hey guys, i could use some help on a truck decision. I need a new truck pretty quick, and am torn between the ford and the chevy. I test drove a ford the other day and it was a nice truck. It rode decent (I'm driving a 1 ton dodge megacab so I suppose anything would feel decent) and seemed to have good power. I didn't like the steering ratio at all though. I immediately went over to the chevy dealer and noticed about 5 salesmen hanging out by the front. After wandering around the new trucks for about 20 minutes and waiting for a salesman to get off his butt my brother and I said screw it. they won't get my business if that's how they start out. anyways, just by sitting in the trucks i could tell the seats where quite a bit more comfortable but the trucks sit awfully low in front. any ideas on what it will cost to level it out? also, is the steering ratio tighter than the fords (lock to lock steering wheel turns)? and is this dead spot at first take off very noticeable? I won't be able to go to another dealer till farming slows down. Thanks for any input

Since GM changed the chassis on these trucks for 2011, everyone is starting off fresh on leveling kits. Cognito i believe has there kits almost done. On my LMM i paid under 700 bucks to level the truck properly. Look in the suspension section and you'll see a thread about the prototype system Cognito is coming up with. NorCal Nick is a really good source when it comes to questions about leveling the HDs.

thanks Timoloco, $700 isn't too bad, I'll check out the suspension section

Myself I like being able to walk through a car lot and not have some salesman come try to sell me something. The way I see it is if I want to buy something then I will go tell them what I want after Ive seen what they have. At that point they can tell me all the sales crap that usually is BS anyways.

You NEED to test drive the GM before you go buy something else.

Buy the Ford, it will make you appreciate the GM when you come running back in a month or two...lol

Well, lots of threads here...

Froggy, that's cold man, real cold <snicker> but funny!

A dealer that lets the sales staff stand around while customers wander is a dealer on the way out... Lordy, my Chevy/GM dealer (3rd generation) would have those guys hanging from the flag staffs like Vlad the Impaler... Go to another dealer - and call ahead and make an appointment with the sales guy - or come to Saginaw and I'll introduce you to one who will pay attention to you...

The steering ratio on the Duramax seems right on, to me - you will need to drive one though... And try to get a good ten mile drive - around the block does not give you time to settle in and really feel the truck handle... Same for the low front end... I suspect it is more the change from what you are used to than anything else... When I put 11,000# on my hitch the truck sits dead flat...

do some reading here http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f149/ lots of issues with the new motor and trans

Buy the Ford, it will make you appreciate the GM when you come running back in a month or two...lol

Funny thing, some on here said that very same thing to me back in 07 when I bought my 08 F250. Still driving Ford to this day and never looked back. :D But to each his own.



To the OP, go drive everything. Ford, Chevy, GMC, and Dodge. That is what I did when I was considering the change.

You will find pros/cons about each and every vehicle you drive and then you can weigh your issues and decide from there.

Good luck

My dad has a new F350 6.7 Lariat with 20k on the odometer, and I just purchased a new GMC 2500HD LML Denali. Both are very nice pickups, and we both previously drove LMMs (actually we still have them both). I looked very hard at both new pickups, but in the end Ally's 0% interest on the Duramax pushed me that direction. After being around both pickups I'll note a few quick differences....

The GMC 2500HD Denali transmission shifts much smoother, seats are more comfortable, the a/c seat feels much like a cooled seat (instead of a fan blowing up your butt), the iPOD sync works much easier on the GMC (neither of our pickups have Nav), and it has a 36 gallon fuel tank. The Ford does have more interior space, which is nice, but in the last 5 years I bet I haven't had more than 4 people in my pickup more than 3 times. The urea fill is under the hood and out of sight instead of having a 12" (or whatever it is) square door, and with the 6" oval steps you cannot see the tank. The Ford seat belt alarms do not give up, and there always seems to be a message you have to clear out of the DIC before you can see the rest of the info on the Ford. (Typically it is low coolant level, and filling the coolant level does not seem to fix the problem) The DIC computer is very nice in the Ford, and it reads good info, but I'm not sure how much of it is actually necessary. Before having my LML I really liked the no turbo lag of the Ford's throttle response, but the LML resolved that issue of the LMM. The Denali LML is the most quiet, solid pickup I have ever been around. There are no air leaks, no dash rattles, and no frame creaks. The steering turns easier than the LMM (the ford steers very easily as well, but the ratio will screw with you until you get used to it), the brakes are much better, the engine brake works great (so does the Ford's), the 20" wheels look sweet, and the hood does not vibrate like my past LMMs. It has a very refined feel, and I am very satisfied with my decision.

I just got rid of an 04 Dodge 3500 QC 4x4 Cummins. I drove all 3 new trucks - SEVERAL times before I made up my mind. I REALLY wanted a new MegaCab Dually, but too many buddies are having too many troubles with theirs.

I spent quite a bit of time driving the Ford and GMC and decided on the GMC. They both rode very nice and were very quiet. Both had excellent acceleration and braking. As far as exterior looks, I like them both. As far as interior, I have to give this to the Ford. For me, it all came down to motor/transmission. Given that this is the first year for the Ford 6.7, I opted for the tried and true Duramax/Allison combination.

My dad has a new F350 6.7 Lariat with 20k on the odometer, and I just purchased a new GMC 2500HD LML Denali. Both are very nice pickups, and we both previously drove LMMs (actually we still have them both). I looked very hard at both new pickups, but in the end Ally's 0% interest on the Duramax pushed me that direction. After being around both pickups I'll note a few quick differences....

The GMC 2500HD Denali transmission shifts much smoother, seats are more comfortable, the a/c seat feels much like a cooled seat (instead of a fan blowing up your butt), the iPOD sync works much easier on the GMC (neither of our pickups have Nav), and it has a 36 gallon fuel tank. The Ford does have more interior space, which is nice, but in the last 5 years I bet I haven't had more than 4 people in my pickup more than 3 times. The urea fill is under the hood and out of sight instead of having a 12" (or whatever it is) square door, and with the 6" oval steps you cannot see the tank. The Ford seat belt alarms do not give up, and there always seems to be a message you have to clear out of the DIC before you can see the rest of the info on the Ford. (Typically it is low coolant level, and filling the coolant level does not seem to fix the problem) The DIC computer is very nice in the Ford, and it reads good info, but I'm not sure how much of it is actually necessary. Before having my LML I really liked the no turbo lag of the Ford's throttle response, but the LML resolved that issue of the LMM. The Denali LML is the most quiet, solid pickup I have ever been around. There are no air leaks, no dash rattles, and no frame creaks. The steering turns easier than the LMM (the ford steers very easily as well, but the ratio will screw with you until you get used to it), the brakes are much better, the engine brake works great (so does the Ford's), the 20" wheels look sweet, and the hood does not vibrate like my past LMMs. It has a very refined feel, and I am very satisfied with my decision.

Great review!

Great review!

+1. Thanks.

thanks guys, awesome review mothnuts. I finally stopped back in to this dealer and talked to their fleet salesman and got somewhere. offered me a truck for a couple hours, that should answer some questions. So physically, are the 6.6 and allison the same as last year's or have they changed anything other than def and more power?

thanks guys, awesome review mothnuts. I finally stopped back in to this dealer and talked to their fleet salesman and got somewhere. offered me a truck for a couple hours, that should answer some questions. So physically, are the 6.6 and allison the same as last year's or have they changed anything other than def and more power?

Internals have changed slightly in both. For the engines, different pistons and oil pump along with a few more things. For the trans, Mike would have to answer that.

Also new rifined rods and injectors

Internals have changed slightly in both. For the engines, different pistons and oil pump along with a few more things. For the trans, Mike would have to answer that.

The Alli has had some nice changes.
Converter is new and stronger but still not equal to the triple disc. New BorgWarner clutches and more of them. Different Apply pistons and return springs for C3/C4. Pressure strategy is different for better mileage. There is no more pressure knock down when the converter clutch applys. Shifts are much better quality because of new pressure strategy.
There is no known trans mod that will work on this trans yet so don't try.

The Alli has had some nice changes.
Converter is new and stronger but still not equal to the triple disc. New BorgWarner clutches and more of them. Different Apply pistons and return springs for C3/C4. Pressure strategy is different for better mileage. There is no more pressure knock down when the converter clutch applys. Shifts are much better quality because of new pressure strategy.
There is no known trans mod that will work on this trans yet so don't try.
Well what is taking you so long??????

man, thanks for the info guys, I have been so sold on the new fords, but these chevys seem to be a little more refined and proven. am going in for a test drive in the morning so we'll see about the rest. the one thing I can't stand is the stance of the truck. we have a lot of really rutted out roads on the farm and that front bumper wouldn't last a day how it sits. leveling it seems expensive to do it right rather than just using the torsion bars.

It might be expensive to level correctly (1 time cost), but its also expensive to repair leaks on the ford (repeated). lol