Opinions on trucks

[canoetrpr]

WH401 - that is a heck of an informative post. I've always found that with any type of vehicle, its darn near impossible to say X is better than Y.

You need to get informed about exactly what model years changes were brought in and what teething issues were fixed when. Best bet is often when you get the vehicle in the last model year or so of a particular variant.

The 06 to early 07 Cummins with the 5.9 and the Duramax with the 6 speed Alison sound like they will last a long time.

I have no real reason for a diesel but after my tractor, I have for no explainable reason developed a real like to diesel vehicles. Totally irrational I know. I'm going to start looking at what is available locally.

 

[WilliamBos]

Not directly tractor related but I trust you guys and value your opinion.

I've pondered getting a truck off and on. I don't specifically have a need for a truck on a day to day basis but the odd thing does come up when you have a hobby farm and it would be nice to have one when you need it.

Most of the time it will be driven unloaded by me about 50 km each way to work so about 60 miles or so per day. The drive is highway - more like country road 50mph.

Fuel economy is important. I don't need more than a 1/2 ton but have pondered a 3/4 ton as they are available in diesel. After my tractor I've decided that I really like diesel vehicles!

I'm considering new and used so give me your thoughts on both and any particular model years that are good or to avoid.

Reliability is a must. I've had excellent reliability from my Hondas and not owned a car from the big 3 for a while but I am open minded and willing to consider that they are more reliable these days. Plus there are not that many import trucks anyway.

Would appreciate your thoughts.

We have a 04 GMC 1500CC 5.3L 4spd (4L60) 3:73 and LOVE it. Love the drive by wire, you nail it, it goes. Awesome for trailering too. Bought it used, and would buy another in a heartbeat.

 

[LarryRB]

I have an 07 with the 6.7 and DPF system on a 3500 Dodge club cab, or cab and a half if that's what you want to call it,, I have lost at least 1 to 1.5 mpg over the 06, 5.9 this replaces,. No problems with truck, and I do tow heavy on ocassion. I've read here over and over again how the Dodge truck is junk. I just gave up responding after awhile,, it gets sickening to read constantly.. My point is, I've had dodge's since coming out of the service in 74. This one is number 14 in fact. This one has had two computer flashes, and last week a recall on the heat shield/insulating blanket that is on the firewall, Dodge added a few more screws and washers claiming the blanket might slip down. Not a big deal for a recall. I would do it over again and get another Dodge even though Dodge seems to be the bas----rd child on some nets. Right now with winter blend,, 14 to 15 mpg. 17.5 in the summer season. Depending where I am towing, anywhere from 11 to 15. I use soem pretty serious, steep hills, and other times can get on I 84 or the MAss pike, and thus the reason for such a disparity in towing mileage..

 

[NuBota]

Nubota, the lingering around 2800 you refer to is just the nature of the stock torque converter. Which transmission do you have in the truck? the 03's had both the older 47re and the newer 48re. I wouldn't worry to much about the condition of the transmission. As long as you use common sense with the truck and don't plan to hop the engine up with gobs of power, then the transmission should give you years of good service.

WH401 - I have the 47re - I am not overly worried. Just get a bad feeling about it, even though I can accept that it is normal. Your post makes me feel better though - thanks!

Styling what styling todays pickups don't have none?

I say styling, but I have no style - I like the boxy look - says "truck" to me. Dodge has pretty curves - all women like Dodge truck looks - just says "pretty" to me. As canoe said - all preference....

And the interior - don't get me started - when I got the F350, I actually passed over an F250 that was cheaper and more fitting to my needs - but cloth and carpet on the inside. I wanted vinyl and rubber - just hose the inside out when it gets dirty. My Dodge is like a luxury sedan - sadly I have come to really like it - BUT I still don't wash it.....

 

[wolc123]

I have a 2000 chevy, 3/4 ton, 6.0l gas, 3:73 gears, 4wd, long bed, A/C, std cab. Has not needed anything but a new battery, brakes one time and tires since new. Gets 17 mpg around town since I switched to synthetic motor oil (15 mpg prior), changeing every 6000 miles. Really does good towing and hauling heavy loads. I have had good luck with all (6) GM trucks I have owned over the years. This one is the best of them, and I expect another (10) years or so out of it. These days, I only use it for towing and hauling (around 3000 mi/yr). This truck also has a rubber mat floor and hand-crank windows, which I much prefer in a pickup to girly stuff like rugs and power windows.

 

[jimmyj]

Hey Canoetrpr!

I am in the same boat as you for driving to work as you know. I have 3 vehicles at present, smart car, dodge 1/2 ton and a honda CRV. I drive the honda to work as it was KILLING me on gas to drive the truck every day.

Personally, I would not want to live without the truck, it is incredibly handy and it opens up options you would not normally even consider if you did not have one (example, I just got about 600 free bags of wood shavings just cuz I had a means to haul them away).

As long as I can afford it, I'll always keep at least one car and a work truck. Now we have the 3 "newish but slightly used" vehicles as we got the smart car when the truck and honda were paid off. If you shop around, used trucks are dirt cheap right now and having a worker truck for use 1x a week or so would be my recommendation. I would not recommend a truck for a daily commute. I have had a Chev 1/2 ton, Mazda truck, Ford Ranger, Dodge Dakota and Dodge 1/2 ton. The Chev is the most comfy but I really like the Dodge (though my Dodge has had more mechanical problems than the Chev did). The Ranger, Mazda and Dakota were all too small to do "heavier work" at the farm and I had to get rid of them (due to towing, hauling building supplies, firewood, hay, shavings, dirt, other toys like atv's snowmobiles etc). (OK, I've got my helmet on, don't everybody hate me for saying that, but they're just not full sized). The 2002 Dakota was horrible on gas mileage for the record. Also, no short box, what's the point in having a work truck without an 8' box if you really want it for working?

I know you have been leaning away from 3 vehicles, but you're just like me. You need a decent economical commuter, a work tool and a family vehicle. (You could blend the commuter and family vehicle into one I guess but they your spouse would have to drive the truck daily). My truck is an '03 and it cost 28k, used with 7000km on it. If I sold it today with 200,000 km on it I would be LUCKY to get $4000 max. There are great deals out there on used. I say get a truck man, you will never regret it.

Oh, if you can get a cummins diesel as you mentioned, you will be really really happy for a long time. My dream truck would be the cummins 3/4 ton 4x4, extended cab plus long box.

Happy hunting! Let us know what you get.

 

[neucam]

I don't think you mentioned having to tow heavy things behind a pickup. Just haul things. Why not just get a utility trailer to tow behind your Honda within it's towing capability. I have a small trailer I tow behind my Mercury Sable rarely and it hauls almost as much as a compact pickup and does not cost me anything when parked.

 

[neucam]

The Honda Odesey is rated at 3500lb towing so it is a decent towing machine for 2 axle trailers.

 

[RalphVa]

My wife and I finally bought a pickup in 1983 (a 1982 Dodge Rampage), as we were forever trying to haul things on the luggage carrier of our sports cars, back seat of 4 door sedan, etc. As a gardener, I wanted something to occasionally haul dirt and also wanted something to haul wood scrounged from various sites for our wood burning stove. The Rampage was great. Got 28 mpg (with carbureted engine) and would haul about a yard of dirt and a fair bit of wood. It had a good ride and drove like a sports car unloaded. Alas, the truckee people didn't like its FWD, etc. and it didn't sell too well.

Bought a Ford Ranger when we came back from Singapore to haul dirt and stuff for my 2.2 acres in Baton Rouge. Bought it because it was the top rated one in 1994. Not a good one. Only got 25 mpg average and dropped to 23 mpg on the highway, as the 4 cylinder on it was plain underpowered or not geared right for highway travel. Wife wrecked it by also totalling a Ford Explorer. Yeah! Two strikes with the same accident. She came through with some bruised ribs because the Ranger's seat belt didn't check her.

Went looking around and found a 1996 (this was 1999) Toyota Tacoma extracab with 4 cyl, stick and 2wd. Bought it. It was a GREAT pickup. Would haul 1 1/2 yards of soil or mulch. Average mileage over 90k miles was 27.4 mpg. It got 30 mpg doing about 80-85 mph on the 900 miles up from Baton Rouge to Virginia.

Alas, at 153k miles with original cluch, pads and shoes I decided it was time to upgrade. Found a nice one owner Tacoma access cab, 4 cyl, stick, 2wd at a dealer in Winchester. Drove up, traded and drove the 2005 Tacoma back. It's an even better pickup except for their making it too big. It's 300# heavier and is taller and wider. So far, mileage is only about 23.5 mpg vs. 25 mpg the 1996 would get in the winter. This one has a pretty hefty hitch on it. Towed a really heavy trailer once with the 1996 with my Gravely and all its implements on it.

Ralph

 

[Builder]

Bought 08 Tundra 1/2 ton but i use more like 3/4.Excellent power 15 mpg.
average.Drove Chevy's for most of 35 yrs.If you look at domestics try Fords

Don't forget the GMs, either. They just won back to back truck of the year awards and get the best fuel economy of the V-8 1/2 tons. Remember, the OP is looking for fuel economy.

My '07 as been nothing short of extraordinary.

 

[patrick_g]

Don't forget the GMs, either. They just won back to back truck of the year awards and get the best fuel economy of the V-8 1/2 tons. Remember, the OP is looking for fuel economy.

My '07 as been nothing short of extraordinary.

Right, don't forget GM's like the Cadillac pickup or if you are a Ford man look at the Lincoln pickup. Both of these will make you LOOK GOOD during your commute, not be too de classe for female accompaniment, and sorta work as a truck too.

Pat

 

[canoetrpr]

I'm not sure I could get a Cadillac or Lincoln pickup dirty enough if I had one.

I saw a Lincoln pickup in a driveway in my parents neighbourhood and wondered why the heck would they brand a pickup as a Lincoln I guess someone was interested in one.

 

[canoetrpr]

Jimmy, you guys might yet convince me to do a 3 car thing I guess. If I go down that route then I won't be spending too much money on either a commute car or a pick up.

I looked around and what I can find is:
- 1/2 ton pickups are REALLY good prices after 100k km or so
- 3/4 ton pickups are good prices for gas engines - as above.
- 3/4 ton diesel pickups really do hold on to their value - even after a lot of km.

I guess if it were going to be purchased as a third vehicle, I would have to go with gas. It would not be run very much and I probably could not justify the premium I would have to pay for a diesel pickup.

 

[JiminGa]

that's exactly what I found when I bought my truck. I looked at the diesel trucks and they hold the $5k premium through out their life. the difference in mileage isn't enough to make up the initial cost and the higher cost of fuel, unless you tow alot. I ended up with a f250 with the v10 4x4 crew cab king ranch. It has about 206k miles on it and has only had a speed sensor and one coil pack replaced besides the usual tires, plugs, brakes. It rides pretty stiff empty, but put 500 lbs in the bed and it rides great. I bought it used 2 yrs old with 83k miles for less than half sticker. I spoke with the owner about it's history, he traded for a diesel and wished he hadn't.

 

[NuBota]

Jimmy, you guys might yet convince me to do a 3 car thing I guess. If I go down that route then I won't be spending too much money on either a commute car or a pick up.

I looked around and what I can find is:
- 1/2 ton pickups are REALLY good prices after 100k km or so
- 3/4 ton pickups are good prices for gas engines - as above.
- 3/4 ton diesel pickups really do hold on to their value - even after a lot of km.

I guess if it were going to be purchased as a third vehicle, I would have to go with gas. It would not be run very much and I probably could not justify the premium I would have to pay for a diesel pickup.

If you go the third vehicle route - old and used is a viable option IMHO. I spent months looking - it WAS frustrating -but finally found exactly what I wanted for a good price in the F350. No frills work truck. No A/C, power windows or locks, cheap stereo, and ugly. Would not have gone with it if it was a primary vehicle. I had to do some wrench turning - replace rusted brake lines, new brake caliper (rusted bleed valve snapped of), rear brake job (drums/shoes), new ECM wiring harness (mouse chewed up), etc, but over the course of 6 years, well worth in my book. Just liability for insurance since it's so old.

 

[jimmyj]

The beauty of a work truck is that it's not the end of the world if it does not have all of the comfy options or the spiffiest paint job. And, who really cares what the mileage is if it is only for intermittant local use. Delivered 70 bags of wood shavings yesterday and picked up free scrap steel and 2x large round bales yesterday. Sweet.

 

[newbury]

I think that the "work" truck should be one of the first vehicle purchases of a family as soon as they have a basic commute vehicle covered.

It covers those times you see the perfect bargain that is LARGE and you can't go rent a truck. Examples recently in my life:
UNadvertised clearance on bagged cypress mulch (more than 50% off, I actually think it was priced wrong) that you had to take when you paid for it. Oh, heck I'll take 40 bags.
Clearance on interior doors (I took 30).
Or you have to move the sofa.

But I never bought a "truck", I bought a work "van". My second one is an '88 Ford E350 Diesel Maxivan that started life as a work type no window van, got customized with a raised roof (which dropped mpg's from 18-20 to 14-16). Spent about 22K.

It tows, it'll hold lumber 12' long to 14' between the seats with the doors closed
With the 2 passenger bench seats out it's got a LOT of space 12'L x 5'10" W x 5'6"H.
With the seats in I routinely put in 4 children, the dog, all the stuff for a two week trip, and a tv. Loaded up in Alexandria, Va at 0200 and drove to Tupelo, MS in 14 to 16 hours, with only 2 fuel stops. Occasionally I put a basketball hoop in the back
I finally had to replace the tail pipe last year.
I've built two decks, three sheds, remodeled, finished the basement, I've hauled enough mulch to fill a conference room.

We use it for a camper WITHOUT towing a camper, generally for 1 or two weeks per year.

My biggest problem is that year ('88), and a couple of others, Ford designed the A/C to use little O-rings held in by springs which would always start leaking after about 3 years. But who cared? Freon was cheap

Now I admit it's going to be tight getting a BX24TLB squeezed in, but I think w/ a folding ROPS, removable BH, and removable bucket it might be doable if I take a wheel off to get it thru the door (specs say 45.1", I can slide in a 4x8 sheet of plywood, but barely)

But it can't do fifth wheel

 

[Runner]

Another vote for the beater truck as the "third vehicle". I couldn't imagine being wthout a truck. On the other hand, I also can't imagine why anyone would want to drive one to work everyday unless they needed to.

As much as l love my truck (got two of 'em) I would never want to pay for the gas or go through the hassles of parking one for daily use.

Another thought about "work trucks" too: you can get them pretty darned cheap NEW, so if you don't mind a work truck, and are willing to look at it as an investment, a new one might make sense too, even as a third vehicle. I bought my F350 work truck new in 2004 with the idea that it would be an investment I would have for the rest of my lilfe (or, at least it's life) and it cost about half the price of the fancy, leather-lined models.

Of course, I'm kind of weird too, I actually LIKE work trucks and would prefer one to a fancier model.

 

[arrow]

I think you need to revamp a thought process here. I'd get rid og all your current vehicles. You have a great car in that the Honda is a 5 speed. Not too many of those around but they are worth their weight in gold for those looking for such. To you however, (physical problems) it does not fit into your world so it is the wrong vehicle for your house. Get an automatic car. Your second vehicle should be a crew cab arrangement of some sort such as a Dodge Dakota quad cab. If you feel you need 4wd then get it in the truck. A good used one can be had for $12000 or less. they are spacious enough to put in an entire family if you need to carry the whole family. It will take the place of the van. One with the 4.7 V8 willl tow close to 7000# and there are enough gizmos out there for you to be able to carry 16' planks with an extendor. You'll get close to 20 in summer with 2wd (youd also do well with the 3.7 six if only 2wd) and get that 14 -17 with 4wd but gas mileage will not be as critical if you can take the car to work. This way you'll have the family vehicle, (the truck) a vehicle you can take to work if you need to pick up something on the way home (truck) and a car that will carry you to work most of the time. Your wife will have a vehicle and you'll only need the two cars and one can now be 4wd if you need it. If you are not carrying more than six people in your family, this can be a very plausible solution and keep you in just 2 cars. Otherwise spend the money for a third vehicle (pu) that is in good enough condition to make the 60 mile round trip on an occasional basis but you should probably get rid of the car at any rate. (dang, that Honda car must get over 30 mpg)

 

[doxford jim]

Some good suggestions with regard to the truck/third vehicle.

I have two trucks and have had them since new:
1986 F250 4x4 6.9 diesel
2002 Dodge 3500 1 ton 4x4 dually with the 5.9 Cummins engine.

The Ford works well still, though it is showing signs of rust finally (road salt in cental BC). It has hauled a lot of different things and really doesn't owe me anything. Was expensive when new - most vehicles are. Gets around 17mpg on highway and 16mpg mixed driving. No computer chip and easily repaired.

Dodge 3500 dually great vehicle but has the 47re transmission. Pulls well and gets around 21 mpg highway and 18 mpg mixed driving. Drive by wire and potentially expensive for repairs and maintenance - I do my own so it isn't bad yet.

If it was me looking for a work truck, I would wait and look for an older diesel that had been kept in good shape. A reasonable truck should not be too expensive and the outlay would be minimal (hopefully). A new truck is $50,000 plus nowadays - thought with the current recession prices have changed a lot. That being said, older used 3/4 and 1 ton trucks are more affordable and there are great deals out there if you are patient.

The one older Ford engine that is potentially bad is the 7.3litre - the cylinder walls are thinner and prone to potential cavitation problems. The 6.9 engine seems to just keep on running of maintained properly. The Dodge engine that seems to be the best is the 12 valve Cummins - which is all mechanical and no computer chips to mess you up. Easier to maintain and parts really quite reasonable costwise.

Don't know if this is any help or not, but I would certainly look around, take your time and ask questions (as you are now doing). Keep the Honda Accord - 40+ mpg is a big savings over 18mpg. Use the work truck for work and carting stuff around - no big outlays and insurance much cheaper.

HTH

Jim