schlep1967 wrote:
Thanks for the replies everyone. Sorry for the no response, I was away from the computer. The older 2500 Dodge's with the diesel are well known for the poor front end. I already spent $3,000 on the front end once and 5 years later I am looking at doing it again. I am also looking at a heavier 5th wheel so I want to go to a 3500/1 ton. The length of my garage dictates it will need to be a short bed so SRW is where I need to be.
I have used the GMC search option and contacted all of the dealerships within 50 miles trying to find a truck to drive. As for Ram's, a search for them found one DRW within 200 miles.
We are getting prepared for retirement and we will be traveling across the country putting many miles on. I want to be comfortable in whatever truck I end up buying.
How many miles on the ole Dodge? "The older 2500 Dodge's with the diesel are well known for the poor front end." is just plain funny. Yes the 2nd Gens with D60 (not kingpin 60s) did wear a bit quicker.
The AAM axles and Dodge components were/are as durable as any solid axle truck out there. A great deal of the "bad" front ends were and still are customers who get suckered by shops telling them a perfectly good setup is "out of spec". I had one of those. It "needed ball joints" according to the shop at like 70k miles. Sold it at 190k with original ball joints, tie rods/ends and pittman etc. Still drove straight good tire wear and fairly tight.
Regardless, have you tried Chevy dealers and used car lots? It's not magical. They are all similar if you are in a similar trim level.
GM seats in the newest model trucks do have short seat bottoms compared to the other 2 brands. Not uncomfortable, but I'd take the 100k mile seats in my 2016 Ram over the new leather seats in my 2020 Silverado, if given the choice.
