Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
IIRC, when he first posted about this truck, it had dents and a pile of strange symptoms and conditions which pointed to what he figured: it had been a rental for a contractor. Which would explain the condition.
I would definitely not be using this example as the one to measure the truck by.
I'm sure if I treated his Silverado in the same manner as this truck has been treated then lent it to him he'd have some interesting things to say about it as well.
So much for "Built Ford tough".
We have not had Fords at work for many years but still have a few left when we only bought them and they have been problem children well above the other trucks we have.(A reason why we don't buy Fords anymore) Power Steering pumps, front end problems, transmissions, poor plastic interior parts, tail gates that will not stay closed and other things.
Every one has had the following;
Gas gauge dead.
Automatic indicator in dash off or dead.
Power Steering whine that you can hear a block away.
and I can go on. They do last but require $$$ to keep them running. Our oldest one has over 200k miles and most of them are close to that number.
Our Toyotas were much better before the 2007 came on. I've got a 2007 (my truck that I share with one other guy) that eats brakes like crazy and rides horrible on cement freeways around here. My old 2005 was a better truck (a little smaller) but made better IMO.
The new Dodges that another department have been getting seem to be nice. They only have 40-50k on them so who knows how long they will last but so far I'm impressed.
Now to be fair, our agency WORKS the trucks. A lot of 4x4 use, idling is the rule (to power light bars, radios and computers) and carrying a lot of equipment.
I've heard that a few of the Chevys *may* come on line for a 2 year test. Other agency's within the state use them and are very happy. Some other Cities use the Tahoes for Police cars and love them.
Most of the Police departments seem to hate the Charger except the UHP. They love anything!
The CrownVic is the STANDARD for Police units IMO.
I used to be a Ford guy beyond. MY first Ford truck was a 1971 F250 with a 360 (NOT a good motor) a few more to my 1994 that burned to the ground and was replaced with a POS made me buy my first Chevy truck in 1996.
I've never looked back. (and that Chevy has well over 250k miles and still going pretty well rust free).
In 2001 I bought a Ford Taurus which ate 2 sets of head gaskets in its first 108k miles. That was with the iron block / iron head Vulcan V6
(Damm I'm sounding like Arco here...
)
So unlike some members I've owned a few brands so I talk about what works for me. MY uncle is a Ford only guy and it just amazes me when he continues to buy trucks because the old one is having problems. (he had a F350 with a 351 (I told him to get at least a 460) that has major problems. He would not drive anything other but cusses out his vehicles more than anyone I've seen.
Bill
