Been researching pickups

[LVSteve]

Being retired and having time to surf, I have been volunteered to help somebody buy a used 1/2 ton pickup. Some observations.

1) The prices on new trucks are stupid, and this is reflected in the stickers for used trucks. The politest description I have for the stickers on 8-year old trucks with over 100k on the clock is that the numbers are "imaginative".

2) Reading about what truck to get raised a whole new set of factors.

2a) Displacement on Demand, Active Fuel Management systems on Ram and GM trucks, respectively, seem to have problems. Ford got into this later and seem trouble free with their system.

2b) Ford 5.0 V8 motors from about 2015 to 2020 had oil consumption problems.

2c) There's a lot of hate for the 2.7 4-cylinder turbo motor made by GM...but nobody can show examples of them breaking.

2d) By contrast, I see much praise for the Ford 2.7 Ecoboost.

2e) The Ford/GM 10-speed transmission is described as troublesome.

2f) Toyota Tundras of all years are radioactive botulism right now since word of their recent recall, despite the fact it only affects the very latest models.

2g) Nissan Titans eat their transmissions. Happened to a coworker, too.

2h) Diesels seem to attract praise and abuse in similar amounts. Finding 1/2 ton examples for sale is not easy.
​

3) AI is making life very difficult to get proper information. There are a whole bunch of odd looking websites for cars and trucks that have suddenly appeared. However, when you try and read the articles, you are faced with grammar like you see in poorly translated assembly instructions from Japan or China. Sorting the wheat from the chaff is getting wearing.

4) There is a lot of Internet and Youtube chatter saying that the car and truck market is about to freefall. Repos and delinquencies are up, and the banks are rejecting about 20% of loan applications. I also think many consumers have thrown in the towel. Much of this is said to be because truck/SUV prices are now stupid high, and dealers are stuck with lots of stuff they cannot move. It doesn't help that certain models can now only be had with 4-cylinder turbo motors, and the customers are saying "No way!" Rumor control says Stellantis (Dodge/RAM) are in the biggest trouble, with Nissan close behind. GM are supposedly in good shape, except when it comes to electric Hummers. Dealerships are full of the damned things. The jury is out on Ford. Mind you, there are a lot of $65-75k Expeditions sitting around on lots going nowhere, alongside $60k Explorers.

Any further recent observations on getting a used truck will be gratefully received.

 

[Rat458]

We spent a year looking for a small pickup to purchase before we both retired.
Kinda a one and done deal.
Gave up after finding No small pickups were being made anymore.
All we could find were 4 door things.
We just wanted a two door that could pull a 2000 lb camper couple times a year and the occasional dump run.
Wound up picking up a '92 F250 HD for cheap.
Seems no body wants a pickup with a 460 anymore,they cant afford to feed them.
Would of like to have bought a new one but they refuse to make what we want to buy .
Just keep pushing the over optioned money makers .

 

[Breakaway500]

You can buy a damn nice "vintage" truck for $30k. That is how I would spend my money if shopping for a truck.Ive got a 2006 Dodge 2500 Cummins stick that I have to turn down offers on every time I drive it.Same with my '64 F100 and 2001 F250. Good older trucks are out there..you just have to be careful of condition.

 

[SweetMK]

Just do what I did,,
I went to the local dealer, looking for a "white service truck",,, 3/4 ton ,, basic everything,,

This is the truck I went to buy,,

They offered me one that "had to go,," I took it!!

I paid $41,000 total, out the door,, with 0% financing,,

Of course, to get this truck, at this price, you need to go back to 2018,,,

 

[SMSgt]

Just read about a class-action suit against Ford EcoBoost. Might dig into that a bit deeper.
I've owned three Chevy pickups over the years. Each had driveline shudder, each worse than the previous one(s). Never again.
Owned one Ford truck, an '88 Ranger. Very basic but did all I asked of it.
Owned one Mazda truck--okay, a Ranger in disguise. Nice truck but so underpowered it would slow down if I drove into a rain shower.

Seems they are all seriously overpriced, each has its flaws, and none are what they used to be. You pick a straw and hope it's not the short one.

 

[bullmack]

I had a 2015 F-150 with the 3.5 EcoBoost and loved the motor. Traded for a 2023 Ram 1500 Hemi.

 

[Rodan]

I don't really have a lot of advice on price... truck prices are nuts. Best bet is to find something that appears well loved/maintained by the owner. Buying a nice truck at a higher price is usually a better investment than trying to find a "cheap" one.

New vs. old... I've had a truck in the fleet since the '90s, mostly Fords. I've had 302s, 351s, 460s and 7.3 diesels. They were all good trucks, each having their individual quirks. If you want 302 power with 460 mileage, buy a 351. Otherwise just get the 460... you'll be happier in the long run, and prices are usually a bit lower because of the feared MPGs. you can get low teens with a 460, but barely.

I eventually switched to Dodge/Cummins because I didn't want a 6.0 Ford diesel. Had a 5.9, then switched to 6.7. I bought our '17 crew dually new in '17... stickered in the mid $70k range and paid low $60k. The same truck, new today is approaching $100k... crazy. It has been a great truck, and I hope it will be my last.

2018

2025

I can say that the newer the truck, the more capable, and the more comfortable it will be. Engines, transmissions, brakes and suspension are all better than they used to be. Interiors are quieter and more comfortable. We've done 900 mile days with a camper in the bed and a trailer behind and there's no way I could have done that in my older trucks.

 

[Bugkiller99]

I was looking to get a new truck a couple of years ago. As LVSteve said, prices were “imaginative”. I would use a stronger term, but it would come out like this *****, so no need.
Went to researching used trucks, and what was available for what price. After a while, I discovered one that meet my criteria.
It was in my garage all the time. And did not have a payment plan.
My 2010 Tundra “company truck”. White. Tow package. Real adults can sit in the backseat. Well kept. No frills. 105K miles.
I invested in new seat covers, and few other things. Hope to keep the maintenance up, and make it last.

 

[WR Moore]

About the only way to get a 2 door pickup these days seems to be in the various "work truck" lines.

Given all the emission control stuff diesels are loaded with recently, if you're not hauling/towing 5 digit loads, stick with gas. Late son was a mechanic with a county government and got to go to all the brand schools on new trucks. The exhaust particulate filters seem to be one big issue. They're self cleaning to a point. At that point they have be removed and REALLY cleaned. Apparently, doing this second stage cleaning can be a problem. The county found it better to just shell out tax money for a new one rather than incur the costs of having the 'cleaned' filter pack up on the job. They've started phasing out diesel unless they really need the grunt.

There's a thread on here somewhere where they go into great detail about some small displacement GM turbo engine. It uses an open deck design that had proven unreliable in NA service from several manufacturers. Then GM decided to turbo charge it. What could go wrong?

I'm fixin' to drop serious money into keeping my 96 F250 diesel on the road.

 

[Bald1]

If you look hard enough someone will bad mouth a particular truck. I have a Ford 7.3 with 10 speed and love it. When towing it’s always in the right gear. Not to high not to low. There’s a reason tractor trailers have 10&12 speed transmissions. If you spend enough time online you’ll find someone telling you an S&W Registered Magnum is junk. Or a Triple Lock is loose. I say if the buyer is not loyal to one brand buy the truck offering the best value.

 

[mtgianni]

About the only way to get a 2 door pickup these days seems to be in the various "work truck" lines.

Given all the emission control stuff diesels are loaded with recently, if you're not hauling/towing 5 digit loads, stick with gas.

I'm fixin' to drop serious money into keeping my 96 F250 diesel on the road.

My 2017 Ram was comfortable and easy to get around in. When it tried to haul my 27 foot camper with extension and 5400 lb load, it varied between 5 and 6 mpg. OK if you are headed to the hills behind your house, not if you're headed 500 miles to a family reunion. I also added air bags to help sway then sold it and bought the F350.

 

[biku324]

I have two (2) 1500 Siverados with 5.3 gas engines and automatics. The '02 has 420k miles and is now relegated to towing our 3-horse trailer. It's had the trannie rebuilt at 250k, the differential at just over 300k; at about 350k she wouldn't hold oil pressure at an idle; my mechanic replaced the oil pump and timing chain - she runs like always.

My 2018 Silverado 1500 has towed nothing, but I haul lots of hay with it - 163k and not one problem. Not one.

The '02 has a 4-speed auto, the '18 a 6-speed. Both are good for 20+ mph empty.

Buy new and maintain would be my advice, especially since used trucks are nearly as expensive as used ones.

 

[IAM Rand]

I have a 2019 3.5 Ecoboost F150 and love it. Only problem so far is that I had to have both hubs replaced. I also did the serpentine belt just in case. If I had to do it all over, I would try and find a good 12valve Ram or a 99-00 7.3 F250 and take it to a good shop to have a rebuild and put on Banks equipment. Then spruce up the inside. Most likely still be less than a new one.

 

[Farmer17]

I bought a new Nissan Titan in 2004 when it first came out and it was a great truck I kept for 10 years and put 260K miles on it. Never had a single problem with the transmission and spent very little in repairs. Currently have a 2018 Ram Quadcab I bought new in 2018 for $24,200 OTD and it has been a excellent truck and gets 21mpg in the city. The MSRP when I bought it was over $32,000 and the truck cost plus all repairs spent on it is still WAY below that amount and it has over 210,000 miles. I'm planning on buying another Ram in a year.

 

[ladder13]

If you don’t need for heavy towing, or other tasks requiring grunt, just something going to the Lowe’s/ HD type stores, take a look at the Honda Ridgeline.
Three friends own them, none of them are sorry they bought em’.
One of them went from a Tacoma to a Tundra back down to a Ridgeline. He didn’t need the grunt, ground clearance or capability of the “real” trucks.
For my needs I too would consider one as it’s been a long time that I needed to load up a pickup bed.

 

[Protocall_Design]

There are other alternatives if you shop around.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dWQxTmIG7Rc

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vte-5RMTZZc[/ame]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZYTVECq0kI[/ame]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5C0wj-yiY8[/ame]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBNjhNVIVsc[/ame]

 

[GaryS]

A couple of thoughts having now owned three pick up trucks.

Unless it's a heavy duty work truck, Toyota is going to be your best bet.
If people are discounting older Tundras, buy one.

One thing about Toyota is that they don't cover up recall issues. With the current Tundra they are replacing all of the engines even if there are no problems with a specific truck.

There are rumors of transmission problems on the new Tacoma and if that's more than just grumbling, I'm confident that they'll do something similar.

My son's 2000 Tacoma was bought back by Toyota because of their snow belt frame rot issue. They paid him 1.5 x the Kelley Blue Book value on that truck. He went out and bought a used 2005 Tacoma. Toyota did a frame replacement on that under a recall. He totaled that and bought a 2011 Tacoma.

I've had two recalls on my current Tacoma. Toyota fixed them and gave me a rental car while the truck was tied up.

My previous Tundra had 231K miles on it when I traded it in on a used Tacoma.

My former neighbor owns a window cleaning company that involves moving a lot of equipment around parts of New England to service contracts. In addition to the Ford van he owns, he has several Tacoma and Tundra trucks. He swears by them for reliability.

Nissan has announced the end of the Titan. The Frontier gets generally good reviews.

I wouldn't touch a Ram truck on a bet.

Fords and GM products are hit or miss.

That's uh, more than a few thoughts.

 

[venomballistics]

meh ... I was hoping for a DiMarzio VS Seymore Duncan debate

 

[WR Moore]

If you look hard enough someone will bad mouth a particular truck.

True, but keep reading.

I have a Ford 7.3 with 10 speed and love it. When towing it’s always in the right gear. Not to high not to low. There’s a reason tractor trailers have 10&12 speed transmissions.

The reason truck tractors have so many gears is largely due to the restricted power range of the engines. ~1500-2100 rpm or ~1300-1900 rpm. The increased torque of the lower peak rpm engines lets them get away with (relatively) fewer gears. They still make 13-18 speed trannys to handle other conditions.

ETA: watched the Cat pickup vid. Besides being overly complex, loaded with gadgetry and lacking support, I didn't notice them mentioning the price. Long way from a work truck. If it does hit the market, I expect it'll have the life of the IH/Navistar pickup.

 

[dmn57]

Just read about a class-action suit against Ford EcoBoost. Might dig into that a bit deeper.

I'll have to try and find that. I have a 2020 Expedition, with 85,000 miles on a 3.5 EcoBoost, that runs like a champ. I'm curious about any potential surprises.