NEW '05 3500 Mexican junk!

[tractorseller]

Had a 2003 Chev Duramax - Lemon Law buyback with unfixable transfer case problems. "Reliable Chevrolet" in Albuquerque where I bought it didn't help out one bit and flat refused to help me find another one or take the Lemon back. Crappy dealer.



Bought another one just like it in Las Cruces and it was a terrific truck. Just sold it with 31,000 miles on it (mostly pulling heavy) and zero problems.



Test drove a bunch of Fords (04's and 05's). Great cabs, great views, OK power (the Duramax had more power - I don't care what anybody says). One of the 05's had a burning smell after a short test drive. Salesman couldn't figure it out. Sent it to the service dept and they couldn't figure it out. Scared me off Fords after that and reading all the 6. 0 horror stories.



Bought this Dodge in Oklahoma. It has a little launch shudder, but only if I lug it. I just don't lug it. Doesn't bother me. The ride, turning radius, pulling power, fit-and-finish, and quietness in the cab have all been absolutely outstanding (about 5,000 miles).



As far as being built in Mexico, I don't like it either. But finally decided I'd live with it and buy the Dodge since Bush is letting every illegal alien in the world come here to drive wages down and clog up the healthcare and school systems anyway. It's a double-edged sword. If we aren't sending good jobs to other countries we're importing ultra-cheap labor into this country. What does "Made in America" even stand for anymore when huge amounts of people are sending all their wages to Mexico to prop up the Mexican economy?



Anyway... ..... sorry for the rant (last paragraph probably belongs in the politics forum). Good luck with your decision. I wouldn't touch one of those Furds. I don't care how many of them are sitting around rodeo grounds pulling horse trailers (I sure see alot of Chevys and Dodges at the rodeos I go to). I had a Powerstroke before. It was OK, but this Dodge is waaaayyyyyy better. If the 6. 0 engines are so terrific why is Furd changing engines soon??? I like my first Dodge truck .

 

[swexlin]

As a footnote to my earlier post in this thread, as I said, my KENTUCKY-built Ford was very unreliable, and had 3 pages of warranty work in 35,000 WELL-MAINTAINED miles, and the truck didn't even get worked hard, nor was it abused. Not just engine problems (HPOP o-rings twice in 5 weeks - looked like the Exxon Valdez under the truck), clutch issues, e-brake assembly snapping, and more.



This is my third Dodge truck. First was a 96 1500 with the 5. 9, traded for a 97 2500 V10. I LOVED that truck, and it was awesome, I went and screwed it up by putting a Paxton supercharger on it. So, I traded it for the Ford. I also liked my Ford, and would have kept it indefinitely, but it let me down too many times.



As for this truck, well yes, it's already needed a tow, after my belt-shredding incident last August. Otherwise, so far, so good - I'll have had it one year this coming Thursday, and about 11,000 miles.



The moral of the story is - the grass is NOT greener in the Ford or Chevy camps, either.

 

[DieselMinded]

No ,,,, I dont



Your right if you pay 45,000 for anything you would exspect it to be perfect IMO none of the big 3 are where they should be You cannot take one right out of the box and work it . . towing all day for weeks on end ... . and still have a truck for that much money it should be able to do just about what ever you want.



My trany would be trash in no time

Chevy has a trany that can do it but the suspention is not ideal

Fords... ... ... ... . Dont get me started



DM

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"I will be buying an American made Ford. "





UMmmmm - good luck with that Ford - but DO check the tag on the door post - last *I* knew many of those "American made" Fords are also built in Mexico, right down the road from the Dodge plant...

 

[RJOL]

BILLUA... Don't blame you for being upset about your new CTD. It should come off the line in good working order. That being said... My 2001 was the best truck I've ever owned. It was "made in Mexico" but gave me over 56K of almost trouble free driving. No "wobble, shutter, tracking problems" or anything else. Had to replace one lift pump, and had the pinion seal replaced after about 18K, but that was it. The fit and finish was excellent. My previous truck was a Ford, and that was enough to get me over to the Dodge side. I will definitely take my 2005 out for a good test drive before I sign the paperwork. If it "vibrates" or "drones" at 65-80mph I will probably reject it. Good luck with whatever you end up with...

 

[sag2]

Wow, I would like the perfect truck, but some do have a couple of problems. The launch shudder will change when you add the camper. Depending on the angles it might get worse with the weight, or might get better. Either way it is easily correctable. It either needs a longer or shorter center support.

For the clunk, sounds like the overloads hitting the bumpers from your description. Not much you can do about that except add some weight or don't buy a heavy duty that rides nice unloaded also.

As for made in Mexico, that plant and the PT Cruiser plant build some of the highest quality parts around.

And if I'm not mistaken, that Junk Cummins under the hood has a Mexican plant that builds parts and reman engines.



Cummins S. A. San Luis Potosi, Mexico Engine components and remanufactured engines



And before you buy that Junk Ford, here is the Mexican plant that builds the trucks there also. http://www.autointell.com/nao_companies/ford/ford-manufacturing/ford-mfg-nao-plants.htm



Cuautitlan Mexico, Ford

F-150,

F-250,

F-350,

F-800 trucks, Contour, Mercury Mystique



If you were not aware, all the big three build parts and vehicles in "North America" that includes Mexico and Canada.

 

[rbattelle]

This is UFB. MSRP 47K and it has this crap??? you have got to be kidding me.

Yeah, you should've spent a lot more money... like 150k. Then you'd have no problems at all.



I always find it interesting when people point out that they expect a 47k vehicle to come perfect from the factory. What price would you be willing to pay for a new vehicle with several problems right from the factory? I mean, if the truck was "only" 30k and had these problems, would you say "it has a launch shudder and rattles over bumps, but it only cost me 30k so I'm really happy!". Would 20k be low enough? 10k?



It's an interesting question... no flaming intended.



Bill, I sincerely wish you better luck on whatever vehicle you purchase instead.



-Ryan

 

[RMarkey]

Wow, this thread blew up quick! I heard about the cracked heads from a couple local mech around here, never know they could be biased, most people are. My boss has an 02 Duramax and complains about it all the time. They supp unbrakeable Allison transmission has been giving him problems since about 60,000mi. And the truck is getting louder also. He doesn't pull very often, but hauls kids and a transfer tank in bed, and on occasionly some quads.



My point is, like everyone else said, the big 3 all have probs. Everyone I've known with Furds, (well, prob not everyone) has had some sort of prob, fairly serious ones. A lot of electrical prob, a lot. Rear ends on the f150s, front ends on the four wheel drives on the Expeditions. Ohh yeah, did you see the news... . 3. 7 million vehicles recalled by for the cruize control burning they vehicle to the ground![/I]



Try taking a new Dodge on an extended test drive, like a day or 2, maybe some hwy miles. I'm sure the dealer would rather do that and keep you money than not and have you go elsewhere!

 

[jwilliamson]

Hey Bill, I've been reading bout your dilema on this thread and on the frame issue thread in the other forum and was just wondering if the truck came with the "not recommended for slide in camper" paper since that was a concern of yours. Good luck, by the way I've read in the TDR magazine that by adding the friction additive to the rear helps with the studder.

 

[KBertetto]

Before I bought my Dodge I frequented the other diesel sites and followed the threads quite close for almost a year. In my opinion after that research, and driving all three, the Dodge was the only choice. Do yourself a favor and go visit the other sites and read a few pages of posts... I think you'll be surprised at the problems those guys are having. If you do end up buying a 6. 0... all I can say is I hope you find that needle in the haystack. Best of luck.



Bert

 

[Matt400]

Block cracks now?

My bad, sorry I was having a flash back.

1996 6. 5's on up through the 2001 6. 6 had that trouble. 01 to 03's leak coolant from bad head gaskets and injector sleeves. I can say anything about 04 - up.

Isuzu? That engine certainly isn't "Isuzu". Joint designed by GM and Isuzu, and built in Ohio by DMAX, Inc.

Oh, I thought when GM quit building diesels they contracted with Isuzu to design one for their needs.

 

[klenger]

I've spent much of my career working on corporate jet aircraft that cost from $5M to $40M. I can tell you, they have a lot more problems then any of our trucks have. Don't for a minute think that spending more money reduces problems.

 

[john3976]

I picked up my new '05 3500 QC DRW 48re last night. I have 107 miles on it.



I have the notorious launch shudder coupled with the clunking sound going over sharp jolts. This is UFB. MSRP 47K and it has this crap??? you have got to be kidding me. Do you think that I am going to be putting up with repeated trips to the dealer to sort this out??? No way. I have 3 days to back out of this by law and that is precisely what I am going to do tomorrow, take it back to the dealer.



I will be buying an American made Ford.



F Daimler Chrysler and their launch shuddering, clunking, non camper recommended piece of junk.



Sorry guys, these are the facts.



Best, Bill

I think you went into the deal with a bad taste in your mouth about the Dodge to start with and you are picking this truck to death. No matter how good this truck is I bet you will never be happy with it, my advice to you is to go buy a Ford and start complaining on the Diesel Stop forums about how you spent 48,000 for a new Ford and the transmission does this and the springs does that and the whatchamacallit does something else.



See ya, would not want to be ya!



I love my Dodge, I rarely ever go back to the dealer for anything unless I have to.

 

[DHayden]

It has a warranty. Take the damn thing back and quit your whining.

I guess if you have nothing constructive to say or it doesnt fit what you think... just throw something out there. This board is about helping others not throwing out useless dribble or critizing other's period. Its getting so old.



Back on the subject, its too bad you got a bad seed if I paid that much I'd want to be happy with it to and NO ONE would tell me any different unless they had a check in the mail. Suprisingly over the years many members have said that the trucks made in Mexico are the ones put together the best. Just goes to show peaple are human in either country and neither are without there flaws. Good luck on the new truck whichever brand it is.

 

[Matt400]

It has a warranty. Take the damn thing back

Thats a good idea too, my favorite phrase is. . There wasn't anything wrong with the check so there shouldn't be with the product.

 

[Tomeygun]

Thats a good idea, it may turn out to be something real nice and you sure can't knock Toyota quality. I thought ALL 2500 & 3500's come from the plant in Mexico. . glad they did a good job on mine!

Good news though, Starting 06, diesels with SRW will be made in ST. Louis, MO



Right down the street from me!! - Only problem is that when one of those come in and its all messed up, what are we going to say then? - The "built in mexico" excuse might not hold water anymore

 

[robert4570]

I picked up my new '05 3500 QC DRW 48re last night. I have 107 miles on it.



I have the notorious launch shudder coupled with the clunking sound going over sharp jolts. This is UFB. MSRP 47K and it has this crap??? you have got to be kidding me. Do you think that I am going to be putting up with repeated trips to the dealer to sort this out??? No way. I have 3 days to back out of this by law and that is precisely what I am going to do tomorrow, take it back to the dealer.



I will be buying an American made Ford.



F Daimler Chrysler and their launch shuddering, clunking, non camper recommended piece of junk.



Sorry guys, these are the facts.



Best, Bill

Well as for the Mexican made junk theory you have ,its nonsense.

My 99 was one of the last America made Dodge Trucks and had the 47 re transmission which was undesireable to put it nicely. I think your mistake was buying a Chrysler auto transmission after all the posts regarding the problems w the auto trannies i wouldn't have consider it. The Cummins is awesome behind a manual gear box .

You wanted a slush box go Ford or GM ,forget Dodge till they invest in a better unit.

SEND IT BACK WHILE YOU CAN , IF NOT YOU ARE SCREWED WITH REPEAT VISITS TO THE DEALER . Good Luck.

 

[ChrisKringle]

I think Toyota need to build an HD diesel? I used to sell their cars a long time ago... . excellent fit, finish, quality control, etc.

 

[QWaller]

My thoughts would be to send the truck back find one you like and take it. What I finally learned on my fifth CTD is never, ever, never order one. This sets you up to accept something in your mind even if it is not "right". And it is true, all three have their own issues. This last truck I bought I drove 4 on overnighters (yes I must have been a PIA to the local dealer) but I walked away satisfied. Not vibes, good milage, no pulls. My experince is a good CTD is hard to beat (Mexican or not). Seems to be something with correct/incorrect planetary alignment on build day. Hell, I don't know

 

[SilverDesert]

Just over a month I was faced with the decision of which new truck to buy. At first I thught I would just but another Ford. The one I had was basicaly a good truck overall ('99 PSD Supercab). It had a few issues but nothing horrendous. I went over to Dieselstop.com and started looking at the 6. 0 forum. WOW, lots of trouble. Then I looked at the Dodge forum, a few problems but not nearly as many as on the Ford. I talked to the service manager of a dealership that handles both Ford and Dodge. He said he thinks Ford is finally getting that truck dialed in but he felt it to early to chance it.



I drove both trucks and I really felt Dodge had the better truck. I would not consider a Duramax because the worst vehicle I ever owned was a GMC. I think they have gotten alot better but the bad taste is still in my mouth.



Good luck in whatever decision you make. If Ford does have the bugs worked out of the 6. 0L then you will have a good truck. If not you may regret your decision.



Best of Luck,

Dave