which newer full size 1/2 ton is the best overland platform

[rruff]

Diesel has come down, but it's still ~10% more here.
Less depreciation? I'm not seeing that. Doesn't everyone expect emissions issues after 100k miles? At any rate a Tundra will hold its value better than any other truck.
Baja. Gotta be able to do that. It's an easy trip and no 9-5 for me.

I initially looked at a Sprinter 4x4 as a camper platform. Emissions issues nixed that. I might have bought it anyway if I could have found a good delete kit, but none exist. The Tundra will be more reliable anyway, was *way* cheaper, and there are some places where more HP is really nice.

 

[Dalko43]

Diesel has come down, but it's still ~10% more here.
Less depreciation? I'm not seeing that. Doesn't everyone expect emissions issues after 100k miles? At any rate a Tundra will hold its value better than any other truck.
Baja. Gotta be able to do that. It's an easy trip and no 9-5 for me.

Tundra holds its value better compared to what? You're being a bit vague there.

Go compare a 2007+ Ram 2500 diesel with a comparable gasoline variant. A heavily used diesel 2500 can have as much as a $7-$9k price premium over a gasoline 2500 of similar mileage and condition. I suspect many if not most are assuming they'll have to either replace the emissions or nix them all together.

As for Baja, with all the racing crowds that go down into that area, I'd very surprised if there weren't stations selling ULSD. For going into other parts of the world with a modern diesel, yeah it might be a problem. But again, how many of us fall into that category?

 

[AFSOC]

Go compare a 2007+ Ram 2500 diesel with a comparable gasoline variant. A heavily used diesel 2500 can have as much as a $7-$9k price premium over a gasoline 2500 of similar mileage and condition.

Very true and universally true whether you're talking Ram Cum vs Hemi or GM D-Max vs gasser or Ford Stroke vs gas version. That's one of the reasons I decided to fill my HD needs with a gasoline engine 2500HD rather than the sexier diesel choice.

 

[Chili]

Correct that it's slang. They say that because it's built on an HD frame, has similar Aisin tranny that Ram 3500 has, 2500 rear axle and 1 ton steering. A lot of the guys towing large trailers are using airbags. I towed about 10,000 (trailer and off road truck ) and the truck didn't squat.


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They sound great on paper, but holy smokes their front end is ungodly ugly.. Especially the front fenders and those 'vents'. The first time I saw one on the road I had to do a double take it was so bad.

 

[Comanche Scott]

Are light duty trucks included in CAFE standards?
If so, that would be an excellent reason for any mfg to include an extremely fuel efficient vehicle in their fleet, even if it's not something a lot of people can "use".

Getting back to the OP's original question, of which is the best half ton for overlanding, my vote would be the Power Wagon. While it's built on a 3/4 ton chassis, it's payload and towing is less than other half ton trucks, but man, it's capabilities off road, and decent on-road manners are pretty darned exceptional.
My second choice, for someone needing more payload/towing is the F150 FX4 with 3.5L EB, in Supercab/shortbed platform to get the shorter 148" wheel base, with a bed long enough to sleep in.
One of the members here has that truck, and I'm following his build closely as I may sell the Rubicon to get one.

 

[snowblind]

Very true and universally true whether you're talking Ram Cum vs Hemi or GM D-Max vs gasser or Ford Stroke vs gas version. That's one of the reasons I decided to fill my HD needs with a gasoline engine 2500HD rather than the sexier diesel choice.

IMO this has more to do with the HEFTY discounts that Dodge regularly offers on their gas trucks. Used prices are higher because purchase prices were higher. Diesel vehicles of all types usually don't have the same discounts available as the gas versions.



Matt

 

[rruff]

Tundra holds its value better compared to what?

Any full sized 1/2 ton truck.

I very much doubt if you pay X$ for a diesel upgrade you will get >X$ back when you sell it.

 

[Pilotamis]

After everything, we decided on a 2016 F-150, 5.0, SCREW Cab w/ 6.5' bed. We're a family of 4, plus a dog, so we needed the room. MPG's we're seeing around 18 on the highway and 14 around town. When my wife drives it, it's way less. That's hand calculated. It's generally around 10% less than what the dash tells me. Not sure why, as my Fit is always dead nuts on, regardless of what tire or fuel I'm using. My F-150 has stock size Grabber AT-2's, a mid rise cap and 4.10's. I removed the air dam after 15k miles and haven't noticed a change in MPG's one way or the other. It's a great truck so far. The room inside is amazing. Pick up and go is good, great compared to the Fit. Came stock with a rear e-locker. Turn radius is good. Back up camera is a blessing. I would rather have not got the 4.10's and I wish we had the rubber floor and 36G fuel tank. Only "upgrades" I feel necessary are rear shocks and skid plates. Both can be done for less than $800 total. Parts are easily available in the America's. All in all, it checked all our boxes and it was the most comfortable. I'm a Nissan guy myself, but we felt that the F-150 delivers the most value, period. Ask me again when I turn over 250k miles and I might have a different answer, but for now it's the F-150.

 

[dado5]

Thanks for lots of good discussion so far. I went and drove some f150's. If I get one it will prob be screw, 3.73, e locker, 5.0 engine. I am having second thoughts on getting rid of my ram now. It only has 62k on it but I am at appoint where the front end is really loose. either I go for 1/2 ton or dive in with this one and put on a carli suspension and 35's. I would love to put lockers in this one but don't see many people doing that, any reason other than cost. A power wagon would be great but this is my daily driver and I don't want 10mpg. I average around 18 combined with my diesel.

 

[dado5]

My initial thought for getting the half ton was that it would be better off road/overlanding. I head to CO once or twice a year and other than that it is gravel roads/fire roads in PA. Now that I look at both trucks there probably isn't that much of a difference. Does anybody have any opinions on if one of these trucks would fare better crossing passes in CO than the other: 2013 ram 2500 mega cab, cummins (eventually with 35's and carli suspension) vs F150 crew cab, 5.0 (eventually on 33 or 35's). The f150 would have factory rear locker. I would like to put some sort of locker in the ram, maybe re-gear with arb's front and rear, sort of make my own diesel power wagon!

 

[b9ev]

Everyone talks about deleting new trucks. How are they getting around the software issues?

 

[rruff]

You need a computer chip.

 

[deserteagle56]

My initial thought for getting the half ton was that it would be better off road/overlanding. I head to CO once or twice a year and other than that it is gravel roads/fire roads in PA. Now that I look at both trucks there probably isn't that much of a difference. Does anybody have any opinions on if one of these trucks would fare better crossing passes in CO than the other: 2013 ram 2500 mega cab, cummins (eventually with 35's and carli suspension) vs F150 crew cab, 5.0 (eventually on 33 or 35's). The f150 would have factory rear locker. I would like to put some sort of locker in the ram, maybe re-gear with arb's front and rear, sort of make my own diesel power wagon!

The 5.0 Ford will not do well over Colorado's high passes, compared to the Ram. That turbo makes all the difference at altitude. Now, if you were to go with the 3.5 F150 with the twin turbos you won't even know those passes were there. Just drove through Colorado with my 3.5 Ecoboost and I was very pleased, to say the least, with how it handled the passes.

But I don't get why you're thinking the half-ton will be better for off-road. Solid axles, Cummins torque, the lockers and upgraded suspension you are talking about - that's kind of the ultimate off-roader. (I've owned a couple of the Rams with the 5.9 Cummins so I can compare.)

 

[b9ev]

I understand that but ever since the EPA went ballistic they seem to have disappeared.

You need a computer chip.

 

[rruff]

I understand that but ever since the EPA went ballistic they seem to have disappeared.

There are a bunch of kits for sale online. You need to live some place where they don't inspect them obviously. They currently don't where you live.