Motor Trend truck of Year

AndyM · Jan 16, 2005

I agree but so far my overseas auto has been fixed only 2 times in almost 3 years. My USA built truck (f350) was in the shop over 11 times in 4 years.

My fathers old exploder, 1999, was in the shop 6 times within 8-months..go figure. That is now gone. My wifes overseas has been in the shop once, for a heater fan in 3 years.

I also would buy USA items, but overseas (Japanese) are better... 

Are they always better???
I had a Ford Ranger that I just sold at 110,000 miles (with plenty of life left in it!), and all I ever had to do was replace the tires and brakes. I used Walmart oil and changed it whenever I got around to it. I'll take American vehicles like that anytime! Even though it will serve someone else well, I sure got my money out of it. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

gsxr1100 · Jan 16, 2005

( Are they always better???)Not saying they are the best but going buy JD power,and others, they are.

I had a Ford Ranger that I just sold at 110,000 miles (with plenty of life left in it!), and all I ever had to do was replace the tires and brakes. I used Walmart oil and changed it whenever I got around to it. I'll take American vehicles like that anytime! Even though it will serve someone else well, I sure got my money out of it. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif )

I personally have only had 3 different American auto and 2 non-usa auto's, and so far they are not even close. The quality alone.

johnday · Jan 16, 2005

A challenge, come on riceburners, let's hookup to a Powerstroke, I think that Navstar is built here isn't it? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif If I'm not mistaken, there are no imports that can drag a real load in real life is there? My wife had a T100 toyata, it was alright, but it always struck me as being a grocery getter more than anything else. Me looking good at 70mph with a camper behind me never impressed me. I might not look fashionable out on I 75, but I'm "feeling" safe with a load.

I remember a guy I know bought one of those Nissans I think it was, you know, the one with the "big" V8? He even had a class IV hitch on it. Used it to drag my 12K MacLander to get a load of lumber, around 400 2X4X10's. He asked me to haul next time he needed a load moved. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifLOL

I thought long and hard about replying to this thread, but I couldn't contain myself any longer /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

RobertN · Jan 16, 2005

Mike is 39... And in good shape for the police force...

I took my Thunderheader off. It worked great, but "practically open pipes" do nothing for the lower end power. And, it was just plain loud. I run better throughout the whole rpm range with stock header and slighty opened up mufflers.

I have read test articles, where mildy modified motors ran better with stock header and the mild exhaust tips. They ran various combinations on dyno's. Open exhuast only helped at peak rpm's, and sometimes that was even marginal...

It reminds me of high school, and kids putting an 850 double pumper on what what otherwise a stock 2bbl 350 chevelle, or 351 mustng ect. Then, they's put cherry bombs on it. With 2.75 or 3.0 gearsing, you just hear this long loud "BBLLAAAHHHH" as they jumped on it. They could do 90mph in first gear! Car was probably faster before they messed with it...

As for attitudes, I find it everywhere. And loud pipes too... I see and hear plenty of sport bikes with aftermarket pipes that drone just as bad as Hogs. IMHO, worse; a 7000rpm loud sewing machine drone is worse to me than a 3000rpm vtwin thump. And, worse, I see more kids running them, and cuttin 2" off my bumper on the freeway as they rudely pass me, and then go on to cut off the guy in front of who just got is '05 Tacoma truck of the year.

It is as hard to compare bikes as it is trucks. Most cruisers are built here. Sport bikes tend towards more imports, or non-US.

You mention logo's; I used to wear shirts with various logo's of different thing, bikes, trucks, chainsaws, whatever. I have gotten flat tired of being some elses billboard /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Companies should pay me $25 to take thier shirt or whatever, and wear it as a walking/riding billboard /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

FWIW, I have found great folks on a cross section of different bikes and riding styles. There's some yahoo's in all walks of life, but there are also some pretty good folks out there too.

gsxr1100 · Jan 16, 2005

I once had a Powerchoke and would buy the cummins if I had to do it again!

gsxr1100 · Jan 16, 2005

I agree but I get more guys on HD they have to have the attitudes around here. I do not know everyone but working for a company that employs over 10,000 people at my location, they coming rolling in. Sure they are everywhere but a do not hear sportbike redlining there bikes past my house at midnight either. Or sitting at the stop sign 1000 ft down and just rewving it up. But I do here the moron down the road with his cronies doing it. Then you have the no polite wavers on HD because they are better. Give me a break. I get people on everyother bike for over 11 years, but I can count HD wavers on two hands. Again, attitudes.

So far I find that 99% of HD riders have to have the sterotype chaps, jackets, sunglass, the "pie bowl" helmet and the ubtruse load pipes.

Next since you mentioned passing rudely. Get out of the passing lane! I get the same thing from NY people on the MA turnpike..they sit there, on the left like it is a driving lane; it is called a passing pane for a reason.

Now lets talk about the truck of the year, please /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

johnday · Jan 16, 2005

gsxr1100; The Crummins is a good engine too. But still, what import can outpower either the Stroker or Cummins /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Robert_in_NY · Jan 16, 2005

Volvo, of course they are "assembled in the USA" so I guess that means they are not an import.

johnday · Jan 16, 2005

Robert; Uhuh, Volvo's are real nice. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif And you can take home more than three bags without any rearend sag! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif