HD F-150 or 3/4 ton truck?

[Poke]

I couldn't allow myself to buy a gasser 3/4 ton. when stepping up to a 2500, don't know why one would opt for the gas engine. but I guess everyone has their reasons. at least there's an option, which is pretty cool I guess.

For me there were several factors in buying gas vs diesel. The main ones were cost up front, cost of routine maintaince, application of use, and reliability. I have a company truck, so my truck doesn't get out a lot, most of it is either in town driving, or pulling my tractor to my farm or deer camp. 6.2 with 4:30 gears pulls it perfect, mileage drops to about 9.8, but the last time I pulled the same package with a Duramax 1 ton it got 13, so I don't see the trade off. Don't get me wrong, there is a definite difference in pulling it with the 1 ton diesel, and if I pulled it every day that's what I would have, but for the 10-15 times a year I pull it my truck works perfect, and does a nice job around town too.

 

[Poke]

While the new diesels are hooked up to a dealer laptop getting a forced regen done, the gasser is still working.

The $11,000+ premium for a new diesel will never pencil out.

I've worked the numbers with customers hundreds of times, cost up front for the engine, cost of diesel higher than gas along with mpg's, cost of routine maintaince, then the inevitable work on it i.e. sensors, injectors etc, it just won't add up. A company pulling a Cat 299 skid steer everyday, and gonna keep the truck 10 years, will break even if no major problems occur.

 

[Poke]

An F150 will never compare to an F250 regardless of the power of an ecoboost. The F Superduty is a purpose built HD truck, the solid front axle is leaps and bounds superior to any IFS system. The Torqueshift auto is also purpose built to constantly work, overbuilt for that matter.

My next truck has come down to two choices, either a 5.7 IForce Toyota Tundra 4x4 or an F250 6.2 gas 4x4. It all depends on the price, and the test drive.

The 4:30 gearing of the Tundra is what I am after, that and Toyota Quality, and San Antonio Texas built. The F Superduty is the best HD ttuck on the market, the 6,2/Torqueshift are an impresdive combo.

My 14 F 250 has 4:30's. If you buy a SD, buy it with them. Night and day difference and about 1 mpg difference.

 

[WilliamBos]

My 14 F 250 has 4:30's. If you buy a SD, buy it with them. Night and day difference and about 1 mpg difference.

Thank you. This is the same thing that I keep hearing, minimal mpg difference, but an entirely different truck.

 

[gladehound]

So hard to decide!!! :confused2:

 

[Sysop]

So hard to decide!!! :confused2:

Not having done it already. Don't buy 3/4 ton, especially with a diesel, unless it needs to carry a load every day, or you need the rated capacity. A 1/2 ton, especially a heavy-half ton is every bit as capable of packing it's rated capacity as a 3/4 ton. There are more than enough 1/2 tons sold for fleet use, if there were any issues with using them to the specified capacities, it'd be BIG news.

Anyone that says a properly equipped modern half ton is unsafe or unable or inadequate with 10,000 pounds dragging behind it is truly clue-free...

 

[mopardude318]

Go buy you a half ton "truck". LOL

 

[sd455dan]

I think if you took a 3/4 ton apart and a 1/2 apart and looked at the componets, you would see a huge difference. Look at the axles, brakes, transmissions, springs etc there is an obvious difference, I don't care what the tow numbers say.

Parked my 14 year old diesel Ram next to a new ecoboost a couple days ago- no comparison in the frame size

ps family has two Grand Cherokees- both with tow packages, still can't imagine pulling a box trailer with either one due to being unibody structured vehicles, I do like the grand Cherokees, especially in the winter

 

[Sysop]

Biggest difference would be your old truck uses a mild steel frame. Newer trucks are using a higher strength steel to cut down on bulk, maintain strength, and increase rigidity. Ratings on a 3/4 ton are quite a bit higher than a half ton, so of course they're built quite a bit heavier. A Semi-truck is built heavier still...

Hauling or towing within the rated specs of whatever it is shouldn't present an issue. If you only need to do it occasionally, overkill is not required.

 

[gladehound]

Parked my 14 year old diesel Ram next to a new ecoboost a couple days ago- no comparison in the frame size

ps family has two Grand Cherokees- both with tow packages, still can't imagine pulling a box trailer with either one due to being unibody structured vehicles, I do like the grand Cherokees, especially in the winter

There are many ways to skin a cat. You can have a smaller transmission with more cooling to do the job of a larger transmission. You can use high strength materials to build a vehicle lighter and maintain the strength. You can also improve upon design. So visual comparisons are not the end all be all.

I think everyone agrees that a 3/4 ton is build stronger. After all, a 3/4 ton is actually a 1 ton SRW with lighter springs. So it needs that extra capacity in the other components.

An HD F150 is actually more different from a regular F-150 than a 1 ton is from a 3/4 ton. And while an F150 HD is still doesn't have the components of a 3/4 ton, it is likely more than enough for my purposes.

If I get a 1/2 ton it's a "truck"
If I get a 3/4 ton gas it's "under powered" or more realistically, under torqued at lower RPM.
If I get a 3/4 ton diesel it is a "liability"

The truth is, any of the options will be just fine. Some cost more than others. People who actually have the trucks I'm asking about all seem to like what they have. It will just come down to what I like vs what I want to pay for.

Thanks for all the responses!