sd455dan
Super Member
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2012
- Messages
- 6,636
- Location
- North Idaho
- Tractor
- Rhino 554, Ford 550 TLB (JD X500, MTD, Gilson riding mowers) Ford 3000-Sold
GM really blew it on the auto transmissions by cheaping out on valve bodies and also engines with the recent poor crankshaft machining.Hay Dude beat me to it, but I've never lost a hood to rust!
Doors are a good start, but cab, bed and tailgate are all susceptible.
I need to find some time to get out and test drive some stuff, in the coming weeks. This is no emergency project, my truck is fine... but I do want to take care of this before end of summer. Rapidly progressing rust and failing bed tie downs are one thing, but I'm also due to put four new tires on this truck before next winter, and would rather put the $1k+ I'd put toward those into a new truck.
I think I'll check out the aluminum Fords and the latest from Dodge. I don't really see any good reason to add Chevy to the comparison, since I've never had a positive experience with that brand or their local dealers. I'm not a fan of any of the recent Fords I've been in, either... but have to admit the aluminum body is a factor I can't ignore, given I'm trading-in my second very low miles truck due to body rust.
They really ticked off Allison as well. middle of summer and GM was to be barred from using Allison's name- unless on the HD line that actually are Allison transmissions.
Apparently GM has been able to make a new agreement.
I hope Allison forced some changes in the valve body and valve material specification on the newest trucks.