Thoughts on truck selection...

[Builder]

Yea Patches

I really considered a Tundra a month ago but ended up with a Titan. So far I love it. Liked the extras like the Detroit Locker Rear End, Dana Axles, sprayed in factory bed liner, locker on the bed corner, cargo track system in the bed, 33" 285-70-17 factory wheels, and what really go me was the interior. I actually looked at a few others like GM and Ford along with the Toyota but felt Titan was the fit for me and most bang for my buck.

Chris

Nothing like a true locking rear......got one an 11.5" one in my GMC

 

[Builder]

One reason the have gone to higher numbered gears is because the tires keep getting taller. Most trucks come with what I consider really big tires. Maybe a 4.10 today would be like a 3.90 yesterday.

I have a 3.73 in my truck and with the factory height tires and 6 speed ally, I'll run out of suspension long before power.

I can just toggle the shifter button down to first (or whatever gear I want) and lock it there.

Nice thing about the ally is it locks in 2-6. So you get direct TC lockup. Really makes a difference when pulling.

 

[Patches]

One reason the have gone to higher numbered gears is because the tires keep getting taller. Most trucks come with what I consider really big tires. Maybe a 4.10 today would be like a 3.90 yesterday.

I don't understand the 275-65-18's on the Tundra???, then put P rated tires on. I bought LT's when I put the 4 studded snows on, but kind of expensive. No question they hurt the gear ratio, but with 4.30's I think I have a little to spare

 

[Patches]

Nothing like a true locking rear......got one an 11.5" one in my GMC

Wanna swap third members

 

[bigsky355]

The most important thing when looking for a heavy duty truck, is the engine/transmission. To me the Duramax/ Allison was the best choice out there when I was looking. I am very happy with my 06 Chevy 2500 HD- tows very well and no issues. Interior, fit and finish average, but again, I still think the best powertrain. The new Superduty seems very nice and will certainly be considered down the road if I need a new truck.

I do not get into the whole brand loyalty thing- just buy what you think is the best offering out there. All car companies make good models and POS models- it is up to you to do the research.

I was in the same situation as you- I was driving the truck as a daily driver. That got old quickly. As previously suggested, I would recommend buying a designated daily driver (I picked up a 08 Honda Civic- wonderful car!). It will make the time you spend in the truck more enjoyable and I would argue in the long run it is the more economical alternative.

 

[Patches]

I have a 3.73 in my truck and with the factory height tires and 6 speed ally, I'll run out of suspension long before power.

I can just toggle the shifter button down to first (or whatever gear I want) and lock it there.

Nice thing about the ally is it locks in 2-6. So you get direct TC lockup. Really makes a difference when pulling.

The Toyota is very similar in the "S"(manual select)mode. You can lock in any gear you desire and the tranny will not go above the selected gear.The problem is you can't select 3rd or 4th on a long grade and use the throttle to maintain speed because the da** computer will downshift the tranny to whatever gear it "thinks" is appropriate as soon as you use any throttle. The engine produces more than sufficient torque to maintain hill speed, but you can't get to it If Toyota would make that adaptation, or produce a standard transmissioned truck, they would have themselves one nice tower

 

[Diamondpilot]

One thing I really thought was odd but a good thing on the Titan I got it has Load Range D tires and like I said the factory ones are very aggressive but still quiet on the highway. The tires are 33" 285-70-17 and heavy. I put in a level kit to bring the front end up and man these things are meats. The tires are rated at 3,195# each, way more than the truck can handle. It seems that way with alot of the components, like they wanted big so they had to take what was on the market and just oversize everything.

The rear suspension is very stiff and that is one down side to this truck. On a secondary road its rough, more like my F-250 and F-350 when compared to the F-150 I just sold. The F-150 rode like it was on feathers. It does show its good side when hitched up to a trailer. I had a 7,000# trailer with about 1,200# of tongue weight on it last weekend and used a tape measure to check things, only 1 3/8" drop. I am guessing the F-150 it replaced would drop about 4" with that load. Once loaded it rode very nice.

Chris

 

[jcmseven]

Well, folks, I do not mean to speak prematurely, but it looks as though I am going with the GMC. I brought the truck home today, specifically to let the wife and kids take a ride in it to make sure it is family friendly. The kids like it a lot, and my wife seems happy with it. My neighbor has already taken my 250 and paid me for it, so I might be walking if I don't get something soon. My dad's truck does pretty good still and I might keep it so we will have something Ford in our possession. Having driven the truck more miles today, I have been pretty pleased with what I have seen so far. There are some things my 250 might do better, but this seems to fit the niche between that truck and something too small that will not do the job. I like the diesel power, too. One thing, though, I have yet to find a truck that can climb out of my driveway without four wheel drive and my friend's Toyota had a time doing it in four wheel drive. The GMC......can't do it either. The locking diff made it dig two holes after going about two feet, but I shifted into four wheel drive and off it went. I thank all those who have given advice and I will post some pictures (if anyone wants to see). Hey, do I have 'cojoines' now???

John M

 

[Turbys_1700]

Congratulations John...
I am sure that you will be happy with your decision...
Get those pictures up ASAP...

 

[Builder]

Most likely, the dealer has the tires aired-up to full capacity. Take the tires down ~10-15lbs below full capacity and try it again. Then you might not have to use 4x4.

Just make sure to air back up to full capacity if you tow or load-up heavy.

Tell us what you like/dislike.
It took me a few months to transition from Ford to GM.