Cascade Crew

QwkTrip · Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2008 5:19 pm Post subject: Sold the Duramax

Almost a year ago I picked up an '02 Duramax HD with 4WD. A SWEEEEET black crew cab. It was a rocket with a tune and exhaust. But I just couldn't sell the Ford Superduty 2WD that I bought a few years earlier. After almost a year of sale ads, I finally decided the Ford just wasn't leaving my driveway so I sold the Duramax a few days ago. Expensive lesson, but I'm kind of relieved because that Chevy did soak me on repairs constantly. I will never buy another Chevy truck. The 2000 Superduty 7.3L has been a perfect performer.

So I'm back to the same cars I had a year ago and almost $5K less in my bank account. That money could have been used to finish the Firebird! Crying or Very sad

rjmcgee · The Hammer Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 2328

dlp · Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 1:29 am Post subject:

The 7.3 litre Fords were great engines. The transmissions on the other hand left something to be desired and the inetrior and ride quality sucked ass. You have a 2wheel drive version, you know what I am talking about. If you really want to compare apples to apples, compare a 7.3 to a LB9 Duramax, towing. The 7.4 couldnt hold a candle to the Duramax. Ford created the common rail 6.0hno to compete with the superior Dmax. The 6.ohno was a pile of shizzle. Didnt matter how many software ( power reducing ) upgrades Ford released, they still broke. The 6.ohno almost broke Ford, the reason Fords HD sales collapsed was because of the 6.ohno. The new Navistar ( Powerstroke) 7.4 isnt much better. Ford lost there edge in the HD truck market by producing inferior products while realying on it's customers loyalty. Ford sued Navistar and MADE them produce the 7.4 for the current superduty's, this explaines the piss poor reliabilty of them.

QwkTrip · Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 9:32 am Post subject:

Eh.... I'll definitely support you on 6.0L quality issues and the prediciton of 6.4L problems.

When it comes to towing I think you're putting too much focus on Hp and not how the vehicle handles. My Ford is a 6-speed manual and I always have the right gear. The Ford is a heavier truck and a more steady ride when towing. The brakes are so much better it is REDICULOUS! It has enough power to cruise on the freeway, over mountain passes, and get the job done. And the best part about the 7.3L is that I will get there without breaking down. Not something I would have trusted the LB7 to accomplish.

Ride quality is the same across the board. They are so close that on my Chevy a custom set of shocks were F250 front and Dodge 2500 rear. Generally, 2WD is a smoother ride than 4WD with all the brands.

Interior is subjective. Personally, I like the Ford interior better because I found it to be more comfortable. The darn problem with the Chevy is that the captain chairs and center console provided no decent place to rest my arms! After 30 minutes you really start to notice. Also, the rear seats of the Chevy crew cab don't fold up. They go down on the floor which limits what you can place in the cab. The storage in the cab was no better than my extended cab Ford with jumper seats that folded up out of the way. Ford has a longer short bed, too. And yes, it was enough to be noticeable.

Body. Everybody in the midwest knows that Chevy bodies don't hold up. And mine was no exception. That's where most my money went, and it was going to get worse real quick.

mrpopo573 · Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 10:56 am Post subject: Re: Sold the Duramax

rjmcgee · The Hammer Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 2328

mrpopo573 · Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 1:23 pm Post subject:

My bad, yes a 7.3. I don't doubt the regional thing, east of the cascades you can sell manual transmissions to anyone, here, only kids and gear heads.

Its all relevant. Our 7.3 is the notoriously weak 4 speed auto, but we manage 22 on the highway. This is bone stock with an intake and a 100,000 miles.

QwkTrip · Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 8:15 am Post subject:

Your auto tranny just needs a few tweaks and it will be bullet proof.

The famous Allison trans in my Chevy was built for stock power. Push it hard and it will fail before a trans from Ford or Dodge. However, with a few mechanical tweaks it is the most coveted between the three. In my opinion any auto tranny needs some tweaks before you can really use them worry free.

mrpopo573 · Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 8:30 am Post subject:

Exactly. We already have the kit and shop lined up for when we're ready. Overdrives plus torque have always= Shocked

We were originally looking for a six speed cummins but this presented itself for so very cheap that we had to jump.

QwkTrip · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:52 pm Post subject:

That's exactly how I ended up with the Superduty. Very good deal way under book value. Low miles and great condition. I just couldn't pass it up. It towed my Firebird to Illinois like a champ, and serves as our main vacation road trip vehicle.

mrpopo573 · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:54 pm Post subject:

I remember you posting about that. Man i've been on this forum for a while. Shocked

QwkTrip · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 9:12 pm Post subject:

Time flies, eh? I've been here since 2001. Think of all the time I've wasted here. Very Happy

mrpopo573 · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 9:13 pm Post subject:

lol. I'd like to think my post count is that of a moderately addicted crewbie. Considering I haven't had a thirdgen is over 2 years as well.....doesn't mean I don't miss it. When it ran right. When it didn't blow oil.

Demon · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 9:59 pm Post subject:

iansane · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 10:41 pm Post subject:

Dewey316 · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 11:13 pm Post subject:

QwkTrip · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 9:24 am Post subject:

If my Firebird were finished, then I wouldn't need the truck! Very Happy

Demon · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 12:29 pm Post subject:

aaron_sK · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 1:12 pm Post subject:

Demon · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 1:22 pm Post subject: