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

[Comanche Scott]

Yeah, no engine that's been grenaded is worth raving about.

In one ski season we went through 3 small block Chevys in our ski boat. The epitome of dependability.
By the end of the season we were raving lunatics. lol
Next year we came back with a much better built small block, and had an awesome season.

 

[D45]

I know for a FACT, when my warranty runs out and my truck is paid off (2 years), it will be traded in for something else

 

[Comanche Scott]

I know for a FACT, when my warranty runs out and my truck is paid off (2 years), it will be traded in for something else

Yeah, you definitely have issues. Poor throttle response, premature spark plug failure, low fuel economy. I don't blame you for not being happy with it. Your truck definitely has something wrong. Trade it in, and get something you like.
But why wait? All that's happening now is, you are paying for a vehicle you hate. Trade it in while it has a transferable warranty, and move on.
On the plus side, these trucks have earned an exceptional reputation. That will translate to a good value when you get rid of it. :beer:

 

[NitroExpress]

I say right now its the F-150 with the 5.0 and the e-locker. I really like chevy motors but there newer trucks are boring and you cant get a locker in them.

GM has lockers in their half-ton offerings. It's an automatic locker, so possibly since it's not user selectible you don't consider it viable?

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: I've had Ford 1/2 ton/Dodge Power Wagons/Ford Rangers and my last (NEW) Dodge Ram 1500-3.92 gears/5,7L HEMI/ZF 8spd auto/4auto-4lo-4hi-

Avg mileage 19mpg and without a doubt it's the latest/greatest pickup I've ever owned-

All leather interior/LED lighting and pure comfort hiwy driving, 19mpg on trip from RENO/Las Vegas-

After all my 4wd pickups/jeeps--this is the most powerful/best mileage/trouble free/enjoyable vehicle, in my stable-

Whatever

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[Regcabguy]

:sombrero: I've had Ford 1/2 ton/Dodge Power Wagons/Ford Rangers and my last (NEW) Dodge Ram 1500-3.92 gears/5,7L HEMI/ZF 8spd auto/4auto-4lo-4hi-

Avg mileage 19mpg and without a doubt it's the latest/greatest pickup I've ever owned-

All leather interior/LED lighting and pure comfort hiwy driving, 19mpg on trip from RENO/Las Vegas-

After all my 4wd pickups/jeeps--this is the most powerful/best mileage/trouble free/enjoyable vehicle, in my stable-

Whatever

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

This is my last diesel and a Ram 1500 will replace it. A friend's brother's 1500 2wd got 19 mpg on south 395 @ 70+mph. Comfortable,economical and quick.

n a Tundra

 

[p nut]

GM has lockers in their half-ton offerings. It's an automatic locker, so possibly since it's not user selectible you don't consider it viable?

Auto-locker probably does the job, but I'd much rather have a selectable locker. I don't know why other companies don't offer this simple option. I don't think any of the companies offers a selectable locker in a full size truck other than Ford (I believe).
_
Having said that, I've not had to use it, and probably never will. Nice to have for essentially a "free" option, though.

 

[2025 deleted member]

Auto-locker probably does the job, but I'd much rather have a selectable locker. I don't know why other companies don't offer this simple option. I don't think any of the companies offers a selectable locker in a full size truck other than Ford (I believe).
_
Having said that, I've not had to use it, and probably never will. Nice to have for essentially a "free" option, though.

I've had auto lockers in Chevy before. They work great in the Chevy demos, but I've never had good luck with them. I think calling them a locker is a stretch.

 

[p nut]

I've had auto lockers in Chevy before. They work great in the Chevy demos, but I've never had good luck with them. I think calling them a locker is a stretch.

I've never had them, but just the concept doesn't seem that great of a design. There has to be just a tremendous amount of strain on the system to have the locker suddenly engage when the wheel is spinning. Seems like a poorer design than just a simple selectable rear locker, to me.

 

[calicamper]

The idea of a high pressure duel turbo gas engine in a pickup used for big trips to remote places just goes against all my understanding of using turbo or two in a platform that ideally does best when simplified to avoid unexpected failures. Turbo gassers are fun but they come with big costs and when a turbo has a failure it's typically a sudden unexpected failure that sidelined you. Maybe if they were lower pressure fairly low tech robust turbos but the duel turbo 3.5 just seems like down the road will be a source of worry waiting for that sudden failure. Then comes the preventative replacement cost which very few people will ever do.

 

[p nut]

The idea of a high pressure duel turbo gas engine in a pickup used for big trips to remote places just goes against all my understanding of using turbo or two in a platform that ideally does best when simplified to avoid unexpected failures. Turbo gassers are fun but they come with big costs and when a turbo has a failure it's typically a sudden unexpected failure that sidelined you. Maybe if they were lower pressure fairly low tech robust turbos but the duel turbo 3.5 just seems like down the road will be a source of worry waiting for that sudden failure. Then comes the preventative replacement cost which very few people will ever do.

Just curious if you've ever experienced failure, or know of anyone personally that has failures? I read them online, but they're always blown out of proportion. Also, stock boost on a 3.5 is around 15psi, I believe. TD is higher than that, yet no one frets taking a diesel out in the middle of nowhere. I drive an auto, too. My other car is a Subaru with a CVT. No manual transmission here. Do I worry taking them both out deep in the backcountry out here in the west? Not any more than my old Tacoma with a 5-sp manual.

 

[DaveInDenver]

I'm not trying to be a wise guy but if the brand doesn't matter I'd say the one with the most pay load and the one you can afford.

I tend to agree. I'm heavily brand loyal to Toyota but honestly for a 1/2 ton I'd be looking in the Big 3 direction. Seems to me it just comes down to which emblem you prefer on the steering wheel, they're fungible IMO. I'd probably go Ford or Chevy but an argument could be made for Ram, Toyota or Nissan. I like the domestics because you can spec them without as much stuff since they are designing for fleets and utility.

If you ask me the USFS trucks have it about right for a truck designed to bounce around dirt roads and whatever. Basic models, 4WD, some front end protection with a winch. Put on a camper shell, bolt in a fridge and throw in some gear and you're done.

 

[Comanche Scott]

The idea of a high pressure duel turbo gas engine in a pickup used for big trips to remote places just goes against all my understanding of using turbo or two in a platform that ideally does best when simplified to avoid unexpected failures. Turbo gassers are fun but they come with big costs and when a turbo has a failure it's typically a sudden unexpected failure that sidelined you. Maybe if they were lower pressure fairly low tech robust turbos but the duel turbo 3.5 just seems like down the road will be a source of worry waiting for that sudden failure. Then comes the preventative replacement cost which very few people will ever do.

This stigma was something Ford marketing had to contend with when they came out with the Eco-Boost in the F150. It took over 11 months to sell the first 400K F150s with EB.
Remember them taking the engine off the production line, putting it in a truck they raced Baja, then abusing more on a race track or something. Then the final tear-down, only to find it was still within new engine tolerances.
As of last July they had 1 million on the road in F150 trucks, starting with production in 2011. It's turned out to be a non-event, as far as failures go. Go through the J.D. Powers reports on long term ownership.
Over 800K F150 sold last year alone, the majority with an EB engine.

That wrote. Confidence inspires comfort. Comfort creates success. A good reason to keep the Coyote, and improve on it year after year. Hope it never goes away in the F150.
While I'd get the 3.5L EB because of its towing capabilities, there is nothing like the exhaust sound of a great V8. My personal favorite stock exhaust note is the 6.2 in the Chevy. The Silverado LTZ is one awesome truck with cylinder deactivation. As is the Lariat 1500 Hemi Ram.
It's a great time to be a buyer with a fat wallet. :victory:

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Man, you got that right--

Nothing sounds as good as a healthy v8/w "super 10" FM/w dual exhaust- !

I unfortunately took a break from v8's in 1979 and after all these years and retirement, I just got sick of v6 sounds, I got my Jeep Ruby/Ford Ranger somewhat pleasing with the Flowmaster "10" series, but still nothing like the HEMI with the "Super 10" and 5 x 18" tips

Things are more better now !

Whatever

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[p nut]

This stigma was something Ford marketing had to contend with when they came out with the Eco-Boost in the F150. It took over 11 months to sell the first 400K F150s with EB.
Remember them taking the engine off the production line, putting it in a truck they raced Baja, then abusing more on a race track or something. Then the final tear-down, only to find it was still within new engine tolerances.
As of last July they had 1 million on the road in F150 trucks, starting with production in 2011. It's turned out to be a non-event, as far as failures go. Go through the J.D. Powers reports on long term ownership.
Over 800K F150 sold last year alone, the majority with an EB engine.

That wrote. Confidence inspires comfort. Comfort creates success. A good reason to keep the Coyote, and improve on it year after year. Hope it never goes away in the F150.
While I'd get the 3.5L EB because of its towing capabilities, there is nothing like the exhaust sound of a great V8. My personal favorite stock exhaust note is the 6.2 in the Chevy. The Silverado LTZ is one awesome truck with cylinder deactivation. As is the Lariat 1500 Hemi Ram.
It's a great time to be a buyer with a fat wallet. :victory:

I watched the torture test last year. Probably needs to be taken with grain of salt. Worth a watch though. No emgine is fail proof. Even the Toyota's. But man, some people turn to worry warts with FI, with no justification for the angst.

[video]https://youtu.be/_jCmu6qJXX4[/video]

-
I'm not a person to care about engine noise. If I could opt for an e-car silent engine, I'd do that. Coyote V8 is a nice engine, though. So is Chevy's 5.3. Although if I were to do it my way, I'd get an F150 XL HD Payload with the Chevy 4.6.