My 1994 K1500 Blazer w/ 250K miles is becoming harder to keep in good running order ... lots of smaller & medium issues need more attention, than I have time to deal with.
Very disappointed w/ newer SUVs, they all seem to have fragile 8-10 speed transmissions, annoying auto stop-start, etc, just to eek out another 0.2 MPG. Heck, Ford doesnt even offer V8 anymore in the Expedition.

Was considering a 4WD 2017 or 2018 crew cab 1500, but seems even the 1500 drivetrains have been designed by gov't bureaucrats. Many complaints of Active Fuel Management (AFM) catastrophic engine failures, transmission problems, etc. So I'm thinking of a 4WD 2500HD, even though I wont be towing heavy loads.

Finally, my general questions:
Is the MY2017and MY18 2500HD gas still using simpler "old school" drive train?
The L96 engine seems to have generally good reviews for reliability, but is it using AFM, Direct Injection, auto start-stop, etc?
Any particular issues with tranny, transfer cases, differentials, etc?

I'm definitely a retrogrouch & like to keep things simple. I think the classic small block was the most reliable engine ever made, bar none. That's where I'm coming from.

 

the 6.0L is using vvt but i think that's it.

 

I could probably live with the variable valve timing ...