Fullsize Pickups; Half Ton Trucks.........Which & Why
- Thread starter D45
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amo292
Adventurer
No matter what you do this will always turn into a loyalty battle, but hey thats how it goes!
I have an 08 Tundra 5.7 Double cab 4wd that I love. It is definitely not a "Gutless" truck like others have stated, but like others I also hate all electronic T-cases. I have had very few problems with mine and those that I did have were fixed immediately at no cost, even out of warranty! One advantage to the tundra is the huge aftermarket support because the platform has remained unchanged throughout the years. Im not a fan of the new bodywork but all the guts are exactly the same. There are also a ton of factory options. If you are looking for excellent fuel efficiency this is not the truck for you, I average around 16mpg. One other negative is if buying used your going to pay the "Toyota Tax". These trucks hold their value extremely well so you end up paying for them.
You can't beat the quality and service of Toyota. What other company have you heard of thats admitted to a mistake in production and has fixed a major frame problem at no cost? When my jeep frame rusted out the guys just laughed at me and told me to buy a new one for 35k... not great service. I think that the way the company stands behind their products goes a long way.
I drive Fords at work and have never really been impressed by them. I am driving just the bare bones models but still have been disappointed in quality. The ecoboost is a great motor though.
I have no knowledge about the GM and Ram trucks but have always loved the look of the Rams! Some of the GM's look great too. Hell I like the looks of most trucks when done right. The one thing that absolutely makes me loose my mind is the dial for shifting in the Ram's. Just a personal preference.
Good luck in your search!
I have an 08 Tundra 5.7 Double cab 4wd that I love. It is definitely not a "Gutless" truck like others have stated, but like others I also hate all electronic T-cases. I have had very few problems with mine and those that I did have were fixed immediately at no cost, even out of warranty! One advantage to the tundra is the huge aftermarket support because the platform has remained unchanged throughout the years. Im not a fan of the new bodywork but all the guts are exactly the same. There are also a ton of factory options. If you are looking for excellent fuel efficiency this is not the truck for you, I average around 16mpg. One other negative is if buying used your going to pay the "Toyota Tax". These trucks hold their value extremely well so you end up paying for them.
You can't beat the quality and service of Toyota. What other company have you heard of thats admitted to a mistake in production and has fixed a major frame problem at no cost? When my jeep frame rusted out the guys just laughed at me and told me to buy a new one for 35k... not great service. I think that the way the company stands behind their products goes a long way.
I drive Fords at work and have never really been impressed by them. I am driving just the bare bones models but still have been disappointed in quality. The ecoboost is a great motor though.
I have no knowledge about the GM and Ram trucks but have always loved the look of the Rams! Some of the GM's look great too. Hell I like the looks of most trucks when done right. The one thing that absolutely makes me loose my mind is the dial for shifting in the Ram's. Just a personal preference.
Good luck in your search!
Do your research & homework. Figure out what is best for you. If you succeed, you will smile everytime you drive it. It is like anything else. I LOVE my truck when it is working good, but i hate that bi**h when it's not. Research known issues. I wanted the off-road-ness of the Power Wagon, but knew i would have to rebuild the front end at some point. I can live with that. It sucked when i had to do it but it is done now & has the best parts money can buy in it. One & done. All trucks have their issues, all of them. Most never use their trucks enough to make them rear their ugly head. I am one who does. I have the luxury of working with over 300 people. We talk a lot about vehicles. They all have issues. I am still mega-happy with my 2008 Dodge Power Wagon w/G-56 manual. It is certainly not for everyone, but it is the best truck for me & my uses. Figure out what is best for you.
Good luck.
Good luck.
I just bought a 2015 Ram 1500 Crewcab 4x with the 3.6 liter gas V-6 and 8 Speed trans. It has a towing option and Bluetooth with alloy wheels- That is about it! Took it to the Sierra's on a road trip this week and it did very well. Hands down, the quietest truck I have EVER owned and well as the most comfortable! I have numerous Yota's, Dodge Diesels and Chevy trucks.
This truck gave 21 mpg, which seems really good to me for a 300hp full size 4x.
The only disappointment is the low front end clearance when on a rocky trail- My wife's Subaru Crosstrek has more front end clearance! I will either be getting a leveling kit or a full 4 or 6" lift and taller tires down the road... I hope it continues to impress
This truck gave 21 mpg, which seems really good to me for a 300hp full size 4x.
The only disappointment is the low front end clearance when on a rocky trail- My wife's Subaru Crosstrek has more front end clearance! I will either be getting a leveling kit or a full 4 or 6" lift and taller tires down the road... I hope it continues to impress
stingray1300
Explorer
A friend of mine bought a brand new Tundra 5.7L that he uses for work. He can afford to buy anything he wants, so he bought all the bells and whistles. I bought my F150 EcoBoost about the same time. In 6 months he was hating on his Tundra badly. He bought a new F150 EcoBoost and he says it's the best move he's ever made. He loves the F150. And I love mine; a lot. The crew cab set up is perfect (for me). Overland set up and an RTT, and I'm anywhere I want to be.
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Think about it, where do you want your torque range, @ 5,000 or @ 2,500 rpms? The EcoBoost get 420 torques at 2,500rpms. Add a $300 tune and get 450 torques (430HP). It comes with an Electronic Locking Diff (FX4 level and up), hill descent control (FX4 and Raptor) and you're in a world few experience. I recommend 3.73 gears so you can eventually move up to 34 or 35" tires if you want. Plus, the Eco comes with a 36 gallon gas tank (700+ mile range). I have 32,000 miles on mine and the only problem I've had is a rear pinion seal leak, which is being fixed (free) as we speak. The other problem I've had is not getting enough time off to go get lost in the mountains.
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For an education about the EcoBoost, check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tEqwXrqzH4 a video well worth the 20 minutes it takes to watch. And for some more "entertainment", http://special-reports.pickuptrucks.com/2012/09/ultimate-4x4-shootout.html -or- Google the "Ike Gauntlet" and watch the EcoBoost F150 smoke all the competition.
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Best selling vehicle in America. Best selling truck 38 years in a row. For in depth information, go to www.f150forum.com
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HTH. Have fun with what ever you get!
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Think about it, where do you want your torque range, @ 5,000 or @ 2,500 rpms? The EcoBoost get 420 torques at 2,500rpms. Add a $300 tune and get 450 torques (430HP). It comes with an Electronic Locking Diff (FX4 level and up), hill descent control (FX4 and Raptor) and you're in a world few experience. I recommend 3.73 gears so you can eventually move up to 34 or 35" tires if you want. Plus, the Eco comes with a 36 gallon gas tank (700+ mile range). I have 32,000 miles on mine and the only problem I've had is a rear pinion seal leak, which is being fixed (free) as we speak. The other problem I've had is not getting enough time off to go get lost in the mountains.
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For an education about the EcoBoost, check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tEqwXrqzH4 a video well worth the 20 minutes it takes to watch. And for some more "entertainment", http://special-reports.pickuptrucks.com/2012/09/ultimate-4x4-shootout.html -or- Google the "Ike Gauntlet" and watch the EcoBoost F150 smoke all the competition.
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Best selling vehicle in America. Best selling truck 38 years in a row. For in depth information, go to www.f150forum.com
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HTH. Have fun with what ever you get!
calicamper
Expedition Leader
I was just reading that ford will probably have a 10 speed in the F150 next year. That could make things interesting though I have no idea what it would like to have the truck working through 10 gears. The most I have driven is 7spd in a SLK350 not really a good comparison. From a quality stand point today it seems like all of the major makers all pretty much have the same levels of cheap stuff vs decent stuff so I see it as a shot in the dark to debate that stuff. I think today it comes down to real world mileage, range, interior comfort and load ratings. Which case it seems like from what I've seen that Dodge and Ford pretty much cover those areas better than Toyota and GM. Ford F150 can be had with heated and cooled seats and lumbar on both sides, it has load capacity and number of engine choices and fuel tank sizes to more or less let you create the vehicle that best fits you need. Dodge has a different approach with the load ratings being a tad light in the 1500 but once you jump to the 2500 it has your load needs covered etc. The lady that takes care of my dog when were out of town just picked up a new Dodge 2500 its an impressive machine both interior and by the numbers. Another neighbor has had his new F150 quad cab 2.7L eco boost for a two months now and hes been really impressed with it. He replaced an old F150 sporting the 5L V8 most of his use is the 5hr drive up to his cabin and light duty stuff and he said he's been really pleased with it so far. The mileage is one of the biggest surprises.
My Toyota Sequoia isn't exactly anything special regarding quality I wouldn't say its better than the Ford or GM alternative thats for sure. But!!! Toyota put deep cut 2nd row doors on my rig which makes accessing the 3rd row much much much easier than the GM alternative.
My Toyota Sequoia isn't exactly anything special regarding quality I wouldn't say its better than the Ford or GM alternative thats for sure. But!!! Toyota put deep cut 2nd row doors on my rig which makes accessing the 3rd row much much much easier than the GM alternative.
toylandcruiser
Expedition Leader
Happens on a lot of trucks. My dads ram has had the brakes replaced multiple times because of warping. Only has 70000 miles on it.
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calicamper
Expedition Leader
Yes many have dumped the Tundra due to the mileage issue. My Uncle bought his first EVER new vehicle after he retired in 2013 - he bought a Tundra nice machine he did two trips to his Cabin with it and sold it. He replaced it with a 1998 Z1 Chevy pickup he found, grandpas truck the family didn't want paid nearly nothing for it. Very clean nice truck and he gets better mileage with it! He just could not see the logic in tying up that much money in a new truck that got 16-17mpg with a tail wind hauling his ATV in the bed. His old new to him Pickup typically does the same trip with a solid 19mpg average and has a larger fuel tank! That was his other gripe.
The power that the Tundra had was nice but he wasn't feeling the love at the price of pretty lame mileage and a small fuel tank. Mileage has been the #1 reason I have passed purchasing a pickup at least three times in the past 15yrs it just didn't make sense to buy new and get mileage that was equal or worse than the used trucks on the market. I don't need a pickup bad enough to make that jump. I can make the mid duty CUV work for 99% of my needs and that 1% where we want more gear than we can haul we just leave stuff home;-)
Having said that!! I really want a pickup! I had one in College and loved it. Some day!! Till then I'll keep watching the market and options till something finally surfaces that offers car like crash standards and mileage capability that is attractive. I like what I'm seeing with the mileage wars sparked off by Dodge and its little Diesel - I hope it continues and we really start to see some smart engineering and improvements!