I amazed some F*rd people with my HD

04Chevy2500HD · October 23, 2003

Well took the new HD up to a friends house put it up on his lift he has in his garage. And then took a nice walk around look of the inside of it. Put it this way I have a friend that has always hated GM Products. He has always been a Ford person. He was impressed on how well built the frame, the large Allison Tranny and everything was on my HD. I thought it was kinda funny.

Anyone ever notice that the frames are undercoated with some kind of rubber finish? Or is this new for 2004? Cause mine has been done. Also back by the rear diff right where the drive line connects to the diff anyone know what the huge counter wieght is for?

-David

"impressed HD owner"

Engineer · October 23, 2003

chevy1500hd-

That thing back by the rearend I assume you are describing is the large iron ring on the pinion yoke. What this object does is the same principle as the harmonic balancer on the front of your engine. It dampens the driveline "harmonics" that can damage the ring and pinion, the pinion bearings, and it also dampens the howling or ringing sound that would come up the driveshaft tube if it weren't there.

You may have heard a sound that sounds like a whining or moaning particularly in trucks that have a direct drive manual transmission, this little doohickey is intended to prevent this. You can thank the soccer moms that complained about the noise in previous years production.

As for as the rubber finish, that is wax. It scrapes off in time. Usually with the first trip into tall grass or weeds.

gave20 · October 23, 2003

Kepp dazzlin' em

Firetiger(MN) · October 23, 2003

Yeah, that is a wax type finish to protect the frame rails from corrosion. I believe they started putting it on with the new 99's. Be careful as it comes off with diesel and can make a mess of your clothes if you are shimmying around underneath your truck changing the oil, etc.

Now let the power out of that Duramax and put a programmer on it. Just put one on mine and it really hauls the mail. Unbelievable what a little programming change can do.

Cpl Punishment · October 23, 2003

Well took the new HD up to a friends house put it up on his lift he has in his garage. And then took a nice walk around look of the inside of it. Put it this way I have a friend that has always hated GM Products. He has always been a Ford person. He was impressed on how well built the frame, the large Allison Tranny and everything was on my HD. I thought it was kinda funny.

Yeah, when I got my '03 2500HD, my friend down the street cam and had a look-see. He always brags about how strong his F350-duallie is. The first words out of his mouth were "Holy Christ! Look at the frame on that thing!"

Priceless

MCourson · October 23, 2003

The first words out of his mouth were "Holy Christ! Look at the frame on that thing!"

Priceless

Kansas Kid · October 23, 2003

The first words out of his mouth were "Holy Christ! Look at the frame on that thing!"

The only reason people point out the frame on HD Gm pickups is because the whole d**n thing is visible underneath the body and sticks out like a sore thumb. Personally I think it looks like a$$ and would much rather have it nice and tucked up under the body like Ford and Dodge did. Who cares if you have to step up an extra 4" to get in, it really isn't that hard. At least the focal point on the other brand of trucks isn't the lovely, well styled frame....

k1500chevy97 · October 23, 2003

99-2door · October 23, 2003

Yeah, that is a wax type finish to protect the frame rails from corrosion. I believe they started putting it on with the new 99's.

All the 98s I have ever seen have the coating and a few 97s. My friend washes his 98 with his pressure washer and the coating is all gone off of his where the frame is exposed

Chevyfreek · October 23, 2003

The HD's are impressive trucks for sure......

Cpl Punishment · October 24, 2003

The only reason people point out the frame on HD Gm pickups is because the whole d**n thing is visible underneath the body and sticks out like a sore thumb. Personally I think it looks like a$$ and would much rather have it nice and tucked up under the body like Ford and Dodge did. Who cares if you have to step up an extra 4" to get in, it really isn't that hard. At least the focal point on the other brand of trucks isn't the lovely, well styled frame....

Mmm, yes. But looks notwithstanding, if you look close at the SuperDuty frame, it gets much smaller as it arches up on the Fords, the HD frame doesn't. People notice frames on the HDs because most people who own or looke at 3/4 or 1-ton trucks WORK them, so they intentionally look at the frame. They look at suspension and towing kit also.

If you want pretty, get a 1/2 ton.

CMNTMXR81 · October 28, 2003

That black stuff has been put on trucks for years! Nothing new really.

As to having the frame exposed, I like that look! I loved it when GM did it on the S-Series trucks too. If you've got the goods, why not show them off!

d2alio · October 29, 2003

Just out of curiosity, what year Ford? I don't find it too hard to impress Ford people because most of the ones I've met admit that Ford's aren't as great. Most even admitted that the only reason Ford is the best selling truck is because it costs less than a GMC, plus it's made for the "average driver". Meaning it's meant to be a daily driver and not really for "truck usage". Ford even stated that in a press release a few years back. Only the F-250's are meant to be used for work, but the F-150 are for soccer mom's and trips to the grocery mart.

I went and test drove a 2004 F-150 recently and wasn't too impressed. I'm a pretty unbiased guy as I've owned probably one of everything haha. It weighs a lot more than previous years and because of that the 5.4L engine doesn't perform as well as it should. It's got a ton of other problems too, including a recall on the 4.6L engine all ready. Visit some Ford Forums (like F150online.com) and you'll see probably a couple of dozen problems people have.

It's one thing to be the best selling truck, but it's a totally different league when you're the only truck on the market to win awards (GMC and Chevy only).

NoWake200 · October 29, 2003

Lets not talk about the Power Stroke 6.0...talk about problems. That was one of the many reasons we decided to go with our '04 Duramax. We owned two Power Strokes and loved them both, each one needed repairs to stop oil leaks but other than that good engines. The 6.0 had way to many problems that my friends at the old blue oval would tell me about....plain and simple...they just scared the poop out of us!

Rick

Kansas Kid · October 31, 2003

As to having the frame exposed, I like that look! I loved it when GM did it on the S-Series trucks too. If you've got the goods, why not show them off!

Well if that is the look you like, why not take the front fenders and hood off of all the GM trucks to show off the engines since that is the best thing GM trucks have to offer?