Opinions on trucks

[Turbys_1700]

You're gonna laugh when I tell you what I drive to work. An F350 crew cab dually 4x4. It's an 03 model with the 7.3 Powerstroke. It has 77K miles and gets between 14 and 15 MPG driving to work. It's not that big of a deal to me as work is only 16.5 miles one way and the truck is paid for. The way I justify it is I pull a fifth wheel camper for recreation and the truck serves dual purpose as a tow vehicle while driving it to work.

If I was you I would look for a half ton with a small block V-8. They should be good for around 17-18 MPG. I just bought my son an 06 F150 2WD with a V-6. He averages around 20 to 21 driving to school on the interstate and around 18 at the house. It's a good truck but wouldn't pull the hat off of your head.

[NuBota]

Nubota - what year is your Dodge 2500? Have you been happy with it vis. a vis. reliability? I have heard good things about the Cummins engine but then not so good things about chrysler transmissions.

Then again a buddy of mine has a 1500 which has been great for 250k km now.

I think that so far the responses are telling me that if I really want to get a diesel, it might as well be one that is a few years old.

It's an '03 and has 60K on it. The engine is rock solid. I have had no issues with the tranny, but I am suspicious - hits and lingers around 2800 rpm going from 2-3rd when accelerating quickly sometimes long enough where I feel I have to tap the pedal to complete the shift. Dealer says it's fine - yea right - since it's still under warranty. But no other symptoms. Otherwise the only thing done was lower ball joints needed replacing - $800 but covered under warranty

This truck belonged to my MILs husband - he died in an accident in '06 and after trying to sell it, she and they DW convinced me to take it. I was happy with my beater. Would never have bought one that new and was never fond of the Dodge curvy design. But it's a great truck - all in all - just concerned about the trans. But I have also been hard on it - pulled some stumps and some dead trees - and drive it like a sports car.

I will say this - I am now a diesel fan - would never go back to gas. Even eyeballing the VWs for a diesel commuter vehicle - and I have always bought Big 3.....

[NuBota]

Ha Ha, sometimes I wish I had a diesel and 8ft bed. Guess what, I have an old red Ford F350 too! Nice choice of trucks!


1994 F-350 IDI Diesel (non-turbo, non-powerstroke), 59,000 2 owner miles and 4 speed with OD tranny. I love that diesel, it pushes my 9ft plow around like a toy.

Now I'm jealous - your dump looks exactly like the '90 Super Duty I drove in my waterproofing days - same bed, same color. If you had the toolbox between the bed and cab, I would be suspicious.... alternate universe kinda thing - or just good taste!

[Altex]

I have a '95 Chevy Silverado 1500 (1/2 ton) with 196,000 miles on it. Still runs great. I get about 18 mpg and more if hwy only. I've got the MagnaFlow Catback system (MagnaFlow Performance Exhaust - Cat-Back Exhaust Systems) which makes it breath better, better mileage and great deep sound.

I understand you don't need 2 vehicles. I would go with a 1/2 ton with at least the extended cab. Diesel fuel is too expensive down here. Anyway, I've always had a truck. Never had a car.

Trucks are great to haul stuff. But be careful, 'cause you'll have to help move everyone ya know. And as the song says, "There's just something women like about a Pickup Man!"

[mjncad]

Canoe:

Since you have a hobby farm and a bum back that makes driving the Accord with the manual difficult, I'd suggest keeping the Odyssey for your wife and kids, and trade the Accord in on a 3/4-ton long bed crewcab.

That may be more truck than you think you'll need; but it will have the capacity to haul and tow most anything you'll need from kids to lumber to tractors. Just make sure you get a truck with a tow package.

I'd be willing to bet that a dealer will take your 10-year old Accord in trade in order to move a truck off the lot whether new or used. If you go gasser, get as big an engine as you can as they won't have to work as hard for the same mileage as a smaller engine. I've read about guys with the Triton 5.4l V8 wishing they had the 6.8l V10 for the power, and they mentioned the V8's mileage in the 3/4 and 1-ton trucks was about the same as what I get with my V10.

I have a '95 Accord with a manual trans, and I'm surprised your '99's clutch feels like a ton of bricks. To me hydraulic clutches work so smooth and easy it makes me wonder if there is something wrong with your Accord's clutch system.

BTW, I can empathize with the bum back as mine bothers me from arthritis and a mild case of scoliosis.

Good luck with whatever you decide to het.

[Redneck in training]

I would get a bed trailer and put a hitch on the car. I built a trailer using a torsion bar axle (my is from Renault Fuego) I bought in junkyard for $50 including tires and shocks. It cost me about $500 including arc welder. I put a ball on my tractor and use it carry stuff around the farm.

[canoetrpr]

I'm interested in what you guys tend to think of the 3/4 ton 2003-2006 Dodge 2500 vs GMC Silverado 2500 2003-2007.

My impression has been that the 5.9 Cummins has been hard to beat as an engine but the previous generation of the Isuzu designed Duramax which still had good mileage combined with the Allison transmission bight be a better bet for the engine transmission combination. Not sure how this holds up with real life experiences though.

I know less about the Powerstrokes though but I haven't heard great things about them except for ones much older. I'm also a bit partial to GMCs and Dodge's styling.

I'm inclined to go overboard and buy much more than I need. Diesel up here is not much more than gas so a 3/4 Diesel without a DPF that gets about the same meilage as a new 1/2 ton gas seems like a good deal to me.

I'm stil keeping an open mind. Bit scary if GMC or Chrysler really go under though but I'm sure parts supply for these trucks is good and they would be picked up by whatever company emerges from GMC and or Chrysler.

[LBrown59]

I always liked having a spare vehicle in the event one goes down or is in the shop.

I've had 4 or 5 pickups for the last 15 years.
You'd think that with that many trucks I'd always have one to drive but instead it seems there's always one to work on .

[NuBota]

I'm interested in what you guys tend to think of the 3/4 ton 2003-2006 Dodge 2500 vs GMC Silverado 2500 2003-2007.

My impression has been that the 5.9 Cummins has been hard to beat as an engine but the previous generation of the Isuzu designed Duramax which still had good mileage combined with the Allison transmission bight be a better bet for the engine transmission combination. Not sure how this holds up with real life experiences though.

I know less about the Powerstrokes though but I haven't heard great things about them except for ones much older. I'm also a bit partial to GMCs and Dodge's styling.

I'm inclined to go overboard and buy much more than I need. Diesel up here is not much more than gas so a 3/4 Diesel without a DPF that gets about the same meilage as a new 1/2 ton gas seems like a good deal to me.

I'm stil keeping an open mind. Bit scary if GMC or Chrysler really go under though but I'm sure parts supply for these trucks is good and they would be picked up by whatever company emerges from GMC and or Chrysler.

I don't have anything scientific to add, but my intial reaction is just "yes"
Cop out answer, but I don't think you could really go wrong with any. I lean Ford because I like the styling. And when I did construction years ago, our fleets were always Ford - some 10-15 years old and 200k mileage. When I'm on the road and look at work trucks, they are almost always Ford. Still lots of Dodge and GM running around, but usually personal vehicles. Take that for what it is worth.

And not totally related, but I have had good and bad experiences with Dodge vehicles (not trucks, '83 Charger, K car, Avenger) - some very bad ('00 Intrepid sludge issues at 40k - had to replace motor). GM's I have had (S-10, Cutlass, Cavalier, Astro and current Cobalt) have been solid - went to high mileage with nary an problem. I didn't ever own a Ford until '03 with a new Expedition - not one issue yet at 60K. Bought the F350 with 200K on it (now ~250K) and it has been solid. Wife has an 07 Mustang (too new to tell yet) and the 18 yo bought a '98 'stang at 100K. All solid, reliable, low maint.

For the uses you describe, get what you like and get the extended warranty (not that you will need it) if your clueless (like me ) about diesels.

I know others will have more informed opinions, but that's my $.02. I think you'll be thrilled no matter which way you go.

-Eric

[Heywood Jannockitov]

Canoetrpr,
If you don't want an extra vehicle,
and you want to commute with it and get comparable mileage to your Odyssey,
You want it for occasional hobby farm duties,
Some towing capacity (?),
car-like ride, comfort, 4 doors, 4wd, reliable:

Honda Ridgeline