New Chevy 09 3500 4x4

[Outback]

Well here is my new work truck. I will be building her up over the next month or so. I still have to work in the field so my build will be when I'm off (kinda) and not out in the field. I picked the truck up Friday and was a little miffed. The dealer was told to install a winch. He called me and I told him a Warn 16.5 with the Warn Transformer mount kit. Anyway thats not what I got. Oh I did get a Warn 16.5 which im happy about but they also mounted an after market bumper. To me its lo big and sticks out to much and reduces my approach angle. Its a stout bumper for sure and very well made. But for me its just to bulky. I guess its a good thing I have the winch in it. Im gonna need it with that bumper. lol. Anyway it would be nice if I had a lift kit on the truck and bigger tires. For now the plans are a Caravan Camper shell. New Goodyear MTr tires. Some driving lights and various recovery gear.

 

[Outback]

I forgot to mention she has the Duramax Diesel engine and the Allison transmission. :wings: Im not a fan of Chevy but I do like there diesel engine. I will report on the reliability of the new Chevy. I will put about 130,000 miles a year on this truck.

 

[Maximus Ram]

Is that a Buckstop Bumper on there ?
If so, they sure have squared off the design. Looks really wierd compared to mine on the Dodge.

 

[Outback]

Yes it is a Buckstop bumper. But when I went to unload the stock bumper I was surprised how easily I picked it up and over the the tailgate. The stock bumper weighs I guess 70 lbs.? Thats kinda shocking for a bumper!:Wow1: So the heavy duty bumper will be better for protection.

 

[brut4s]

Nice! The caravan shell will be a nice add.

 

[Purple People Eater]

MT tires on a 3500 HD + 130,000 miles per year = 3 or 4 sets of tires per year.

OUCH.

 

[Outback]

Yes MTS for sure during the Spring time at least. We cover a grid of 40 square miles across the continetal US. We see alot of terrain and unfortunately alot of mud. I really hate cleaning all our gear after a week of being in the mud. Anyway I think the rest of the year ATs will do along with great snow tires when towing the snowcat.

 

[Outback]

Today I ordered my Caravan Camper Shell. She will come with all the options except a cab sliding window. My truck has the solid rear window. I wish it had a slide thru. OH WELL. Customer service will recieve 10 out of 10. Ten is the best possible score. Mike at Caravan Campers has been working with me for about a month with my Camper and a co workers. I had been looking at many camper shells and have always gone back to the Caravan shell due to its high quality and attention to detail. My shell will be 6" above the roof line of the truck since I need more head room. It will also have the optional roof rack for the ocassional load of lumber or pipe. Here is there link.

www.caravancamper.com​

Customer Service Score: 10

 

[haven]

Nice looking truck! And thanks for stimulating the economy to the tune of $45K. At 135K miles a year, how many years do you keep your vehicle before you need a new one?

Chip Haven

 

[Outback]

We are able to get a new vehicle every 250K. I tend to drive more than everyone else since I work on all aspects of the project. I suspect I should get a new truck in about two years. I hope this unit lasts that long. So far they have but with allot of repair work along the way. I believe the cost of the truck was about 53K with the winch.

 

[Outback]

Plus the cost of all the add ons will see the price tag about 62K with everything said and done.

 

[Tree]

so you dont buy your truck.... the people who you work for do? Also what kind of job do you do that you have to drive 130,000 miles a year?

 

[Outback]

I work on Seismic stations. Yes I work for a company who is contracted out to work on the stations. I also have a snowcat business. I lease it out to the company who we are contracted out to............:Wow1: I know its confusing. lol

 

[Darwin]

Wow. You said your previous vehicles made it 250k but with a lot of problems along the way. Where they Duramax engines also?

 

[Tree]

Wow. You said your previous vehicles made it 250k but with a lot of problems along the way. Where they Duramax engines also?

I think he meant other new chevy trucks that his coworkers probably use