[Rylmndrivdiesel]

I found out today that I was approved for a loan and am going to pick up my first real truck and what I mean by real is I currently have a 99' gmc z71 1500 350 v8 blah,blah,blah : and I am going to pick up a Ford F350 4x4 diesel can i get a he** yea! I also got the extra jack for the 8' Boss poly superduty setup with hand control and HID kit.

[Bill Schwab]

Good luck with your selection. We got rid of the last F-450 or Ford this company will ever own until Ford learns how to make transimissions without grenading at will. If you are plowing I would wothout a doubt keep that Chevy for your back up, either that or get someone you can trust to cover your back side.

Transmissions ever since the vacuum shift bullet proof versions went away are now a $3,000.00 repair, no matter whose brand you drive.

The TS transmission used in the new Fords have tendencies to crack outer cases, and for a while it took 6 weeks to get parts. The reason they crack is because Ford never designed the truck to flow oil through the cooler in reverse speed gear. So, oil sits dormant in the case, cooking away until something expands and either blows the front seal, of cracks the cases. Install a big external cooler in addition to the one Ford puts in the radiator, and avoid backing heavy loads up hills for prolonged periods of time. Ideally, when you get off the road, turn the truck off for 5 minutes, then start up and back loads. Until the cheif tech at our old dealer taught us that trick, we lost 3 transmissions in 40,000 miles on one truck, 4 transmissions in 13,000 miloes on another, 2 transmissions over 2 years in yet another truck.. Thus, why we switched brands. Time was too much money and aggravation.

I sincerely hope that you are happy with your selection, and that maybe, just maybe Ford admitted they had a problem and corrected it.

Good luck and have many trouble free years with your new ride!

.

[GLAN]

True Bill


Though as I understand that problem has been corrected since December 2004.

Couple plowers I know had the very same problem in the beginning of the winter 04. One had a replacement, the other had it repaired. Neither experienced problems the rest of the 05 plowing season and to date.

I know how you feel regarding feeling let down by a brand. My first newly purchased pickup was a C20 1985........Turbo 400 transmission. 3 replacements in less than 2 years of service. Silly thing wasn't even capable of pulling a 5x9 open trailer with equipment and a days worth of grass clippings.

Oredered a 1986 F350 rack dump and have been Ford ever since...89/F450 rack dump. 1995 F350 P/U plowing and 2 yard salter for 10 years.....no premature mechanical or any other failures.....

Now have 2005 F350 P/U

Sold off the Ford rack dumps, replaced with GMC/Isuzu Cab overs. 2000 and 2003

[Uncle Albert]

Have you driven a Ford lately, I have and love my 2004 f-250. Be happy and take two days off and burn some gas!

[VoodooChile]

Our last-year's model 2000 F-350 is at 70K, our primary truck and going strong, but after hearing Bill's tales of woe, I've definitely modified my driving habits...and dropped the plowing.

[Pelican]

My F-550 is at the dealer's now for 3 weeks yesterday, scheduled to be returned Thursday. We'll see. This is the third delay in completing the job, third projected finish date. I'm not holding my breath, nor buying another Ford!!!!

Good luck anyway.

[Turtle]

Ford did fix the problem They hired Allison to design their new tranny who is owned by general motors. That should tell you something. I too swore off ford after 6 trannys

[Walker Mowing]

All brands seem to have a problem with autos. Havent heard anything good from the Allison in the D-max Chevys. I drive a Dodge/Cummins with a NV-4500 (5 speed manual). I personally dont like automatics. Whenever asked to haul too much they dont seem to last long.

My truck is power modified substantially and the transmission only needed an upgraded clutch. I work it everyday, no problems. It is a 1996 3500 4wd which I bought used 3 years ago. So far it is one of my best investments. Almost no downtime.

Hope your new truck works out for you.