2011 Super Duty

[Diamondpilot]

John, you see it the way I do. The main thing that the GM suspension lacks is like you say the high load carrying capability of the Ford. The GM has a superior ride because of the torsion bar suspension but with things like Snow Plows that are popular in my area they just do not stand up. The Ford and Dodge has the nod here with its front axle design, but like you stated the Dodge is about 5 years or more behind in both chassis and interior styling.

As for my comment on the GM interior my 05 and I believe your truck also was plagued with rattles. I think you got yours fixed but they never could get mine right and my passengers seat never did right. Its also much smaller. My F-150 4 door had more interior room then my 3500 Dmax.

At the end of the day they are all worthy. I have had a 2500 Dodge, a 3500 Chevy, and a F-350 in a 30 month period and for me the Ford was hands down the best truck. While it was not perfect I would give it a 95% grade while the Chevy got a 80% and the Dodge a 75% overall.

Chris

 

[RobertN]

Ground clearance is a plus with the Ford and Dodge. My truck is getting dated compared to the new ones(2001), but in this respect things have stayed the same.

The only thing about all that clearance though... I had to flip the axles on the 5th wheel for clearance to tow with my stock suspension 4x4 Dodge... For general stuff, hunting, fishing ect, the clearance is great. Sure wish my 5th wheel did not sit so high though, because of the truck...

Put a plow on a GM or pull a big 5thw wheel and you will see the short comings of the chassis. Ground clearance is a strong point on the Ford and Dodges.

 

[ovrszd]

Your right. Its nothing more than a toy. On a serious trail one would never be able to watch what they are doing and drive.

I have never seen a trail worthy Crew Cab 3/4 or one ton pickup. Most of the trucks we "find" offroad are stuck beyond belief. They think they can go through anything, or think they can fit. This feature is another selling point to people who want the look, IMHO.

Picture is worth thousand words. Son's Super Duty has been all over Colorado, Black Bear, Imogene, Cinnamon, Poughkeepsie Gulch, Wager Gulch, Hancock, Tomichi, White Cross, just to name a few.

 

[RobertN]

Nice shots, pretty countryside!

nmu98 alludes to the same thing as me though; a fullsize truck does not wheel like a Jeep. Shorter, lighter, narrower. I've been places with my old CJ5 that even the newer, wider Jeeps could not pass.

Also, have you ever buried a full size long bed like your son's and had to dig it out? I have... My old Jeep was easy to dig out, get unstuck. Even without a winch. My long bed xcab 4x4 3/4 tons are a doosey to dig out! They are twice as long wider, and heavier.

My Jeep rode a lot better on the trail too.

Now, all said, I don't have the Jeep any more, my Ram-2500 gets me pretty far out there, and I hike from there as necessary

Picture is worth thousand words. Son's Super Duty has been all over Colorado, Black Bear, Imogene, Cinnamon, Poughkeepsie Gulch, Wager Gulch, Hancock, Tomichi, White Cross, just to name a few.

 

[nmu98]

Picture is worth thousand words. Son's Super Duty has been all over Colorado, Black Bear, Imogene, Cinnamon, Poughkeepsie Gulch, Wager Gulch, Hancock, Tomichi, White Cross, just to name a few.

Nice pictures.... But you really dont show the truck on a trail. Those are more roads in the rocks. That truck is too wide to make it down most trails with a rating of 3 or higher. It would not turn tight enough to even think of running a 5. Trucks are great for towing, hauling heavy loads, and working hard. They are not offroad rigs. I wish I had some techincal pictures here to show you how tight it is for a small narrow Jeep to make it through, let alone a large truck that is long and cannot turn well.

 

[RobertN]

You make me miss my CJ5! My '70 was even narrower than yours. Had lots of fun on the rocks with it.

I wish I had some techincal pictures here to show you how tight it is for a small narrow Jeep to make it through, let alone a large truck that is long and cannot turn well.

 

[sparc]

...Ground clearance is a plus with the Ford and Dodge....

Ground clearance? What are you talking here, 9 inches or so under the differentials with stock tires? What do you do with that offroad? You can skip over a tossed beer can but not much more.

 

[Duffster]

Ground clearance? What are you talking here, 9 inches or so under the differentials with stock tires? What do you do with that offroad? You can skip over a tossed beer can but not much more.

Well 2 years later............It may not be much of a plus buts it's still a plus.