Giant vehicle mess. What do I do now?

crappie55369 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Bearcat89 wrote:</div>
They all have there issues. That Era yotas like to deteriorate starting at the frame. Vehicle would look nice but was notorious for frame rot. But I do get a good chuckle out of the superior Toyota gang

Meh. We shall see. I know tundras had frame rot issues on their gen 1s. But that was a long time ago. Seen plenty of rusted out dodge trucks in my day too. My truck only has 15k miles so obviously time will tell on it.

My appreciation for toyota comes from my experience. In my 26 years of driving I’ve owned over 40 vehicles. I’ve owned exactly 4 toyotas which I drove for 10 years with literally nothing needing repairing other than tires, brakes and 1 starter. The other 36+ mostly domestic vehicles? Well let’s just say they tended to spend some time in the shop. Toyota has a reputation for dependability. Based on my experiences they’ve earned it.

Currently 3 posts about blown up chevys on the front page…

I have no issues with the toyotas I wanted the lady to buy a 4 runner. But they all still have issues. And everything in the mid west rots. But it was the steel Toyota used on frames that made them rot and brake. Toyota had to do recalls and frame swaps for a long time. Dodges have always been notorious for rusting away. There isn’t a superior builder these days. They all have pros and cons.
Chevy built the best motor around for years until they were forced to introduce the afm. Dodge couldn’t build a tyranny for the life of the company so they hired Ford to do it, and now most have a Mercedes transmission in them. As well as the new Supras have BMW motors.

Deuces wrote:

Used trade in prices are at all time high. Have you spoken with a dealer on what they may offer to give you as is? Lowball from them may be higher than you think since they’ll bend you over on a new one which you very well may end up getting eventually down the road, it shortens the timeline but also the headaches

Had a buddy in the same position as you with a midsize GMC SUV. I think he said his was a 2014. He didn’t have time to wait to get it running. He needed it to get to work. He traded his into a dealer and let the dealer worry about fixing it. His choice of other used vehicles was very limited. He also paid a premium for the new/used vehicle and sold his GMC at a pretty good discount. He needed something to drive asap and didn’t want to take another loan out when he hadn’t paid off his current one. He took it in shorts.

Deuces wrote:

There has been some posts in the distant past about those yota frames and it was quite a while ago, and from what I’ve mostly heard the yota dealers did quite a bit to make up for the issues.

Dealers had to do so because of lots of lawsuits.

Bearcat89 wrote:

There isn’t a superior builder these days. They all have pros and cons.

I have to disagree with this. Its pretty clear if you look at basically any reliability studies/reviews that Toyota comes out on top. There’s overwhelming commentary from youtube mechanics, actual mechanics I know, and even people on here who agree Toyota is the must reliable brand. This is coming from a guy who owns an F150 for the record, but I know Toyota makes the more reliable truck (and its reflected in the resale values).

I own a Ford truck and two GM trucks but work on all makes and models. Yes they all have issues because well, they’re vehicles! Toyota and Honda own the market when it comes to reliability. Nobody else is even close in my opinion.

grubson wrote:

I own a Ford truck and two GM trucks but work on all makes and models. Yes they all have issues because well, they’re vehicles! Toyota and Honda own the market when it comes to reliability. Nobody else is even close in my opinion.

I agree.

After 49 years in the automotive business I can tell you some owners have issues with whatever brand they own. Doesn’t matter Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Toyo, Honda, or a Yugo they always have problems. Some people can destroy a used anvil. The next guy can own the same make and model and never has a problem.
Just my $.02

grubson wrote:

I own a Ford truck and two GM trucks but work on all makes and models. Yes they all have issues because well, they’re vehicles! Toyota and Honda own the market when it comes to reliability. Nobody else is even close in my opinion.

Also work in the industry as well and could not agree more with your statement Grubson. I am currently trying to help Grouse with his situation. Have a shop willing to build his transmission and stand behind it.

By the way Grouse check your mail again sir.

crappie55369 wrote:

Currently 3 posts about blown up chevys on the front page…

Spot on. I have a 2018 Silverado with ~50k and am looking at trading in for a new tundra if I can find one I like. The reliability of toyotas over the years is hard to deny. I was a ford guy before and then decided to try a silverado and am paranoid about the tranny going out and feel like its only a manner of time. I have 5 friends with the same generation silverado (14-18) and more have had to have the tranny replaced than have not, all of which occurred before 75k.

Driven Toyota trucks since 1990. Non-regular (oil/lube/tires/pads/rotors) maintenance costs on each.
1990 standard cab Tacoma V4: 94000 $15 thermostat
1995 Xtra cab Tacoma V6: 137000 $50 emergency brake cable (rusted thru)
2003 Tundra 4.6l V8:Totaled 133000 $0 (flipped it off I-35 on black ice)
2010 Tundra 4.6l V8: 180000 $300 gas tank sending unit
2019 Tundra 5.7l V8: 28000 $0

572000 miles and $365. Caveat: All were purchased new. No rust issues with any of them. Of course now I’ll probably have my current one blow up hauling the boat to Lake Superior tomorrow morning
My wife has had three 4 Runners, ’99, 2007 and 2015. We have had a few more issues with those, but nothing like what kind of repairs that I’m seeing here.

Good luck Grouse, hope it works out well for ya.

My question is with 158,000 miles on it was it ever serviced per the OEM? Meaning Trany flushed or fluid/filter changed?

My buddy’s girl friend had one of the rusty frame Toyotas. Toyota wrote her a check for $3000 more than she paid for it used. Her other choice was a voucher for more than that if she wanted to buy a new Toyota. I was in the car business over 45 years. Never saw the big 3 do anything like that. As close I ever seen. Hyundai replaced an engine cradle on a customers car that was past warranty. Miles and years. But felt it shouldn’t have happened.
We’ve had 2 Pilots since 2006. Knock on wood, zero repairs beyond maintenance. I tried a Toyota Tundra in 05. it was dependable. But the gas milage was worse than my 8’bed extended cab GMC. And my Yellow Labs had to take turns laying down in the back seat it was so small. Putting an adult back there would be out of the question. Bought a new F150 in 2020. One month, the dealer had it more than I did. What are you going to do. Anyone else want them to bring back the 1995 Chevrolet Z71 4×4. All options you really need in a extended cab truck for under $15,000.

stevenoak wrote:

Anyone else want them to bring back the 1995 Chevrolet Z71 4×4. All options you really need in a extended cab truck for under $15,000.

At least opt for a 1996 to have the vortec 350.

This thread really wants me to sell my 2016 Silverado at 74K miles before something bad happens.

Meanwhile in this thread……

My buddy has a 15’ silverado. 102k miles on it. Was driving from colorado to minnesota and his tranny blew.

I have had two suburban and one Yukon xl. 1st one bought new 1997 had so many problems brought back to dealer and made them take back and get me into another one. Next tranny went out on both the surburban and yukon around 100k, $3,500 apiece. Hung onto the suburban to long and rusted out. The yukon started showing rust over rear quarter panels and thought going to get fixed right away so doesn’t get like the previous suburban, the body shop told me I would be wasting my money fixing. It was the last straw. I really loved that Yukon but purchased a ford f150 with aluminum body hope that holds up. Really thought I would regret not getting another yukon but knock on wood so far really like the ford. Cars and trucks suck.

CaptainMusky wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>stevenoak wrote:</div>
Anyone else want them to bring back the 1995 Chevrolet Z71 4×4. All options you really need in a extended cab truck for under $15,000.

At least opt for a 1996 to have the vortec 350.

That tbi 350 was a great motor as well as the vortec. My 98 was my favorite truck I ever owned.

Deuces wrote:

Meanwhile in this thread……

They are fiat rams, dodge does not own or build a half ton

bigcrappie wrote:

My question is with 158,000 miles on it was it ever serviced per the OEM? Meaning Trany flushed or fluid/filter changed?

Yes, it has been changed and flushed 4 times total including only 4k miles before it failed. Diff fluid has been done 2 times.

It may also surprise you to know I change oil every 5k too.

Bearcat89 wrote:

They are fiat rams, dodge does not own or build a half ton

Good grief I’m out of the times.

I had to figure out this week cats can’t have milk either.

I feel like my life is all a lie at this point.

Deuces wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Bearcat89 wrote:</div>
They are fiat rams, dodge does not own or build a half ton

Good grief I’m out of the times.

I had to figure out this week cats can’t have milk either.

I feel like my life is all a lie at this point.

Cats can’t have milk ???

Hang in there Grouse, this is what you get for not keeping that 1948 Peterbilt cabover with the 16V71 Driptroit with the ceramic coated pistons, two superchargers and four turbochargers that produced a measly 2800 HP.
And that was all backed up by double disc 14 inch clutch, a thirteen double over trans meshed with the nine speed turned around for double reduction!!
Aint nuttin like a two stick!!

Oh, and thanks for selling it to me so cheaply !! now that diesel is nearing 8 bucks a gallon I can still afford to pull my tiny 17 foot starcraft to EPG’S Cabin!!

Just a little more info on the Toyota frame rot issue…..My 2007 Tacoma had a 10 mm size hole in it when I purchased it used. I didn’t see it? Toyota gave me a new frame and a new Tacoma to drive for 2 months while the parts came in.

All Toyota vehicles are not perfect. My 2 sons both had AWD Sienna’s. Both had the rear differential take a dump between 90 and 100k. No help from Toyota. Cost $4000 to fix the problem. Only good thing 1 son’s crapped out in Florida on vacation and the dealer got it fixed in a week for the trip home. Other one just lost a tranny at 190k. $6500 to fix. It got traded as is.

Every child wants a toy Yoda.

Hang on, this is about to get a lot worse. I had my truck in for service last week. My 2020 mid-price range F150 had a $52,000 window sticker. Rebates and discounts brought it down to about $45,000. Had I bought it a year earlier. It would have been $6,000 less. Now the similar truck has a firm window sticker of about $62,000.
But worse than that I know people at GM, Toyota and Ford dealers, I trust to not B.S. me. For over 2 years they have been getting %25 or less new inventory. Vehicles has been getting totaled and worn out at the somewhat regular pace. Although with replacement costs. Insurance companies and vehicle owners have been trying to save them from both. I talked to a guy yesterday, that has bought 2 new GMCs and sold them for more than he paid. He has a new one on order. Has had 4 people by his spot in the waiting line for $2500 to $5000. Within a couple more years, the number of serviceable vehicles that will be available. Will not be enough to go around. The bidding war for what’s available will put lower- and middle-income people out of the market. The prices mentioned in this post show what happens once most vehicle get around 100k miles. Imagine having 2 or 3 $5,000+ repairs hit in a short time for a family on a fixed income.

I thought things were getting worse for me to this week. I learned GM dicountinued ordering the 6.2 in trucks due to lack of parts. I had ordered one back in January. I started researching the 3.0 Duramax and decided that if I could get my truck sooner I’d switch so I emailed my salesman. 5 minutes later he calls me. Hey I have an update on your truck. It’s built just waiting transport. Somehow it got done just before the shutdown. Might take a month or more to get here he said but pleasantly surprised.

After reading all this I am even more in Luv with my 2003 F350 Lariat Crew Cab 4X4 7.3 diesel dually, such an easy machine to work on and maintain.

Update.

First off, a HUGE thanks to Sheldon, Grubson, and John Rassmusson for all their help and advice in tracking down options and helping me figure out what is available and feasible to do.

The huge issue here was the combination of the availability of parts and the timeline to do (another) rebuild. I had to find a reman shop that had the parts and time to get another reman to my mechanic in as short of a timeline as possible. Right now demand for these transmissions is huge and good parts are hard to come by, so basically, the bottom line was who could do it with GM-spec parts in as short of a timeframe as possible.

The other driver here was cost because my local shop was footing the bill for this mess because everything that’s happening with all these redo/redo/redo efforts is on their dime.

We ended up getting another reman from an outfit based in the Cities. This outfit is currently doing GM-certified reman units for dealerships, but they can’t sell whole units out the door because of their GM deal. What they COULD do was rebuild a core that I provided with GM OEM/approved parts. So out came the tranny and the rebuild started last week.

I got the SUV back on Monday and yesterday I threw an ATV on a trailer and towed it 180 miles RTP to the farm and back. No use babying it, it either works or it don’t. Well, it appears at least for now like I finally got a decent tranny. Everything works as it should, no issues at all.

Hopefully (!) thus ends the saga. I’m going to drive this thing for a while while I shop for something new, but at least now I can take my time and I have a running vehicle to trade or sell.

Also, for the “shoulda bought a…” guys, all I can say is talk to a couple of transmission shops yourself. Ford, Chevy, Ram, Nissan, GMC, basically they’re all having issues with various models and its either a total crapshoot or…

Well let me put it this way. After 35 years of owning GMs of all kinds, my next GM SUV is going to be…wait for it….

A Toyota.

Grouse

Glad it worked out. Happy to help in anyway I could.