Wax frame coat gotten any better?

nick112288 · May 19, 2021

So I've gone back and forth for a while now trying to decide what truck I want.

I really would like the Super Duty because of the aluminum body but I'm not sure I can bring myself to have to possibly deal with death wobble or the fact they require more expensive trim levels for items that both GM and Ram offer on lower trim packages.

Only real thing hanging me up on the GM trucks is the wax frame coating. I've always heard nothing but horror stories on how crappy it is and how quickly GM frames rust. This will be a daily driver in Indiana so depending on the winter weather it will see salt.

Ford with comparable options will run me several thousand more. Am I over thinking this frame issue?

ETA: Is there any difference in how the rear vents work between the front bench or the front console seating? I see there are vents no matter what on the current design, but I wasn't sure if the rears on the bench only blew if it was set to floor or something like that.

Edited May 19, 2021 by nick112288

nards444 · May 19, 2021

Not sure on the frame stuff, but will tell you a few things after looking at both. Right now you might only get what you can that might drive the decisions. Right now most dealers are only incentives or discounts no haggling beyond that. I priced an XLT vs LT. The ford was actually a grand cheaper MSRP to MSRP, one thing the ford didnt have was the auto climate control, what the ford did have that optioned was the supp heater and a few other things. So I guess it depends on what exactly you were looking at.

For GM won because of employee discount and being 4 grand cheaper.

nick112288 · May 19, 2021

12 minutes ago, nards444 said:

Not sure on the frame stuff, but will tell you a few things after looking at both. Right now you might only get what you can that might drive the decisions. Right now most dealers are only incentives or discounts no haggling beyond that. I priced an XLT vs LT. The ford was actually a grand cheaper MSRP to MSRP, one thing the ford didnt have was the auto climate control, what the ford did have that optioned was the supp heater and a few other things. So I guess it depends on what exactly you were looking at.

For GM won because of employee discount and being 4 grand cheaper.

For me to get the same features on a Super Duty that I can on the Chevy I'd have to order a fully optioned out Lariat vs a nicely optioned LT.

I won't be buying off the lot. They never have what I want, but have plenty I don't want, so I'm going to have to order.

Amcguy1970 · May 19, 2021

You are over thinking the frame. You never see rusted out frames outside of surface rust. There is a reason they have been using it for so long while some of the others over the years have had some major rust issues and they were painted. So take that as you will, it won't rust a hole in the frame. Plus dipping it allow it to get in to all the nooks and crannies inside the frame....

Tyler

nick112288 · May 20, 2021

3 hours ago, Amcguy1970 said:

You are over thinking the frame. You never see rusted out frames outside of surface rust. There is a reason they have been using it for so long while some of the others over the years have had some major rust issues and they were painted. So take that as you will, it won't rust a hole in the frame. Plus dipping it allow it to get in to all the nooks and crannies inside the frame....

Tyler

I kind of figured in my location it wouldn't really be a concern, but figured I'd ask.

Last few years in South East indiana/south-west Ohio we've really only had 1 or 2 small snow storms with MAYBE a week of heavy snow.

Now just have to figure out if my desire to own a Duramax is worth the potential headaches with the current emissions!

Bob 3500HD · May 20, 2021

The wax frame is annoying if you have to do any work near it. It gets all over your tools and hands. I put on camper tie down mounts and that was a mess. Much different than putting them on my Ram

GMC4Zee · May 20, 2021

I think the newer vehicle has a coating more like paint. I have not done any work on the truck yet but in the wheel wells it looks more like smooth paint. Being in the salt belt I may get the oil coating just in case.

nards444 · May 20, 2021

15 hours ago, nick112288 said:

For me to get the same features on a Super Duty that I can on the Chevy I'd have to order a fully optioned out Lariat vs a nicely optioned LT.

I won't be buying off the lot. They never have what I want, but have plenty I don't want, so I'm going to have to order.

Im curious to this as I looked at both pretty good. on the LT CONV 2 was the best you could do. Like i said short of auto climate I didnt see the disparity

nick112288 · May 20, 2021

3 hours ago, nards444 said:

Im curious to this as I looked at both pretty good. on the LT CONV 2 was the best you could do. Like i said short of auto climate I didnt see the disparity

For me to get keyless entry/push button start and LED I have to get the Lariat with the Lariat Ultimate package.

Building a LT vs that Lariat with options as equal as I can makes the Ford MSRP (yeah I know no one pays MSRP but it's the only way I have to compare right now) $5,835 more expensive.

nards444 · May 20, 2021

1 hour ago, nick112288 said:

For me to get keyless entry/push button start and LED I have to get the Lariat with the Lariat Ultimate package.

Building a LT vs that Lariat with options as equal as I can makes the Ford MSRP (yeah I know no one pays MSRP but it's the only way I have to compare right now) $5,835 more expensive.

Got yah. yeah so I priced them both I priced them both to really be Lariats/LTZ just without the badges for the most part.

My chevy came out 65, The XLT would have been 64. Difference was on the LT that I couldnt get CONV 2 package at the time, if I had it would have been 67 where as the comparable ford still was 64.

Transient · May 20, 2021

What does it take to rust through a Chevy frame? Apparently a truck that's over a decade old, and living next to the ocean on an island in the middle of the Pacific. No, it's not Hawaii. This happened in Guam to my wife's friend's husband a few days ago. Being in Indiana, I think you'll be okay.

Edited May 20, 2021 by Transient

nards444 · May 20, 2021

37 minutes ago, Transient said:

What does it take to rust through a Chevy frame? Apparently a truck that's over a decade old, and living next to the ocean on an island in the middle of the Pacific. No, it's not Hawaii. This happened in Guam to my wife's friend's husband a few days ago. Being in Indiana, I think you'll be okay.

Those can be harsh environments. I live in NY and grew up in michigan, the freeze thaw and salt probably combined for the worst looking vehicles I have ever seen. If you can get to 10 years you deserve an award.

C/K Man · May 24, 2021

I think the wax on the newer trucks is about as messy as it's ever been, but it seems that it's applied a little thicker. Seems after a couple of years it hardens up a bit. I still think it does a better job overall of protecting the frame than paint, and it is easy to touch it up if it rubs off in places.

There were rumors that GM was going to start E-coating the frames of the HD's.

nick112288 · May 24, 2021

16 hours ago, C/K Man said:

I think the wax on the newer trucks is about as messy as it's ever been, but it seems that it's applied a little thicker. Seems after a couple of years it hardens up a bit. I still think it does a better job overall of protecting the frame than paint, and it is easy to touch it up if it rubs off in places.

There were rumors that GM was going to start E-coating the frames of the HD's.

I think that e coat rumor is in the same idea bin as the rumored big block gas engine

C/K Man · May 27, 2021

On 5/24/2021 at 1:29 PM, nick112288 said:

I think that e coat rumor is in the same idea bin as the rumored big block gas engine

The new Big Block rumor was or is supposed to be for medium duty commercial trucks anyway.

It is being reported that the 2023 HD refresh will include powertrain upgrades, but my guess is 10 speed for the gas engine and an output boost for the Duramax.

Maybe the frame coating will be changed then?