plainjaneFJC
Deplorable
I agree with this. A new F-250 with e-lock rear would be ready to go.
Overland F-150, Tacoma or?
- Thread starter Victorian
- Start date
Hound
Sheepdog
Having owned a '08 Tacoma, a '10 F150 and now a '14 F150, I would recommend the F150. My '10 F150 was a DC and my '14 is a reg cab. I'm with Kytann, the reg cab-if it suits your needs-is a very versatile platform and pretty darn good out of the box with the e-locker in the rear. The 5.0 motor decimates the power offered in the Tacoma, if that is of interest to you. If you need to actually work the truck, there is no question, go with the 150.
AFSOC
Explorer
You make some very good points and I agree with your reasoning. I also see the truck market passing Toyota. Just two weeks ago I was describing to a friend my impressions after test driving a 2015 Colorado. I was standing in my driveway and he was sitting in the driver's seat of his Tacoma equipped with drum brakes in the rear. In my opinion, much of the Tacoma is left wanting compared to the new Colorado. I'm anxious to see Nissans rebooted Frontier and hopeful that Toyota doesn't wait too much longer to decide to inject some life into the Taco.
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It appears we may be at the beginnings of a small diesel movement in light trucks. I am less excited for diesel than I am for other truck segment innovations. Most of the disadvantages of gasoline engines of 25 years ago are mitigated and many of the advantages that diesel held 25 years ago seems to have disappeared. It's pretty close to a push in my application which means the premium price paid for a diesel at initial purchase and over its maintenance life, puts diesels at a disadvantage for me.
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I used to be a confirmed curmudgeon when it came to automotive advancements. To me, "they just don't make 'em like they used too", applied to late sixties Carburetors, Camaros, Mustangs, CJ-5s, Series Rovers, etc. etc. I have now evolved to the point where I embrace the advancements in the auto industry. I still live by the motto "they just don't make 'em like they used too", to which I've added "Thank Gawd!"
AFBronco235
Crew Chief
Not every truck advancement in the last decade has been good. Torque tube suspension comes to mind. What where people thinking? That it wouldn't twist the frame rails in an "equal yet opposite reaction". I do agree that 60's and 70's technology was severely lacking in comfort and reliability, but the newer stuff isn't always an advancement. Sometimes its just window dressing to make a selling point. That's why I only look for vehicles made in the 80's and early 90's. Advanced enough to be comfortable and convenient, yet enough old school to be reliable and easy to work on. Nowadays you need a computer science major to work on the damn thing with all the high tech gadgetry they cram into vehicles these days. Back in the day, a vacuum controlled engine was just as good as some of the newer electronic controlled engines are today. Certainly easier to fix too.
End of rant.
End of rant.
plainjaneFJC
Deplorable
New cars and truck are better in almost every aspect. Sometimes people look for what is financially feasible to themselves.
Torque Tube? I had to look that up on google to even know what that was.
As far I know there are no modern vehicles using this. According to Wikipedia
"Examples of the torque tube were the American cars of the Ford brand up through 1948"
So apparently it hasn't been used since 1948. Not a good example of modern technology being bad.
For the most part modern 4x4 suspensions now consist of coils springs and A-Arms for the independents, and for solid axles either coil springs with a 3 or 4 link, or the venerable leaf spring. All of which work better than the rock hard solid axles of old, with zero computers.
So what modern suspension technology do you dislike?
I currently do all of my own work on vehicles, and have helped some friends fix their vehicle. No science degree needed. Failures are less common than they used to be, and when there is a failure, the computer tells me what it is so that I can effect a repair easily. Code readers are cheap and easy to use, and give you more information about problems rather than less.
The last thing I want is to go back to the days of carburetors. They suck gas, clog frequently (especially if it's not your daily driver), require re-jetting to compensate for elevation changes (or fuel changes for that matter).
I've rebuilt way too many carbs due to fuel turning to varnish than I ever want to again.
As far as vacuum operated gadgets, again, the last thing I want to do is go back to hunting for vaccuum leaks. Or rebuilding points.
The technology you hate has enabled vehicles to travel several times farther without a breakdown. And when there is a breakdown there is usually a limp home mode.
I was just helping a friend fix her Toyota Avalon. 228k miles. We swapped out an oil control solenoid, and cleaned a filter. 2 bolts, 20 minutes, and she was back on the road. Still running reliably even in this -10 degree weather. Last carbureted car I had required starting fluid, 2 people, and a stroke of luck to start in weather like this. No thanks.
The only benefit I can think of for an old all mechanical vehicle like that is in a nuclear war scenario the EMP blast would disable modern electronics.
98dango
Expedition Leader
I work non things new and old 1940s Perkins to a 2014 Kenworth all the tools needed day to day fit in to the back seat of my f250. I am a field mechanic so no in don't fix everything I make it work to get it to the shop and they replace what is severely broken. I'll stick to that.
And as for an EMP last I looked in ton it 80% of the rigs Un less running at the time would still be fine as they are a Faraday cage. A grounded steel box and your computer is also in a grounded stele box.
And as for an EMP last I looked in ton it 80% of the rigs Un less running at the time would still be fine as they are a Faraday cage. A grounded steel box and your computer is also in a grounded stele box.
Victorian
Approved Vendor : Total Composites
This is turning into a very interesting topic! Thank you... We certainly like the looks and size of the Tacoma. But we also understand the advantages of the Ford trucks, but don't like the looks and the fact that they are bulkier. Although I don't have any figures on the weight of the camper I'm building, I'm wondering if I couldn't get away with an suspension upgrade on the Toyota? Saying that, I'm confident that our camper will be WAY lighter than anything that's available on the north american market.
98dango
Expedition Leader
My question for you is a simple one. Exactly how big of a camper do you want.
I have an f250 short box. I have sold my camper sold my pull behind trailer and gone solely to my topper. In every camper I feel closed in. My wife and I go on 10+ day trip 6 times a year. We have for us learned less is more. We try and pack small.
A Tacoma may work I am just thinking of the long road. You will be at max plus in weight your truck will not live long. You start with a weak frame and suspension it's not going to get better.
I have an f250 short box. I have sold my camper sold my pull behind trailer and gone solely to my topper. In every camper I feel closed in. My wife and I go on 10+ day trip 6 times a year. We have for us learned less is more. We try and pack small.
A Tacoma may work I am just thinking of the long road. You will be at max plus in weight your truck will not live long. You start with a weak frame and suspension it's not going to get better.
justbecause
perpetually lost
If you havnt already looked at a frontier you should. You will get more truck for your money. arm rests. a fully boxed frame.
I have an 11 frontier, my granddad has a 12 tacoma. both 4 door. his is TRD sport, mine Pro4x.
I like my truck more, my wife likes my truck more, my granddad begrudgingly admits my truck is probably better.
I believe you will be putting an aftermarket suspension on either a frontier or Tacoma. OME kits will be the same price, and you can go high dollar spring packs and coil overs on both trucks for about the same amount of money. You will have a lot more bumper/slider/skid plate options with the taco,but all of those things are available for the frontier. We just dont have as many "cheap" options as the toyota guys. but quality stuff is on par price wise.
MR. ED
Observer
I went through this issue 3 months ago (minus the camper part). I really, really, really wanted a tacoma to replace an old 86 xtra cab I had 10 years ago. I drove the Tacoma and Frontier back to back and was really in a bind making a decision. Both dealers wanted to steal my trade-in from me. On a whim, I went to the Ford store and they offered me a fair trade. I didn't even look at the Ford before because I was so blinded by the import mystique- And, I didn't think I could afford the F150. I got my truck for about the same as a Tacoma/Frontier. I'm very glad I chose the Ford. It's bigger and more powerful and almost as economical as the smaller imports. I get 18MPG with 33s driving 75 over a small mtn. range. I still look at the Toyota section in here, but I'm so glad I got my truck. I think either with airbags will hold up any camper just fine.
Years ago Toyota had the upper edge with economy, reliability, and longevity. I think today they're a bit behind. Good luck with your choice.
Years ago Toyota had the upper edge with economy, reliability, and longevity. I think today they're a bit behind. Good luck with your choice.
I'm not a fan of domestics, but I'm a huge fan of F-150s. I'm on my third variation. My 2002 will drag just about anything and has 4-wheel disc brakes. The only thing I dislike is the steering setup in mine. The new F-150 crew cabs are massive inside and any of the engines have plenty of power, also ride great.
calicamper
Expedition Leader
I think they have timing chains too so no costly TB service like Toyota trucks need. I'm not very brand specific any more they all have pretty good products with advantages and disadvantages and like you point out Toyota doesn't have any specific major lead on the domestic options anymore. The one thing I will say. Toyota the company handles odd product issues for customers 1 million times better than Ford or Chevy who will basically tell you to go screw your self if you have some sort of really odd ball flawed part failure vs Toyota will simply look at it and say Oh shoot thats not how it works and shouldn't happen let us fix it come back and get your truck and have a nice day.
Uhm, no.
I had a failure on my F150 a few months back. A ticking noise inside the engine that only started when the engine oil was fully warm, and was only at idle. Anything above idle and the oil pressure rose, making the ticking go away. Frequency was about right for lifter tick, and everyone I talked to that had listened to it agreed, it was lifter tick.
Went in to the dealer to show them the sound expecting to make an appointment and come back. Instead they insisted I leave the truck and gave me a loaner.
Once they tore into it a little they determined that the noise was inside the motor and would require tearing down the motor they stopped, and ordered me a brand new long block instead.
The reasoning as it was explained to me was that with current labor rates it's cheaper to replace the long block than it is to tear into the motor, and that this is now Fords policy.
So at 30k miles I got a new engine for free due to a sticky lifter.
I'd say they handled my product issue extremely well to my satisfaction. And the loaner car they gave me was even fun to drive. How often does that happen?