Try to make this short. Finally going to make the plunge to 4thGens. Granted I love my truck and may keep it. It has been pretty flawless.

I have auction access and plan to buy an 11-13 (no 14's at auction yet). I really like the 14's (drove on the other day) but those are out of the question for now. My question is what year would you buy of those 3? If you feel a .5 is better one year or vice versa let me know. I honestly haven't been following a lot on the 4thGens minus skimming this section. But I have been doing a lot of research lately and thought I would pose the question as I seem very indecisive.

Here is what I am looking at buying 3500 SRW 3.73 CC LB laramie/longhorn. It will be a multi use rig; towing boat, 5th wheel (both at same time, around 17k), but won't be a dedicated tow rig so I think I may stay away from the 4.10 gears, but know I should not buy a 3.42 because gearing for towing??? Fuel mileage isn't a big concern as if you were worried about mpg buy a prius. Reliability is my #1 concern.

Also, I know the MC's rear seats fold flat and the CC's are like the 3rdGens, but do they offer the fold out as an accessory like in the past? It is imperative that I have a folding flat rear floor. Should I steal the fold flat piece outta my 03? Will it fit and function? I did my due diligence and looked at the Fords, but they are out because there is no way to fold it flat with those plastic cargo bins. Chevy's are pretty much out as it is hard to find 3500 SRW's. Plus I like the solid front axle.

Thanks for any info.

 

First if you can get the 2011/12's with 3.73's to run in the cold without deleting you could go that way except they have no payload to speak of and that 17k trailer has too much pin weight for it. I would look for a 2013 with the Aisin auto trans and 3.42 gears they are a beast and my kid tows more than you plan with his 3.42's. Also the box length is the same as the crew SB in a 2013 mega but the GVWR on the mega is 700lbs more than the 11,700lbs on the SB crew cab. Get the 2013 3500 srw sb mega cab with Aisin transmission 3.42 gears 18 inch wheels.

 

They're all great trucks. If stock I'd lean toward the 2013 as they get better mpgs and use less EGR. Oil changes should be fewer, you might get lucky and find an Aisin 3500. If deleted then it doesn't really matter, but the 2011.5-2012 (HO) have the upgraded torque converter and higher stock power rating.

 

That's what I was looking for more reassurance that one year was/wasn't better than the other, I am leaning towards deleting. I have "heard" from some local diesel guys that the 13's were having a lot of problems in sub zero temperatures, been a few months and I have filled my brain with info the last 4-5 weeks, but something about fluid leaking into the exhaust hindering start up???

Busboy- I hope to never have another short box, The MC's are awesome but I have no kids and 99% of the time the rear is a rolling black lab condo, I need the bed space for gear.

**oh and anyone else with insight on gearing I am happy to hear. I may have to call Cbrahs, Chris always has a good pulse on this stuff.

 

My kid just pulled into town he's been in really cold temps recently with his 2013, he said the truck was never shut off idling for 7 days straight with no problems, actual temps below -40C, you may not know there is no tuner available for the 2013/14 so deleting is out but really there is no need to delete. The 2011/12 are a different story and would not operate in cold temps in stock form.

 

Get the 2013 better truck by far over the 2012.

 

My 12 operated in -22 f just fine. In fact, it started right up after two days of it not plugged in. I do like the 14's though for the other refinements that's for sure.

 

Hey neighbor.. 10-4, thats all i needed to hear. The stuff you read, hear make you crazy on what is and isn't. Just like a general census.

Still like to get confirmation on the fold flat floors on the CC's??? can't find any earlier models to look at around Bozeman.

 

No idea on the fold flat. On mine, there are now doors that cover the storage under the rear seats. They open independently from each other and there are also storage bins in the floor on each side with doors too. Never saw any fold flat rears like the older trucks.

Neighbors for sure. Small world out there.

 

I would go with a 13+ Aisin with 3.73's or 4.10's But my 12 will blow the doors off a 13+

 

At the mo... but tuners are coming for the 2013/14's. I would go with 3.42's they pull what you want and more in stock mode.

 

I guess 3.42 would be ok if a guy doesn't tow to heavy
I hope a tuner does come out for the 14's

 

My kid with his 2013 routinely tows a triple goose 21k and often a 24k dually goose although mostly a cargo trailer with 2 7k axles, he told me he was moving hay at the shop with 27k loaded. I know these aren't real heavy but he sent me a pic of him dragging a generator shack on a skid who knows how heavy I guess the Aisin equipped trucks have that little bit more torque and HP. My kid did have a mini maxx deleted 2011 so he's almost comparing apples to apples and apart from the "delay" and traction control issue he says the 2013 is better and maybe a tuner will cure the delay and traction control problems, besides the 2015's are almost here and he's talking of trading for a mega cab.

 

I found a post on another forum about taking your 3GEN fold flat out and it directly installs with 4 bolts into the 4GEN CC's. So I guess I am square, thanks for all the info and insight.

~Cheers

 

FYI- I read that you pull those storage bin doors off and install the 3GEN fold flat in place of.. Thanks for the help