Thoughts on a new truck

[JR]

There is nothing wrong with reliance on the dealership for their service department

I owned my 98 the vast majority of it's life. I whole heartedly plan on keeping this truck at a similar interval unless the experience of ownership becomes unfavorable. Good trucks are just too dang expensive to keep trading in every few years, at least for a fella that is at my point in life. First and foremost I can not imagine playing the 200 mile countdown to self destruct game at any given time with no means of self help for the next 15 years, nor can I imagine being tied to a dealership for EMISSIONS EQUIPMENT when this truck is 20 years old. Hence the reason for my quest in capable diagnostics software. This really only leaves one viable alternative for me, which is unfortunate.

Wayne, I seem to remember you owning a DRBIII? If so, is there an annual subscription required for that? This is the other issue I have with witech. The annual pay to play requirement is insane.

 

[jgillott]

I owned my 98 the vast majority of it's life. I whole heartedly plan on keeping this truck at a similar interval unless the experience of ownership becomes unfavorable. Good trucks are just too dang expensive to keep trading in every few years, at least for a fella that is at my point in life. First and foremost I can not imagine playing the 200 mile countdown to self destruct game at any given time with no means of self help for the next 15 years, nor can I imagine being tied to a dealership for EMISSIONS EQUIPMENT when this truck is 20 years old. Hence the reason for my quest in capable diagnostics software. This really only leaves one viable alternative for me, which is unfortunate.

Wayne, I seem to remember you owning a DRBIII? If so, is there an annual subscription required for that? This is the other issue I have with witech. The annual pay to play requirement is insane.

Fortunately you have the means by which to be self sufficient. Most, or at least many, do not and find themselves in an endless cycle of costs associated with the current vehicle designs.

 

[jgillott]

I owned my 98 the vast majority of it's life. I whole heartedly plan on keeping this truck at a similar interval unless the experience of ownership becomes unfavorable. Good trucks are just too dang expensive to keep trading in every few years, at least for a fella that is at my point in life. First and foremost I can not imagine playing the 200 mile countdown to self destruct game at any given time with no means of self help for the next 15 years, nor can I imagine being tied to a dealership for EMISSIONS EQUIPMENT when this truck is 20 years old. Hence the reason for my quest in capable diagnostics software. This really only leaves one viable alternative for me, which is unfortunate.

Wayne, I seem to remember you owning a DRBIII? If so, is there an annual subscription required for that? This is the other issue I have with witech. The annual pay to play requirement is insane.

Fortunately you have the means by which to be self sufficient. Most, or at least many, do not and find themselves in an endless cycle of costs associated with the current vehicle designs.

 

[Wayne M.]

JR, years ago I had unlimited access to one. Not anymore. That reason and the need to diagnose a ABS issue in my ‘98 made me buy the PC based Autoenginuity tool. Really the only other choice was a DRB emulator someone was making under license, but it wasn’t cheap either.

 

[Wayne M.]

Fortunately you have the means by which to be self sufficient. Most, or at least many, do not and find themselves in an endless cycle of costs associated with the current vehicle designs.

This is so true, and why many fleets are stuck with Ford. One investment in equipment, and you can diagnose a ‘98 Taurus or a new Escape or Super Duty. Their support is fantastic.

 

[jgillott]

This is so true, and why many fleets are stuck with Ford. One investment in equipment, and you can diagnose a ‘98 Taurus or a new Escape or Super Duty. Their support is fantastic.

Shhhh. I may resemble that comment soon.

 

[Wayne M.]

Shhhh. I may resemble that comment soon.

That’s going to be an extremely tough decision, but I’m not liking how FCA’s future looks and GM is a no deal in my mind.

 

[jgillott]

That’s going to be an extremely tough decision, but I’m not liking how FCA’s future looks and GM is a no deal in my mind.

I can't post pictures for some reason tonight on this forum, but I have a few of the one I was telling you about. My wife is threatening to disown me if I go through with it. Which, is another check in the positive column as far as I'm concerned....:-laf

 

[Wayne M.]

I can't post pictures for some reason tonight on this forum, but I have a few of the one I was telling you about. My wife is threatening to disown me if I go through with it. Which, is another check in the positive column as far as I'm concerned....:-laf

Financial reasons? or is she a Mopar gal?

 

[jgillott]

She remembers all too well how many 6.0's we worked on over the years down at Keystone. She can't get that bad image out of her mind about them.

 

[jgillott]

Tell me this old girl doesn't smile pretty, especially for the price.

 

[Cummins12V98]

My 2500 is rated to pull 16,350 lbs.

It can handle it.

You will find more used 2500's than 3500's.

And 3500 SRW will be nearly impossoble to find used.

Edit: I have a crew cab, short bed, manual transmission

If you get the crew cab with long bed and an automatic, your tow rating will be less because your truck weighs more. Doubt you'll find a used Megacab.

What do you tow that heavy?

 

[Newsa]

What do you tow that heavy?

I don't any more. I did tow (almost) that heavy once. Or almost that heavy. A 24 foot gooseneck loaded with 10 young Steers.

Here is loading them. After they were loaded, I had no time for pics

 

[Wayne M.]

Wow Justin. Just wow. Your wife should be mad at International, not that I’m defending Ford, but it’s just the facts.
It just pains me to know that due to the games FCA is playing with us, this may wind up being the only choice someday.

 

[jgillott]

Wow Justin. Just wow. Your wife should be mad at International, not that I’m defending Ford, but it’s just the facts.
It just pains me to know that due to the games FCA is playing with us, this may wind up being the only choice someday.

Again, it isn't going to happen. But, it's at least good to keep our options open.

 

[Flash1034]

The Aisin is an excellent transmission. I don’t know where you heard it doesn’t handle day to day driving. It has an excellent and well deserved reputation. Mine has been flawless.