diesel "upgrades"

[Storm56]

They may be treated like a station wagon, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a GVW & GAWR. But then, they don't carry cab cards either.

Perhaps I should have a bit more precise in my wording.

Suvs' etc have NO GVW ON THE REGISTRATIONS - therefore you cannot be fined for being overweight like a P/U.

God you guys get way too technical! I thought my post was clear in that I was referring to a "legal" weight.

 

[Storm56]

I know this is a sticky subject. My neighbors nephwey bought a 99 F-250 diesel. With him in it we weighed it at the scales and it left 800# for payload. Pretty pathetic but its what is legal.

I am no saint. I have overloaded every truck I have owned so far with the exception of my 08 Titan. Not that it cant do it, just have not needed too having Big Nasty sitting in the garage next to it (my 06 F-350 4x4 Diesel). This particular F-350 has towed 9,000# more than its limit for well over 600 miles without a complaint, 25,000#. I have had over 2,700# in a 5.5' bed on a 01 F-150. It was nearly twice the legal load and it handled it fine. Squatted it a lot but did not look like it was going to break.

We all take our chances. Advertised versus legal versus safe is a fine line.

Chris

Finally! Someone gets it! Can ANYONE that has read this thread HONESTLY tell me that the an F250 is only "safe" with a payload less than 800 lbs???? That is ABSURD!


LEGAL vs REAL LIFE CAPABILITY is what I have been trying to get through to you guys.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY!

 

[Storm56]

Not true! If I were to take the wife's Jeep Liberty and stuff a yard and a half of 21AA gravel in it, the citation sure wouldn't be for double parking or a bad tail light.

Yes,this post definitely got a little off track. I probably wouldn't buy the truck either.

I GUARANTEE you that in PA there would be NO FINE for a WEIGHT PENALTY like they can do with a P/U. Because there is NO GVW on your registration.
They may nail you for being unsafe or something like it but NOT for a weight penalty. NOT in PA.

Are you guys not reading what I am writing?

 

[crashz]

I seem to remember some issues regarding the Banks programmers and tranny slipping just enough to cause the truck to go into limp mode. Something to check out if you are still considering the truck.

If it were me, I'd pass.

To de-rail a bit more:
I can't speak for any other state, but here in MA, the vehicle is registered for the GVWR as stated by the manufacture. The registry here has a database that is queried using the vehicles VIN. No way to increase or decrease the registered weight. And even though we are plagued with a plethora of foolish laws in this state, I can stand by this one. We don't need the lowest common denominator registering his vehicle for what ever he wants.

 

[Storm56]

In PA they go by the certificate of origin. Other than trucks, the gvw is not on the certificate. That is how IN PA you have no gvw on your registration for cars and suv's, and they in this state are a flat $36. Anything with an open bed DOES have a gvw on the certificate of origin. So even something like a Chev Avalanche is registered as a truck, thus is licensed by gvw. The higher the gvw the higher the registration.

 

[Ford tractor]

Found a used 06 chevy 2500 4x4 crew like I want w/ 50k. Dealer is giving me GOOD money for my 1/2 ton pickup.

One problem though, truck has a lot of crap on it.

Here is a list of the stuff in question.

"Banks Power components (Banks Ram-Air Intake System, Banks Six-Gun Diesel Tuner, Banks Monster Exhaust, Banks DynaFact Instrumentation with Boost and Exhaust Temperature gauges), Hensley TrailerSaver TS3 Air Ride 5th wheel hitch with SaverSlide, Tekonsha Prodigy Trailer Brake Control."

I wanted a brake controller anyway, but is the other stuff good or bad? I generally tend to be of the opinion "if it aint broke dont fix it".

Run away or jump on it for 30k?(really 25k, they offered me 23 for a truck worth 18k)

The big question is about the warranty. I think GM will void it out on any systems that "might be affected by aftermarket parts that overstress them".
Basically that would only be the engine, transmission, differential, brakes, suspension, steering and cooling. You would still have warranty on the body and interior.

The sales guy will probably try to blow smoke up your skirt if he does, have them add to the contract that the truck as sold is fully covered by the factory warranty --> and the dealership will pay for any denied warranty claims.

 

[Highbeam]

I agree with everything you said with the exception of the NO GVWR on SUV's. Every vehicle has a max GVWR and ratings for each axle.

I know this is a sticky subject. My neighbors nephwey bought a 99 F-250 diesel. With him in it we weighed it at the scales and it left 800# for payload. Pretty pathetic but its what is legal.



Chris

So Diamond which is it? You say you agree with Storm but then you say that your legal payload for the F250 was 800#. Are you saying that you can load whatever weight you want so long as you pay extra for the tonnage on your registration or do you believe the truck is overloaded once the 800# is exceeded? Are you having cake or eating it? I've come to respect your opinion.

The hole in storm's logic is that you can license that saturn/avalanche for more than 10,000#. If you carry that much and cause a wreck you are obvisouly at fault and liable. You will have exceeded the ratings but not the registered weight.

I don't see the registered weight as being of any value at all except to collect tax money.

 

[Storm56]

The hole in storm's logic is that you can license that saturn/avalanche for more than 10,000#. If you carry that much and cause a wreck you are obvisouly at fault and liable. You will have exceeded the ratings but not the registered weight.

I don't see the registered weight as being of any value at all except to collect tax money.

Your getting close on the first paragraph. Of course I did not use a Saturn/Avalanche as that example because the Saturn does not have a gvw. The Ave does so yes you could up the weight on that one.

Second paragraph you pretty much got it. Spoke to a bud of mine today and he thinks you can move up 2 weight classes or down 1 on a truck in PA. I did not verify that statement.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Finally! Someone gets it! Can ANYONE that has read this thread HONESTLY tell me that the an F250 is only "safe" with a payload less than 800 lbs???? That is ABSURD!


LEGAL vs REAL LIFE CAPABILITY is what I have been trying to get through to you guys.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY!

I may get it but I am as illegal as you are. What is legal is what is on the door sticker.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

So Diamond which is it? You say you agree with Storm but then you say that your legal payload for the F250 was 800#. Are you saying that you can load whatever weight you want so long as you pay extra for the tonnage on your registration or do you believe the truck is overloaded once the 800# is exceeded? Are you having cake or eating it? I've come to respect your opinion.

I am simply stating that the GVWR on one particular truck, like my neighbors nephew's F-250 Diesel, can be a major thorn in the side. His truck had 8,800# GVWR and with him in it, the lift kit on it and big tires plus other things that take away weight, his truck weighed 8,000# with him in it. That left a wimpy 800# payload available.

When I order my trucks I make sure to get them built right, with high GVWR's. My F-250 has 10,000# GVWR and weighs 7,500# with me in it leaving a honest 2,500# payload. Same thing with my SRW F-350. It weighs 7,600# but has 11,500# GVWR leaving a nice 3,900# payload.

I guarantee you will not find a pre 07.5 GM with that type of rating in a SRW truck. The 05 SRW 3500 GM Dmax I had had a 9,900# GVWR and weighed about 7,300# leaving it 2,600# payload or about equal to a properly equipped F-250 of the same era. Granted all these loads are well over the 3/4 ton (1,500#) and 1 ton (2,000#) rating so there is no deception by the manufactures. It just means to get the big payloads advertised you need a light truck, ie; Plain Jane, and a high GVWR package.

Chris

 

[crbr]

I have a 07 2500 Classic. 9200#


I'd pass on the tweaked up diesel. My concerns would be the Allison. It does not like over burden from tunes. Read the ECM for limp mode incidents.

 

[timswi]

In PA they go by the certificate of origin. Other than trucks, the gvw is not on the certificate. That is how IN PA you have no gvw on your registration for cars and suv's, and they in this state are a flat $36. Anything with an open bed DOES have a gvw on the certificate of origin. So even something like a Chev Avalanche is registered as a truck, thus is licensed by gvw. The higher the gvw the higher the registration.

Yes this is true in PA...A Subaru Brat was a pickup, and you paid the P/U rate for it.

I used to be able to up the GVW or decrease it at purchase because the GM GVW fell right on the PA limits. ie. 1/2 ton trucks were charged a 3/4 ton plate. My last 3 GM pickups I could down grade to half ton. When i bought the last one, it wasn't allowed...It is about money. If GM says it's a half ton, it's a haf ton in my book...My 04 GMC 1500 xcab 4x4 is registered as a 3/4 ton...Makes no sense, but nothing in this state makes sense.

 

[Ford tractor]

I may get it but I am as illegal as you are. What is legal is what is on the door sticker.

Chris

That is not an accurate statement.

Not to get into an argument spouting "did too" "did not", but you should do some investigation on your own and back up your statement with facts and statutes. One suggestion is to search forums for "hot shot" trucker information. There is several places that have step by step instructions on how to increase your legal weight capacity beyond the sticker.

The summary to accomplish the feat is; filling out the form, being sure that the tires, wheels and axles weight rating matches the max you want to reach and paying more $$. CDL, USDOT rules apply. Yes, it is that simple and yes, it is legal in every state I am familiar with. But, don't take my word on it -- do your own research. One of us is wrong -- I've done my research but who knows maybe I'm wrong.

 

[Diamondpilot]

That is not an accurate statement.

Not to get into an argument spouting "did too" "did not", but you should do some investigation on your own and back up your statement with facts and statutes. One suggestion is to search forums for "hot shot" trucker information. There is several places that have step by step instructions on how to increase your legal weight capacity beyond the sticker.

The summary to accomplish the feat is; filling out the form, being sure that the tires, wheels and axles weight rating matches the max you want to reach and paying more $$. CDL, USDOT rules apply. Yes, it is that simple and yes, it is legal in every state I am familiar with. But, don't take my word on it -- do your own research. One of us is wrong -- I've done my research but who knows maybe I'm wrong.

No, I totally agree with you. Every time I buy a truck and go to have it plated they always ask me what I want it plated for? They could care less what is on the Cert of Origin or on the door sticker.

For the average Joe what is on the stick though is the gospel unless you up rate or de rate your truck. I get a kick out of a guy driving a dually F-350 Powerstroke with 7K plates. He is illegal hauling noting because that truck empty is about 7,600# and more than likely he is at 8K with just him in it.

There was also a loop hole in Indiana for many many years where you could license SUV's and Trucks as Passenger Cars. The plates were usually a little cheaper but by going with Passenger Car plates you did not have weight requirements except for the GVWR set by the manufacture.

Folks also were allowed to put truck plates on SUV's and Vans. The main reason or advantage for doing this was there were no seat belt laws in Indiana for trucks but there were in cars. This has all been changed now with the passing of a new law requiring seat belts in all vehicles.

Neither one of us is wrong. For the Average Joe what is on the door sticker as the GVWR is good enough. That is all I have ever used. But like you said if one wants too you can up grade or even down grade the load. Its even easier in Indiana than it is in your state. You just tell them you want a 7K, 9K, 12K plate ect. No real paperwork involved.

Chris

 

[Storm56]

I may get it but I am as illegal as you are. What is legal is what is on the door sticker.

Chris

Chris I agree that I am illegal on weight, never once debated that.

 

[RobertN]

Reading thru this thread, what does the OP want? A hot rod, or just a basic truck? I would love to have those mod's on my truck. Although generally I would take it easy, I know there would be a few burnout's and blowing Mustangs and Camaro's away. Not daily, but would happen...

that said, what does the truck really look like? Well taken care of?

My concern would be that although it may be in beuatiful shape, it may have been rode hard. A acuiantance has a somewhat hot-rodded Harley. That bike is spotless; he takes immaculate care of it. But... He rides hard. It has had broken belts, been redlined innumerous times, blown pistons ect ect ect. He takes care of it right away, and does a good job when he fixes or rebuilds. If you saw it in the parking lot right now at work(it's there), you would be amazed how spotless and well taken care of that bike is.

I wouldn't buy it though; I know about a lot of the broken, red-lined, clutch dumping burout, racing ricer bikers/ninja sport bikes ect.

 

[Highbeam]

Good point RObertN, buying used trucks is always a gamble. You can have a grandpa who's son put that Banks stuff on for a birthday present and the grandpa always drove slow and had every maintenance done at the dealer, etc.

Or you can have the stock truck that was used as a fleet vehicle or rental and was beat on every day by careless drivers.

The Banks equipment or lack of it, is no guarantee about the condition of the truck. The only guarantee is that you will get the benefit of the Banks equipment.

 

[Ryan03]

Good point RObertN, buying used trucks is always a gamble. You can have a grandpa who's son put that Banks stuff on for a birthday present and the grandpa always drove slow and had every maintenance done at the dealer, etc.

Or you can have the stock truck that was used as a fleet vehicle or rental and was beat on every day by careless drivers.

The Banks equipment or lack of it, is no guarantee about the condition of the truck. The only guarantee is that you will get the benefit of the Banks equipment.

My chipped DMax has irregular carpet wear directly underneath the accelerator pedal.

 

[Diamondpilot]

My chipped DMax has irregular carpet wear directly underneath the accelerator pedal.

Ryan, I bet if you check closely you will find dents in the floor boards also like on both my Fords. :laughing::laughing::laughing: They are just too much fun with all the goodies in them.:thumbsup:

Chris

 

[Ryan03]

Ryan, I bet if you check closely you will find dents in the floor boards also like on both my Fords. :laughing::laughing::laughing: They are just too much fun with all the goodies in them.:thumbsup:

Chris

I've got them too. Does the Dent Wizard fix floor boards ? :laughing: