If only I could buy a truck with a GMC body and interior with a back seat that has 6" more legroom, a Ford frame and running gear, and a Cummins/NV5600. *Sigh*
Thats for sure. I haveta completely agree on that one, well except for the alli, I really dont like shifting gears..
Hey thats what I've been asking for forever!!! But I want the C/K GMC or Chevy body style, don't like the 99+'s. Not just the body, but I'm not a fan of all the stuff they put in them nowadays. My dads 04 tahoe is rediculous with the amount of idiot lights it has and the little info center... Too many computers for me!
I agree about that one, although the built-in brake controller in the Ford that talks to the anti-lock brakes is one little computer that I like.
Well I was talking about chevy's... I like the new ford 05+ stuperduties... Can't wait to see yours! As soon as my shop is finished being built I'm going to start collecting parts to build a hybrid. A 96-97 chevy crew cab long bed dually 4x4 with a 12 valve cummins, nv5600, 11.5 rear and dodge 9.25 front Once it's all done I'll sell my 03 (won't be for a few years though)
New Fords are nice, but i about had a heart attack when i priced one out. Then i priced a new Chevy, and about had another one. I think ill stick with my orriginal idea of building an older GM crew cab and outfit it exactly how i like.
You can get either a Ford or a Chevy for $9000 or more under sticker price, it's not hard. Same with Dodge, they actually are the least expensive of the bunch.
I know you can, and if you time it right you can even get one for under invoice. I was pricing them out of boredom, i just couldnt believe that they actually sticker for over $50K. While i would love to have a new GM in my driveway, that wont happen till im at least out of college, school is expensive.
I just don't know why everyone beats on the IFS. It's GREAT for what we use these truck for, much better than SFA! Now if you want to do serious off roading, lifts, big tires, and so on, it absolutely sucks. But at stock height and up to 33 tires (which is what I run) it is fantastic. Rides and drives good, stays in it's lane with no effort with a load (something I can't say about most of the SFAs with a load and at highway speeds) and it holds up just fine. And that is what I want in a tow rig and daily driver. As for strength, there are guys doing 4wd stalled launches with those and running VERY low 60 ft times and 13 second quarter miles, and that's with nothing more than heavier tie rods. They only start getting expensive when you lift them or start tearing up things due to the lift...
I agree that the IFS can be nice but I still prefer my D60 because it costs less to maintain and doesn't come out of alinement as easy. Those CV's and all those bushings wear out. Ball joints do too but at least thats all that needs replacing, that I can think of, every so often.
OK, IFS works well on the freeway and it has a comfy ride, but when's the last time you saw a medium duty truck with IFS? That right there tells me that the SFA is a more durable design.
I think it's a given that it's more durable but, correct me if I'm wrong, I think BadDog's point was that IFS is durable enough for what we do with our trucks. I agree with BadDog on that with a stock tow rig but what I don't like is the price tag that comes along with the maintance on that front end.
Yep, the maintenance and complexity that comes with the IFS is not for me. Falls into the same boat as shift-on-the-fly and auto trannys - I'd rather have an old fashioned solid front axle to go with my manual tranny, floor mounted t-case shifter and hubs that I can lock and unlock manually.
Well I wouldn't go that far...nothing wrong with an auto tranny, especially with designs like the Allison 1000, 48RE, and Torque shift. Definant agreement on the floor shifter, the last thing I want is the button to malfunction at 8PM up in the mountains after a snowmobile outing. I have to admit, I've been spoiled with the Dodge CAD system, sure beats the heck out of having to get out to lock and unlock hubs and tracking mud & snow back in.
