Gm Vs. Ford

[JerseyBoy77]

Work trucks, muscle cars, 4x4's...whats your pick? Have at it boys...

(for the record, Im a big F body guy..Trans Ams to be exact, but my dad and grandfather both swore by Ford as a work pick up..as much as I love a Chevelle, Firebird, Caddy and Camaro..I have to say, plowin snow or anything else..work truck wise, a Ford never failed me.)

[Double L]

GM all the way, I was born and bred GM!

[Rob]

They all have their strong, and weak points. Don't know how many front ends I've rebuilt under GM, Dodge, and Ford pickups. From a collision repair standpoint I see no real differences in the way they are constructed.

Personally I prefered Dodge when I purchased my truck new in 1996. It was a good choice I still depend upon. When I decide to replace this truck I will probably rebuild an older one with a mechanical diesel engine that is hopped up a little. Nothing out there currently really sparks my interest.

I am drawn towards restoring a B model Mack with a modern running gear using either a 5.9, or 8.3 Cummins although I've owned neither engine in the past.

Rob

[Double L]

Dodge does win in the room department, they are very roomy. I may look at a Dodge for my next purchase as far as a pick up truck goes. I hear the Dodge Dakota's even though they are small are one hell of a work truck as well.

[Bollweevil]

They all have their strong, and weak points. Don't know how many front ends I've rebuilt under GM, Dodge, and Ford pickups. From a collision repair standpoint I see no real differences in the way they are constructed.

Personally I prefered Dodge when I purchased my truck new in 1996. It was a good choice I still depend upon. When I decide to replace this truck I will probably rebuild an older one with a mechanical diesel engine that is hopped up a little. Nothing out there currently really sparks my interest.

I am drawn towards restoring a B model Mack with a modern running gear using either a 5.9, or 8.3 Cummins although I've owned neither engine in the past.

Rob

That wouldn't be a bad conversion. I'm thinking a Mack JR on your Dodge, with a Cummins would be neat. That's just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions, they are just like chevrolet's, every asshole has got one.

[Double L]

That wouldn't be a bad conversion. I'm thinking a Mack JR on your Dodge, with a Cummins would be neat. That's just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions, they are just like chevrolet's, every asshole has got one.

That would be pretty sweet to do.

[Rob]

That wouldn't be a bad conversion. I'm thinking a Mack JR on your Dodge, with a Cummins would be neat. That's just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions, they are just like chevrolet's, every asshole has got one.

Actually starting to put some thought to using B model sheet metal on a custom frame modified from an FL-50, or 60 Freightliner chassis a customer owns. This truck is falling apart in the cab structure. It currently has a 5.9ltr but is only 160hp. Then going with aluminum rims. I don't really like the "cut down" conversions of a large truck but for basically a commuter truck, I think I could do this and come it just about 12,500 empty.

Rob

[RowdyRebel]

Hmmmm....current family rides:

My garage: 1947 Ford 8N, 1986 Ford Ranger, 1992 Ford Ranger, 1996 Ford F250

My dad's garage: 1926 Ford Model T, 2005 Ford Mustang, 2008 Ford F150

Grandma's garage: 2009 Ford Taurus

Older brother: 2007? Ford 500

Younger brother: 2001 Ford Ranger

Other younger brother: 1979 Ford Bronco, 2004 Ford F250

During the course of my life,

My grandpa (mom's dad) had a 1968 Ford Torino. When the frame rotted out, he traded it in for a 1986 Ford Tempo. He sold that car to my older brother and bought a 1995 Ford Contour which he had until he passed. Grandpa also had an old Ford 8N tractor that is now mine.

My grandma (mom's mom) had a 1972 Mercury Comet, but by 1991 it was time for grandma to get a new car and she bought a Mercury Sable. She just traded in the Sable for a 2009 Ford Taurus this year.

My other grandpa (dad's dad) has gone through a series of Suburbans...always GMC, never Chevy...and always older ones. He's also had a K5 Blazer or two, along with a pair of 1926 Model T's. One of the T's went to my dad when he passed, the other to my dad's sister.

Dad had a '59 Chevy Apache when I was a kid...drove that for work until he couldn't find parts to keep it on the road any more. Needed a vehicle bad, so he bought a cheap, used 1970-something Ford Pinto. That was traded in shortly thereafter for a new 1986 Ranger that is in my garage now.

The other "family car" was a 1971 Pontiac Lemans, which when the floor rotted out (and us kids started dropping things through the floor ) was traded in for a used 1983 Ford Crown Vic station wagon. Mom drove that until we kids outgrew it and it was traded in for a new 1989 Ford Clubwagon. In 1995, mom got a new Explorer, my dad got the van, and I got the Ranger. The van was traded in for a 1997 Chevy Express because the Ford van blew the rear main seal and the transmission was starting to slip (derned automatics )...and the Chevy van was traded in a short while later for a new 2001 Ford Ranger after my dad got tired of the cheap interior constantly falling apart. The 2001 Ranger was sold to my little brother when my dad bought a 2008 Ford F150.

My older brother's first car was a 1986 Pontiac Sunfire. He wrecked it. He bought my grandpa's Tempo...and wrecked it. He bought an old clunker Oldsmobile and blew the transmission. He bought a 1993 Ford Taurus and wrecked it a couple times, but it was "new" enough to get it fixed. When it started falling apart, he bought a Ford 500 (the one now re-badged the Taurus, NOT the GT500) and my parents realized he would be living at home until it was paid off.

I got the title to the '86 Ranger when I graduated college, although I had been driving it and caring for it as my own since I got my license. I bought the F250 shortly after I bought my house, because I cracked the head on the '86 Ranger while moving and have plans for a restoration/rebuild/modification. I bought my younger brother's '92 ranger when I took a job and needed a "beater truck" to leave parked at the company yard to occasionally get me home when I had to leave the truck there.

My younger brother's first truck was the 1992 Ford Ranger now in my garage. He had wrecked it (but still drivable), needed money, so I bought it from him. Grandma let him borrow grandpa's Contour (since grandpa didn't need it anymore) until dad sold him his 2001 Ranger. The Contour was sold.

My other younger brother's first truck was his 2004 Ford F250. He bought a 1979 Ford Bronco as a "fun truck", since he didn't want to tear up his $40,000+ truck playing in the woods.

What they all had before I came around I haven't the slightest....it was before my time

About the only thing we HAVEN'T had is a Dodge....but the FMC vehicles have outnumbered the GM vehicles in my family's garage by around 7:1.

[b61fred]

Hi,

I have always been a Ford guy, I really like my 2000 ford superduty, That pick-up has hauled way more than it ever should have. It has always made it home. I even let Rob drive it a few times... He said it did ok. I have to watch the Pyrometer when pulling, so its kinda like driving a big truck.

Fred

[B61TENDT711]

They all have their strong, and weak points. Don't know how many front ends I've rebuilt under GM, Dodge, and Ford pickups. From a collision repair standpoint I see no real differences in the way they are constructed.

Personally I prefered Dodge when I purchased my truck new in 1996. It was a good choice I still depend upon. When I decide to replace this truck I will probably rebuild an older one with a mechanical diesel engine that is hopped up a little. Nothing out there currently really sparks my interest.

I am drawn towards restoring a B model Mack with a modern running gear using either a 5.9, or 8.3 Cummins although I've owned neither engine in the past.

Rob

I'd use the FL-70 Chassie myself with the 8.3L Cummins and 5aspd manual trans, how ever the 5.9L 7spd manual trans powered FL-70 is an ok truck as well just a bit doggy. . .

The 5.9L fine engine lots of rev's will run 3,000rpm all day long and make some decent power with work. . .

The 8.3L fine durable engine makes lots of power with hardly any work at all,it's limited on the revs but it'll run 2,500rpm all day long. . .

Option 1 fast in highest top speed n doggy under load or option 2 slow in top speed n powerful under load. . .

the Commercial 12 valve 5.9L Specs:

190hp n 520tq.

210hp n 600tq.

230hp n 660tq.

The pick up engines where detuned 160hp-215hp 400tq-460tq yet there more sought after as nobody realizes the 5.9L is a medium duty engine detuned for light duty app's so there for your paying more money for less power seems foolish to me . ..

Go with a Medium duty app 5.9 pay less for it and have more power. . .

Mike

[B61TENDT711]

Now as for the GM v.s. Ford ?

Every GM 350 i've had has blown up and every Ford automatic transmission i've had has failed.

I don't know as either brand really Likes ME

I kept what held up, and recycled the ones that didn't.

I have had the best reliability from vehicles the in the 1952-1978 year range and the most trouble in the 1984+ year range for all brands !

Now with every rule there is exceptions, My 1988 AMC Jeep hasn't given me a lick of trouble and my 1961 Dodge D400 had tons of electrical issues . . .

I have say there is 1 Brand i have never had to fix and that was AMC i haven't had break down with the 69' AMX nor have i had a break down with the 88" Jeep MJ.

AMC no problems to report.

Studebaker minor issue's nothing major.

Mack Minor issue's nothing major.

GM engine failures.

Ford Transmission failures.

Dodge Minor drive train failures Major chassie n suspension failures.

Top most reliable #1 AMC #2 Studebaker #3 Mack . . .there's my vehicular history . . .

Mike

[RowdyRebel]

Now as for the GM v.s. Ford ?

Every GM 350 i've had has blown up and every Ford automatic transmission i've had has failed.

.............................................

GM engine failures.

Ford Transmission failures.

Dodge Minor drive train failures Major chassie n suspension failures.

Top most reliable #1 AMC #2 Studebaker #3 Mack . . .there's my vehicular history . . .

Mike

I wouldn't trust an automatic as far as I can throw it. If it doesn't have a standard shift transmission, I want nothing to do with it. Of course this MAY present a problem, because the fiance has only ever owned automatics. She HAS driven manual transmissions before...she did alright the one time I let her drive my F250...and I'm hoping she'll drive my trucks and see how much better they are before she gets ready to trade in her 2001 Dodge. She was giving me crap about why HER truck had to go, but now that she got rear ended and the insurance pretty much totaled it out, she's willing to discuss the possibility of getting her a crew cab F250 4x4...only point of contention at this point is the transmission

[B61TENDT711]

I don't much care for automatic Transmissions myself all across the board.

But i have to Admit GM's automatic transmissions have seem to Last under me.

I have increased my reliability by simply not Buying GM's powered by 350's and not buying Fords driven by automatics, and Not buying Dodge's at all . . .

EDIT:

If you'll notice i have 2 AMC's 2 GMC's and 2 Mack's

Only the best repeat themselves

Mike

[Double L]

I tell ya what I may not be a Ford guy but when I had my 89 F150 with a 5spd BorgWarner with a 4.9 inline 6 and now that is one engine you can't destroy! I still kick myself in the ass to this day for getting rid of it, yup Rowdy you heard it from a GM guy himself! I've known GM 350's to last forever. I know my dad could tear down a 350 or any engine for that matter and rebuilt it in less than 24 hours. As far as GM transmissions goes the 700R4 in my opinion is their best transmission next to the 350 turbo. Also the transmission in my truck was rebuilt by a guy who I know and trust to do the work right the first time and when he rebuilds transmission they last!

[B61TENDT711]

I wished my 350's were rebuild able, Kinda hard to weld the wholes shut !

Mike

[Double L]

I wished my 350's were rebuild able, Kinda hard to weld the wholes shut !

Mike

Huh? I'm lost!

[RowdyRebel]

I tell ya what I may not be a Ford guy but when I had my 89 F150 with a 5spd BorgWarner it that 4.9 inline 6 and now that is one engine you can't destroy! I still kick myself in the ass to this day for getting rid of it, yup Rowdy you heard it from a GM guy himself! I've known GM 350's to last forever. I know my dad could tear down a 350 or any engine for that matter and rebuilt it in less than 24 hours. As far as GM transmissions goes the 700R4 in my opinion is their best transmission next to the 350 turbo. Also the transmission in my truck was rebuilt by a guy who I know and trust to do the work right the first time and when he rebuilds transmission they last!

Dammit! Yer in America...talkin' American trucks & cars...call it what it is: 300cid straight 6

I get funny looks all the time when I go buy parts for my Rangers...one has the 140cid 4-banger, the other a 177cid V-6. They are Fords, and I refuse to give the displacement in that foreign measurement.

I only talk "liters" for my motorsickle...which is a Kawasaki.

[RowdyRebel]

Huh? I'm lost!

I'm guessing they was throwin' rods through the side of the block...

[Double L]

Dammit! Yer in America...talkin' American trucks & cars...call it what it is: 300cid straight 6

I get funny looks all the time when I go buy parts for my Rangers...one has the 140cid 4-banger, the other a 177cid V-6. They are Fords, and I refuse to give the displacement in that foreign measurement.

I only talk "liters" for my motorsickle...which is a Kawasaki.

Sir yes sir! You want me to drop and give ya 20 as well?

[RowdyRebel]

Sir yes sir! You want me to drop and give ya 20 as well?

wouldn't hurt...

[Double L]

wouldn't hurt...

I couldn't resist being a smart ass.

[JerseyBoy77]

I try not to regret too much, but man..I got 2, and both of em were GM's. My very 1st car was an 81 Trans Am, it was a 4 speed with a 305. Not that a 305 is a 350..but man was that a fun little car and really gave me no trouble at all...except with the posi-traction in bad weather, but hey it is what it is. I burnt out a clutch, but that was about all I had to replace on that car.

The 2nd was a 1988 K5 Chevy Blazer a fuel injected 350 with a 3 speed and low gear..when I called around trying to get the inside scoop on it, I was told the same thing twice. "That transmission does not belong in that blazer, it's for a work truck and it mustve been special ordered like that." Either way it had Ranchos, 33" tires, Cragars, Hooker headers, a Flow Master cat back, KN intake and that was about it...that truck was a beast! And I couldnt bust it....until Christmas eve 1999.....2 weeks prior I had done some mudding in it. Everything was fine, but while driving to do last minute gift buying at the mall I noticed the steering wheel had play in it. Before I could say "whats up with the play in the wheel"..the damn right front snapped off and I went across the road like a on 3 wheels as I watched my 33" tire go across the street and not hit any cars thankfully. I skidded out into the woods and lucky aside from a rotor, the hub and all the front end hardware no one got hurt or anything,...though you can still see the spot my rotor dug into the road.

Never again will I have a daily driver thats also a toy.

Still though...damn I miss that Chevy!

[B61TENDT711]

Huh? I'm lost!

You said your dad could rebuild a 350 in 24 hours. . .

I was just stating my 350's could not have been rebuilt ! they all seemed to spin #7 rod bearing and bust a whole in the block . . .

There for leading to my comment of you can't weld up the holes in the block !

still confused ?

Mike

[Double L]

You said your dad could rebuild a 350 in 24 hours. . .

I was just stating my 350's could not have been rebuilt ! they all seemed to spin #7 rod bearing and bust a whole in the block . . .

There for leading to my comment of you can't weld up the holes in the block !

still confused ?

Mike

Alright I understand now. Hell I'll admit I'm not the most mechanically inclined person but I do most of my own mechanic work. In my opinion it's cheaper than paying for a mechanic to do it and gives me something to do and cuss at. I just had the valves in mine adjusted in July cause I got a tank of bad gas and it had no power, knocking and pouring out blue smoke from the exhaust, it was so bad it would had put an ole Mack Superliner to shame.

[Ironman]

I'm a Bow Tie Guy.

I guess cause my Dad was all through my childhood

And this just helps to reaffirm it