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TRUCK STOP: pickups discussion

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  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    keep shopping at home depot.

    Ill just sit around (on a forklift) do nothing and get paid

    Easier on the both of us.

    Ryan
  • greg116greg116 Member Posts: 116
    And I've decided to ditch compacts altogether, with the exception of the Dakota, and here's why:

    Tacoma: Gutless, don't like/want supercharger, expensive for what you get, ugly front end.

    S-10: Cheap interior, unsophisticated (although proven!) engine, dated. Maybe when the Trailblazer-based versions come out I'll take a closer look.

    Ranger: The words "Ford" and "Recall" seem to go hand-in-hand these days, every average Joe's got a Ford of some kind, always had ugly noses.

    Nissan: Again, don't like superchargers, and don't think I'll EVER make up my mind about that schnozz!

    In addition, compacts are TOO SMALL! i am 6'4" and need something bigger!

    So I'm narrowed down to GMC Sierra (nicer front end than Chevy, and a bit rarer around here) or Dodge Dakota. Rams are nice, and they got THE best front-end (I'm talking Sport models here), but Dodge needs new engines like that 4.7 in the Dakota!

    Oh yeah, and I'm going to take a long, hard look at the Avalance when they get into the showrooms, but I'm a firm believer in avoiding first-year models and I can't wait that long to buy something!

    Dakota 4x4 Sport 4.7 auto clubcab Flame Red or

    Sierra 1500 4x4 SLE 5.3 auto extended cab in a comparable color.

    I don't really NEED the extra size of the Sierra, but ever since my dad had that company GMC 2500 4x4, I've been hooked on the power and ruggedness of fullsizes.

    Oh yeah, and price still is not an issue.

    I'll let you know when I decide.
  • greg116greg116 Member Posts: 116
    Youre probably saying: What about F-150? well, here goes:

    Despite my respect for Dakotas, I still don't think overhead-cam engines belong in pickup trucks.

    Sierra has:

    bigger back seat
    Standard 4-wheel ABS disc brakes
    Corvette-inspired engine
    historically better powertrain reliability
    the Z71 package, which I plan to make FULL use of :-)

    ... and I personally prefer the big, bold G-M-C on my front grille to a wimpy blue oval.

    And when you see their commercials, what's the only selling point they've used for as long as I can remember? Best-selling Truck. Not "most horsepower", "most torque" or "longest-lasting".

    P.S.: When they list how many Silverados are sold in a year, does that include Sierra?
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    The sticker? SLightly bigger shocks? Skid plates? Jounce bumpers whatever in the heck those are?

    Ryan
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    Bending down to get into a car? Became a "truck guy". Have you ever driven a '01 vette? You may be missing out on something.....
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    maybe you should go out and buy one!!! LMAO!!
  • greg116greg116 Member Posts: 116
    Gee... why do you think I'm using these discussion boards in the first place? I'm TRYING to get decent advice and start conversations that GO SOMEWHERE so I don't end up making a mistake when I start making 60K a year in two months. As I recall, my first message today drew sarcasm from someone who pictured me as yet another yuppie who wants to look cool with a Z71 sticker. Being 18, if i'm going to purchase something with an offroad package, you better beleive that I'm going to make use of what I pay for!

    I don't want to buy a Z71 to because I want to try vainly to look youthful and adventurous, like you older guys who probably don't have so much as a scratch on your skid plates, I have to buy it becausecause this truck's in for some real offroading.
  • pocahontaspocahontas Member Posts: 802
    Please note- Negative comments directed towards other participants is in violation of our Town Hall participant agreement. Let's try to keep these discussions friendly. The best way of doing that is to stick to discussing vehicles, and avoid making comments about the people who drive them.... Okay?

    Thanks for your participation. ;-)

    Pocahontas
    Host
    Pickups Message Board
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    Maybe you should swap places with Meredith for a month or two....The SUV board needs some cleaning up...big time. Makes us here look like teletubbies.
  • 87lion87lion Member Posts: 166
    Decide what you need and drive them all. I drove the Ram, F-150, Silverado and Dakota quad cab. If you don't need the hauling capacity the quad cab might be the way to go. It should be more maneuverable than the full size pickups, good for both off road and driving in town. Of course having said that I find my SIlverado x-cab LB has a smaller turning radius than my '92 Dakota club cab. The Silverado/ Sierra had the biggest back seat. The Ram had the smallest back seat and the least impressive drive train. I looked at, but didn't drive, the Tundra which had a tiny back seat. Ford and GM drivelines seemed comparable. But the bottom line is you have to drive them.
  • glenn54glenn54 Member Posts: 23
    I'm about to purchase a Tacoma 4x4. I've owned pickups before, but this is my first 4WD model. I'd apreciate any tips on do's and don'ts, as far as 4wd ingagement or operation as well as maint/up keep to insure that I'll me trouble free for years to come. Thanks
  • ccarroll05ccarroll05 Member Posts: 4
    I've got Steeltex LT245/75R-16 load range E at 50psi front and 80psi rear on 16X6.5" wheels on a Silverado 2500 and Wilderness P245/75R-16 at 35 psi on 16X7" wheels on a Ranger. The Silverado carries a light slide-in camper on some pretty rough roads where durability is a concern. The Ranger is a daily driver mostly on road with a little off road and some snow-ice. Any recommendations for replacements? How bad would the load range E tires ride on the Ranger if I switched them from the Silverado and then replaced the Silverado tires?
  • greg116greg116 Member Posts: 116
    Here are the basics: If you're on dry, paved roads, NEVER touch 4WD. You'll turn your differentials into scrap metal very quickly, because you're not allowing the wheels to turn at different speeds while cornering.

    4x4s tend to require more alignment service than 2WDs. If you're holding your steering wheel off-center along a flat road, and/or experiencing poorer than expected fuel economy, you may need an alignment check.

    Check your tires religiously. Take notice of where the most wear is occurring. If abnormal wear is seen on the outside or inside rims, you probably need an alignment check, although a simple rotation MIGHT solve the problem.

    4x4's tend to reduce fuel economy, so if you've owned a 2WD Tacoma before, you can expect a loss of about 2-3 MPG.

    Other than that, follow the manual/dealer's recommended service schedule, fix problems ASAP, and your Toyota should last for a very long time indeed.
  • modvptnlmodvptnl Member Posts: 1,352
    "Here are the basics: If you're on dry, paved roads, NEVER touch 4WD. You'll turn your differentials into scrap metal very quickly, because you're not allowing the wheels to turn at different speeds while cornering." ROTFLMFAO!!
  • redsilveradoredsilverado Member Posts: 1,000
    LMFAO you never cease to amaze me.
  • modvptnlmodvptnl Member Posts: 1,352
    Who let you outta the closet?
  • redsilveradoredsilverado Member Posts: 1,000
    BTW i've heard that about 4wd before. so what do you think of the guys runnin' around with all clean and shiny 4wd's? allthough you may not have em in your area, we got em here. cracks me up too, cause one guy has an awesome 4wd rado, all raised up and all but with michelin's to boot. LOL
  • durango508durango508 Member Posts: 37
    Anybody know when the next generation Ram is coming out? On pickuptruck.com I read in one article 2002 to debut at Detroit Auto Show 2001
    (didn't see it in any pictures) and another article said not until 2003. Anyone with ideas? I would think they would be in trouble if Dodge has to sell the same design for 2001 and 2002. (already offering large incentives)

    Thanks!
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    truck issues. Looks like they are perfectly content to wait and see how the market moves on the pickups. There will be minimal changes in the '02 models. I would suspect major changes in the '03, but that's my opinion.
  • greg116greg116 Member Posts: 116
    I checked out the latest issure of Truck Trend. They have a computer-enhanced image of what the next Ram could look like, and it's BUTT UGLY! theyre current stule still makes me drool, and if theyre going to change it, make the Sport front fender standard across the line. It looks so good on Dakotas/Durangos and does wonders to the current Ram. Were it not for their 40-year-old powertrains and lack of rear-seat legroom I'd buy one no question. Also, a Sport-Side box would be great. Untill then, I'll stick to GMC.
  • greg116greg116 Member Posts: 116
    I hear so many gripes about the cheapness of the interior materials used on Sierra/Silverados. It is described as a "money-saver", yet Ford offers a comparably-priced pickup and their interior is top-notch by comparison. What's missing here?
  • glenn54glenn54 Member Posts: 23
    Thanks for the 4x4 tips.
  • jcmdiejcmdie Member Posts: 594
    The 1500 series Ram will debut at the Chicago auto show 2-9-01 and will be available for sale this fall. It's suposed to be a completely new truck. The 2500 and 3500 is not to be redone until 2003 and they will no longer share the same body style as the 1500.
  • oldharryoldharry Member Posts: 413
    It will put some additional wear on your drive train, and can cause serious damage if used for long periods of time due to overheating of components, but the most common problem I see is rapid tire wear. If the wheels are forced to turn the same number of times while traveling different distances there's going to be some sliding of rubber on the road surface. Your gas milage will also go down, lots.

    Harry
  • 87lion87lion Member Posts: 166
    I like my Silverado interior.The controls seem to be well placed and the knobs and buttons are big enough to work, even while wearing gloves. With over 16k driven I don't have any squeaks or rattles. To each his own.
  • tcjefftcjeff Member Posts: 23
    I understand that the Hombre is just a re-badged S-10/Sonoma. Is there any advantage as far as price or features to the Hombre over the other two? Is there any reason to buy an Hombre at all?
  • cbagshawcbagshaw Member Posts: 7
    I am currently looking at Dakota Quads (4.7 motor with Limited Slip Differential) ... My question has to do with whether I would be better off with the 4X2 or 4X4 configuration. I will be using the truck mostly as a daily commuter and occaisionally as a home depot runner (no heavy stuff or towing). I live in eastern PA and we occasionally get some snow (like this year). I like the idea of a 4X2 for the following reasons : better handling (?) .. quieter (tire type?), maybe better gas mileage, potentially less problematic (no 4 wheel drive transfer case, and maybe most importantly less expensive (around 2500.00). 99% of the time, I won't be driving in snow but I don't want to be kicking myself the first time I really need the 4 wheel drive and I don't have it. Is it realistic to think that I can cutover to dedicated winter tires and 5 or 6 sandbags in the bed when the snow comes ? All thoughts and experience is appreciated.
  • cspauldingcspaulding Member Posts: 159
    I live in Wisconsin and owned an '88 Dodge Dakota 4x2 in '91, before meeting my husband. I always put weight in the back in winter, and didn't have a lot of problems. Gives you an excuse to call in to work...ha, ha.

    After meeting my husband and the life of the Dakota, we had it until '96 or '97 before selling it, we've always had 4x4s - my husband won't have a 4x2.

    My opinion is...having never driven or used a 4x4 I would have been content to have a 4x2 and would do fine with it. The 4x4 is definately a plus in deep snow, as we get here, and for mud, etc.

    If you don't plan on a lot of snow and don't go "off-roading", I would stick with the 4x2.

    Just my opinion.
    Chris
  • tcjefftcjeff Member Posts: 23
    cbagshaw: For what you plan to use it for, a 4x2 would meet your needs and cost you a lot less over the long haul. I live in the Washington, DC area and got along fine with my 4x2's in winter with weight in the bed and good snow tires. Sure, there were times when I would have had more confidence with the 4x4 (2 or 3 times a winter, maybe, for an hour or so each time getting home from work!), but would it have been worth the extra costs involved? Not for me at least - and I also never did get stuck. Now if you have a job where you HAVE to be at work regardless of the weather, for example, then it may be a different story.
  • 87lion87lion Member Posts: 166
    All 3 trucks I have owned - 1982 F-150, '92 Dakota Club Cab, '00 Silverado x-cab - have been 2WD. I have lived in the Pittsbburgh area, State College, PA, and the D.C. area during that time and have never had problems getting stuck in a 2WD. A little weight in the back and common sense go a long way. I carry chains just in case and have used them maybe 3-4 times in the last 15 years. Get 4WD if you'll do serious offroading, trailer a boat down wet launch ramps, live where you get a lot of snow, or if you just prefer 4WD.
  • buckmaster1buckmaster1 Member Posts: 20
    Lets face it, with its 5.3 liter 285 horsepower tire ripping engine,4 wheel disc brakes,numerous tire,wheel and suspension packages the big GMC is not to be taken lightly.This is a well thought out,consumer information based replacement for what was already a great truck.The 1988-1998 GM C/K truck was a super truck that was loved by all.So it only stands to reason that the new model with all its improvements is still ruling the roost.Ford may say they have the best selling truck-but what does really mean? Dodge had some folks believing they rewrote the truck book for a while-but eventually we found it to be just a little better than the same old quirky problem Dodge trucks that most of stayed away from.Now once again GM has a winner on its hands and there are those folks who just love to root for the underdogs.I really don't care whose name is on the grille of my vehicle,as long as its the best product available to fill my needs- and right now that just happens to be the current breed of GM truck.
  • timothyadavistimothyadavis Member Posts: 322
    "Ford may say they have the best selling truck-but what does really mean?"


    Look at AutoSite Market Report Top Sales - Pickups for the answer to your question. Then look at the last 22 years or so and find pretty much the same result (except that Ford's lead was usually greater).


    Ford Truck F Series 2000 Sales: 876,716 (1999 Sales: 869,001)

    Chevrolet Truck Silverado & CK 2000 Sales: 642,119 (1999 Sales: 636,150)

    GMC Truck Sierra 2000 Sales: 188,907 (1999 Sales: 208,693)

    GM Trucks Combined 2000 Sales: 831,026 (1999 Sales: 844,843)


    By themselves, GMC trucks are even outsold by Rangers (I could say almost two to one, but that would be cruel).


    Does this prove that Ford makes the best truck? No, of course not; "best" is relative to what you want the truck for and to your personal needs/desires/tastes. But it does prove that Ford does -- and has for a very long time -- made the most popular truck. Nothing less or more than that....

  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    ...aka more sales..

    - Tim
  • jcmdiejcmdie Member Posts: 594
    Ford may be less expensive but GM is "cheaper". My buddy has his 4 month old sierra going back to the shop AGAIN for squeaks and rattles, fallen off door moulding, lose trim, and most important, a loud clunk every time he takes off untill the truck warms up. Not realizing the problems that he was having I asked him how the new truck was working out. He told me that it was a big mistake and for the money he wish he kept his '89 Ford.
  • cspauldingcspaulding Member Posts: 159
    Have you ever priced a Ford...a 2000 Ford F250cc, came in about $8,000 higher than the Chevy K2500cc.
  • jcmdiejcmdie Member Posts: 594
    I was in the market for an F250 cc sb 4X4 V10, lariat and that invoiced out right about $30K. You say that the chevy optioned out to the max (the truck I priced out had most every thing but diesel) Invoiced at $22K? Equally optioned out I doubt that there is more than $2K difference between Ford, Chevy, and Dodge.
  • pocahontaspocahontas Member Posts: 802
    I moved back to this board. For those interested, here's King of Torque? Cummins, Duramax, Powerstoke...


    Also be aware that if a discussion in inactive for a period of 30 days, our Town Hall software automatically moves it to the Archived Discussions Board.


    Thanks for your participaton. ;-)


    Pocahontas

    Host

    Pickups Message Board

  • cspauldingcspaulding Member Posts: 159
    We priced out a 2000 F250 4x4 sb, comparably equiped to the Chevy we bought...the Ford came back at $38,000 as their bottom dollar, the Chevy at $30,800.
  • timothyadavistimothyadavis Member Posts: 322
    the facts seem to be undermining your assertion. I guess there must be some other reason why more people buy the Fords....
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    ..when you compare apples to grapes for options...

    Keep on buying Fords young lads.....like I said....I will lose a lot more sleep now...(hold breathe now)
    - Tim
  • timothyadavistimothyadavis Member Posts: 322
    sour grapes. Everyone posting on the subject has specified that they were using comparably optioned vehicles.... Still, more people buy Fords. I honestly can't tell you the reason(s); I can only share mine. But then, that would only be of use to someone with requirements/needs/desires just like mine....
  • 87lion87lion Member Posts: 166
    When I first started shopping for a new truck I priced out the 1500 LS and F-150 XLT with similar options and they were within $200 of each other. I've tossed my paperwork since then so I don't know the exact numbers but the exercise would be easy to duplicate if one were so inclined.
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    eventually leads to a mine is better than yours kinda deal. Never fails. Must be a macho kind of thing. LMAO!!
  • modvptnlmodvptnl Member Posts: 1,352
    will be, "It's because of fleet sales." Then it will be, "they counted the sales wrong, I want a re-count!"(which is ironic because of all of the GM double sales with the buy backs. LOL!!!)
    After that he'll take it to the supreme court...and lose that round. Finally he'll concede and admit Ford just has a better truck. LMFAO!!!!
  • pocahontaspocahontas Member Posts: 802
    And actually it seems like most conversations, regardless of the subject, eventually lead down that road... to the "mines better than yours" deal. Also, the more money spent (i.e. vehicles), the more intent we are on proving our point.... ;-)

    Talk later.

    Pocahontas
    Host
    Pickups Message Board
  • jcmdiejcmdie Member Posts: 594
    Well, not only is mine the best one , but when I trade it for the next one then that will be even better still.
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    anyone who knows me knows nothing makes me sour...cuz I just don't plain care!

    LOL

    I don't care if Ford made 1,000,000,000,000,000 F150's and Chevy made 1.....as long as they made mine.

    When I log off here I put it all behind me...hell...I don't even care if you buy A tundra!...I'd prefert to see America get the profit...but hey...I just don't care.

    (Insert your own idea of how this sounded with tone of voice....another fault of the net...get yer asses to a truck bash and we can be understood!)

    That is all

    - Tim
  • amoraamora Member Posts: 204
    IT WAS THAT 1980 MOVIE "URBAN COWBOY" w/ Johnny Revolta and his black '79 Ford pick-um up. Boy am I glad I was driving a pick-up since '61. In fact in my ole high school, there were only two outstanding people, myself and another dude who drove a '40 Ford PU. All others drove muscle cars, '57 Chevies, '63 Stingrays, 406 Fords....etc

    I thought I was only unique person in pick-up until the craze hit and has not let up. Yes I did buy a '83 F150 and a '94 F150 plus a few Rangers, but it was not an account of the movie....(Did break down a buy a pair of Tony Lamas)
  • modvptnlmodvptnl Member Posts: 1,352
    Oh, I forgot. He's got 2 vibrating....Chevies!!!

    LOL! also!!!

    We know, we know Tim. Even if you really don't care it don't stop you from trying to slip in those little non-factual jabs. Just trying to give a 'lil back at 'ya!! Agree on the tone thing though!!
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    ...it's been a while since I did an exact comarison..but when you take the "average" combo....aka LS...fairly loaded....last time I checked Ford was cheaper....hell...before the net existed...that was the vibe...

    a few percent don't matter.....hell...200% don't matter to me!

    LOL

    ....VHS outsold Beta....which was better?...Beta had a much smaller package and a very high resolution....but it was more expensive...

    They make about 4 Hummers a day for the civilian market....aka 1500 a year.....which is better?...an F150 or a Hummer?.....gotta be a Ford!...they sell more!

    ...I would love to drag it out...but I fell today and almost got killed....and I hurt like a Mofo!.....The beer keg ...errr...medicine is calling me

    Good Luck on this one now!

    - Tim
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