is damn good also...but I chose Forster/bonanza...both great. I don't know if the 1000 is open to the public. I have only been there for the shoots.....Doesn't hurt to ask though?? I live south of Almont...wayyyyyyy away from lansing.
Meredith....what does it matter what we are talking about? As long as we are being "family" like...who cares? Everybody seems happy. Using the old Pump action .30-06..eh?....Don't see too many of those around. Good Gun though...
Practice makes perfect. Handloads are a MUST. And a worked on of custom built gun don't hurt either. Even some stock guns can perform real good. Keep practicing!
A work truck question??..here??
This is the hunting Forum ....incognito as a Construction truck topic!..LOL!!
Merideth, Have you ever heard or read about the Benoit family? They are a legendary family out of Maine that swears by the 30.06pump Remington. They have a couple books out describing their hunting techniques and endures. I am not a big fan of a pump rifle but you should check these guys out. In my neck of Mich. Trucks and hunting are one. Don't see many hunters without a truck. Once my friends and I start talking about hunting it leads to trucks and vise-versa. Tim, You are correct about a tight chamber. Normally I neck size only. However, on my STW the custom shop that made my barrel recommended full lenght sizing only. They were right. Roc. I wish I owned a 222. They are known for their accuracy and I could use a short range chuck elliminator. Back to trucks!
The first brass I get gets full lengthed....After that is has conformed to my chamber and only gets neck sized. The less sizing the better as it weakens the brass.
Well, for the first time since my Parris island days, I feel like the neophyte! 220swift, that 222 sure is accurate--it's a must own considering varmit eliminators. Tim, Figured the answer to 863? Good boy! Now drop the bowtie and buy the truck that sets the standard around here!! A:Ford
Trucks??? Oh yeah, hmmmm........... Looking at a F-450,duely with the V-10 custom. Looking for a body to go with it before I go back to dealer. I just don't know about that V-10 motor. I'm really hedging based on the competition from the diesels out there.
GOTTA HAVE A GUN RACK TO GET THE MOST OUTTA A WORKING TRUCK. NOW WHAT TRUCK TO HOLD A RACK? WHATEVER GETS YA THERE 'N BACK FOR FIRSTS. AFTER THAT GAS OR DIESEL; CHEVY, DODGE OR FORD; 1/2, 3/4 OR 1 TON DEPENDS ON THE AMOUNT OF GAME-ER BEER YOUR HAULIN'; 4X4 EXTRA, QUAD OR CREW CAB A MUST. NOW IF WE CAN GET CAMO PAINT AS AN OPTION W/ BUILT IN BLINDS FOR WATERFOWL HUNTIN' ALONG WITH OUR VARMINT & BIG GAME HUNTIN'. WHAT A RIG. ANYBODY SEEN MY 2ND CASE OF BEER?
Do some math first, Roc. is the initial diesel cost worth it? i guess it depends on your area fuel costs and your average driving of the truck. do you trust the new diesels to outlast the truck and not cost you any repairs? that v10 would be easier to drive, and easier to give some moron to drive. the f450 should be a solid chassis, if you need that much.
cdean, A bigger concern is that the clowns that work for me are endlessly turning the engine off and on. I've been told before that this type of behaviour could damgae a diesel. Is this true? The fuel is also roughly in the same ballpark as gas and you may be right about the justification for the initial cost. Mostly this truck is going to be used for our demolition side of uor buisness. It's our way of branching out! Especially when we found out how profitable it can be.
Yes it is true. Well, not the engine, but the turbo, you should ideally let the turbo warm up and cool down for a minute each time you start/stop the engine. If your going to be doing only stop and go, city driving with at most a mile between stops your never going to get much use of the turbo, and probably hate the acceleration of the diesel. If your doing cross country trips that extra minute isn't a big deal. (get a remote starter so you can take the key out at rest areas without stoping the engine)
For construction you might consider several trucks, for getting materials use the diesel, for pushing that wall a few feet use the gas.
Rocles: Ten years of land surveying in Dodge 4x4's w/ Cummins 5sp. has convinced me that they are the best for me. I work them had for 3 years and 100K miles with only one set of front brake pads (they are Delco (GM))) and one set of tires. I'm like you in that I care only about the bottom line in my work. I don't want my truck in the shop. DHD
My contracting company currently has an 87 GMC 1/2-ton as the tool truck that we take to sites and park. Every couple of days or so my foreman will take it to another job for much of the day, forcing my crew to unload what they need or to be held up. This truck is way overloaded as it is, and almost at the end of it's life given the abuse heaped on it, so I'm considering replacing it before someone has an accident while driving it. My question is this: Should I get another truck, maybe a 3/4-ton and put a tool cap on the back like this current truck? The 3/4-ton rating should help handle the load, right? Or, possibly get a tool TRAILER, so that it can be left on the main site if the foreman has to do another job? If I went with the trailer, it should mean that I could stick with a 1/2-ton, right, since tow ratings are higher? Anybody try using a trailer for tools and not a truck? I figure that this would also prevent me from being stranded if the truck has a problem . . . hook the trailer up to another vehicle and go. Biggest fear is that a trailer would be harder to place on job sites on hills where backing in isn't as simple, or where it might get bogged down in the mud. Thanks for any feedback.
We had a trailer once. Once. But then again we're working primarly in Philly so you can guess what happened to our trailer. Get the 3/4 and then you will be worry free of the braking ability and load handling. I have found myself buying more 3/4 and one tonners lately for that reason.
dhd, You sound like a man with a plan and I won't question further. One question though, what would you say is your traditional load and equipment?
Rocles: I usually carry 500-600#'s of pick & shovel type of gear, surveying equip. and a 600# 4x4 fourwheeler in the bed(long bed so I don't need to pull a trailer in tight places. I gross about 7000#'s all the time. The new Dodge body is a big improvement over the pre-1994's as is the new (since 1994) coil over solid axle front drive system. I'm still not all that wild over auto-engage front drive systems (I'm pretty much old school)BUT with 110,000 miles so far, not one speck of problem with the sift on the fly transfer case or vacuum engaged front drive. I use my trucks rather than abuse them. I looked seriously @ the new Super Duty Fords, but I decided to stay with the Dodge for two good reasons, 1. I could get the Cummins & 2. I have had such good luck with Dodges (10 years, 300+thousand miles) compared to GM's that I tried a 24 valve '98 Quad Cab LWB 3/4T. 5sp. for my current work truck. I appreciate your problem with foggy headed roofers treating your trucks like toilet paper, the best solution for me has been to invest in euipment rather than personel when ever possible. I regularly see conractors using similar trucks to pull gooseneck trailers with 30,000# gross weight. They tell me that they get 12 mpg with these loads. I'll probably stay with Dodges untill something better comes along. DHD79413
psubong/dhd, Either one of you guys use a Chevy? I've about given up on that brand and have stuck with the Ram or the Super-Dutys of Ford. My foremen tend to favor the Ford due to the suspension not be loaded down to the ground although the Cummins always get a rave review...
Rocles, I haven't used a Chevy. They seem to sit too low for what I use a pickup for. I have used F250 HD's (back before they were called Super Duty's) and had to replace the transmission and two rear ends. The tranny is going bad again and the truck only has 70,000 miles and is never really loaded or tows. Another F250 HD needed the emission parts of the exhaust manifold replaced due to leaks on the 351 engine. I have an '85 F350 dump with the in-line six cylinder that gets abused with 18,000 lb. gross weights and haven't had any problems except busted motor mounts every 10,000 miles. When the new Chevy diesel and Allison tranny come out I'll probably try one. For now I'll stick with Dodge when it comes to pickups. For my bigger truck needs I'm skipping the 1 ton range. I just bought a Mitsubishi FKM-R 14ft dump with Allison tranny, 25000 lb. gross (non CDL) cabover with 19,000 miles for $19,000. A friend of mine just bought an F550 with a 12 foot stake dump for $43,000! The payback period on that truck is way too long for me. Rocles, what kind of bike do you have? I've got a Harley Heritage Springer but hardly get to ride. Too busy - especially since Hurricane Floyd rolled through. I'm thinking about getting a Ducati M900. That way I'll have two bikes that don't get ridden!
psubong, Funny, I think we have the same 85 Ford! I thought I was the only clown replacing engine mounts! I have yet to figure out why though..... Harley? Sure--It's a 93 FXR-Super Glide. I don't ride it much though since it competes with the 96Magna and 99BMW-R1200c in my garage. I always set aside at least one day a week for riding otherwise I would go nuts! It took years of work to get that one day though......Live to ride/ride to live but always ride safe!
Rocles, Did you know that Mobil has a new 10w-40 synthetic oil designed for diesel engines? There are advertisements for it in mags like Heavy Duty Trucking. It is priced around $20/gal. I'm going to run it in my Dodge/Cummins and my tree equipment this winter. Regular Mobil 1 is only rated CF-4, Mobil Delvac 1 is CG-4. I'll let you know how it does.
Ran it in my old 7.3L Ford during winter's here in AZ at 7,000 ft parked outside, much better cranking speed. Spent 4 days in Crested Butte, CO (9,000'?) with nighttime lows of -20 without pluggin in, with the dual truck batteries running the slide in camper, and almost started. Got a jump, and started right up.
My 7.3 was always a bad winter starter even with new glow plugs and injector pump and glow plug relay and ....
Definately the diesel oil to run when outdoor parking at high altitudes without plugging in.
rocles; you asked if I had ever tried chevys...my last one was a custom ordered '84 suburban 1500 4x4 w/ stick shift (remember the autos of those days)... the bottom line was that the repairs were more money each month than the payments! I then tried a Dodge 1500 4x4 (gasoline) and quickly saw repair cost drop to 10% of what the '84 Chevy was costing me... my next purchase was a '90 1 ton 4x4 w/ Cummins & 5sp., absolutely the best truck I've ever had! @ one time the Chevy was the best truck money could buy, but today I know one rancher that had to do a complete front end rebuild every 30,000 miles on a one Ton Chevy 4x4 etc etc etc. Until I see Chevy's that work out the way these Dodges have for me, I'll stay with either a Dodge/Cummins or Ford Super Duty. I'll be @ a new lease in another 18 months, I'll keep watching the pages for trouble reports from people that have trucks, and watch the working people to see how different brands turn out. dhd79413
dhd, I won't argue with you. I've had three of the worse vehicles ever owned: 95 k1500 Chevys. Those were the beasts that finally turned me away from GM. What was it? Oh I don't know, maybe the mislabeled rear, bearings giving out after 20k miles, engine block crack, too many computer problems, etc...... Most of the private owners get on me for these problems. "Hey Roc, you let those roofers drive them--they'll destroy all trucks!" Sure. So how come my Cummins-Ram and Fords still hold up with far less repair bills?? Let me tell one thing about this site--too many clowns that tow a boat twice a year and become truck experts quoting OEM stats from Motortrend. Do you note the bitterness?? I agree. I want to hear from men that WORK their trucks like any other tool. Good to hear a fellow worker here--dhd. Roc
I just installed four Edelbrock shocks on my truck. They are supposed to reduce rollover during quick maneuvers. I haven't noticed any difference! Should I return them and try some others? Suggestions anybody...
Roc: How have your Ford's been for your work needs? I'm kicking around the idea of trying a V10 Super Duty 4x4 next time. I'm not unhappy with the Dodge/Cummins at all, but I'm sorta ready for a change. I've known too many people that had trouble with the older Ford/Navistar rigs, so I'm still leary of them. Have you tried the Navistar? How's work in your area? One small town 30 miles west of here (I'm based in Lubbock TX)has had 100% insurance claim coverage due to a hail storm this summer. The roofers were knee deep in that town! The general work load here is heavy due to bankers making dumb loans that scare the daylights out of me! I remember that FHA/VA loan defaults are backed by my tax dollars! Later; DHD
Work here is quite steady. Then again, it has been this way for over ten years--we've been very fortunate. We have had an incredible surge from Hurricane Floyd and there's work for everyone. I wonder about the FEMA loans as well. I have seen houses that qualified simply for being in a designated "area" despite what actually happened to that residence. Oh, yeah......sorry--got off subject! Navistar? I only had one. We had for four years and it racked (I think?) around 100k miles with no tranny problems. It ran well but my partner fell in love with the Ram so the only diesels we have now are Dodges. We do have a F-350 with the V-10 and it's been great. Pulls our tar mixer and crew with no problem. My foreman loves it. I needed this truck with a single rear wheel because it is our "city" truck for doing flat roofs in Philly. A duely would end up banging into every car from the way my guys drive! We have two other F-250 Super Dutys with the 5.4 which can be a little lean at times and sometimes I wish I got the V-10 in them. Let me know what you decide.
Comments
Just purchased a 7mmSTW for long range plinking and for a fall elk hunt in Idaho. I reload everything myself on my Dillion RL550 and love it. Where are there 1000 yd. matches in Michigan? Still working on a good load for the STW. Right now I'm at 1 MOA.
However, nothing beats exploding a woodchuck at 300yds. with my Swift. The B.C. of a 55gr. Ballistic tip traveling 3900 fps. is awesome. My furthest kill was just under 500yds.
Good luck with your new truck.
(Ford Rules)
For brush bustin' hunting elk up close, I prefer my .444marlin with 265gr Hornady loaded at 2300 ft/s using my Dillon RL550.
If I were rich like yawl, I'd get me one of those new Rem 300 ultramag guns which would put to shame that 7STW.
markbuck, .444marlin? Ah,man, that's sweet power.
1000 Yd matches are at Camp Grayling. I have never done one of those..but my buddy has been state champ.
I use a Rockchucker press (RCBS) but never use their dies. It's Forster/Bonanza only for me. Their Micrometer dies are sweet. My favorite Varmint Gun is a 6MM. Similar to the 243..but MUCH better. it's the old .244 Remington. My friend is a gunsmith and builds some sweet [non-permissible content removed] guns with custom hand carved stocks as well as radical synthetic stocks. My .308 M24 he built has .0035" chamber clearance....puppy is one solid [non-permissible content removed] MO FO. I shoot 1/4 MOA all day long at 100. I wish I could do more 200-600...but I live so farr away from any place you can do that. I used to have a few places that had 200..but they are now Condo's and Apartments!..Dohh!
Someday I will have a custom 6MM built with a custom carved stock. Going to make that chamber about .0015" clearance or so. For those who don't know...Factory ammo will not even chamber in a gun that tight. You must be sure no crap is in the breech or barrel. I usually wipe down the bolt and bore every 10 shots...sometimes less....Damn am I rambling!!....(Found another passion of mine)
Ahhhh..Guns/Silverado's/and beer...what a combo!
.308 with 40 GR. R-15 and a Sierra Matchking 168gr.(chamber was made specifically for that bullet...just like the military) is one sweet [non-permissible content removed] combo.
For 6mm is also R-15 with Nosler Ballistic Tips...can you say explode?
Glad we all find something in common!
Where you at 220?
Funny about this topic--back over in 863, trucklover (remember-rammer guy) is asking if anyone has any knowledge of construction trucks--Hmmm, I started this one for that but no one came in until we started talking guns......
Tim,
I prefer my Rem 222 for varmit hunting. Little heavy for squirrel but good for the big varmits. I'm no expert but my RCBS dies are precise; why do you prefer Dillion? Any real difference in quality?
I looked at the 300ultra but it was just a little to violent for me. I had to draw the line somewhere and the STW was it.
Tim. Good choice on the 6mm. They have a little more case capacity than a 243 and speed kills if you can harness it. I am also not that fond of RCBS dies. Twice I had to send a set of there dies back. If anything I lean towards Redding dies for rifles and Dillion dies for pistols. Never used Bonanza dies but if I get a chance I will check them out. Is the 1000yd range open to the public? I get to Grayling quite often. Father in law has a cabin there.
Roc, RCBS make fine reloading equipment. I will never get rid of my rockchucker press. Its like an old 4x4 that wont die but when it comes to progressive reloading you have to check out a Dillion press.
Tim, I live just south of Lansing in Critter Country. Later Dude!
between construction trucks and guns is????.....
I am a "2nd Amendment Firearms Rights" advocate, but this is the Construction Trucks topic????....
Back to the Topic, please?!?!?
Front Porch Philosopher
SUV, Pickups, & Aftermarket and Accessories Host
Who hunts deer on his mothers farm in Missouri with a Remington 760 in 30-06....
I prefer Forster..not Dillion (although good)
RCBS is fine if you are not doing serious shooting. In order to get 1/2 -1/4 moa...you must use better dies that are just plain made better. They seat straighter and more precise. If you are using a standard chamber gun...it may make no difference. Perhaps we should gather some place for a hunt of some kind?
220,
Redding is damn good also...but I chose Forster/bonanza...both great. I don't know if the 1000 is open to the public. I have only been there for the shoots.....Doesn't hurt to ask though??
I live south of Almont...wayyyyyyy away from lansing.
Meredith....what does it matter what we are talking about? As long as we are being "family" like...who cares? Everybody seems happy. Using the old Pump action .30-06..eh?....Don't see too many of those around. Good Gun though...
- Tim
Yeah..it seems Manlover...er..I mean Trucklover has vanished from the topics we were going at it in....Guess he can't take the heat?
- Tim
I Don't hang out in 863....I already KNOW the answer!..LOL!!!!
So what kinda 6 seater 1 ton work pickup do you all recommend.
I would get a vinyl seated F350SD with an auto and the 5.4 with 4.10 limited slip with about no other options except A/C and maybe 4WD.
A work truck question??..here??
This is the hunting Forum ....incognito as a Construction truck topic!..LOL!!
Let me start...buy a Chevy.
Roc...says buy a Ford.
Make a decision yet?
hehehee
- Tim
In my neck of Mich. Trucks and hunting are one. Don't see many hunters without a truck. Once my friends and I start talking about hunting it leads to trucks and vise-versa.
Tim, You are correct about a tight chamber. Normally I neck size only. However, on my STW the custom shop that made my barrel recommended full lenght sizing only. They were right.
Roc. I wish I owned a 222. They are known for their accuracy and I could use a short range chuck elliminator. Back to trucks!
OK
back to trucks..(maybe?)
Tim,
Figured the answer to 863? Good boy! Now drop the bowtie and buy the truck that sets the standard around here!! A:Ford
Trucks??? Oh yeah, hmmmm...........
Looking at a F-450,duely with the V-10 custom. Looking for a body to go with it before I go back to dealer. I just don't know about that V-10 motor. I'm really hedging based on the competition from the diesels out there.
A bigger concern is that the clowns that work for me are endlessly turning the engine off and on. I've been told before that this type of behaviour could damgae a diesel. Is this true?
The fuel is also roughly in the same ballpark as gas and you may be right about the justification for the initial cost. Mostly this truck is going to be used for our demolition side of uor buisness. It's our way of branching out! Especially when we found out how profitable it can be.
For construction you might consider several trucks, for getting materials use the diesel, for pushing that wall a few feet use the gas.
Ten years of land surveying in Dodge 4x4's w/ Cummins 5sp. has convinced me that they are the best for me. I work them had for 3 years and 100K miles with only one set of front brake pads (they are Delco (GM))) and one set of tires. I'm like you in that I care only about the bottom line in my work. I don't want my truck in the shop.
DHD
My question is this: Should I get another truck, maybe a 3/4-ton and put a tool cap on the back like this current truck? The 3/4-ton rating should help handle the load, right? Or, possibly get a tool TRAILER, so that it can be left on the main site if the foreman has to do another job? If I went with the trailer, it should mean that I could stick with a 1/2-ton, right, since tow ratings are higher? Anybody try using a trailer for tools and not a truck? I figure that this would also prevent me from being stranded if the truck has a problem . . . hook the trailer up to another vehicle and go. Biggest fear is that a trailer would be harder to place on job sites on hills where backing in isn't as simple, or where it might get bogged down in the mud.
Thanks for any feedback.
Get the 3/4 and then you will be worry free of the braking ability and load handling. I have found myself buying more 3/4 and one tonners lately for that reason.
dhd,
You sound like a man with a plan and I won't question further. One question though, what would you say is your traditional load and equipment?
I usually carry 500-600#'s of pick & shovel type of gear, surveying equip. and a 600# 4x4 fourwheeler in the bed(long bed so I don't need to pull a trailer in tight places.
I gross about 7000#'s all the time.
The new Dodge body is a big improvement over the pre-1994's as is the new (since 1994) coil over solid axle front drive system.
I'm still not all that wild over auto-engage front drive systems (I'm pretty much old school)BUT with 110,000 miles so far, not one speck of problem with the sift on the fly transfer case or vacuum engaged front drive.
I use my trucks rather than abuse them.
I looked seriously @ the new Super Duty Fords, but I decided to stay with the Dodge for two good reasons, 1. I could get the Cummins & 2. I have had such good luck with Dodges (10 years, 300+thousand miles) compared to GM's that I tried a 24 valve '98 Quad Cab LWB 3/4T. 5sp. for my current work truck.
I appreciate your problem with foggy headed roofers treating your trucks like toilet paper, the best solution for me has been to invest in euipment rather than personel when ever possible.
I regularly see conractors using similar trucks to pull gooseneck trailers with 30,000# gross weight.
They tell me that they get 12 mpg with these loads.
I'll probably stay with Dodges untill something better comes along.
DHD79413
Either one of you guys use a Chevy? I've about given up on that brand and have stuck with the Ram or the Super-Dutys of Ford. My foremen tend to favor the Ford due to the suspension not be loaded down to the ground although the Cummins always get a rave review...
I haven't used a Chevy. They seem to sit too low for what I use a pickup for. I have used F250 HD's (back before they were called Super Duty's) and had to replace the transmission and two rear ends. The tranny is going bad again and the truck only has 70,000 miles and is never really loaded or tows. Another F250 HD needed the emission parts of the exhaust manifold replaced due to leaks on the 351 engine. I have an '85 F350 dump with the in-line six cylinder that gets abused with 18,000 lb. gross weights and haven't had any problems except busted motor mounts every 10,000 miles.
When the new Chevy diesel and Allison tranny come out I'll probably try one. For now I'll stick with Dodge when it comes to pickups. For my bigger truck needs I'm skipping the 1 ton range. I just bought a Mitsubishi FKM-R 14ft dump with Allison tranny, 25000 lb. gross (non CDL) cabover with 19,000 miles for $19,000. A friend of mine just bought an F550 with a 12 foot stake dump for $43,000! The payback period on that truck is way too long for me.
Rocles, what kind of bike do you have? I've got a Harley Heritage Springer but hardly get to ride. Too busy - especially since Hurricane Floyd rolled through. I'm thinking about getting a Ducati M900. That way I'll have two bikes that don't get ridden!
Funny, I think we have the same 85 Ford! I thought I was the only clown replacing engine mounts! I have yet to figure out why though.....
Harley? Sure--It's a 93 FXR-Super Glide. I don't ride it much though since it competes with the 96Magna and 99BMW-R1200c in my garage. I always set aside at least one day a week for riding otherwise I would go nuts! It took years of work to get that one day though......Live to ride/ride to live but always ride safe!
Did you know that Mobil has a new 10w-40 synthetic oil designed for diesel engines? There are advertisements for it in mags like Heavy Duty Trucking. It is priced around $20/gal. I'm going to run it in my Dodge/Cummins and my tree equipment this winter. Regular Mobil 1 is only rated CF-4, Mobil Delvac 1 is CG-4. I'll let you know how it does.
Spent 4 days in Crested Butte, CO (9,000'?) with nighttime lows of -20 without pluggin in, with the dual truck batteries running the slide in camper, and almost started. Got a jump, and started right up.
My 7.3 was always a bad winter starter even with new glow plugs and injector pump and glow plug relay and ....
Definately the diesel oil to run when outdoor parking at high altitudes without plugging in.
you asked if I had ever tried chevys...my last one was a custom ordered '84 suburban 1500 4x4 w/ stick shift (remember the autos of those days)...
the bottom line was that the repairs were more money each month than the payments! I then tried a Dodge 1500 4x4 (gasoline) and quickly saw repair cost drop to 10% of what the '84 Chevy was costing me... my next purchase was a '90 1 ton 4x4 w/ Cummins & 5sp., absolutely the best truck I've ever had! @ one time the Chevy was the best truck money could buy, but today I know one rancher that had to do a complete front end rebuild every 30,000 miles on a one Ton Chevy 4x4 etc etc etc.
Until I see Chevy's that work out the way these Dodges have for me, I'll stay with either a Dodge/Cummins or Ford Super Duty. I'll be @ a new lease in another 18 months, I'll keep watching the pages for trouble reports from people that have trucks, and watch the working people to see how different brands turn out.
dhd79413
I won't argue with you. I've had three of the worse vehicles ever owned: 95 k1500 Chevys. Those were the beasts that finally turned me away from GM. What was it? Oh I don't know, maybe the mislabeled rear, bearings giving out after 20k miles, engine block crack, too many computer problems, etc......
Most of the private owners get on me for these problems. "Hey Roc, you let those roofers drive them--they'll destroy all trucks!"
Sure. So how come my Cummins-Ram and Fords still hold up with far less repair bills?? Let me tell one thing about this site--too many clowns that tow a boat twice a year and become truck experts quoting OEM stats from Motortrend.
Do you note the bitterness?? I agree. I want to hear from men that WORK their trucks like any other tool. Good to hear a fellow worker here--dhd.
Roc
Roc
How have your Ford's been for your work needs?
I'm kicking around the idea of trying a V10 Super Duty 4x4 next time.
I'm not unhappy with the Dodge/Cummins at all, but I'm sorta ready for a change.
I've known too many people that had trouble with the older Ford/Navistar rigs, so I'm still leary of them.
Have you tried the Navistar?
How's work in your area?
One small town 30 miles west of here (I'm based in Lubbock TX)has had 100% insurance claim coverage due to a hail storm this summer. The roofers were knee deep in that town!
The general work load here is heavy due to bankers making dumb loans that scare the daylights out of me! I remember that FHA/VA loan defaults are backed by my tax dollars!
Later;
DHD
Navistar? I only had one. We had for four years and it racked (I think?) around 100k miles with no tranny problems. It ran well but my partner fell in love with the Ram so the only diesels we have now are Dodges. We do have a F-350 with the V-10 and it's been great. Pulls our tar mixer and crew with no problem. My foreman loves it. I needed this truck with a single rear wheel because it is our "city" truck for doing flat roofs in Philly. A duely would end up banging into every car from the way my guys drive!
We have two other F-250 Super Dutys with the 5.4 which can be a little lean at times and sometimes I wish I got the V-10 in them.
Let me know what you decide.
Roc
this topic is being "frozen." It will be archived or deleted in the next 10 days or so.
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