Some Truck Insight Please....

[rick1085]

To quote a Colorado outfitter friend of mine from a few years back, "they all beat walking son"

 

[alwaysoutdoors]

I don't think you can go wrong with either a Ford or Toyota. I like Fords though.
I heard the Titans are gas guzzlers.

 

[PatriotX]

Another question: Mechanically, what's the difference between a Flex Fuel engine and a "regular" engine? Do I need to stay away from Flex Fuel engines?

No need to stay away. A flex fuel motor simply has the hardware and software to support extended operation using high-alcohol fuels such as e85.

You could even set up a still and brew up your own fuel. Cut it by 2% with gasoline, and it's all nice and legal.

 

[RSanch111]

To quote a Colorado outfitter friend of mine from a few years back, "they all beat walking son"

My '68 Pontiac Catalina beat walking but it was "dead" by the time the ode meter said "60,000"!!

 

[Farmer17]

I had a Nissan Titan for 10 years and 265k miles. When I sold it the truck still had the original starter, alternator, fuel pump, rear shocks, transmission, rear end, ball joints, muffler, etc., etc. I averaged about 17mpg mostly highway driving, and it was one TOUGH truck for the construction business. I think I replaced two power window motors and that's about the most expensive thing ever done to the truck. I'm a big Toyota fan but I don't like the looks of their truck and $60K for a new Ford just seems ridiculous, I would look for a new Dodge or a used Titan.

 

[Grayfox]

I was a mechanic for 42 years. Spent the last 25 years working for the city I live in. Our fleet had over 60 pick-ups from the smallest to the largest. These trucks work hard all day, every day. Over the years we tried them all. No other brand even came close to holding up as well as Ford.
That's what I drive.

 

[dave holl]

I took a chance on a used 2014 F150 4x4 crew cab with tow package. It has the eco-boost twin turbo. The F350 was rusting away but I loved it as I did all my previous Ford pickups...........traded it in on the F150.
Mileage is only 18 mpg around town and I hope the twin turbo thing doesn't come back to bite me.
Maybe I should have waited and bought one of the aluminum body F150.

We'll see.

Dave

 

[snubbyfan]

I liked Toyota but I got kinda tired of taking it to the dealership for all the darned recalls. Spiral cable, frame rust, airbags, seat belts, rear leaf springs and other stuff.
Our 4wd Tacoma got totaled back in October and we're still getting recall notices on it.
Our Dodge has one outstanding recall on the drivers side airbag and we're planning on taking care of that this spring.

 

[03hemi]

I liked Toyota but I got kinda tired of taking it to the dealership for all the darned recalls. Spiral cable, frame rust, airbags, seat belts, rear leaf springs and other stuff.
Our 4wd Tacoma got totaled back in October and we're still getting recall notices on it.
Our Dodge has one outstanding recall on the drivers side airbag and we're planning on taking care of that this spring.

At least they're willing to fix it, I love my Dodge and will never get rid of it, but it pisses me off they won't recall the damn dash caps! I've had 6 Toyotas and they are great. Just keep in mind- Every manufacturer has issues here and there, no one's excluded.

 

[venomballistics]

To quote a Colorado outfitter friend of mine from a few years back, "they all beat walking son"

when I could not seem to avoid Chrysler products. it didn't beat it by much. If anything, it induced more walking than without and in retrospect, I probably should have gotten a decent bicycle instead.

 

[RSanch111]

Well, thanks for all the insight. Ended up getting a 2014 F-150 XLT Supercab 4wd 302 with 13,000 miles for 27k. So far so good. A little disappointed it didn't have the factory brake controller but the dealer agreed to put in an aftermarket controller, harness and trailer hitch (only one on the lot without a hitch...)

Now I need to get a topper and maybe a nice Rousch exhaust.

Toyota 4Runner was too small on the inside for me, Tundra a bit too expensive, Pathfinder I didn't like after reading about transmission issues. Frontier and Tacoma too small.

 

[RSanch111]

Stay away from the Eco-Boost Engine and You should be fine with a Ford.

Thanks for that advice. I did stay away from the Eco-Boost. And most of the ones I liked otherwise in the beginning were Eco-Boost. Glad you mentioned that. Not sure how likely an internal problem is, but the dealer also has a "lifetime" warranty for any oil-lubricated part. Probably just marketing, but it didn't cost any extra....

 

[Steely Dan]

I'm in the market for a pickup or SUV. My criteria:

Must be 4wd
Must be crew cab if a pickup
Must be able to comfortably tow a 16' Low Hauler trailer

Also....Ford F-150 vs. Toyota Tundra. What do you think???

And what do you think of the Nissan Frontier???

I have a 2008 F150 and a 2014 Toyota Tundra CrewMax

Tundra all the way. Only thing I don't like is the MPG

Tons of room and a tried and true 5.7 liter V8 that hasn't changed in a while because it doesn't need to change

We lifted it 3", put nerf bars, big wheels / tires and dual TRD exhaust ( my favorite option, sweet rumbling sounds )

Added note:
After we had the lift, tires done, (we had Toyota Dealership do it to retain warranty), I asked about the TRD exhaust

The employee asked if I wanted order one but I said "I want to hear it first"

So I found a salesman and asked if we could test drive a new TRD to hear the exhaust?

He said sure and got this new kid that was recently hired.

He, my daughter, my wife and myself all piled into the new TRD (he drove) and we're off

When we got down the road I said "punch it", and he did.

You could feel that big V8 rumble all under your feet and it had a great "growling" sound.

My wife said........"I want this"

The young salesman said he had never driven a Tundra before.

I told him it took me 47 years to be able to drive one

It's my favorite option. Makes you want to floor it everywhere you go.

 

[Kenna]

I was told that Ford aluminium bodys were costly to repair. Does any one know for sure. will be looking come fall,like the F150 a lot

 

[Cleveland48]

Just got my 2015 f150 in November went with the 5.0 and the 3.31 rear axle. Gas mileage is great commuting back and forth to work I usually average 18.5 mpg with all highway up to a best of 21 mpg. Pretty awesome for a full size truck and the 2015 5.0 got a hp increased to 385 ponies and it will run no doubt. I work for one of the Toyota plants in Mississippi so that's what I've driven the last several years. Two tacomas and a new 4runner. Toyota makes a fantastic vehicle but the tundra never has all the big rebates like other full size trucks. My 4runner was lifted 3 inches with 33's on it and was a great vehicle. But the wife wanted this for carrying our newborn around. I'm not complaining though I love this truck too!

 

[RSanch111]

Sweet! Looks much like mine. Is that color "Sterling Gray"? I need a top for the bed for the dogs. I don't want to drive 4 hours with them in the open bed. Looking at this Leer 100XQ
100XQ anybody have one???

 

[bobf]

Ordered a '16 F150 and sold my 2000 GMC that I had since new, what a difference in 16 years. Like Cleveland48 I got the 5.0 and 3.31 gears. I get about the same mileage. Lots of options since this will probably be my last new one.

One option I wish I had ordered is the LP/CNG engine prep pack It includes hardened intake valves and seats, everything else would have to be aftermarket. The engine package was $315.

Love the sound of the exhaust and it will set you back in the seat. It has so much room, is quiet and rides so smooth I'm going to sell my Lincoln.

I looked at the Toyota but the seats were too small for me, no bench seat available.

 

[model70hunter]

F-150. Good choice. My son went thru two 4wd dodges and my 250 7.3 was still trucking. he's looking at Ford. My bro went thru a dodge and a chevy at the same time.

 

[Whitwabit]

I'm waiting to find out what the new Jeep Truck is going to look like and how big it will be .. rumors it might have a diesel in it ..as an option ..

 

[snubbyfan]