2003 2500 hd raerend problems
Posting Guru
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From: Colorado
2003 2500 hd raerend problems
Just a thought....
If all these GM rear ends are going to the crusher, and all the Ford rears are sold, wouldn't that indicate the Fords are the one's NEEDING replacement?
If all these GM rear ends are going to the crusher, and all the Ford rears are sold, wouldn't that indicate the Fords are the one's NEEDING replacement?
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 377
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2003 2500 hd raerend problems
Ford does have a tougher rearend and has for MANY years, but that's not to discount gm's gearing. They have a real good limited slip drive. Most car or truck builders do seek out the Ford 9", it is simply the touhgest, but like I said gm's are not junk and will stand up to most everyday situations. But one more point of interest, FORD rocks man!!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
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From: Montana Territory
2003 2500 hd raerend problems
Originally posted by rikfish
Just a thought....
If all these GM rear ends are going to the crusher, and all the Ford rears are sold, wouldn't that indicate the Fords are the one's NEEDING replacement?
Just a thought....
If all these GM rear ends are going to the crusher, and all the Ford rears are sold, wouldn't that indicate the Fords are the one's NEEDING replacement?
I guess I should say that I don't know that they are being sold, just that they are for sale.
I don't know the age of the GM rears and there are mixed Ford rears. They have a lot of 12 bolts and 14 bolts that get resold when the vehicle goes to the crusher. I believe the 8 and 10 bolt rears are just at the point where they are worthless to rebuild. It's difficult to say though. All of the manufacturers basically look to Dana to build a heavy duty differential.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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2003 2500 hd raerend problems
Originally posted by pfogle
My dad worked for a Chevy dealer when the duracrap came out, EVERY one of the first ones they sold came back because IT COULD NOT TOW! They had no power. I just watched an episode of Trucks today where they dynoed a duramax, 195hp at the wheels and 350ish torque......... That's kinda weak if you ask me......... Also the fact the scrapyard save the Ford rears and pitches the GM ones indicates which there is a market for. And yes most of the new engines in our trucks are directly related to the nascar and indy car engines. This is where most of the newer engines start out is at the track. If they do well then they get passed on the consumer.
My dad worked for a Chevy dealer when the duracrap came out, EVERY one of the first ones they sold came back because IT COULD NOT TOW! They had no power. I just watched an episode of Trucks today where they dynoed a duramax, 195hp at the wheels and 350ish torque......... That's kinda weak if you ask me......... Also the fact the scrapyard save the Ford rears and pitches the GM ones indicates which there is a market for. And yes most of the new engines in our trucks are directly related to the nascar and indy car engines. This is where most of the newer engines start out is at the track. If they do well then they get passed on the consumer.
And I also guess that since the well documented problem of throwing plugs out of the 5.4's and also 6.8s heads would lead one to believe that ALLL of those are junk also. which of course we know better.
Every brand has problems, and always will, fords not better than GM or dodge, or vice versa, its all preference.
Ron
00 Excursion Limited 4x4 V-10
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2003 2500 hd raerend problems
Good post, Ron. I just got rid of a stone reliable 01 dmax to get the 6.0PSD in an excursion because we wanted a diesel powered suburban. I'm well aware of the 6.0's problem and I'm living in fear that I may have made a huge mistake.
The blinders are not on but my fingers are sure crossed.
The blinders are not on but my fingers are sure crossed.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 574
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2003 2500 hd raerend problems
Well Jeb, heres to wishing you miles and years of good service out of the 6.0.
I know there are alot of them out there being Stone reliable, So lets hope yours is too!
Ron
00 Excursion Limited 4x4 V-10
I know there are alot of them out there being Stone reliable, So lets hope yours is too!
Ron
00 Excursion Limited 4x4 V-10
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Billings MT
2003 2500 hd raerend problems
I don't know about the idea that GM rear-ends are worthless. The Corporate 14 bolt is the off-roaders choice like the Ford 9" is the street/drag choice.
Read any of the builds in the off-road magazines. Usually they are sticking a Corporate 14 bolt rear in there and a Dana upfront.
As for new designs, I don't know, but the old 14 bolt Corporate(used by GM and Dodge) are bullet proof and easy to upgrade to a very, very strong unit.
Read any of the builds in the off-road magazines. Usually they are sticking a Corporate 14 bolt rear in there and a Dana upfront.
As for new designs, I don't know, but the old 14 bolt Corporate(used by GM and Dodge) are bullet proof and easy to upgrade to a very, very strong unit.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
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From: Montana Territory
2003 2500 hd raerend problems
I think you are talking about the full floater 14-Bolt corporate. I heave heard stories about the non FF 14's just giving out, with no warning. I don't know that mileage or maintenance on these rears.
Posting Guru
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From: Campbell River, BC Canada
Re: 2003 2500 hd raerend problems
Originally posted by jeb
Good post, Ron. I just got rid of a stone reliable 01 dmax to get the 6.0PSD in an excursion because we wanted a diesel powered suburban. I'm well aware of the 6.0's problem and I'm living in fear that I may have made a huge mistake.
The blinders are not on but my fingers are sure crossed.
Good post, Ron. I just got rid of a stone reliable 01 dmax to get the 6.0PSD in an excursion because we wanted a diesel powered suburban. I'm well aware of the 6.0's problem and I'm living in fear that I may have made a huge mistake.
The blinders are not on but my fingers are sure crossed.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
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Re: Re: 2003 2500 hd raerend problems
Originally posted by canadianfordman
Jeb, There is no reason for you to be living in fear of a huge mistake. Like most things when it first comes out there are problems. If you do have a problem this is why you have a great thing called warranty, after all is that not why they include warranties.
Jeb, There is no reason for you to be living in fear of a huge mistake. Like most things when it first comes out there are problems. If you do have a problem this is why you have a great thing called warranty, after all is that not why they include warranties.
I wouldn't have taken the chance if I wasn't an optimist but I'm still somewhat worried about it. It's not keeping me up at night or anything but I know I'll be kicking myself if it proves to be one of the bad ones.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
That is what I am saying Ron. However I have to to meet a chevy truck that didn;t leave me stranded somewhere....... Even the 2002 I test drove. I got it to limp back to the dealer and told him to keep it.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 70
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From: West Gardiner, ME
Don't get me wrong, i'm a Ford man through and through, but I disagree with the 8.8 being a very strong and quality axle. In my business I deal with a lot of high mileage fords with the 8.8, and for seome reasons it seams that a lot of the late model (97up) 8.8 have a lot of rear end issues. To quantify, 2 out of five I've had (over 100k), have had some form of rear end issues. Those being most common are bad pinion bearings, bad side carrier bearings, most have worn/pitted axles, bad spider gears, and leaking axle seals are very very common.
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