2012 F150 vs GMC 1500

Thoughts? Just doing some research for a friend, he'll be doing 95% highway driving. Has to be the extended cab (not the crew cab) with a 6.5' box and 4x4. I told him Ford V6 6 speed, because the 4.8L GM is pitiful compared to it and you can't get the 6 speed with it. We are both pretty enamored with GM products and have a thing for the LS series of motors though, so he's thinking 5.3L w/ 6 speed. I then tell him to quit being a Bob Costas and get the ecoboost Ford, but it sounds like they have carbon problems...

Don't know about the 2012s, but I made that same comparison on the 2011 and got the F150.

Not only was the cab more ergonomic and prettier, but the dealers would dicker a whole lot more than the GMs.

I spent about $7k less on the Ford than the GM. AND I got an upscale package on the Ford.

Can you get the 3.7 in that combo? I dont know why someone would buy a 95% highway driving 4x4. You're blowing money out the tailpipe 95% of the time, or 99.9% depending on how often he would actually drag 20 grand+ through the mud.

Id go for the ecoboost ford. Or, if he wises up on the 4wd thing and goes 2wd, i'd consider the 3.7 as well.

Vigo wrote: Can you get the 3.7 in that combo? I dont know why someone would buy a 95% highway driving 4x4. You're blowing money out the tailpipe 95% of the time, or 99.9% depending on how often he would actually drag 20 grand+ through the mud.

You can get the 3.7 in that combo.

He works in the oil patch as a dispatcher, 4x4 is mandatory, plus winters here are "slightly" crazy. Combined that the other 5% of the time would be towing project/race cars in unknown weather to unknown muddy/snowy places for rallying, it is well worth the extra couple grand for it. He does not get the choice of "sorry boss, I can't go out in the blizzard and rescue one of the pumpers in the middle of nowhere because there is 4 feet of fresh snow outside". Also, his fuel is paid for, so economy is a moot point when on business Basically, he wants to come in under the vehicle allowance so he gets a brand new truck paid for and money in the bank.

Love my Ecoboost F-150 so far, but to be fair, I've only had it for a couple of weeks.

No manual trans in the new Ford fullsize trucks so they get a thumbs-down from me.

No interest in GM or Dodge so it's back to building what I want.

Shawn

In reply to Trans_Maro:

After my time in a full size pick up with a stick, no thanks.

Auto's definitely the way to go with a PU for most normal type truck usages.

It's the only automatic vehicle I own.

Sorry, nothing will change my mind about a manual trans in a pickup.

Even the guy I work with who has a diesel '06 chevy dually wishes he had a stick.

We tow, a lot.

Once you're used to it, you won't go back.

If you really want the feel of an automatic in your manual equipped vehicle, just leave the parking brake on.

Shawn

As cool as the ecoboost is, there is something I don't like about the looks of the Ford. To be honest, I haven't liked the last two versions. I think Ford went too car-like with the F150, the Ranger looks more truck like. GM and Dodge have trucks that look like trucks.

Not to thread jack, I think that all these truck makers need to start making 8 or more speed transmissions for fuel mileage reasons. With how everything is computer controlled, it would be easy to have driver controlled trans settings. In other words, if I'm driving with a trailer, I hit the trailer button on the dash and it only allows me to use only 5-speeds or if I'm unloaded I can use all 8 speeds. I really think they can pull this off.

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: With how everything is computer controlled, it would be easy to have driver controlled trans settings. In other words, if I'm driving with a trailer, I hit the trailer button on the dash and it only allows me to use only 5-speeds or if I'm unloaded I can use all 8 speeds. I really think they can pull this off.

Is this a joke? They've had a tow/haul button for years!

My 2 cents. Eco boost sounds cool but if it breaks it had better be under warranty. Figure three stalls. One for the truck and two for all of the plumbing and bits. The GM has a six speed auto trans which can be shifted manually with a pushbutton at the end of the shifter. prnd M.And has trailer tow mode too. The 5.3 just plain works beautifully. The Z85 smooth ride suspension is planets better than the offroad suspension that comes with Rancho shocks unless you are going offroading every day.

If you are towing, automatic is the way to go. Have done it with both Too much burnt clutch smell.

Free gas? Get the 5.0 in the ford. $1300 less than the Eco Boost.

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: As cool as the ecoboost is, there is something I don't like about the looks of the Ford. To be honest, I haven't liked the last two versions. I think Ford went too car-like with the F150, the Ranger looks more truck like. GM and Dodge have trucks that look like trucks. Not to thread jack, I think that all these truck makers need to start making 8 or more speed transmissions for fuel mileage reasons. With how everything is computer controlled, it would be easy to have driver controlled trans settings. In other words, if I'm driving with a trailer, I hit the trailer button on the dash and it only allows me to use only 5-speeds or if I'm unloaded I can use all 8 speeds. I really think they can pull this off.

I just think they are too big.

Oh, and 6 speeds are at least now what is stock. No idea of 8.

alfadriver wrote: I just think they are too big.

This. My 72 GMC is dwarfed by modern trucks. Get a bigger F250 or something and the hood height is at my roofline. How do you load something into the bed of one of those things? I guess you need those silly steps. There is literally nothing to be gained (well, practically) by making them so giant.

tuna55 wrote:

alfadriver wrote: I just think they are too big.

This. My 72 GMC is dwarfed by modern trucks. Get a bigger F250 or something and the hood height is at my roofline. How do you load something into the bed of one of those things? I guess you need those silly steps. There is literally nothing to be gained (well, practically) by making them so giant.

+1+1

What does the 8' box of a new truck hold? Answer: A 4x8 sheet of plywood. What does the 8' box of a 30year old truck hold? Answer: A 4x8 sheet of plywood and all the money you saved by not buying a leather lined interior.

Back to topic. The LS motor in the Chevy has a proven track record the Eco-boost doesn't (yet). Simplicity wins in my book every time.

I just recently drove a 2012 F150 V8 from Huntsville to St Louis. Jesus Christ that thing is huge. I mean I am use to driving my Civic so something like a CRV looks big but in the Ford a CRV is a speed bump. It drove nice enough but the brakes had no feel at all and didn't do a very good job of inspiring any confidence in me.

Osterkraut wrote:

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: With how everything is computer controlled, it would be easy to have driver controlled trans settings. In other words, if I'm driving with a trailer, I hit the trailer button on the dash and it only allows me to use only 5-speeds or if I'm unloaded I can use all 8 speeds. I really think they can pull this off.

Is this a joke? They've had a tow/haul button for years!

Yeah but they don't do what I posted.

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: Yeah but they don't do what I posted.

Actually, at the very least the diesel allisons do. Why you would want to use 5 instead of 8 gears I have no idea, but it allows you a lot of options, including while in tow haul mode it will automatically downshift to hold a speed up to redline if you are off the gas or on the brakes. New age 6 speed automatics are amazing, I've always been pissed it took the domestic manufacturers a couple years longer than the imports to get with the times.

If you were driving, say, a late 90's early millenium Ford/Dodge/GM gasser towing (502 or the v10's) I'd probably want a stick for those vs the equivalent 4 speed.

Tom_Spangler wrote: Love my Ecoboost F-150 so far, but to be fair, I've only had it for a couple of weeks.

This. These are amazing.

HiTempguy wrote:

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: Yeah but they don't do what I posted.

Actually, at the very least the diesel allisons do. Why you would want to use 5 instead of 8 gears I have no idea, but it allows you a lot of options, including while in tow haul mode it will automatically downshift to hold a speed up to redline if you are off the gas or on the brakes. New age 6 speed automatics are amazing, I've always been pissed it took the domestic manufacturers a couple years longer than the imports to get with the times. If you were driving, say, a late 90's early millenium Ford/Dodge/GM gasser towing (502 or the v10's) I'd probably want a stick for those vs the equivalent 4 speed.

Yeah the allison transmissions are wonderful, my uncle had one in his Duramax Silverado. But they only mate them with the Diesel.

I'm talking about in a gas engine vehicle. An 8-speed would be ideal for a pickup truck, but towing is where I'm concerned. Yeah maybe it doesn't need to only use 5 or 6 gears, maybe it can use all 8. It was just a thought. It used to be a concern along time ago about burning up overdrive in a 4-speed auto, but that was then and I know they are more stout.

I know Ford is already working on an 8-speed for the F150, but its supposed to be mated to the smaller displacement motors.

http://www.tmsspecialtyproducts.com/article/Pickup-trucks-Ford-announces-new

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: An 8-speed would be ideal for a pickup truck, but towing is where I'm concerned.

Huh? What math did you do to get to that figure? It's not as easy as that in optimization land, more does not equal better...

ls1fiero wrote: My 2 cents. Eco boost sounds cool but if it breaks it had better be under warranty. Figure three stalls. One for the truck and two for all of the plumbing and bits. The GM has a six speed auto trans which can be shifted manually with a pushbutton at the end of the shifter. prnd M.And has trailer tow mode too. The 5.3 just plain works beautifully. The Z85 smooth ride suspension is planets better than the offroad suspension that comes with Rancho shocks unless you are going offroading every day.

My Ecoboost also has the manual shift option on the 6-speed, and a tow/haul mode. As far as the complicated nature of the motor, I'm not too concerned because of the extensive testing, but I did buy an extended warranty all the same. First time I've ever done that. Though I also got it for all the electronic gizmos the thing has.

And I'm sorry, but I like my heated and cooled leather seats, Sync, Sirius, power everything, etc. It's my DD, and I want comfort and lots of entertainment options. Sue me.

ls1fiero wrote: My 2 cents. Eco boost sounds cool but if it breaks it had better be under warranty. Figure three stalls. One for the truck and two for all of the plumbing and bits. The GM has a six speed auto trans which can be shifted manually with a pushbutton at the end of the shifter. prnd M.And has trailer tow mode too. The 5.3 just plain works beautifully. The Z85 smooth ride suspension is planets better than the offroad suspension that comes with Rancho shocks unless you are going offroading every day.

I'm quite biased, but I would not worry about the ecoboost any more than the 5.0l or the GM engine. Lets not forget that the GM isn't exactly a 50 year old small block, too.

But I'm more biased than spanlger is, since I have 2.5 of them. Well, not own, exactly.