New truck long or short

[tjg]

I am getting a new Chevy 3/4ton 4x4 ex. Cab w Duramax/Auto. I cannot decide on a short or long bed any help.Have always had short beds besides a few but they were not ex. cab just woundering what your guys ideas are.

[HOMER]

My Dodge is a Quad Cab short bed. I think it's plenty long when coupled to a 20' trailer. I have seen the long wheel base and they are entirely too long for my uses. Let everybody know how the Duramax runs and rides. How much you gonna give for it?

[tjg]

Thanks Homer I seen the pictures of your dodge and it looked almost just like mine last summer, mine was just solid marron and not two-tone, if I had a scanner or something I would post it. I was thinking the same thing about the trailers because both of mine are 20'. I'am good friends w/the dealer and have done all their LC work for 6 years now, usually I get a new truck for invoice or alittle under but this is going to cost me(HAHA) $1000.00 over invoice $39,000.00 sticker for about $35,000.00.

[Randy Scott]

My Ford is a crew-cab shortbox, I now wish it was a longbox. But I purchased the truck before realizing I was going to start this business. I know you have to be conscientious of maneuverability but the room in the box would be nice for mulch and debris removal and such. Really depends on your anticipated use.

[bob]

T.J., I'm also thinking of a new Chevy 3/4 ton. I drove one that other day. I had the 8.1 liter. The dealer didn't have any Duramax's available. I would go with the 8' bed. A side from the bed size (6.5 or 8 ), your fuel cell goes from 25 gallons with a 6.5' bed, to 34 gallons with an 8' bed. Thats over 100 more miles to a tankful.

[mowin at the lake]

the truck i started with was a 98 chevy ext. cab short bed and this year we bought a 00'crew 8 foot bed.
I like the long bed due to we bag EVERY lawn and the clippings add up.
By the time you add a tool box, you don't have any room left


it's kinda like the trailer issue you buy a 12 foot but a 14-16 foot would be nicer.


Kane

[KirbysLawn]

Try to drive and park both. I have a crew cab long bed and don't really have any problems (well except for taking 2 parking spaces). I like the long bed.

Ray

[double e]

You could go with the short bed- Get a nice trailer-

I have a Chevy 3500 with a utility bed- I was a little spectical at first, but know I love it. Great for you guys installing irrigation. Got every tool you need right in the back of truck

[tjg]

Well I said I would reply when I got my new toy,tool, tax write off, truck. I got it friday 03-16-01 was at the dealer around 9:30-10:00am went to pickup up some trees and yews and got back in town, my help said we should drive by(1:00-1:30) and guess what it was in. Thay had it right up front w/ all the plastic all over it, they had people looking at it some even told me the watch it going by on the truck. Anyway I ended up getting a red Duramax w/ Allison 3/4ton crewcab 4x4 short box it had all the toys leather and all. The best thing was when I got a call about my old truck(96 chevy 1/2 ton ex.cab z-71 diesel) the guy want to buy it and did the same day the new one came in. I didn't notice how wore out the 1/2ton was until I started driving the new truck. I only have about 300 miles on it but it in NICE. I really am glad I got the crew cab didn't know about the leather but saturday after work I was sore and turned the heater on in seat and it relaxed me, the truck does ride smoother than the 96 1/2ton.I am working on it today, it and the mowers and trailers, putting the finishing touches on them sice it is drizzling out, and before racing season gets here and the BIG summer rush. The whole truck is along awaited dream in the past 6 years I have worked my way up it did NOT happen over night. I would like to thank everyone for the information you share on here it would have sure been nice 6 yrs ago but I probably would not remeber all my mistakes as well. Anyone w/ question fill free to ask.

[bob]

Congratulations! I'm planning on ordering one this fall. I will probably get the crew cab long bed.

[AVRECON]

I wouldn't worry to much about the length if I were you. I run a E-350 cube van with a 14' box. Most of the time I just run the truck and can put my mowers inside. But with my trailor hooked up its about 44' in length.

[Eric ELM]

Congrats TJ. :D

I have thought about looking at the Dmax too. I keep reading how smooth they ride and the power they have. I know I read about the old Chevy diesels didn't start to good when it was cold out. This would be a major concern for me up here. Have you heard how the Dmax starts up when it's down below zero?

I have been a Ford Fan all my life and this bugs my brother since he worked at GM about all of his life and is retired now. All this time I could of gotten a GM at 18% off since all his siblings get the same discount he does. This Dmax has my attention and I guess I'm just going to have to go check one out. Keep us informed on this new truck. :)

[Runner]

Congratulations, and enjoy! NICE rig! If you don't mind me asking, how much did you get for your '96? This is about like what I am looking for,(except the diesel) somewhere in the early to mid nineties. I would love a 3/4 ton but will settle for a 1/2 ton. Also, just 4x4, not the Z package. I want something to put a plow on.

[bob]

Eric, That 18% discount doen't apply to the actual Duramax engine option. You'll pay the full $4810 for that.

[tjg]

Runner I got $14,500 for the 1996 Chevy 1/2ton Z-71 Ex.cab it had 89,300 miles on it did have a few extras but I took must of them off. Eric I haven't heard any bad news about starting them in the cold, but the truck did come w/ a winter front for the grill and one for the bumper they are nice. The coldest it has been in the last two days is about 30-32 and the "wait to start" light didn't even come on, in the last two days it has only come on in the a.m. when I first start it. I'm going to borrow a digital camera and take few pictures of everything,hoping they start building my shop and I can take a few of it, I will try to post them I'm sure I will need help w/ getting them on the computer. The camera does have a 3.5 floppy disk and I hope it is easy.

[eslawns]

This Duramax is an Isuzu engine, right? If it is and it's anything like the ones in Isuzu trucks, it's awesome.

[JOshua Gallerick]

if you are going to do snow removal the short box is alot easier to get around then the long

[John DiMartino]

Eric, my buddies got his 2001 D-max in early december,he's had it all winter-never plugged it in once,it starts as easy as a gasser.TJG,congratulations,very sweet truck,good luck with it.

[jrodgers]

You knew you were going to here from me right? I have had something to say about every post about the 2500hd DMax. I have had mine for 2 months now and I love it. It has the excab with an 8 foot bed and I dont have a problem with it( my longest trailer is only 16 ft). But to tell you the truth I havent even been using it for work. I use the other trucks (82 C30 4x4 & 00 3500hd) and leave the 2500hd at home. I always have to drive it whenever I can but now I am too busy with work to have time to take it out( man I love driving that thing). I'll use it I'm sure real soon but I dont want any scratches on it, or dirt for that matter!!!! Oh and no problem starting it up in the cold, doesnt even sound different cold( my 6.5 sound rough when you first start it in the cold for about 5 seconds) this thing just fires right up.