02-10-2016, 09:38 AM
Mileage: 48,600
The first 1,000 miles are over and my first loan payment is due soon... so what do I think?
I like it, a lot. It tows better than the Yukon did and the integrated brake controller makes lower-speed trailer driving far smoother than it was with the aftermarket TBC. Haven't done a "big tow" yet so I am curious how it'll be for my Road Atlanta trip coming up in March. I suspect more of the same "great" will be what I think then.
It's doing better on gas than the Yukon did, by a few MPG. The backseat is cavernous (seriously, limos have less leg room). Motor and transmission are solid.
I installed a set of four Kicker 6x8 speakers. While DJ insists they are the Daewoo of car audio, they sound far better than the stock Ford garbage did, and I only paid $60, so there. I'm planning on adding a navigation head unit and backup camera as it's tough to park/hook up the trailer given the length and lack of visibility. Should be happening soon.
Also took it in to Jerry's Ford for a transmission update. There is a TSB out for rough shifting from 1st to 2nd, and mine was exhibiting the symptom very infrequently. Most times smooth, then *bang* feels like you were rear ended. I duked it out with Ford Corporate on Facebook (which some of you saw) because I couldn't believe they wanted me to pay for an update that they know fixes the transmission's operation, when I have a powertrain warranty.
Well, the warranty only covers "lubricated parts" - I unsuccessfully argued that without the transmission computer functioning, no lubricated parts would spin. The Corporate people are clueless (I even spoke to one on the phone) and are only good at parroting back what their computer screens tell them. Thankfully, the dealer was pleasant to deal with and helped me out on the cost - which was only $125 to begin with. It's not that I couldn't afford it, it was more the principle of the matter.
So anyway, the transmission shifts way better now and that's that. I asked a few techs about the transmission's reliability and they agreed that the 6R80 is a tank, which made me feel good.
No big plans for this otherwise... going to change the oil when the dashboard tells me, do that navigation/camera install eventually, and otherwise drive it occasionally.
The first 1,000 miles are over and my first loan payment is due soon... so what do I think?
I like it, a lot. It tows better than the Yukon did and the integrated brake controller makes lower-speed trailer driving far smoother than it was with the aftermarket TBC. Haven't done a "big tow" yet so I am curious how it'll be for my Road Atlanta trip coming up in March. I suspect more of the same "great" will be what I think then.
It's doing better on gas than the Yukon did, by a few MPG. The backseat is cavernous (seriously, limos have less leg room). Motor and transmission are solid.
I installed a set of four Kicker 6x8 speakers. While DJ insists they are the Daewoo of car audio, they sound far better than the stock Ford garbage did, and I only paid $60, so there. I'm planning on adding a navigation head unit and backup camera as it's tough to park/hook up the trailer given the length and lack of visibility. Should be happening soon.
Also took it in to Jerry's Ford for a transmission update. There is a TSB out for rough shifting from 1st to 2nd, and mine was exhibiting the symptom very infrequently. Most times smooth, then *bang* feels like you were rear ended. I duked it out with Ford Corporate on Facebook (which some of you saw) because I couldn't believe they wanted me to pay for an update that they know fixes the transmission's operation, when I have a powertrain warranty.
Well, the warranty only covers "lubricated parts" - I unsuccessfully argued that without the transmission computer functioning, no lubricated parts would spin. The Corporate people are clueless (I even spoke to one on the phone) and are only good at parroting back what their computer screens tell them. Thankfully, the dealer was pleasant to deal with and helped me out on the cost - which was only $125 to begin with. It's not that I couldn't afford it, it was more the principle of the matter.
So anyway, the transmission shifts way better now and that's that. I asked a few techs about the transmission's reliability and they agreed that the 6R80 is a tank, which made me feel good.
No big plans for this otherwise... going to change the oil when the dashboard tells me, do that navigation/camera install eventually, and otherwise drive it occasionally.
Now:
'16 Ram 1500 | '97 BMW M3 | Some Press Loan
Then:
87 BMW 325e | 91 BMW 535i | 96 BMW 328i | 95 BMW 325i | 95 Mazda Miata | 13 Focus ST | 09 BMW 128i | 00 Pontiac Firebird | 05 Yukon Denali | 96 BMW 328iC | 11 Ford F-150 | 06 BMW M3 | 10 Range Rover SC | '03 Ford Ranger | '18 Ford F-150 | '01 BMW X5 | '98 Volvo S70 T5M
'16 Ram 1500 | '97 BMW M3 | Some Press Loan
Then:
87 BMW 325e | 91 BMW 535i | 96 BMW 328i | 95 BMW 325i | 95 Mazda Miata | 13 Focus ST | 09 BMW 128i | 00 Pontiac Firebird | 05 Yukon Denali | 96 BMW 328iC | 11 Ford F-150 | 06 BMW M3 | 10 Range Rover SC | '03 Ford Ranger | '18 Ford F-150 | '01 BMW X5 | '98 Volvo S70 T5M