New pickup opinions

mercracing

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Minuteman
  • Feb 9, 2013
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    Green Bay, WI
    Hey guys, I’m starting to keep an eye out for a new/used truck. Currently I’m driving a 17 suburban but I think I want a truck again. I doubt it will be brand new, but 2016-2018 is about where I’m looking. Must haves include 4x4, 4 full doors, heated/cooled seats, Bluetooth, and a backup camera. I’ve been looking at the 17-18 GMCs and newer Rams with their little diesel. A friend is a diehard Ford fan so I started looking at those too. Who’s got something along those lines? Good, bad or otherwise?
    Thanks and Merry Christmas!
     
    I'll probably take a bunch of shit for this, and I could care less, but I would look long and hard at Toyota. I have had mine for years and it just keeps on keepin' on.

    I'm not sure if their higher end packages come with anything other than a 5.5 foot box, though. To get a 6.5 foot, you would have to go with a limited, and for an 8 foot box, the SR5 or SR packages are the only ones available.
     
    I'll probably take a bunch of shit for this, and I could care less, but I would look long and hard at Toyota. I have had mine for years and it just keeps on keepin' on.

    I'm not sure if their higher end packages come with anything other than a 5.5 foot box, though. To get a 6.5 foot, you would have to go with a limited, and for an 8 foot box, the SR5 or SR packages are the only ones available.

    My little standard cab 4x4 Tacoma keeps on tickin too. Its a little 4 banger and I love it. I honestly wouldnt own another truck.
     
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    Oh and yea, I will give anyone shit about their Toyota.
    Would you buy a vehicle from a company headquartered in Afghanistan? Regardless if made in the USA.
    Sorry, just can not do it. With politics and old family war wounds aside. Ford or Toyota, for 1/2 ton. Ford for 3/4 and bigger.
     
    A local tree service just went to 4 door f150s with the twin turbo 6 cyl. from mostly Diesel 3/4 tons.
    They're pulling trailers with rtvs and self feed chippers with them.
    I wouldn't have even thought about one but they're working out well for them.
     
    I could go on for days about the f150 3.5 Ecoboost. But for sure I am biased AF. There are people here with experience owning/using them. They will back me up that they are amazing.
    Diesel in 1500 (especially the f150) is just stupid. Expensive option, to run more expensive fuel that is rated to tow and haul less than the 3.5 Ecoboost. Save $3000 and get the 3.5 Ecoboost and have a better "truck".
     
    If you go with a Ford or GM, I think it’s worth it to get one with the 10 speed. Especially in GM products, the 10 speed kicks the 8 speed’s ass that was in the 18 and older models.

    The 6.2 liter in the GMC’s is pretty stout and a lot of fun especially if you can swing a 19 AT4 in your price range. It helps if you have a business and can use a section 179 deduction and get a fleet discount haha. It pisses me off Ford won’t do fleet discounts on raptors.

    I don’t think any of the little diesels make sense cost wise unless you just want a diesel for whatever reason and get enjoyment from having it haha.
     
    What 2A said!
    IMG_0983.jpg
     
    Have a 2016 f 150 xlt extended cab 4x4 w 5.0 . It is a nice looking and good riding truck. Old truck is 02 Chevy Silverado ext cab 5.3 with 188k...and it is still a nice truck. Got the 6.5 ft bed in both for hauling dirt bikes. Could not live with the 5.5 ft. bed.
     
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    You wouldnt believe the shit we've hauled/pulled with a 4 banger and V6 Tacomas in the oilfield.

    Traction and grip is just as important as horsepower, if not more important. It is hard to get anything going when your tires are just spinning uselessly in muck. That aside, I own a Duramax and it is pretty awesome. New York winters are tough but I ain't complaining.
     
    They can make it and have in the past. People just dont buy them. People willing to give up bed space for cab space.

    And I believe that's mostly because there's nowhere you can park them anymore. Parking lots of today have so many spaces jammed in that there's no room to maneuver. Even my last two trucks, a 4-door 2500HD and 4-door F-250, both with 6.5 ft. beds, can be very annoying to park whenever I have to go in to town. For a work/farm truck that never goes into parking lots, a 4-door, 8-ft bed would be great, but when you go to town in it plan on parking it at the far end of the lot (IF there are any spaces) and walking, because you won't have much luck parking it between other taken spaces.
     
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    I'm gonna get flak for this but:
    • The Tesla pickup truck is gonna be announced in 2019
    • The new Rivian R1T looks promising
    • Ford is planning on a PHEV for the F150
    Less gas -> less money to Saudi -> underfunded terrorists
    Electricity is cheaper than gas
    Electric motors have great torque
    In an event of a natural disaster, the car is a mobile battery bank

    I'd wait for the next revolution in cars which are better pairings of ICE and electric motors. Hypercar makers like Porsche and McLaren are realizing the benefits of having both. It's a small matter of time before this hits the regular market and not just for the wealthy.
     
    For 1/2 ton I would go Toyota or Ford if you are going to use them off the highway much. We run about 100 pickups on ranch operations a lot of 3/4 and ton models in Dodge and Ford but some 1/2 tons as well. Toyota's have held up the best but Ford isn't bad. Have tried the others and while some are fine for the highway they don't hold up off the road in rougher country.
     
    Despite being a long time Chevy guy, I think ford and Toyota make the best 1500 trucks these days.
    Fords eco boost motors are great anywhere, but really stand out at higher elevation.
    For 2500 and 3500 I think dodge is best with gas motor and dodge or ford with Diesel
     
    I'm gonna get flak for this but:
    • The Tesla pickup truck is gonna be announced in 2019
    • The new Rivian R1T looks promising
    • Ford is planning on a PHEV for the F150
    Less gas -> less money to Saudi -> underfunded terrorists
    Electricity is cheaper than gas
    Electric motors have great torque
    In an event of a natural disaster, the car is a mobile battery bank

    I'd wait for the next revolution in cars which are better pairings of ICE and electric motors. Hypercar makers like Porsche and McLaren are realizing the benefits of having both. It's a small matter of time before this hits the regular market and not just for the wealthy.

    You are correct, but it is another 7-10 years before the tech will be viable for trucks. Range is the biggest issue.
    Next do you know which country is was the largest producer of crude oil this year? The good old USA. Saudi and Russia keep try to manipulate the oil market and we just keep pumping more. USA is not a member of OPEC.

    The Rivian R1T looks amazing. But it would not work for me. 400 mile range is not enough for what I do. I do not go to the grocery store in my truck. I have posted pics before of where I like to go. Going again in a couple weeks and might post more.
    Found a jeep on a trail once who was 45 miles from the nearest gas station, and was waiting for someone with fuel. I am diesel so I could not help. (I never knew they only have a 12 gallon tank.)
    I Was out in BFE and a toyota pickup drove up, guy with two kids about 7-8 years old. Asked if I had any fuel. Again I am diesel. First off he was lost, but he guessed he was down to 3 gallons or less. I pointed him in the direction of the nearest gas station that was about 90 miles away. I told him I would go home that way in about 8 hours and pick him up if he was stranded. Never saw him again.
    I go to some extremely isolated places. places that if you see 4 humans in 24 hours it is considered busy as fuck. I like to have enough fuel that If I fuel up at the last station, I have enough to make it back AND if I get stuck/stranded I have enough fuel to keep warm for 3 days. it is roughly a 400mile round trip driveway back to driveway.
     
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    The Toyotas have done some amazing things (400k + hard use) out here in the oilfield. Trucks generally get used here. The Fords do pretty well too. I haven’t talked to an owner yet that doesn’t love their new eco boost v6.
     
    My professional life involves directing a fleet of rolling stock that involves 400+ light duty pickups, mostly 1/2 ton units. Hands down, we have substantially more issues with the GM pickups vs Ford. GM has lots of transmission and engine issues, even if PM guidelines are met. As others have stated, the Ford V6 EcoBoost is a class leading engine that I'd gladly own as a personal vehicle. We still have a bunch of employees that prefer GM for reasons like smooth ride and body styling. I think they're crazy, there's no reason to own a GM pickup as they build them today.
     
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    We just looked at tundra vs Ford F-250. I’ve driven Toyota since early 90’s and wanted one. Short story ford.

    It came down to bench seat in front, rear locker, Beefier front axle. As a bonus it was 3k cheaper.
     
    I won’t buy Dodge or GM vehicles at all anymore; I refuse to support socialism. Ask yourself if you’re comfortable buying a vehicle from someone who can’t make payroll.

    I’ve been driving Ford vehicles exclusively since 2006. I had great luck w/ them too. I’m not a fan of the new aluminum bodies as I don’t believe they’re very durable. Aside from that, Ford is the official truck of the NFL. Fuck anyone who supports those who kneel for our national anthem. Period.

    I sold my Navigator & bought a Toyota. I was sure I was going to to buy a Tundra all the way up until the day I actually bought a Tacoma. The Taco gets much better off-road / 4X4 reviews across the board. Not to mention the Taco gets almost double the fuel economy. The Toyotas are more AMERICAN made than than any of the Big 3s trucks.

    The answer is simple if you’re paying attention.
     
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    I won’t buy Dodge or GM vehicles at all anymore; I refuse to support socialism. Ask yourself if you’re comfortable buying a vehicle from someone who can’t make payroll.

    I’ve been driving Ford vehicles exclusively since 2006. I had great luck w/ them too. I’m not a fan of the new aluminum bodies as I don’t believe they’re very durable. Aside from that, Ford is the official truck of the NFL. Fuck anyone who supports those who kneel for our national anthem. Period.

    I sold my Navigator & bought a Toyota. I was sure I was going to to buy a Tundra all the way up until the day I actually bought a Tacoma. The Taco gets much better off-road / 4X4 reviews across the board. Not to mention the Taco gets almost double the fuel economy. The Toyotas are more AMERICAN made than than any of the Big 3s trucks.

    The answer is simple if you’re paying attention.
    So your okay with a company from a country that bombed Pearl Harbor? Or treated POWs like this.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandakan_Death_Marches
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bataan_Death_March

    The words "never forget" mean nothing I guess. If I ever see a product with "made in Afghanistan" on the label, my reaction might make the news.
    Toyota makes a good product, but if you are going to make purchases political, don't be a hypocrite.
     
    We just looked at tundra vs Ford F-250. I’ve driven Toyota since early 90’s and wanted one. Short story ford.

    It came down to bench seat in front, rear locker, Beefier front axle. As a bonus it was 3k cheaper.
    Tundra is F150 territory, F250 is much more capable vehicle than either.
     
    I realize you’re a mechanic that works for Ford, right? Let’s just agree to disagree. I do associate GM & Chrysler w/ Obama, a govt bailout & socialism. Ford is the official truck of the NFL. As a veteran, patriot & conservative I refuse to support anyone who supports the NFL.

    I really liked Ford vehicles. I was pretty pissed when they sponsored the NFL. I refuse to support them & it is what it is.

    ETA: Don’t forget resale value.
     
    I realize you’re a mechanic that works for Ford, right? Let’s just agree to disagree. I do associate GM & Chrysler w/ Obama, a govt bailout & socialism. Ford is the official truck of the NFL. As a veteran, patriot & conservative I refuse to support anyone who supports the NFL.

    I really liked Ford vehicles. I was pretty pissed when they sponsored the NFL. I refuse to support them & it is what it is.

    ETA: Don’t forget resale value.
    I am a mechanic, did work for a Ford dealer for 25 years but that was by choice. The Ford roots go way back.
    I said Toyota makes a good product. But your reason for buying makes no sense, based on what the Japanese did to the USA.
    Grandpa was a navy medic in the Pacific. You know the Marines dont have medics, they use navy medics. So when the Marines attacked an island he followed them. He just turned 92, and when he dies a shit ton of history will be lost and forgotten.
    Grandpa started buying Fords in 1946. That is all he, his 4 children, most the grandkids (couple are fuck tards and drive any piece of shit that rolls)have owned. And now the great grand kids are driving Fords.
    When I was dating my wife 30 years ago she had a chevy cavalier. I told her I would not get married until she had a Ford. After she got a Ford we set a date, and got married a year later.
    As a family we have almost 9 million miles logged in ford vehicles since WWII.
    After college I was supposed to go work at a GM dealer. It made me sick to my stomach and at the last minute I got an offer from a Ford dealer.
    I dont support Ford because I worked there, i worked there because I supported the product.
    I was rasied to have honor and integrity, and working at a GM dealer but driving a Ford did not seem honorable.
    Grandma used to say all the time, "anyone working for the government showing up to work in a Jap car should be fired."
    I understand the world has changed, but that is just to damn bad.
    You can drive what you want, but I am not going to be happy for you about it.
    PS. I might be a Ford fan, but that does not mean every Ford deserves to be in my driveway. They have built some real shit at times. I also understand that the American auto makers brought a lot of it on themselves.
     
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