Ordering a new truck. What to look out for?

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by Tobra

If you are custom ordering, get Omaha Orange paint on it.

I originally went with the Orange, then changed my mind to the fire truck red.
It was still pretty obnoxious... So I called the ordering manager and was able to go to the burgundy. I think if I called her again she would tell me no.

[Seahawk]

Can I ask a really stupid question?

Why manual transmission? None of the big truck manufacturers are putting any R&D into manual transmissions, none. There is no market for them.

I have a 2015 1/2 ton with an automatic transmission that does everything better than I can do (I'm old so I know how to drive and feather a clutch, etc. - I grew up driving manual Power Wagons, F-100's, El Camino's with 3 on the Tree) with zero reliability issues.

Resale will suffer as well.

If you think your truck will have transmission issues with an automatic transmission or transfer case, look at other trucks.

I have over 70K on my truck in three years, 15K towing something.. Zippy issues.

Hit the "tow" button and watch in wonder.

[enzo1]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Can I ask a really stupid question?

Why manual transmission? None of the big truck manufacturers are putting any R&D into manual transmissions, none. There is no market for them.

I have a 2015 1/2 ton with an automatic transmission that does everything better than I can do (I'm old so I know how to drive and feather a clutch, etc. - I grew up driving manual Power Wagons, F-100's, El Camino's with 3 on the Tree) with zero reliability issues.

Resale will suffer as well.

If you think your truck will have transmission issues with an automatic transmission or transfer case, look at other trucks.

I have over 70K on my truck in three years, 15K towing something.. Zippy issues.

Hit the "tow" button and watch in wonder.

+1...why?

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Can I ask a really stupid question?

Why manual transmission? None of the big truck manufacturers are putting any R&D into manual transmissions, none. There is no market for them.

I have a 2015 1/2 ton with an automatic transmission that does everything better than I can do (I'm old so I know how to drive and feather a clutch, etc. - I grew up driving manual Power Wagons, F-100's, El Camino's with 3 on the Tree) with zero reliability issues.

Resale will suffer as well.

If you think your truck will have transmission issues with an automatic transmission or transfer case, look at other trucks.

I have over 70K on my truck in three years, 15K towing something.. Zippy issues.

Hit the "tow" button and watch in wonder.

That's easy
Exhaust brake.

I know the clutch is trash with any tunes, but a 30 hp tune should bring the same power to the wheels equal to a 68 equipped truck.

As for autos; I would go with a duramax /allison combo, and avoid dodge all together. However, my local Chevrolet dealer was quite firm on selling me a over priced pos from the east coast, and would not let me order a plain Jane truck... That really put me off with dealing with them.

Dodge was happy to sell me a truck and even took away options and did not push dealer extras.

Blah blah blah. I can go on all night.

Truck is ordered. Hopefully comes in before Christmas.
Hecho en Mexico haha

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by aigel

As others have mentioned, the Chrysler factory extended warranty can be priced very attractively to where it is almost a no-brainer.

I have a 2015 Ecodiesel half ton truck. When I bought it and sat in the "let's add a bunch of crap you don't need" office, where they sell you paint sealers and maintenance packages, the 100k mile / 7 year warranty started in the stratosphere, many thousands, and then ended up close to 2k when I continued to decline it. I decided to go for it, at less than 5% of the truck purchase price, it seemed decent insurance. Also, note that you can get your money back if you do not need any repairs in the 100k/7year time frame.

So far that truck has been doing great. I am scared of the diesel emissions, after my VW TDI experience, so jury is out, and I am glad I have zero financial risk due to the warranty.

Cheers,

G

That's where the real negotiations come into play. Honestly it's going to be tough decision. I'm quite firm on doing the delete new. A good breathing engine vs restricted is a longevity argument. If somehow I lunch this engine with a stock (so I don't have to do aclutch right away) to low level tune (highly unlikely for engine failure since the g56 is detuned to 660 ft lbs, and the ram 3500 has 930 ft lbs). It's going to suck paying out of pocket for long block. but for what I paid for the truck, increase of mpg, ect ect it's not the worse decision. Plus I like a little gamble when the statistics are in my favor.

I'll keep this thread open for when I do my deletes and future engine failure.

[cashflyer]

Too bad the issue is settled... I would have mentioned that Nissan trucks are offered with the Cummins diesel. It would give you another brand to consider and negotiate with.

One of my business partners has a 2015 fully loaded 2500 with the Cummins. He has had no shortage of little issues. It seems like they cant get the Dodge software to talk to the Cummins software and every time he has it in for a flash, they fix one thing and screw up something else. His is all stock with very low mileage (less than 30,000 miles).

I sold my last Dodge diesel because of issues like this. The ECU failed. Dodge ordered another one, which was dead on arrival. Then Dodge ordered another one which worked for about 6 weeks before failing again. One more ECU installed, and I drove it straight to the Carmax "we buy your car even if you don't buy our car" place and let them buy it from me.

[Arizona_928]

Well that's disconcerting.

Hecho en Mexico quality control at its finest.

[cashflyer]

I'm a very disconcerting person.

[911boost]

While I have a Ford, I looked closely at the Dodge's with the Cummins, but I couldn't get the cab/bed combo I wanted. Dodge/Ram (whatever the heck they are called now) pull like crazy although I haven't had a single friend with one that hasn't had issues.

I hope you have good luck with yours. My F350 is bone stock with 72,000 miles on it and I have avoided any tune or anything.

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by AZ_porschekid

As for autos; I would go with a duramax /allison combo, and avoid dodge all together. However, my local Chevrolet dealer was quite firm on selling me a over priced pos from the east coast, and would not let me order a plain Jane truck... That really put me off with dealing with them.

That seems to be a dealer issue, not a chevy issue. (?)

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by pavulon

That seems to be a dealer issue, not a chevy issue. (?)

Well most certainly, but who represents the brand?
The second (chevy) dealer I went to told me to build one online. Go figure.
The Ford dealer at least pointed me towards the fleet manager and gave me a build quote. Just wasn't that impressed With a new blue oval.

[VincentVega]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

Too bad the issue is settled... I would have mentioned that Nissan trucks are offered with the Cummins diesel. It would give you another brand to consider and negotiate with.


I sold my last Dodge diesel because of issues like this. The ECU failed. Dodge ordered another one, which was dead on arrival. Then Dodge ordered another one which worked for about 6 weeks before failing again. One more ECU installed, and I drove it straight to the Carmax "we buy your car even if you don't buy our car" place and let them buy it from me.

The Nissan is interesting but doesnt compare to the others 3/4 tons for towing, which I assume is why most are looking at them. I like the idea of the nissan diesel, just not sure. I'm a rusty rockers GM truck guy but I'm looking and open to anything. I just tried to build a Nissan and I cant find a long bed and the payload is 1/2 level, not 3/4t+.