Keep a truck past its powertrain warranty?

[jasin1]

But isn't this the classic clash between worlds. I once bought a motorcycle since I had a short commute and didn't want to drive my truck all the time...turns out I hardly used it. One reason was weather but more important I usually didn't just go to work before/after I went <insert someplace> to fix something and needed some collection of tools.


Then I refused to get a HD truck due to clearance issues since I would drive my truck in to Boston for sporting events and severely limited parking from "anywhere" to mostly outside lots. Then I only could find a 3/4 ton (covid production time) and bought a camper. Love camping, upgraded the trailer once and now want a 5th wheel but need that 1 ton for what we want. In this case, we will get it eventually but have to limit the trailer as we can't go to a dual wheel as it clashes with out parking requirement even though I'm restricted already with the 1 ton, dually would never work.

The parking is what i can’t stand about my dually…I’m not the kinda guy that likes people squeezing and scratching past my truck to get in their vehicle …i usually park far away but not possible some places…if you do manage to fit in you find that yes people can open their doors if careful but unless the occupants are tall and skinny they rub against your truck at the wide rear dually fenders...three attempts to go to a little diner by my house the other day and finally gave up after i took 1 1/2 spaces at a diner with about 12 spots…didn’t want to be the bad guy so i left…. this is my dilemma unless door dings and small scratches don’t bother you

 

[jasin1]

The parking is what i can’t stand about my dually…I’m not the kinda guy that likes people squeezing and scratching past my truck to get in their vehicle …i usually park far away but not possible some places…if you do manage to fit in you find that yes people can open their doors if careful but unless the occupants are tall and skinny they rub against your truck at the wide rear dually fenders...three attempts to go to a little diner by my house the other day and finally gave up after i took 1 1/2 spaces at a diner with about 12 spots…didn’t want to be the bad guy so i left…. this is my dilemma unless door dings and small scratches don’t bother you

My wife bought a brand new 2009 RT challenger when they came out…stick with the track pak …She went to a park with my kids and a lady pulled right up next to her and her kid flung open the door and hit my wifes brand new car….ughhhh

Edit: didn’t mean to respond to my own post lol …meant to edit

 

[Rhagfo]

The parking is what i can’t stand about my dually…I’m not the kinda guy that likes people squeezing and scratching past my truck to get in their vehicle …i usually park far away but not possible some places…if you do manage to fit in you find that yes people can open their doors if careful but unless the occupants are tall and skinny they rub against your truck at the wide rear dually fenders...three attempts to go to a little diner by my house the other day and finally gave up after i took 1 1/2 spaces at a diner with about 12 spots…didn’t want to be the bad guy so i left…. this is my dilemma unless door dings and small scratches don’t bother you

Well 90% of the time I back in or pull through so the hips are ahead of others doors, then suck the mirrors in no worse than a SRW, that is for square spots. Angled parking just find a good fit. Got a note on my windshield the other day, parked next another car (angled) to get some shade. The note said something like "The whole F****** parking lot and you needed to park next to me!"

 

[jasin1]

Well 90% of the time I back in or pull through so the hips are ahead of others doors, then suck the mirrors in no worse than a SRW, that is for square spots. Angled parking just find a good fit. Got a note on my windshield the other day, parked next another car (angled) to get some shade. The note said something like "The whole F****** parking lot and you needed to park next to me!"

Well i can understand the persons frustration Russ no offenses but….Ive pulled into a large parking lot 10 rows away from everyone else and here comes a lady that pulls right up beside my truck inches away…lol…i was still in my truck and pulled even farther away from her….she looked at me like i was crazy (which is besides the point)….I really don’t get why some people do this when there are a bunch of empty spaces….Maybe they feel safe closer together??…..like cows in a big field?
Or they can’t see the lines so they just pull up close to another vehicle just to be sure??

Yeah i am not a big fan of up close and personal parking…with people scooting their butts past my truck to squeeze by

 

[jsb5717]

Well i can understand the persons frustration Russ no offenses but….Ive pulled into a large parking lot 10 rows away from everyone else and here comes a lady that pulls right up beside my truck inches away…lol…i was still in my truck and pulled even farther away from her….she looked at me like i was crazy (which is besides the point)….I really don’t get why some people do this when there are a bunch of empty spaces….Maybe they feel safe closer together??…..like cows in a big field?
Or they can’t see the lines so they just pull up close to another vehicle just to be sure??

Yeah i am not a big fan of up close and personal parking…with people scooting their butts past my truck to squeeze by

I agree. There are concessions to be made when you have a large vehicle and you want to keep it as nice a possible for as long as possible.

I'm very good at parking my dually in tight spaces...but I avoid it. I'm not worried about my skill level. I'm more concerned with every one else's skill level...or lack thereof. There's plenty of thoughtless carelessness out there and, IMHO, it's worth trying to stay away from it. I don't mind parking at a distance and walking a little further. I can't always avoid parking near other vehicles but I sure try.

 

[Rhagfo]

Well Brian and Jeff, DW wanted in the shade, 90 degree day, Steel Grey truck, you know the saying "Happy Wife, Happy Life".

 

[flybouy]

Well i can understand the persons frustration Russ no offenses but….Ive pulled into a large parking lot 10 rows away from everyone else and here comes a lady that pulls right up beside my truck inches away…lol…i was still in my truck and pulled even farther away from her….she looked at me like i was crazy (which is besides the point)….I really don’t get why some people do this when there are a bunch of empty spaces….Maybe they feel safe closer together??…..like cows in a big field?
Or they can’t see the lines so they just pull up close to another vehicle just to be sure??

Yeah i am not a big fan of up close and personal parking…with people scooting their butts past my truck to squeeze by

When we were boating I used tell my DW " take that anchor here sign sign off the stern." Seemed edited like Hart-Miller Isl. would be empty and some idiot would stop 15' away and throw over an anchor, not bothering to see it it set or not. Of course 5 min later I'm yelling at them as they drift towards us.

Same with parking lots. I often wonder if those same folks sleep with their blankly under one arm and a teddy bear under the other.

 

[jsb5717]

Well Brian and Jeff, DW wanted in the shade, 90 degree day, Steel Grey truck, you know the saying "Happy Wife, Happy Life".

Ah...decisions, decisions. Wife...truck...wife...truck

 

[jxnbbl]

The parking is what i can’t stand about my dually…I’m not the kinda guy that likes people squeezing and scratching past my truck to get in their vehicle …i usually park far away but not possible some places…if you do manage to fit in you find that yes people can open their doors if careful but unless the occupants are tall and skinny they rub against your truck at the wide rear dually fenders...three attempts to go to a little diner by my house the other day and finally gave up after i took 1 1/2 spaces at a diner with about 12 spots…didn’t want to be the bad guy so i left…. this is my dilemma unless door dings and small scratches don’t bother you

Exactly... I already can't park in my garage and parking at the grocery store/walmart is easy..."as far away as possible and walk". But when it comes to sporting events in boston. 1. you have to find an outside lot as even those that have clearance are just too tight. 2. they are always packed and there is no such thing as 'parking away from people'.

 

[Raptor Dave]

No matter what you decide.....dump the dark color scheme and go with something "lighter colored." To prove my point, when you go to a dealership and walk around just look at the lighter colored vehicles compared to the dark ones. They will all be just as dirty(dusty) but the light colored ones will look cleaner!
With that said....hard to beat an aluminum body vehicle
Today's 6.7 is a throw away motor at approx 250K but you don't drive much it seems so after 100K get rid of it. The 10 speed tranny is bullet proof. Not saying there might not be a problem with an occasional one but that is pretty much the luck of the draw on any new built vehicle.
If you're worried about it just get an extended warranty but buyer beware on which one you choose and make sure you document "everything" you do to the vehicle.

We're running a 2021 350 dually and just put 10K on it pulling a fully loaded Raptor 352 TH this summer with zero problems on the truck. Wish I could say that about the trailer but the Canadian and Alaska roads beat the crap out of us.
I run Schaffer synthetic oil in all my trucks for what it's worth and usually get close to 8.5K miles out of an oil change pulling.
Just get a new truck and have fun. DON'T OVER THINK THE PROCESS!
No matter what you decide something is not going to be perfect and after the first scratch or door ding you're not gonna care anymore and you won't be worried about it every time you park some where.
The truck is a "tool" that needs to be replaced occasionally.

 

[Peto]

Ah...decisions, decisions. Wife...truck...wife...truck

Ah ...decisions. Wife...Remote Start...Wife...

 

[JRTJH]

No matter what you decide.....dump the dark color scheme and go with something "lighter colored." To prove my point, when you go to a dealership and walk around just look at the lighter colored vehicles compared to the dark ones. They will all be just as dirty(dusty) but the light colored ones will look cleaner!
With that said....hard to beat an aluminum body vehicle
Today's 6.7 is a throw away motor at approx 250K but you don't drive much it seems so after 100K get rid of it. The 10 speed tranny is bullet proof. Not saying there might not be a problem with an occasional one but that is pretty much the luck of the draw on any new built vehicle.
If you're worried about it just get an extended warranty but buyer beware on which one you choose and make sure you document "everything" you do to the vehicle.

We're running a 2021 350 dually and just put 10K on it pulling a fully loaded Raptor 352 TH this summer with zero problems on the truck. Wish I could say that about the trailer but the Canadian and Alaska roads beat the crap out of us.
I run Schaffer synthetic oil in all my trucks for what it's worth and usually get close to 8.5K miles out of an oil change pulling.
Just get a new truck and have fun. DON'T OVER THINK THE PROCESS!
No matter what you decide something is not going to be perfect and after the first scratch or door ding you're not gonna care anymore and you won't be worried about it every time you park some where.
The truck is a "tool" that needs to be replaced occasionally.

For "clarity's sake" which of today's 6.7L motors are you talking about?

Ford introduced a GAS 7.3L (confusion with the Navistar 7.3L diesel Ford had for years... Now it seems that Fiat/Chrysler is introducing a Cummins 6.7L GAS engine to replace the current 6.4L Hemi. https://mart.cummins.com/imagelibra...5NjYxMC4xLjAuMTcxNTY5NjgzMS4wLjAuNDk2MDIwODg0

So, which 6.7L has a 250K lifespan ??

 

[Raptor Dave]

For "clarity's sake" which of today's 6.7L motors are you talking about?

Ford introduced a GAS 7.3L (confusion with the Navistar 7.3L diesel Ford had for years... Now it seems that Fiat/Chrysler is introducing a Cummins 6.7L GAS engine to replace the current 6.4L Hemi. https://mart.cummins.com/imagelibra...5NjYxMC4xLjAuMTcxNTY5NjgzMS4wLjAuNDk2MDIwODg0

So, which 6.7L has a 250K lifespan ??

I should have clarified the Ford 6.7 as per what my qualified Ford mechanic has passed on to me. According to him has seen and done more complete rebuilds on these than the older 6. whatever he has worked on.

 

[Peto]

It's all about maintenance. I bought a 6.Doh when they were a couple years old and everyone swore it would grenade if not Bullet Proofed. When I sold it it was stock with 300K miles on it. My mechanic told me I'd done such a good job on maintenance that everything that should have broken about 100K ago was about to and to sell it. Some landscaper is towing his yard trailer with it probably.

Current truck is a '22 with the 6.7L Power Stroke and with only 26K miles it's getting all new fluids and filters this week just to base line the maintenance. I do Blackstone oil analysis about every 10K as well.

 

[Rhagfo]

I should have clarified the Ford 6.7 as per what my qualified Ford mechanic has passed on to me. According to him has seen and done more complete rebuilds on these than the older 6. whatever he has worked on.

That is not good for a diesel!
I am hoping that I at least get as many miles on our 2016 as our 2001 5.9 and that was sold at 315,000 miles, and still going strong.

 

[Raptor Dave]

That is not good for a diesel!
I am hoping that I at least get as many miles on our 2016 as our 2001 5.9 and that was sold at 315,000 miles, and still going strong.

It's not. My speculation is like most everything else that is being manufactured they've put a shorter life span on it. Keeps the economy rolling. Big corps don't want you to purchase anything that is going to last. It's certainly no secret but the big deal in the auto industry is they've smothered these things with the smog devices.
They have dolled all these trucks up with super cool features but unfortunately they're just not going to be the 500K-1M mile vehicles anymore.
I've talked to several guys that have done what the epa dearly frowns on and everyone of them has told me way more mpg AND pulling power.
These new diesel motors are just choked out.
You're probably better off going gas if you're buying new.

 

[Badbart56]

It's not. My speculation is like most everything else that is being manufactured they've put a shorter life span on it. Keeps the economy rolling. Big corps don't want you to purchase anything that is going to last. It's certainly no secret but the big deal in the auto industry is they've smothered these things with the smog devices.
They have dolled all these trucks up with super cool features but unfortunately they're just not going to be the 500K-1M mile vehicles anymore.
I've talked to several guys that have done what the epa dearly frowns on and everyone of them has told me way more mpg AND pulling power.
These new diesel motors are just choked out.
You're probably better off going gas if you're buying new.

My guys and your guy have way different opinions on the 6.7. The technicians that I know are very pleased with it. They wouldn't own a 6.0 or the 6.4 but several do have the 6.7 and have nothing but good to say about it. They actually talked me into getting one. I haven't had any issue with mine other than the reductant heater failing but that was covered by Ford. I figured when I bought it that I would delete it if it had any emissions failure but it just hasn't happened.

I have run a Banks Power programmer on it for the last 37,000 miles that bumps power to 510 hp and 1065 ft/lbs of torque. It runs as good now at 207K miles as it did when I first got it with 140K miles. I change the oil every 5,000 miles and fuel filters every 10,000. I'm aware of what water can do to these fuel pumps so I run a secondary DieselSite dual element auxiliary filter. I use Ford Motorcraft 10-40 oil and filters and the transfer case, axles and transmission were serviced at 150K miles with BG synthetics. If you take care of your vehicles you can get a lot of miles out of them.

There are Hot Shot drivers out here running Fords and Dodges and getting well over 500K miles out of them.

 

[bradufault]

Diesel drive trains

I have my 3500HD Chevy for 9 years and it only has 80,000 miles on it. It runs like a new truck and the only $ it cost me is tires and batteries. Drive trains and diesels can go at least 250,000 miles without much repair. To get the same truck that I have now would cost me over $100,000, the new truck’s not worth that much. I guess if you had a lot of money or you don’t mind car payments getting a new vehicle could be fine for you.

 

[jasin1]

I have my 3500HD Chevy for 9 years and it only has 80,000 miles on it. It runs like a new truck and the only $ it cost me is tires and batteries. Drive trains and diesels can go at least 250,000 miles without much repair. To get the same truck that I have now would cost me over $100,000, the new truck’s not worth that much. I guess if you had a lot of money or you don’t mind car payments getting a new vehicle could be fine for you.

Your truck and most cars and trucks built before probably 2018 have far fewer electronics and computer controlled parts then the newer ones…Have you seen the new Chevy and Ford electronic computer screen dash’s …I’m not so sure what the long term reliability will be on these computer screens…i opened the door of a new silverado the other day without a key fob and the whole dash lit up …both screens across the entire dash and had an animated truck spinning around…seems overly complicated and if it goes black you have nothing ..no gauges,speedo or anything…may not even drive without the dash lit up… My 2020 has gauges but it also has a over the air software update that happens regularly and you MUST do it or it starts shutting off features and will probably put it in limp mode…How long will that last? will it be like when computer software gets outdated and you have to pay for an upgrade? …i think the days of a vehicle lasting 20 or 30 years is long gone …people will have to cobble together MAD MAX style work arounds

 

[Ddaddyo]

The Dodge averages 5,700 miles per year. With that mileage I'd keep it.