Looking to buy a full size truck
- Thread starter wonderfulremark
- Start date
BCHauler
Adventurer
Let me start by saying I haven't ever owned a diesel, let alone a Cummins. I do, however, drive a diesel for work.
That being said I've got three kids, one of whom is still in a car seat. I've owned a couple of Chev 350-equipped vehicles. My last truck (which was my first truck) was a super cab F150. I currently drive a crewcab f350 (gas).
Really liked my old f150 a lot, except for the two doors. With kids, especially with one in a car seat, you and your spouse will be muttering obscenities under your breath every time you're hoisting the little one in and out of that back seat. Gets old pretty quick. Dreamed of a four door. When an accident wiped out the f150, I knew FOR SURE that the replacement had to have four doors. And as my kids are rapidly becoming giants like me, a big backseat is sooo much better.
Owned a couple of Chevy 350s. Best thing about them is that they are possibly the most common motor so parts are cheap and available everywhere in Canada and the US. I found that both of my 350s got better mileage than the 351 in my f150.
Finally, while I like the power and fuel economy of the diesels, the trade off is the maintenance costs and the noise (in a family vehicle, I think this is important).
Frankly, for most of us on this site (I'm making an assumption here, feel free to tell me I'm wrong), we use our trucks for 20 family uses for every 1 expo use. Might as well make sure you get all of the family features, because frankly you'll use them a lot more often.
So, if it's me, I'd take the crew cab Chevy.
That being said I've got three kids, one of whom is still in a car seat. I've owned a couple of Chev 350-equipped vehicles. My last truck (which was my first truck) was a super cab F150. I currently drive a crewcab f350 (gas).
Really liked my old f150 a lot, except for the two doors. With kids, especially with one in a car seat, you and your spouse will be muttering obscenities under your breath every time you're hoisting the little one in and out of that back seat. Gets old pretty quick. Dreamed of a four door. When an accident wiped out the f150, I knew FOR SURE that the replacement had to have four doors. And as my kids are rapidly becoming giants like me, a big backseat is sooo much better.
Owned a couple of Chevy 350s. Best thing about them is that they are possibly the most common motor so parts are cheap and available everywhere in Canada and the US. I found that both of my 350s got better mileage than the 351 in my f150.
Finally, while I like the power and fuel economy of the diesels, the trade off is the maintenance costs and the noise (in a family vehicle, I think this is important).
Frankly, for most of us on this site (I'm making an assumption here, feel free to tell me I'm wrong), we use our trucks for 20 family uses for every 1 expo use. Might as well make sure you get all of the family features, because frankly you'll use them a lot more often.
So, if it's me, I'd take the crew cab Chevy.
wonderfulremark
Observer
Well, what do you know?
I have found another truck that I am eager to test drive.
1994 GMC K3500 6.5L diesel, 4X4, crew cab, long box, canopy, 320,000 km; - $4500
I've heard some horrid stories about the 6.5 diesels but I've heard other wise.
And at less than $5k, it gives me a bit more money to put towards the camper!
Thank you so much for your opinions.
It really did help me a lot.
I do love Cummins for their reliability and power. But the 2dr thing really gets to me.
Whatever decision I make, I'll keep you guys posted.
I just hope I make the right decision.
I have found another truck that I am eager to test drive.
1994 GMC K3500 6.5L diesel, 4X4, crew cab, long box, canopy, 320,000 km; - $4500
I've heard some horrid stories about the 6.5 diesels but I've heard other wise.
And at less than $5k, it gives me a bit more money to put towards the camper!
Thank you so much for your opinions.
It really did help me a lot.
I do love Cummins for their reliability and power. But the 2dr thing really gets to me.
Whatever decision I make, I'll keep you guys posted.
I just hope I make the right decision.
wonderfulremark
Observer
I am in campbell river
wonderfulremark
Observer
here are some pictures of the 94 GMC 6.5L diesel
Needs a new windshield and tires.
The previous owner tells me since March 2008, it hasn't been driven much.
As he tells me the recent timeline of this vehicle is
Mar 2008 @ 307,113km - wheel alignment, front & rear brakes
Apr 2009 315,061 km
Nov 2010 320,995 km
Feb 2012 ~321k km (truck has been essentially parked since October 2009)
And here is the 99 Chev 2500 350 I am going to look at on Saturday.
http://wwwb.autotrader.ca/a/Chevrolet/C/K 2500/VANCOUVER/British Columbia/19_4981769_/
Needs a new windshield and tires.
The previous owner tells me since March 2008, it hasn't been driven much.
As he tells me the recent timeline of this vehicle is
Mar 2008 @ 307,113km - wheel alignment, front & rear brakes
Apr 2009 315,061 km
Nov 2010 320,995 km
Feb 2012 ~321k km (truck has been essentially parked since October 2009)
And here is the 99 Chev 2500 350 I am going to look at on Saturday.
http://wwwb.autotrader.ca/a/Chevrolet/C/K 2500/VANCOUVER/British Columbia/19_4981769_/
ExpoMike
Well-known member
Having owned a GM 6.2/6.5 series diesel, they are not as bad as they are made out to be. The BIGGEST thing I can recommend over any other mods to that engine is, replace the balancer with a Fluidamper version. The stock balancer is the major weak point and do fail at completely random times. When that goes, it creates a out of balance harmonic that is well known to break the crank which can take out a bunch of other things. Every single person I have read who has installed the Fluidamper has said it's the best $400 or so dollars they spent. Engine runs smoother and you almost eliminate the major cause of engine failure.
There are a few other things to do, to make them very reliable, especially the later ones that had more electronics on them.
Good luck.
There are a few other things to do, to make them very reliable, especially the later ones that had more electronics on them.
Good luck.
wonderfulremark
Observer
That's a very valid point.
It is do-able to have a 8ft hard side camper and not be over loaded though right?
Rot Box
Explorer
I like the 6.5. You'd likely have to upgrade tires anyway if you plan on traveling offroad in it.
It has the long bed which works great for a camper, it will give you better fuel mileage and provide more power than the 350. They have their quirks but they are not nearly as bad as people make them out to be. Biggest thing is keeping them cool and that can be done with the 97 and newer dual thermostat housing and the higher gpm water pump. The damper upgrade is a good idea along with a remote mounted PMD (injector pump control box/pump mounted driver) cooler. All these modifications are pretty simple and really make the difference.
Not trying to talk you into anything. Keep us posted on what you decide
It has the long bed which works great for a camper, it will give you better fuel mileage and provide more power than the 350. They have their quirks but they are not nearly as bad as people make them out to be. Biggest thing is keeping them cool and that can be done with the 97 and newer dual thermostat housing and the higher gpm water pump. The damper upgrade is a good idea along with a remote mounted PMD (injector pump control box/pump mounted driver) cooler. All these modifications are pretty simple and really make the difference.
Not trying to talk you into anything. Keep us posted on what you decide
wonderfulremark
Observer
I checked the Dodge out.
It was rather disappointing. Especially at $6500 asking price.
The engine started up like any cummins would.
However, the clutch was rather sticky and it idled very high.
It liked to pop out of 2nd gear. And the interior had a lot of cigarette burnt holes and it stunk so bad of cigarettes that my wife made me take my clothes off when I came home.(yes the laundry machine is going right now..)
Other than that it drove just fine though when it came to stopping the break pedal would vibrate rather hard and it needed new break pads(the squealing noise was painful to hear even in the cab).
Eventhough the truck is an ext. cab, I couldn't imagine putting a car seat in the back. just too small for my needs.
Sure it is a Cummins but this one just didn't feel right.
I'll check out the 94 k3500 6.5l diesel and 99 k2500 350 v8 tomorrow. And if it goes all well I might bring a new truck home.
The high km's(320km's) on the k3500 scares me a bit but it is a diesel.
However, my wife thinks why not get a much newer/nicer(looking) k2500. To her newer means better.
But it worries me choose the k2500 because of its shortbed(only worried about carrying the hard side camper we'll purchase).
And the performance of the V8 350 engine with the camper on.
Though my wife made a very good point in saying that we'll probably use the camper less than 10 times per year, so it's not too big of a deal.
Anywho, by sunday hopefully i'll post some pictures of MY new truck!!
It was rather disappointing. Especially at $6500 asking price.
The engine started up like any cummins would.
However, the clutch was rather sticky and it idled very high.
It liked to pop out of 2nd gear. And the interior had a lot of cigarette burnt holes and it stunk so bad of cigarettes that my wife made me take my clothes off when I came home.(yes the laundry machine is going right now..)
Other than that it drove just fine though when it came to stopping the break pedal would vibrate rather hard and it needed new break pads(the squealing noise was painful to hear even in the cab).
Eventhough the truck is an ext. cab, I couldn't imagine putting a car seat in the back. just too small for my needs.
Sure it is a Cummins but this one just didn't feel right.
I'll check out the 94 k3500 6.5l diesel and 99 k2500 350 v8 tomorrow. And if it goes all well I might bring a new truck home.
The high km's(320km's) on the k3500 scares me a bit but it is a diesel.
However, my wife thinks why not get a much newer/nicer(looking) k2500. To her newer means better.
But it worries me choose the k2500 because of its shortbed(only worried about carrying the hard side camper we'll purchase).
And the performance of the V8 350 engine with the camper on.
Though my wife made a very good point in saying that we'll probably use the camper less than 10 times per year, so it's not too big of a deal.
Anywho, by sunday hopefully i'll post some pictures of MY new truck!!
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
Well, I'm not surprised by the smoke smell! You do live in Campbell River:elkgrin:! Lots of smokin', and drinking of Lucky and Crown Royal up there... I wouldn't worry about short vs longbox too much. Sure, a longbox is better or a camper, but I drove to southern Mexico and back with an 8'6" camper on my short box dodge diesel. No issues at all. Buy the best truck you can afford and find a camper to suit. If you are not in a huge hurry to buy, take the ferry from Vic to Port Angeles and get twice the truck for the same money in Seattle...
wonderfulremark
Observer
Well guys, I did it.
Meet Clifford.
1994 GMC K3500 6.5L turbo diesel.
Sorry for the crappy cell phone picture.
The name comes from the immobilizer company's name.
It has an immobilizer indicator and it says Clifford on it
Meet Clifford.
1994 GMC K3500 6.5L turbo diesel.
Sorry for the crappy cell phone picture.
The name comes from the immobilizer company's name.
It has an immobilizer indicator and it says Clifford on it
Buliwyf
Viking with a Hammer
Mt friend has a Superduty that is the same color. If you add bumpers, wheels, bug deflectors, whatever; then get them in black. He's been eliminating alot of his chrome, except for the bumpers, and his truck is looking really really tough. Avoid chrome/silver/white.
Don't worry about the mileage. Nothing on that truck that can't be replaced, rebuilt and be good as new or better.
There's a bear stuck in your bumper.
Don't worry about the mileage. Nothing on that truck that can't be replaced, rebuilt and be good as new or better.
There's a bear stuck in your bumper.