GMC vs Ford -Mechanic Needed

[A.Smith]

Good Folks, since my last plea yielded such great information the flag goes up again.
I need advice.

We have decided on a 2008 Crew Cab 4x4 Diesel Short Bed to build our camping rig.
We are going to put a FWC Hawk on it.

My dilemma is Ford F250 or a GMC Sierra 2500.

Plus I need a Mechanic here in south Orange County, Ca. I am in Dana Point.

All the trucks I am seeing are in the 120, to 140,000 mile range with an asking price about $25,000
So I am raising the call for "Help" , I could use some advice.
I have read articles, but have been driving Toyota's for years, so a diesel is a new experience, plus, well we all know the information on other sites and the internet.

Thanks,
Fred

 

[CALIcamperdad]

Fred
Used car shopping advice. Especially with the heavier Diesel trucks.

Odometer fraud is very rampant especially in CA. Carfax rarely will give you all the data point you need. Best approach I have used for the last three used car purchases via private party.

Have with the vin call your local GM dealer Or Ford dealer service dept, not in the morning or at end of day. 2pm seems to work best for me.

Tell them your doing a records check to see if the Odometer reading matches any service history they have in the system. Example say the F250 your eyeing shows 140,000. The dealer says I have a service record in texas showing mileage was 230,000 at a transmission service. Red flag your F250 has been rolled back.

I have a cousin who builds those silly monster truck F250 7.3L rigs. He finds "grandpa owned" trucks with rolled back odometers all the time.. So be really smart about checking up on the sellers story.

As for dealer records? My 1993 Land Cruiser any Toyota dealer could look it up and give me its entire lifes history and were that history happened. All makes can do this today.

Good luck!

 

[idahoron]

I am another Toyota guy. I found a 4runner and was thinking about it. I called up my buddy that is the lead in the service dept for toyota. He told me that the 4runner had a new motor and explained why it had the new motor. I bought the 4runner and put another 200,000 miles on it. Being able to ask a dealer the info is in my opinion is the first step in buying any vehicle no matter the brand.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Smitty, I am a Ford guy, but I would be really cautious about buying either a 6.0L or 6.4L Ford diesel. I've got an older 7.3L Ford that has given excellent service, and I am thinking about getting a new 6.7L F350. The 6.0 and 6.4 liter engines had some problems. Some were very good, some would drive you to the poor house. If you go for the Ford, get a really good look at the maintenance history.

The price tag that you mentioned seems too high for both. Make an offer, that is significantly under what the asking price is. The worst that can happen is the seller says no. I suspect that my 2000 F250 7.3L is worth more than the 2008 that you mentioned. If you go for one of them, I would look at the Jimmy.

This grandpa has 163,000 or so on his 2000 model. We put about 10.5K a year on it.

 

[fish more]

I have my F150 2006 w/145k, going to be selling very soon. It's a great truck for a Hawk, Lariat w/5.4 4X4 Super Cab. Comes with s Snug Top camper shell. Truck is loaded with all the goodies. Firestone airbags, new brakes, Bilstein shocks, E rated Goodyear Duratrac tires. Very clean, all maintenance performed at dealer. Send me pm if interested.

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

I went through Dana Point today.

Stop by our rally / campout this weekend at the San Onofre camprounds. There will be 20 + FWC owners camping there and you can get their advice.

I can also introduce you to the service manager at the Ford dealership in San Clemente he might be at the rally with his truck and camper. He owns a Grandby on a Ford Super Duty Diesel and can tell you anything, and everything, about Ford trucks, good or bad

 

[A.Smith]

Thanks for all the great advice.

I am still in need of a diesel / truck mechanic in south oc.

The 2007 GMC's with the 6.6l LBZ engine, or the 2000 Ford with the 7.3l, or the 2008 with the 6.4l, aqre the trucks I am searching for.
As always open for thoughts and advice.

Thanks to all,
Fred

 

[madhatt]

2005 Ford 6.0L Diesel owner here. Truck has 385,000km (293,000mi) on it, completely stock and still running strong. One benefit of my 2005 over the earlier 7.3L models, is the coil sprung front end (improved ride quality and turning radius) and larger brakes.