New truck questions - Page 2 - Montana Owners Club

Montana Sky · 08-26-2007, 11:17 AM

My GM has the 3.73 and has no problems towing my 13,600 lb 3400RL around.

awaywego · 08-27-2007, 05:20 AM

I believe there is more to the tow boss package than just the rear.
Is it the same as the trailer tow package which includes wiring, bigger radiator, larger alternator and etc.

Ozz · 08-27-2007, 05:35 AM

Some info on that:
Here
And here

richfaa · 08-27-2007, 06:05 AM

Well when you order the tow boss package(4:30 Diff) you are told that you must also order the diesel, the tow command, the torqushift 5 speed auto xmittion ..That is NOT true as I have the 4:30 diff in my V-10. You can order the tow command and the Torque shift as separate items..BUt if you order the 4:30 diff it is called the tow boss package and the other items are mandatory options...but not really as as I said I have the 4:30 tow command in my V-10....very tricky and designed to make you spend more money.. Homework, homework, homework...

Charlie · 08-27-2007, 07:06 AM

Rich-
Lots has been spoken for the 3.73:1. I have this gear in my truck and it is now approaching 7 years old with over 100K miles. Sometimes when pulling in hills I wish that I had a 4.10 as the engine loads up and spends time in the lower gears to compensate. This is the only complaint I have against the 3.73. This past week I made a run to the Ft. Worth area without the trailer and solo mileage was 20 MPG. You well know that you get one trade for the other, just depends on what you feel you will be justified for. I get 10-12 MPG pulling, depending upon conditions.

richfaa · 08-27-2007, 07:37 AM

We do not spend a lot of time doing long steep grades. That is why we have been so hesitant to get a diesel as our V-10 does fine 85/90% of the time.But... I just wnat a new truck and this time it will be a diesel....if they can find one...

lwcdg · 08-27-2007, 11:10 PM

Rich as you know I've been looking at all the brands. I drove the 350 xlt, lariat, KR, 450 lariat, dodge megacab 3500, chevy 3500hd all in the past 3 days. all of these trucks are 4x4. chevy and dodge 3.73 fords were 410 & 433 gears. The 6.4 is no where near the engine of my 7.3. 6.4 is a dog from the dead stop, once is is going it is fine. Dodge stills needs a better interior even in the mega cab. It is still nice just not as nice as the ford or chevy.

Now I thought I would never say this but I just drove a chevy that is nicer and has a better ride than the ford. I'm shocked. 2007 3500HD 4x4 dually LT2 interior (an LT3 is more plush) 49000 plus sticker came down to 41000 and change. I'll think about about it for a day or 2 and then make an offer.

Drive was unbelievable. Ride was great. Speed was incredible,(thank god I didn't get a ticket). Chevy made a believer out of me, still wish it was a GMC. GMC was my first vehicle at age 16.
Good luck in your search,
chuck

richfaa · 08-28-2007, 04:45 AM

lwcdg..Thank you for the post on the Chevy . When I decide on something I get very focused on doing it. I had completely shut Chevy out.I looked at the GM site and built myself a 07 2Lt truck same options as the Ford and it is far less $ although a 07.The only reason I would not consider the 07 Ford was because of the 6.0L Diesel motor,,no way.. Only thing is can't find one of those either... Not concerned about pricing as I CAN get the same deal on the Chevy truck. First dealership I spoke to told them they had to match or beat the Ford X plan price and incentives and they said...no problem.. Now it is...who can find a truck first.. This is great fun particularly since I don't care if I get a truck or not.

BB_TX · 08-28-2007, 07:19 AM

Here is a Ford towing guide for the 2008 (all years 2002 thru 2007 also available).
https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/...guideDec06.pdf

richfaa · 08-28-2007, 08:36 AM

Found a 07 Chevy in stock at a nearby dealer and went to look at it. It is the LTZ Option. I have to say that the LTZ option has more goodies than the Lariet option at less price. The 07 Chevy sticker was 53 + nearly the same as the Ford that we are looking at sticker. However.. and no offence Chevy guys the Chevy is a good truck and that LTZ option is a better buy than the Lariet option. The first view I got of the Chevy was broadside and I did not like the look of that huge frame hanging below the doors...looks like they left something off the truck. The sales guy said ..we can put boards on it ..I don't think that will cover it up?????

Montana Sky · 08-28-2007, 01:19 PM

Rich,
You are right! The frame does hang somewhat below the body on the GM trucks. I had the Westin "nerf" bars installed on my truck and that covered up the "noticeable", but not all, of the frame. The new LMM is one amazing motor.

RC and Samantha · 08-28-2007, 01:33 PM

Rich,

We did the same as Dave, although I don't know if they are Westins? I would think the actual running boards would cover it. Every GM truck I have seen seems a bit lower that the other trucks. I don't know why but the Chevy/GMC is one amazing powerful machine. Maybe that lowness is part of why it tows so well?

Of course we are a bit bias since Dick works at one of the plants that builds them. He drives them all day long, loads them on the rail cars and says they are awesome. He also said they go like heck. I keep asking him to bring one I'd like home to me,

but so far he's not done it. There are some pretty good incentives going on right now with GM.

Looking forward Rich to seeing what you come end up with. All the best in your deal and purchase.

Patty

Driftwoodgal · 08-28-2007, 01:55 PM

Rich,

Just curious have you thought about going to a Ford and a Chevy dealership and having them build you a truck with the options that you actually want on your truck? When we bought our Chevy Diesel Duramax we ordered only the things that we wanted on the truck. The type of truck we bought would normally have leather seats. I didn't want leather seats and so on and so on. I must say that we didn't have any problem towing our 3400 in the mountains of Tennessee and that was with a 2500. The tow package that we ordered with the truck was amazing in the mountains. Our mileage was around 10 to 11.5 when we were pulling the Monty. When we isn't towing he gets 16 t0 17 mpg.

Colleen

Montana Sky · 08-28-2007, 02:07 PM

Patty,

Dick has not brought a new LMM home because he knows you will not give it back...LOL! I was at the dealership where my family, friends, and I buy all our vehicles. I took the new Silverado 3500HD dually for a spin...While it was a loaded LTZ in the color I want, it was missing one required option -- the nav system. Probably a good thing or I would be updating my profile right now... =)

Virgil · 08-28-2007, 02:21 PM

Rich:
Here is another vote for the 3.73 rear end. We pulled the camper (14,500#) through the Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona mountains as nice as could be. We did great and I really liked the torq shift tranny. We are within the published limits of the pickup. I chose the SRW because I run around alot with it w/o the camper. I would recommend the 3.73. Maybe you could talk some one into borrowing their truck and give it a try. That would give you a really good idea on performance and towing ability. Good luck ad happy trails.

richfaa · 08-28-2007, 04:02 PM

Actually I drive a 1 ton chevy duramx 12 passenger school bus with the 3:73's on occasion, Like today. It drives good. We did build a truck on both the GM and Ford Sites..however our schedule does not allow time for us to order a truck so we are looking for one in dealer stock or..we will order one this winter in Florida. Ford Dealer called this afternoon and said they found some trucks that were close to what we want. Time is short.. The incentives run out Sept 3rd and we leave on a camping trip Friday afternoon so they have a couple of days to satisfy picky ole Rich. I apologize to all the chevy owners but I don't care for the Chevy look and Ole Rich has the luxury of being very picky.

Fordzilla · 08-28-2007, 04:26 PM

Get a hold of Woodhouse in Blair Nebraska make the deal over the phone and they will drive your new truck to Ohio for you. If they don't have the truck you want nobody will. Last time I was browsing there lot I think they had over 250 new 2008 super duty trucks on hand.

richfaa · 08-29-2007, 03:13 AM

I looked at Woodhouse and they do have the Truck that we want(close anyhow) I Have that info file away. It is a good barganing chip and thanks for the information.

richfaa · 08-29-2007, 06:22 AM

This Ford salesperson is working for his supper. Has called me twice this AM. He has found a couple but not in the color we prefer and they have 3K more options that we ordered. Execpt for white and black we do not care much about the color and the optrions we do not want are options we have on the 05 and never used them (power sliding rear window) ( adjustable pedals) Told him the money is in the bank, the financing is pre approved, we are leaving on a camping trip Friday afternoon and if he makes me a offer I can not refuse..we have a deal... No pressure there????

Jim Jarvis · 08-29-2007, 07:27 AM

Rich, are you thinking about the break in period for your new truck? I think they want you to take it easy for the first 500 miles.

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