Posted 2007-08-04 2:25 PM (#65108) Subject: FORD or CHEVY
Regular
Posts: 56 Location: Mondovi, Wi 54755
I know this request has been mention on here a few times before, but haven't seem to locate it. I will be upgrading from a 2001 Chevy 2500 HD gas with automatic transmission, to a different truck this fall. I'm looking at the Ford or Chevy diesel but I Can't afford new, only up to a 2004. So can anyone tell me what year would be the best on either one, and the vantage and disadvantage of each. I pull a 3 Horse Trails West Goose Neck trailer with 2 horses and all necessary things, when we go on weekend camp trips. Thank you
Posted 2007-08-04 6:04 PM (#65123 - in reply to #65108) Subject: RE: FORD or CHEVY
Member
Posts: 30 Location: mt. vernon,ar 72111
Do , not rule out gas.I have a Ford v-10 and love it.It is a 2004 and has 48,000 and most of them pulling a 3 horse living qtrs.When i replace it will be with another one if still availible.
Posted 2007-08-04 8:08 PM (#65129 - in reply to #65108) Subject: RE: FORD or CHEVY
Member
Posts: 45
Let's not forget the transmission issue, said he's looking for an automatic. All reviews I've seen have picked Allison(Chevy's) over Ford's. I personally know 2 people with Ford's that have had issues that dealers would not address. Both trucks had under 50,000 miles.
6.4 Ford diesel is a new design this year I believe, a little early for jury to come back on(if the Ford 6.0 was so great, a mid 03 entry,why is it being replaced already? Duramax here since 01, and Cummins has a new one out, but old 5.9's been here a long time)
Posted 2007-08-04 8:32 PM (#65130 - in reply to #65108) Subject: RE: FORD or CHEVY
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
which one do you like? Are you buying New or Used? Ford has a bigger back seat than the GM products. GM has a few ammenties that Ford doesn't offer.
Are you going to chip/tuner or stay stock? How about exhaust brake? The Ford 6.0 doesn't respond as well to trying squeeze some extra horse power out it, and Ford will seriously look at for engine mods as way to not pay a warranty claim. GM seems to be much more friendly about adding performance enhancing modifications.
If you are buying new, the new 6.4L Powerstroke seems to be making everybody happy. My sister and several friends have bought the new 08 trucks with the new engine. They are very quite. I have several friends and employees with the GM Duramax. They are happy.
It's a personal preference.
I have had 2000 7.3L, a very very early 2003 6.0L and a 2006 6.0.L. I tow daily. A skid loader, A mini execavator, a dump trailer and my 4 horse LQ. I usually run around 90,000 to 100,000 miles every 3 years and buy a new truck. I have no complaints about the Fords.
If you are considering used, Here is a link to many who ARE happy with their 6.0L Fords
Posted 2007-08-04 10:06 PM (#65138 - in reply to #65108) Subject: RE: FORD or CHEVY
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 500 Location: West TN
I had an 03 F-250 with the 6.0. I wound up having the entire engine replaced by Ford. After that I traded it in on an 05 F-250 till it had 36k miles and never had one days worth of trouble with it. I had the opportunity to trade it off for an 06 F-250 with the 6.0 for 3k and I am still driving it with no troubles. It only comes out to pull and has right at 26k on it at this point. I really like the room it has as well. There are several times that I will have six people in this truck and there is always plenty of room. My dad has had three of the 6.0 engines and none have given him any complications. I would stay away from the early 03 models in the Fords. I have had my share of horror stories with that 03, one includes it stopping while I had a load of horses coming off a hill. Fortunately, the roadside assistance did a great job getting my rig towed trailer and all. I have picked up loads where we drove 1000 miles in one day and we only shut it off to refuel and it never missed a lick the whole trip. I kept it in tow/haul and it did a good job. Since you are buying used, it helps to find one that you know the prior owner to. Alot of the trucks this way are used on a farm and even though they might not have alot of miles on them, they are hard miles. There is a big difference in towing 10000 pounds down the road and the same weight across the field. I use mine on a farm and it makes a difference in how they hold up.
Posted 2007-08-05 9:15 AM (#65159 - in reply to #65108) Subject: RE: FORD or CHEVY
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Posts: 1719 Location: PA
I had a 2005 F450 that I just LOVED for 12,000 miles. Then it was a major downhill spiral from then on. Got a GMC and so far so good. My friend had a 2004 F450 that was great for 30,000 miles. Then it was always on the side of the road. She now owns a Chevy. Guess why there are so many used Fords out there for a cheap price.
Posted 2007-08-05 11:15 AM (#65175 - in reply to #65108) Subject: RE: FORD or CHEVY
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342 Location: MS
I also have an '04 Ford with the v-10. It is a pulling son of a gun. Gas mileage isn't so hot...around 12.5...but it is a really nice truck. Mine has about 52,000 and I pull a 2 horse Exiss with a small LQ. My previous truck was a '99 Dodge with a Cummings. The truck was coming apart but the engine was still real strong. And could FLY!
Posted 2007-08-05 11:21 AM (#65176 - in reply to #65129) Subject: RE: FORD or CHEVY
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 304
Originally written by lostinohio on 2007-08-04 8:08 PM
(if the Ford 6.0 was so great, a mid 03 entry,why is it being replaced already? Duramax here since 01, and Cummins has a new one out, but old 5.9's been here a long time)
Posted 2007-08-05 4:12 PM (#65195 - in reply to #65108) Subject: RE: FORD or CHEVY
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489 Location: CA
I drove to Reno a couple of weeks ago in a brand spanking new Chevy diesel. Man, was that nice! Another friend has a Ford with lots of troubles, in the shop a lot. Why aren't you considering a Dodge Cummins? I love mine.
Posted 2007-08-05 4:22 PM (#65196 - in reply to #65108) Subject: RE: FORD or CHEVY
Regular
Posts: 57
I've pulled with a 2001 F250 7.2 diesel since October of 2001, without so much as a hiccup, and I haul a LOT. This truck is a real workhorse, and I have been very, very happy with it. I have five close friends that I ride with (and we all haul a lot), and we all have F250s or F350s, never with any problems. I'm no engine expert, but I feel like the overall quality of the Fords is better. Chevys just seem cheaply built to me.
Posted 2007-08-05 11:53 PM (#65214 - in reply to #65108) Subject: RE: FORD or CHEVY
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by Aspen on 2007-08-04 3:25 PM
I know this request has been mention on here a few times before, but haven't seem to locate it. I will be upgrading from a 2001 Chevy 2500 HD gas with automatic transmission, to a different truck this fall. I'm looking at the Ford or Chevy diesel but I Can't afford new, only up to a 2004. So can anyone tell me what year would be the best on either one, and the vantage and disadvantage of each. I pull a 3 Horse Trails West Goose Neck trailer with 2 horses and all necessary things, when we go on weekend camp trips. Thank you
Go new and stretch your payments out to 72 months or more...a new GM will definitely outlast your payment book...and you get your full warranty and no else's problem truck
Navy Federal is doing 5.00% for 72 months...YMMV...
Posted 2007-08-06 9:35 AM (#65227 - in reply to #65108) Subject: RE: FORD or CHEVY
Regular
Posts: 79
If Ford and Chevy are the only options this is how I would look at them:
If you compare the 2003-2004 models, get the Chevy. Just so happens that the Duramax in the Chevy was strong in those years and we all know the reputation of the Ford 6.0L diesel. Even if you get a "good one" you're going to take a BEATING on it when you go to trade it in. I do a lot of buy bids on Fords... no one pays very much for that engine.
If you're looking at anything 2002 or 2001, go with the Ford. The early Duramax engines in the Chevy had injector issues. Otherwise, a decent engine. However, in those years the Ford had the 7.3L diesel. Generally considered one of the better diesel engines ever put into a pickup.
Posted 2007-08-06 10:00 AM (#65228 - in reply to #65108) Subject: RE: FORD or CHEVY
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Danielsville Georgia
Nice summation! The 03/04 Dodge with the 48re trans has had very few issues,probably gets the best fuel milage of that group,has the only mid duty diesel(both the others are lite duty)and the largest brake.
Posted 2007-08-06 1:01 PM (#65247 - in reply to #65108) Subject: RE: FORD or CHEVY
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544 Location: Claxton, Ga.
For me Ford was never in the equation. Chevy Duramax/Allison cost way to much for what you get. Dodge/Cummins. Very easy maintenance, low cost for good filters, Longevity and so on. No issues at all with my 48re auto with 4.10's. Pulls extremely strong. Cost per mile should be figured into a diesel in my opinion and how many times it goes in the shop. Chevy's are O.K. but the 03'-04' have injector issues so stay away from them.
Posted 2007-08-06 1:54 PM (#65259 - in reply to #65108) Subject: RE: FORD or CHEVY
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 560 Location: Mena, AR
I have an '04 duramax chevy one-ton. Not a lick of trouble. I am still as happy with it as the day I purchased it. The fuel injector problem is covered under a 100,000 mile warranty from Chevy. My brother-in-law got his injector replaced under the warranty program with no fuss. It's the only problem he's had with his '04. -Betty
Posted 2007-08-06 3:27 PM (#65266 - in reply to #65108) Subject: RE: FORD or CHEVY
Regular
Posts: 79
Well now if a Dodge is now in the equation thats a different story. Dodge is still the best value in heavy duty trucks. I've owned 4 of them. Still wouldn't get the automatic, but the 48re seems to be holding up relatively well.
Posted 2007-08-06 4:29 PM (#65269 - in reply to #65108) Subject: RE: FORD or CHEVY
Veteran
Posts: 238 Location: West Coast
I've hauled with both gas and diesel, in my opinion, there's just no comparison when towing, get a diesel. Plus if it's your daily driver, you'll get better fuel mileage with the diesel.
As far as manufacturer, I really think it's just comes down to personal preference. The chevy duramax is a great engine, but the fit and finish of a chevy (and dodge), don't match up to the Fords. If I were looking for a Ford diesel, I would choose the 7.3 over the 6.0. If you don't want to buy something that old and are going for a 6.0, I would look at the later model trucks not the early ones. If you purchase a 6.0, I would ask a Ford dealer to pull the Oasis report on it to see if it's been a problem truck. There are some good dependable 6.0's out there, but there are some that have had some really big problems.
Both transmissions, the allison and torqueshift a good transmissions and both have had their problems.
No matter what, if you are buying used, I would get whatever information you can get from the dealer on it's repair history, and I would have a good "diesel" mechanic look it over.
Posted 2007-08-06 5:05 PM (#65270 - in reply to #65108) Subject: RE: FORD or CHEVY
Regular
Posts: 70 Location: Northern, CA
Can only speak for the Chevy products, as we pull with nothing but. Have 2002 Duramax 2500 (19mpg), and 2005 Kodiak Duramax 4500 (11mpg). Both are performing great and both get decent mileage. We tow a minimum of 2,000 miles a month, mostly in the mountains, and haven't had any problems with either one.
FORD or CHEVY
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