"Deleted" trucks

[deweydee]

Admittedly, I don’t live in a state that does inspections, so I don’t have personal experience on which states have which rules. They may require seeing the readiness status of the monitors, to see if checks have been conducted. A deleted truck, depending on how the tuner did it, may not ever pass/fail some of the required codes.

Plenty of people do delete their trucks, so I’m sure they tuners get smart on how they tamper, but manufacturers continue to make that harder. Basically, be aware of the specifics in your state, the specifics of what they’re selling you, and the possible implications for resale or future regulations.

[SusanO]

There are no inspections in this state ( Alabama) and I bet every other pick-up on the road has been deleted. I wanted another solution but 12k was too much to put into this truck and a new truck would have hurt a LOT since I am now retired.

[Cowgirl]

So I did figure out how to drop the tailgate like normal (bottom button), but still it would be easy to make a mistake and bash your tailgate. WHY did they do this to our trucks? I figure that the engine and a truck with 4wd, tow/haul and none of that other stuff (we have phones for GPS and flashlights) would cost a whole lot less. I am missing my old truck. It had seat heaters and they still worked great. My new truck, for all of the fricking ginormous computer, and spotlights everywhere and all sorts of crap, and cost $65k (gas) but has Allison transmission now on the gas, has no seat heaters. WTF?

[Cowgirl]

I just ordered a 2+1 Balanced Ride (made by Hawk) but saw that you coud put AC in as an option. Is the AC just for the tack room or for the horse area too? Do you mind me asking what it adds to the price? I added a fan over each horse stall and found the cost kind of much.

[endlessclimb]

It’s for the tack area, but i can open the pass through door and it will do the whole thing. Obviously can’t run it off the truck/while driving. It was approximately 1300, a little more than standard bc I requested a low profile unit.

[Belmont]

We all just take our “illegal” trucks to the local diesel shops for inspection. They will pass trucks with mods, tint, and deletion. 9/10 they are the ones that do the modifications anyway.

[deweydee]

I understand and was only trying provide helpful context as someone who develops part of the system for the regulations that they’re held to. I know it can be a real financial burden for owners. I’m happy you’ve found a solution that works for you!

@Belmont

We all just take our “illegal” trucks to the local diesel shops for inspection.

They are actually illegal. Whether someone calls you on it depends on many factors and that’s why I commented.

[ReSomething]

Well the first thing they did was those cut outs in the bumper, which were pretty nice, and then I guess someone looked around and thought of the market that uses trucks as the modern station wagon, so the short beds that ppl buy aftermarket baskets for, build that in, trucks are taller, need better steps, and hey! Tailgate parties! Heck with leaving the doors propped open we’ll put the stereo in the gate there.

[Cowgirl]

I know! The stereo option in the tailgate is ridiculous! I do kind of like the AC plug in the tailgate, even if I can’t figure out what I’d use it for (assume it’s for the blender to mix the margs for the tailgate party). I’d still rather have seat heaters on a 65k vehicle!

[ReSomething]

Anytime you buy one off the lot it’s like the folks on the line threw a handful of darts at it, fancy tailgate, yes, heated seats, no. Maybe it was headed for the FL market? I know that for years in NorCal I didn’t have ac in my cars, when I got to KY and my ac was out, not a huge deal I thought, I realized I was subjecting myself to a Turkish steam bath on the daily and got it fixed by July.

[Cowboy_Girl]

Have the same truck as a crew cab F350. They are holding their value!

[enjoytheride]

@deweydee

understand and was only trying provide helpful context as someone who develops part of the system for the regulations that they’re held to. I know it can be a real financial burden for owners. I’m happy you’ve found a solution that works for you!

@Belmont

We all just take our “illegal” trucks to the local diesel shops for inspection.

They are actually illegal. Whether someone calls you on it depends on many factors and that’s why I commented.

Around here you can’t give away for free a non deleted truck in a certain range. They have that many problems.

Thankfully our 1997 7.3 will run well past the existence of humans on this earth

[OnAMission]

Our 1996 7.3 is immortal. We had someone try to buy it last weekend. It sat for YEARS a while back, four years maybe? Someone stole some parts off of it at the shop where it was stored and I was on my husband’s back constantly that it was going to be ruined from sitting. True to form, DH finally went back for it, the shop owners told him it was never going to start, might as well sell it to them. (uh? and it’s missing parts?) DH says no, fiddles for a minute, it fires up and we’ve been driving it ever since.

Our newer truck is a 19 f250 gas, the 460 equivalent whatever that is (I don’t remember the new engine, just the comparison DH told me to help my brain). It’s a great truck, stock, all plastic inside which is perfect for us. Just don’t ask me to get in the bed, I’m 5 foot tall and the truck is basically an 18 hand horse. I can climb up the tires when necessary but it’s not easy. We deliberately did not get another diesel, we have the power with the 96 when needed but the new truck is strong and hassle free thus far, even with our steel 20 foot trailer and four horses in it. That sound you hear is me knocking wood.

There are tons of deleted trucks here but in MT everyone’s a bit of a rebel so I’m sure the shops are all about it. Lots of off the clock diesel mechanics too.

[Guyot]

This is why last year when I needed a new truck I did the “unthinkable” and bought a gas truck. First time in my life I’ve had gas to haul with.

I had hauled with my husbands 2500HD gas prior to making the decision and it pulled well so took a deep breath and went shopping. I bought a year old 2500 HD and paid MSRP like it was new and was lucky to find one. All most dealers had were 3500 diesel trucks and they were going for 90k and up. Brand New 2500 HD were going 15 to 20% over MSRP IF you could find one. Most were sold before they hit the lot with months of wait time on ordering one… insane!!

Do I miss my old 3500 crew cab dually diesel? Yes and no. It took over 10k in repairs and was still struggling as it broke down twice and still needed work… plus it needed extensive body work as NJ loves its salt . The mechanic told me another 15k to make it run “like new” and the trade in was ridiculously good so… Also the DEF on the new diesels is definitely something that played a huge part in my decision. Especially after a client went into limp mode with horses on a way to a show. What a mess that was!

Three years ago I traded in my 6horse head to head and bought a 2+1. To be honest my old diesel truck struggled hauling that huge beast and did fine if not impressive with the 2+ 1. The new truck does similarly so I’m not too fussed so far.

Interestingly my gas mileage doesn’t seem to change much hauling it empty (it weights 7000) vs hauling two big warmbloods and my small warmblood mare plus passengers…

Do I miss my diesel, yes and no as the diesels of old are over and done and the new ones just aren’t worth the risks to me. The new gas trucks are made better and have “stupid” amounts of torque that they feel as powerful as the older diesels.

My biggest worry is will the transmission of the 2500 HD hold up to the hauling or will it blow but that was always a concern dropping down to a 2500.

[SusanO]

That makes me more positive about a gas truck. This one will never get done it seems. Despite me paying $200 for expedited shipping the place only 2 of the 3 items needed to do the “fix”. I am PO’d to say the least. I need hay and a truck that works!

[SusanO]

Would you mind telling me more about the gas engine truck that you bought, i.e. HP, engine size and all that other stuff so I can compare it with trucks for sale here. Does it have a “towing package”? I am still up in the air about a new truck and I need to have all available information from people that tow so I can make a decision.

[Guyot]

So I’m not super trucky, but I have a 2021 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD which I believe has the 6.6 V8 engine. It’s a 4x4 standard bed which to me is short at 6’ as I’ve always had long bed 8’. No issues Jack knifing it to turn with my trailer so no issue at all.

This truck almost turns like a car. I mean shockingly better turning radius… I don’t know what they did but way better than my husbands truck … even he was surprised. I can make it into a regular parking slot at the food store without shuffling back and forth.

Yes it came with a tow package. Yes I had to install the gooseneck hitch. (My husbands came factory installed but he has a GMC Denali (I think a 2018) and that factory installed hitch is awesome as it’s set dead square on the rear axle and his truck doesn’t squat down as much as mine, both with my trailer. Evidently you can’t get this set up aftermarket.

According to him suspension is the same but my hitch sits just behind the axel and the bed does squat down more. (which bothers me but I’ve seen way worse squatting going down the road sooo)

His trim package is way nicer as well, but hey I got heated seats and steering wheel so I’m cool with it. Although to be honest his seats are leather which I wish I had and his seats are more comfortable as well… but not sure if that would be worth the 10k plus for that upgrade. Could have even been more than that but that was IF anyone had them; which they didn’t.

Biggest issue is the bulk of the front end which gives it a cool look but it’s boxy to drive and the small windshield does get some getting used to. Probably my biggest complaint is lack of visibility out the front.

[Guyot]

[Jealoushe]

That’s what I did too. Went from my 2000 Cummins Dodge 2500 to a GMC 2500 gas. I adore my new truck. Nothing compares to my old Cummins but it was a right beater! New truck hauls great (2+1) so far. Love it.

[SBrentnall]

I got a 2021 RAM 1500 with 6’4" bed. It’s gas and hauls 11,500 lbs. That’s because I got the max tow package and the lower ratio rear axle.