Looking To Upgrade

[mxzeatr]

Hey guys,

 

Been a GM guy for quite some time, until about 3yrs ago I bought an 06 F150. I love my F150 to death, its a great truck, but it seems to have a small issue every now and then that just irritates me. Plus we are ready for a Crew cab, not just an extended cab.

 

My last Chevy was a 99 NBS. It had 199k when I traded it 3yrs ago. Loved that truck, but wanted something 'different'.

 

Anyways, we are thinking about 08-09 used trucks. Crew cab etc.

 

 

My questions are, how do you guys like your trucks? Seems to be some 'issues' but it is a forum where everyone can vent,reviel,seek help with issues, so I know to take it with a grain of salt as there are 100 trucks out there for every one owner here (if not more then 100) so...

 

 

Is the 6sp a worth while venture? That leaves me out of the 08 search. I'm torn whether to try and limit my search to those or not. I do some towing, our boat weighs in at under 4000lbs though, so nothing major. Just looking for a good truck, that'll last a very long time, that won't nickle and dime me to dealth like I feel my F150 may after 100k.

 

 

Any help/reviews would be great. I'm clueless as to what options/etc they came with. I guess my biggest concern would be gear ratio, and 4 or 6sp tranny.

 

Thanks!

[Stevens03]

I've owned 2 of the GMT-900's and really like them. I've personally not had any real issues to speak of. My 07 had the rear main seal go out, but was fixed quick and painlessly by warranty. I also was not convinced that the 6-speed was that great or could be that different but now that I have one, I'm VERY impressed.

 

Good luck with your search.

[RyanbabZ71]

I would go with the 6 speed.

[becker87]

Go for the six speed, you will be a lot happier

[Big Whiskey]

I agree 100% about the 6 speed. I had an '07 VMax with the 4 speed and 3:73's, and was very happy with it. Now, I have an '09 VMax with the 6 speed and 3:42's, and I like it even better. I wouldn't pass up an awesome deal on a really nice truck with all the options you want, just because it has a 4 speed....but, the 6 speed is a great improvement.

[mxzeatr]

Thanks for the input thus far guys.

 

I found the F150's 4 speed to be fine with the 3.55 rear end. Quite honestly, that truck pulls very well compared to the 99 Chevy, so I can only imagine getting a few years newer will re-ignite that feeling for us again.

 

I've just started my search, and honestly not sure that I'll even end up with a new one. But it seems like a good time to upgrade with what I've been offered for trade in on the F150.

[MikeNH]

I loved my 2011 up until this afternoon when it started belching blue smoke on cold starts with only 1000 miles on the clock. Oil is a quart low so it seems I managed to get a real POS. Burning oil at 1000 miles is not acceptable, I'm kicking myself for not buying the Ford now.

[mxzeatr]

Thanks for the input.

 

I really don't want to regret trading my F150, so figured I'd see what everyone thinks/recomends from the bowtie club.

[music]

I loved my 2011 up until this afternoon when it started belching blue smoke on cold starts with only 1000 miles on the clock. Oil is a quart low so it seems I managed to get a real POS. Burning oil at 1000 miles is not acceptable, I'm kicking myself for not buying the Ford now.

 

I think I read this same post in about 5 threads I wouldn't feel any different, but that doesn't help. Let us know what the dealer has to say. It sure sounds like something hasn't seated or possibly related to crankcase ventilation. If it's more than that (i.e., continues and can't be fixed from the valve cover up), I'd push for a new crate motor or a new truck. They can swap the motor very easily in these trucks. Very clean / easy job. I'm not sure why you would feel Ford (or anyone else) never sell motors that consume excess oil on day one, though... I know for certain that they do. Heard it too many times.

[MikeNH]

I loved my 2011 up until this afternoon when it started belching blue smoke on cold starts with only 1000 miles on the clock. Oil is a quart low so it seems I managed to get a real POS. Burning oil at 1000 miles is not acceptable, I'm kicking myself for not buying the Ford now.

 

I think I read this same post in about 5 threads I wouldn't feel any different, but that doesn't help. Let us know what the dealer has to say. It sure sounds like something hasn't seated or possibly related to crankcase ventilation. If it's more than that (i.e., continues and can't be fixed from the valve cover up), I'd push for a new crate motor or a new truck. They can swap the motor very easily in these trucks. Very clean / easy job. I'm not sure why you would feel Ford (or anyone else) never sell motors that consume excess oil on day one, though... I know for certain that they do. Heard it too many times.

 

 

 

Yeah I was a little angry last night. I called the dealer and made an appointment for Monday to have that an a groan noise from the rear suspension looked at. Kind of bummed they won't do a loaner unless it's kept overnight but in the end I trust them to do the right thing. They did work on my 03 and were good to work with then.

[bluArrow]

I'm kicking myself for not buying the Ford now.

If you would have bought the Ford it would be the airbag kicking you....in the face when it went off without warning. At least with the Chevy you have to hit something before the airbag goes off.

My questions are, how do you guys like your trucks?

My last four (4) trucks have been Fords, 2 F150's and 2 SuperDutys. I can safely say I will never go back. Part of it is because of how satisfied I am with my GMC and the other part is because now I work in the auto industry and am not comfortable putting my family in a Ford. My wife drove a Windstar and that's gone too.

 

The six speed, for me, was a deal breaker. I had to have it. It allows me to run 3.42's for a 9500 pound tow rating and still get decent highway mileage. In the future all GM trucks will have at least a six speed if not a seven or eight speed so (my line of thinking) why live in the past with a four speed. It helped that the six speed was part of the "Power Pack Plus" package (RPO PDU) which packaged options I wanted anyway for $1280 MSRP. That's half the cost I paid for the same options on my 2003 SuperDuty back in 2002.

 

I'm clueless as to what options/etc they came with. /quote]I went with buying a company truck through the employee purchase program to save money (saved $14,200 off sticker) and got lucky they had the truck I would have chose if I was ordering it. It's a GMC "SLE" level with both convenience packages, the Power Pack Plus, and the Z71 package on it. I live in Michigan and have a 70 mile round trip to work and wanted the ultimate winter vehicle. This GMC is it. It handles snow and ice FAR better than my SuperDutys did and it has heated mirrors, seats, rear defrost, as well as remote start.

[tonygxp]

ive ownerd numerous full size trucks with both the 4spd and two with the 6spd. if i was in the market i wouldn't consider a 4spd truck unless it were near impossible to pass up (which means it's probably a huge POS). the new 6spd in these trucks are nearly indestructible.

[Ryan00TJ]

I have the 4L60E in mine and with a Blackbear tune is great for what it is. However, the 6 speed I drove for a rental for a few weeks almost made me want to trade. It had the 3.08 gearing also. My advice is to drive both and see for yourself. I also tow a 4-5K lbs boat and haul the occasional 1500-2000lb payload in the bed and the 4speed gets the job done. My truck has been trouble free except for a passenger side door lock actuator fixed under warranty.

[mxzeatr]

I loved my 2011 up until this afternoon when it started belching blue smoke on cold starts with only 1000 miles on the clock. Oil is a quart low so it seems I managed to get a real POS. Burning oil at 1000 miles is not acceptable, I'm kicking myself for not buying the Ford now.

 

I think I read this same post in about 5 threads I wouldn't feel any different, but that doesn't help. Let us know what the dealer has to say. It sure sounds like something hasn't seated or possibly related to crankcase ventilation. If it's more than that (i.e., continues and can't be fixed from the valve cover up), I'd push for a new crate motor or a new truck. They can swap the motor very easily in these trucks. Very clean / easy job. I'm not sure why you would feel Ford (or anyone else) never sell motors that consume excess oil on day one, though... I know for certain that they do. Heard it too many times.

 

 

I've had my F150 for 2.5yrs and have been pretty happy with it over that time. The only reason I'm considering going to Chevy is because the Ford dealer is an hr away, and for services or inspections its just hard, especially with fuel prices. But, I go 5k between oil changes, and use Motocraft Semi-Syn and Motocraft filters in my 5.4 3v Triton. I 'use' or there is .25qt missing every time I change it. No matter highway miles, towing, hauling, city, mixed, etc. Always 1/4 of a quart and thats it. Been that way for nearing 50k miles. So its not the 1-2qt in 3k miles like I've read 1000 posts about here...

 

ive ownerd numerous full size trucks with both the 4spd and two with the 6spd. if i was in the market i wouldn't consider a 4spd truck unless it were near impossible to pass up (which means it's probably a huge POS). the new 6spd in these trucks are nearly indestructible.

 

Thanks for the input!

 

I have the 4L60E in mine and with a Blackbear tune is great for what it is. However, the 6 speed I drove for a rental for a few weeks almost made me want to trade. It had the 3.08 gearing also. My advice is to drive both and see for yourself. I also tow a 4-5K lbs boat and haul the occasional 1500-2000lb payload in the bed and the 4speed gets the job done. My truck has been trouble free except for a passenger side door lock actuator fixed under warranty.

 

Thanks!

 

 

I haven't driven my truck in about 4 days I think, fiance's commute is 6miles per day, mines 30, so after driving a few Chevy's this week (1 2009, 1 2010, and one brand new 2011) I do like them. Many similar 'creature comforts' that I could really care less about, but I'll tell you what, jumping in my truck tonight, the cabin room (driver/pass), leg room, head room, etc makes me feel so much more comfortable I'm just really torn on what to do, and may just end up not doing a thing for a while.

 

Being 6'5" and built on a 3/4ton frame (300lbs of NOT fat, used to be on the O Line) I feel a lot more comfortable in the F150's...I'm still doing my homework, likely if the right deal comes along on either brands Crew Cab it will be considered. I've got a few people wanting to look at my F150 if it goes for sale so we'll see what happens.

 

Thanks for the input thus far, and please keep it comming.

[music]

Always 1/4 of a quart and thats it. Been that way for nearing 50k miles. So its not the 1-2qt in 3k miles like I've read 1000 posts about here...

 

Didn't imply that they all burn oil, just that some trucks from every make will. Mine hasn't burned any at all (not that I have measured, even going 7k+ miles on synthetic). My '99 5.3 didn't burn any either. But... some do (and did), and the same goes for Ford, Dodge, Toyota, Nissan, etc. The only vehicle I've ever owned that consumed a quart (plus) per 3k interval was a Ford, but it never hurt a thing.