NEW '05 3500 Mexican junk!

[EEdmondson]

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".

I guess I was lucky... I ordered mine and it is a good one. The only trucks on the lots in Calif are auto, and I couldn't live with that. Please no auto/6spd wars.

 

[klenger]

I ordered my truck in mid Dec 03 and picked it up at the end of Jan 04. I didn't even drive it before I signed the papers. I had already sold my 01. 5 and has been car pooling with the wife for about 5 weeks. I flew from Tucson to Denver to pick up the truck, so I was commited anyway. Have not had a problem since. I am very happy with my "Mexican piece of junk". For what it's worth, I'm camping this weekend 15 miles from the Mexican border.

 

[TAllen]

Hey Klenger, I was just in Tucson with my truck and slidein camper. I should have looked you up. I checked out the painted desert it was great. To late now I'm north of Dallas on the way home.



Tim

 

[RJOL]

I ordered my truck in mid Dec 03 and picked it up at the end of Jan 04. I didn't even drive it before I signed the papers. I had already sold my 01. 5 and has been car pooling with the wife for about 5 weeks. I flew from Tucson to Denver to pick up the truck, so I was commited anyway. Have not had a problem since. I am very happy with my "Mexican piece of junk". For what it's worth, I'm camping this weekend 15 miles from the Mexican border.

I've sold my 2001 to a friend, and he is letting me drive it until my 2005 shows up. Never the less, when it does show up I will take it for a "test" drive before I sign anything. If it has a minor problem, I'll take it and work the warranty, but if it vibrates or drones excessively, at freeway speeds, I will probably reject it and buy a different one somewhere else (Dave Smiths, Dishman, etc). That being said... My 2001 "Mexican Junker" was the best truck I've every owned...

 

[buttugly]

AMERICA MADE FORD! You got to be kidding! Being a manufacturer of OEM parts, there is no such thing. Our big three are China crazy. We need to wake up. DC is far behind in this thinking. As owner of many Cummins it's still #1. My 2 cents. Don't give up.

 

[jnelson]

I thought this was a 3rd Generation engine and transmission forum - not a complaint category.



I think the administrators need to start a "Would you like some cheese with your whine" forum.

 

[BILLUA]

Ok I've cooled down...

After reading many posts on here most, helpful and understanding with a couple of jerks telling me to stop "whining" and after a talk with the dealer, it goes in on Monday for the launch shudder. They are familiar with it and say they have a fix. A fix no doubt from other people "whining" forcing DC to fix a problem that they think they can get away with. For the 2 jerks: Maybe your trucks are perfect because other people "whined about problems and they were addressed by DC so you got a perfect truck... .

Guess what? My '01 was a perfect truck. When others complained about problems with the '01 did I think they were whining? NO, they were letting others know about problems so they could watch for them and develop answers. That is what this forum is for.



The Camper issue: I heard back from a fleet sales manager. Took her 2 days of calling DTW and she came up with this: There has been a couple of frame problems on 3rd gens. All with modified or no beds. As has been posted elsewhere, the bed acts to stiffen and tie the frame together. No campers recommend was put in the books while the problem was researched. Thus the wording not prohibiting campers.



My owners manuel addresses the issue this way "Some models are not recommended for slide in campers, see the dealers loading and... ... "



Someone pointed me the the Ford 6. 0 site: Holy cow did that put things into perspective :--) I bought this truck for the RIGHT reason, the CUMMINS engine. I will accept the dealer fixing the shudder . . Better than fuel injector problems and stuff like that.





My heading on this thread was harsh... I was disappointed because I do think this is an awesome truck and was let down initially. The torque, brakes, Steering, fit and finish are ions ahead of the second gens. . If I knew how, I would post a pic...



Thanks, Bill

 

[Matt400]

Saved! Good job everyone, we can all sleep now.

 

[zues]

I had the 70 MPH vibe to, but the dealer replaced my front drive line and it went away. I also have the launch shudder until I took the 2 lifting blocks out of the back to make the truck lower for the 5th wheel. Now I must be used to the vibe because it is back.



I drove my neighbors 6. 0 ford and the truck was way smooth. I drove my truck after and the vibe is back.



I am not shure what I should do, any ideas.

 

[BILLUA]

Matt 400: LOL



Cheers, Bill

 

[RJOL]

BILLUA... Glad to hear that you may have a fix... Keep us informed. For those of you that decided to be critical, try to remember when you got your new CTD. BILLUA apparently special ordered his. He patiently waited many weeks for it to finally show up, and when it did, it had some problems. I can see why he might be a little upset, and maybe a little emotional about it. For a lot of us, shelling out over 40Gs for a new ride is not an everyday occurrence and you just want it to be right. BILLUA... Enjoy your new ride, and if it doesn't work out, do whatever will make you the happiest...

 

[BILLUA]

RICK, Thanks! I did order my truck. . Only took 6 weeks to get it! My ''01 took 3 months! Looks like you are getting an awesome rig!



Cheers,Bill

 

[RJOL]

RICK, Thanks! I did order my truck. . Only took 6 weeks to get it! My ''01 took 3 months! Looks like you are getting an awesome rig!



Cheers,Bill

I'm in my ninth week and trying to be patient... My garage is filling up with all the new parts to put into it...

 

[mrtwister]

yikes, a furd. 6. 0. V8 Diesel. I drive a class 8 semi for a living and rarely see a "V" diesel engine. Inline engines make more torque and horsepower at a lower RMP. Plus are more fuel friendly. Way to much plastic on top of those new 6. 0 engines. If its brand new and the transmission shutters, get it fixed, a new one installed or whatever. You are right and for that amount of money it should be in a1 shape. My dad just bought a 6. 0 and with his 36 foot 5th wheel you gotta rev that thing to the moon to get any power out of it. Empty it moves down the road nice but it doesn't like a heavy load. We might not be able to change your mind but owning a furd might.

 

[tractorseller]

Good decision IMHO Bill. Let us know how the launch shudder fix turns out. Maybe I'll let them fix mine if yours comes out good. I just doesn't bother me much, but I guess it's better not to have it. Only other complaint I have is the tearing door seals... ... hopefully they'll get a good fix lined out for those.



Sure glad you didn't buy one of those 6. 0 PowerCroak Furds. Geez what a nightmare one of those can be. I've already been through a Lemon Law buyback with one of my Duramax trucks and all I can say is "it ain't no fun".

 

[abdiver]

Good Luck with your new truck.

BILLUA, Good Luck with your new truck. Hope dealer gets the problems fixed to your liking. Also thanks for all your posts to let us know the problems I agree for the kind of money going for these trucks Quality control should do its job.



Bill T

 

[DWMeyer]

Sorry but I just got out of 05 Ford POS that had a lot more issues than yours! My advice is that you may be correct in giving it back but the Ford may not be what you are expecting! I have almost 2000 on mine now with not 1 complaint.

 

[jnelson]

Sorry Mr. Bill. Not trying to be jerk. It just seems that way.



Now please excuse me while I go wax my perfect truck

 

[BILLUA]

Jnelson. .



NO problem! Enjoy



Cheers, Bill

 

[Matt400]

please excuse me while I go wax my perfect truck

Perfect trucks are waxless.