1/2 ton pickup opinions???

[Z-Michigan]

Flip a coin. I own a Dodge Ram 3/4 ton and like it, but the F150 is fine too. I would actually have recommended Chevy for a 1/2 ton of those years, but you said you didn't want Chevy.

Have you made sure that the 1/2 ton trucks will safely and comfortably tow the loads you're looking at? Above 8000lbs trailer weight I would hesitate to use a 1/2 ton. Actually I greatly prefer a 3/4 ton even at 5000lbs, but you certainly can tow 5000lbs with a 1/2 ton.

The HEMI engine is unbeatable, it has 345hp and 375lb-ft torque but also has over 300ft-lb of torque at less than 2000rpms. It also has a payload of 1,600lb. My tranny has not given me any problems and it is the same tranny used in the 3/4 ton diesels, so it's made plenty strong.

This is a very detail picky item, but I don't think it's the same transmission. All hemis I know of have the "multispeed" auto which is sort of, but not exactly, a 5 speed auto. The Cummins diesels through 2006 come with a conventional 4-speed auto. The 4-speed with the Cummins dates back to the 1960's; it's an updated version of a musclecar tranny with an added overdrive and switch from hydraulic to electronic control. They had to dig deep into the parts bin to find something that handles 615 ft-lbs of torque. It doesn't matter much as the multispeed that comes with the Hemi is a good transmission, but I just wanted to mention it. I actually have that multispeed tranny on my Jeep Liberty CRD, where it is routinely marketed as the same tranny you get with a Ram with the hemi engine!

 

[milkman]

This is fun to watch, also part II.

YouTube - Nissan vs Fords Part 1=

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Those Fords are too big and heavy to be any good on that sand. That is why the smaller truck was able to walk all over that hill. That is why the Jeeps are so good for climbing also. They are light and nimble while the big trucks weigh too much and want to just spin the tires on the loose sand. At least those guys learned a lesson. Most likely they were bragging about how easily their bigger truck would make it up there compared to the little pickup

As for the OP. I have a 1998 F-150 with the heavy suspension and 4.6. I have towed my FWA TN65 with loader with this truck as well as a Case trencher. It is not ideal for hauling that much weight but it can do it. Hauling my 1920 around is a breeze. We use our truck for construction and farm and it has around 140k miles now. The motor has been great but I did have the alternator rebuilt and just changed the gas tank as the road salt here gets up on the seam and rots them out. Other then that the truck has been great. Well, the original radio volume control died so I replaced it with a nice expensive one and that died in less then 2 years

 

[dennis5150]

All you need to know about towing and hauling is one word ... DIESEL.

 

[RobertN]

I grew up with 4x4's. A couple observations of the video...

A 5000lb or so truck will do better than a 6800lb truck in the sand.

Driver skill may come in to play

Tires can play a part; flotation of the Nissan vs the Ford could play a part.

A Chevy/Ford/Dodge/Toyota 1/2 ton could have done the same thing.

My old Jeep CJ5 woulda blasted past the Nissan on the way up that hill.

Some vehicles work better for some things. My stock Ram2500 4x4 Cummins woulda bogged out on those dunes. But hook me up to a big 5th wheel, and I'll outhaul that Nissan. At the same time, I wouldn't try to take my RAM on Rubicon; that is Jeep country(someone let a Toyota on it a while back though...)... Each vehicle has it suited, and unsuited purposes

This does not, however, have anything to do with the original question

This is fun to watch, also part II.

YouTube - Nissan vs Fords Part 1=

 

[RayH]

I appreciate the replys.
As for getting a 3/4 ton or 1 ton, I just wont need it. They are awesome but would be a waste of money for what I intend. A couple years ago I did have a 97 1 ton PSD so I know what they are capable of. On the other end of the spectrum, someone mentioned a Dakota. Its true that a Dakota would probably meet my needs. I was actually talking with my wife about it tonight and the Dakota came up. I like their look and size but it seems everyone I know that has one has it in the shop way too often or is constantly complaining that something on it wont work so Im a little concerned about those.
As for not liking Chevys. I guess I should expand on that. Ive always thought they were built and ride more like a car than a truck. I like a truck that sits up high on firm "truck" suspension. The Chevys, even as far back as the mid 70s and as recent as last year, seem to sit low and ride soft. Plus, didnt they have piston slap trouble with the 5.3 during the years Im looking at? And they still use the smallish 10 bolt rear in their 1/2 tons, which is a good rearend for "A CAR".
The Dodge transmissions still concern me a little. Many of the used ones Ive been looking at say "fresh tranny" or "tranny just rebuilt". Kinda makes you wonder. Granted, those arent Hemi trucks. Im not sure theyve been out long enough to start showing trouble patterns yet.
I think Im leaning towards the ford. Aside from some electrical and comfort issues, they seem pretty solid.
I should add that I am definately looking for 4X4. I would like the optional engine (5.4, 5.7, 5.9, ect.) and Im open to any cab/bed configuration as long as its got at least a 6' bed. Im even open to manual transmission but those a few and far between and cant even be had with the optional engines in some models.
Keepem comin.

 

[jayhaitch]

2001 Expedition Eddie Bauer 5.4 4x4, bought used in Jan 2002, 29,000km, now 92,000km. I just replaced the original tires, had front end work (ball joints, sway bar bushings, alignment), and Magnaflow cat back exhaust done. Last fall, brakes for the first time, plugs, battery, coolant. That's it. Routine maintenance type things. It's never been in the shop for an actual breakdown.

Power is OK, not superb. I've got a K&N FIPK filtercharge cold air intake with Amsoil Ea nanofibre filter on it, plus the Magnaflow exhaust. Sounds great, made a little more "butt dyno" power, but it likes to rev. Needs to shift when towing more than I would have thought. Mileage is terrible, especially with OD lockout, and I have the 3.55 gears (maybe why it downshifts more). Towing a loaded utility trailer with a vigorous headwind at 70 mph: computer read 9mpg! Gas gauge plummeting confirmed it. I've never made over 18 US mpg on the highway, 12-14 city.

We're looking at getting a travel trailer. The Mrs. actually brought up a crew cab diesel/5th wheel setup herself. If we get a bumper pull, I'll try a chip in the Expedition first, though I'd need to use 91 AKI gas from then on.

I love the ride, luxury, spacious SUV interior, electric 4x4, nice stereo, and reliability. I actually prefer the exterior styling of mine to the new models. Mileage is bad, should have more torque.

 

[keeney]

"... On the other end of the spectrum, someone mentioned a Dakota. Its true that a Dakota would probably meet my needs. I was actually talking with my wife about it tonight and the Dakota came up. I like their look and size but it seems everyone I know that has one has it in the shop way too often or is constantly complaining that something on it wont work so Im a little concerned about those."


I had an older (91) Dakota V-8 4x4 extended cab that I loved. Only sold it because I needed a 4-door to haul ever-growing kids. The new Dakotas did seem problematic - two people I know basically bought theirs twice over in repair bills.

My new tow vehicle is an 04' Chevy 2500 (non-HD version which is equiv to the 1500 HD) 4-door 4x4 which has a harsh ride - like the frame isn't really stiff enough for the heavy axles and stiff suspension stuck onto it. Next time, I will go with the true 3/4 ton version. It has plenty of engine (even with the measly 6.0L) and brakes, though.

On paper, the new Toyota 1/2-ton seems to have good towing specs for its class. I would love to see a Toyota 3/4-ton for a higher payload and larger bed (sometimes I actually haul stuff in the truck, not just on a trailer). Anybody know of anything like that in the works?

- Rick

 

[Dmace]

Looking back at your needs of towing about 6,000 lbs, a Dakota is not a bad idea. I had a 98 Dakota SLT Club Cab 4x4 with the V6 3.9l magnum. That was a great truck that I bought in 2000 with 30,000 miles and sold in 2005 with 160,000 miles to buy my Ram due to a growing family. The extra room of the club cab is nice and the bench seat is so much nicer than those jumper seats in the Ranger and S10.

I hauled a lot of stuff with that too! In the winter, I spent every weekend hauling our two sleds on a covered two place trailer with a third sled in the bed and three of us and our gear in the truck. The truck handled it so well and had plenty of power going up through the White Mountains.

I don't know much about the new Dakota, but I love the looks and wish it came with the HEMI like the Durango. With the tow package, the 4x4 club cab can tow 8500lbs which is very impressive and the quad cab can haul 6700lbs, I am sure that is with the V8 too. I did have some tranny problems at around 140,000 miles and it turned out to be a sensor, after about $400 I was back on the road. It also had 31x10.5x15 BFG All-Terrains which are awesome tires.

Here is a picture of my old Dakota hauling the sleds.

 

[RayH]

though I'd need to use 91 AKI gas from then on.

.

Speaking of 91 Oct. gas. Does anyone know if you can run 87 in the Hemis without knocking? Ive heard they are setup for 90 minimum. With the price of fuel, that would be a deal killer for the Hemi, especially since they arent known for their economy in the first place..