09 + Ford F-150

[Dmace]

How can that be? It rated the highest in crash test. I think all the trucks do a pretty good job in a crash. All sit on a full frame but the Ford and Nissian sit on a fully box frame. Not sure about the Toyota and current Dodge but the GM is not.

All the newest full-size trucks have a 5-star crash test rating, they need to make the test harder or add stars.

Also, the new Dodge has a hydro-formed fully boxed frame.

If you haven't already made a decision I would test drive a new Ram as well. I recently did and it was light years ahead of my 03 Ram which I already love. You can get a quad cab (4-door) or larger crew cab (4-door) if you need more leg room in the back and it's huge. You get the most powerful standard V8 available in all models, coil over suspension which rides like a dream, lifetime drivetrain warranty, etc...

I still can't get by the anemic V8 in those Ford's, I have not test drove the newest addition of the 5.4l but it is largely unchanged so I'm sure it still feels underpowered. At least it looks like you won't be towing much but if your only going to get 17mpg anyways, you might as well do it with 390hp instead of 320hp.

 

[robertm]

I like the F250 and F350s and think they are pretty stout but based on things I have seen and also heard from a lot of people that the F150s fold up like an accordian in a wreck and dont hold up in a crash as well as a gm or dodge 1/2 ton.

Not trying to be an !@#$%%, but I'd like to see some of this data you've seen and heard from alot of people. I think you are talking to people who are also talking about what they've seen and heard, but nobody has really seen or heard it. The F-150 frame exceeds ALL other 1/2 tons in strength, and many of the the other 3/4 tons. It is indeed one tough truck.

If anyone want a girly suspension that rides like a car, get the new Ram. They had coil rear suspension thirty some years ago and it didn't hold up then. Tow a decent trailer with it and you'll see. If you want to talk trucks, try some of the dedicated truck sites and you'll see some hard-core data and crash pictures that'll prove my point and answer your questions.

 

[robertm]

I dunno, I think it all boils down to what you want, a "trucky" 1.2 ton with subpar HP and torque from Ford or a smoother riding 1/2 ton with 70-90 more HP from GM or Dodge.

I'd take my chances with the later. Hardly anyone buys a 1/2 ton to pull a trailer over 8-10K anyway. Even if you did hook 10K up to a F-150, it would struggle to pull it even with the highest HP available engine.

A hummvee has IFS & coil springs all around and an F-150 isn't even in the same league as a Hummvee.

Ford knows its' customers are so brand loyal, they'll buy anything they build. Even with other brands having a 70-90 HP advantage in available power, longer warranties, and lower prices, they'll pay more for an F-150. Ford relies on brand loyalty to keep that "best selling" bs going on and on.

Well looks like someone thought it all out there. Yeah, I'm sure it's brand loyalty that allows them to put their subpar peanut engine in their trucks, provide shorter warranties, and higher prices . Looks like you have the answer for all of it. Here all along I thought it was GM trying to "one up", no, "three up" Ford to take some sales. Well, I guess Government Motors showed Ford, huh? That's fine. You can beat me from the stop light. Oh, and 10k behind any 1/2 ton will be a challenge because of payload alone.

 

[nmu98]

Back in 03-04, and even into 05 and 06, Builder was a Ford Man. The comments about Ford Trucks were of how they are better than all else, and GM sucked at the time. BUT, its the smae drivetrain... They added one gear to the tranny.... Same frame, same motor, same tranny, same rear end, but back then, Ford was better.

Duanne knows his trucks, at least how to talk about them, no doubt. But the voice of reason has started to completely be brand loyal.

There are some things on some trucks that are better than others, but Duke has taken this to another level.

Duanne, please come back to the voice of reason as you have quoted in your signature

 

[Volfandt]

I still can't get by the anemic V8 in those Ford's, I have not test drove the newest addition of the 5.4l but it is largely unchanged so I'm sure it still feels underpowered. At least it looks like you won't be towing much but if your only going to get 17mpg anyways, you might as well do it with 390hp instead of 320hp.

390 hp in a 1/2 pickup truck is akin to putting a 25hp Vtwin in a 48" lawn mower
It just ain't needed......
btw, I have "only" 225hp in an 11 yr old F150 and it's been able to do everything it's rated to do and has done it for well over a decade....... Now thats whats considered a good truck ;D

Hardly anyone buys a 1/2 ton to pull a trailer over 8-10K anyway. Even if you did hook 10K up to a F-150, it would struggle to pull it even with the highest HP available engine.

Really? Now thats an amazing revelation, a 1/2 truck designed for towing 6K will struggle towing 10K. A genius here folks.....
fyi, Ford, ( not phord, talk about your attempt at being "cute" under the premise of not being disrespectful....) already has a product that is designed to tow 10K and it ain't their 1/2 truck......

 

[Dmace]

390 hp in a 1/2 pickup truck is akin to putting a 25hp Vtwin in a 48" lawn mower
It just ain't needed......
btw, I have "only" 225hp in an 11 yr old F150 and it's been able to do everything it's rated to do and has done it for well over a decade....... Now thats whats considered a good truck ;D

Funny, my 48" Husqvarna lawn mower has a 23HP V-twin and it is very well needed. I guess those who are not used to power just don't get it.

While your old F150 may do what it's rated for with only 225hp, it will not do anything near what a newer 1/2 ton truck will today. The Dodge Dakota has a higher tow capacity and payload then that old truck.

Really? Now thats an amazing revelation, a 1/2 truck designed for towing 6K will struggle towing 10K. A genius here folks.....

The point of the towing 10k comments is that Ford markets their truck as having the highest towing capability at 11,300lbs. There is no way you will see me towing over 11,000lbs with that underpowered V8 5.4l Ford. The reality is that it probably is designed for towing 6K, at least that motor is.

 

[Volfandt]

Funny, my 48" Husqvarna lawn mower has a 23HP V-twin and it is very well needed. I guess those who are not used to power just don't get it.

Oh I get get, BTDT w/12 hp with arguably the same the efficency......
My 500lb 8hp wheelHorse will pull my F150 uphill, my 3500lb TE20 w/only 24hp would easily power a 5' brushhog through tall growth that towered over the approx 48" tall hood and
my little 2500lb BX23 w/"just" 22hp powers an FEL, BH and 60" MMM effortlessly and very effecintly also.
If hp is your litmus test then mo-power to ya, I'll not down you for wanting more, even when it's not needed.....

While your old F150 may do what it's rated for with only 225hp, it will not do anything near what a newer 1/2 ton truck will today. The Dodge Dakota has a higher tow capacity and payload then that old truck.

What "work" won't it do that a comparably equipped new 1/2 ton will do?
No offense to Dakota owners but theres no comparison bwteen an F150 & Dakota, different class......

The point of the towing 10k comments is that Ford markets their truck as having the highest towing capability at 11,300lbs.

When properly equipped......
And to be honest, if I were to regularly tow over 7k I'd have gone up a class to the F250 Powerstroke and/or HD2500 Cummins w/the Allison (before gov intervention that is, now I'd have to rethink that too...)
I've always had a soft spot for the Mopar muscle cars of years gone by and I liked the Rams styling back when it debued in the mid 90's but, I'll leave it at that......

 

[Duffster]

Where did Builder's post go?????

 

[BlackRaptor]

Going to the dealer tonight to see if I can hash out a deal.
I really like the truck over all and am really impressed with the seating room on the inside.
I posted a picture of it in hte dealer lot.

 

[turbo36]

The point of the towing 10k comments is that Ford markets their truck as having the highest towing capability at 11,300lbs. There is no way you will see me towing over 11,000lbs with that underpowered V8 5.4l Ford. The reality is that it probably is designed for towing 6K, at least that motor is.

If you are going to keep hammering Ford at least back it up with experience and not hearsay and uninformed opinion. I towed my 7,200# excavator on a 2,500# trailer with my F-150 without problems, not as good as our dually diesel, but for running around town and legal highway speeds it worked just fine.