Trucks...any difference?

While this may be a comparison of the newer trucks it's still an eye opener that the half ton trucks are approaching the $50k mark and the 5.4L is over-worked in the new F150.

http://tinyurl.com/oh6e9a

I went through the same debate recently and took my time deciding. I was looking for a smallish truck (Tacoma category) due to the space constraints. I ended up picking up a new Ridgeline for a very good price and all the options (4dr, 4WD, VSA, brake assist, side curtain airbags, TPMS etc) it comes standard with would've been a lot more money on the others. So far I've towed a 1600lbs trailer with 4 passengers onboard, up the 4400ft elevation through the switchbacks and it towed like the trailer wasn't even there. On the way back there was a 30mph head wind (which would sometimes become side wind) and again it was as stable as any car I've driven. It does downshift and revs up going up hill but so does everything.

Anyway, don't think the RL would be a good fit for pulling 4-6k lbs all the time so my pick there would be the Tundra or the RAM1500.

Travis_K wrote: If you get a chevy, get the 2001? and newer with the 5.3 or 6.0.

I had an '01 with the 6.0. Comfortable, torquey, roomy, powerful, great towing animal...

...REALLY bad on fuel economy (like 10-12 mpg).

You never mentioned a price range. Are you looking for new, or used?

Ok, I'm still looking. I've narrowed it down to a '94 and later F250 with a Powerstroke or a V10, and a 2001 or newer GM 2500 with a 6.0. I'm a GM guy at heart.

Is that 10-12 while towing? Daily average? City? etc. My price range is likely under $9k or so. I don't mind finding something with higher miles as long as it's been looked after.

Between those two, no contest. PSD hands down. I had a 95 'stroke that was incredible. 215 hp, mountains of torque, 22 mpg empty, 12 mpg towing 10,000 lbs, excellent resale, super reliable.

Your repair issues will be limited mostly to cam position sensors (fail every 175k or so and they're a bit pricey) and glow plug relays (its right on top of the engine and costs $40). They are super easy to maintain with everything in easy access position. The chassis is rock-solid. The twin I-beam setup wasn't the best riding setup, but there is almost nothing that wears out on them. The brakes will last seemingly forever. I bought mine with 60k on it, drove it to 125k (a whopping 39k of which was towing 10k... used to be a full-time RVer) and never changed a single brake shoe or pad.

There are little things, too, that make a big difference. A properly operating Ford truck A/C will keep your nipples hard for days at a time. Mine could actually make the rear window fog up on the OUTSIDE on a 95 degree day. Chevy never quite got that one ironed out. My 98 Chevy 2500 would actually shut off the A/C on hot days at stoplights because the high side got too high and cut off the compressor. The Chevy has a questionable 4L65E tranny that likes to die every 60-100k. The Ford's 4R100 should last about twice that if you care for it. The Ford is also a bit more reliable on the electronics front. My 98 Chevy likes to randomly spit out CDs, randomly switch the display from english to metric, and the cruise control likes to quit on steep hills, or any time you use the turn signals.

Not to mention... diesel vs gas? No contest. nearly double the MPG, twice the torque, twice the lifespan, insanely higher resale value.

don't limit yourself to the 94-97 PSDs. The 99-03 PSDs had a number of upgrades like intercoolers that make them a bit nicer. The ease of maintenance took a little hit with the newer body style, but its a risk I'd take. Plus the later ones came with a 6-speed :)

And by the way... the V10 is pretty much a nightmare. They slapped it together to compete with the Dodge V10. The fuel mileage is downright frightening, and parts are getting rare and expensive. They also like to shed spark plug threads very easily. Nice power, but that's about it. Maintenance is difficult and expensive, and they get far worse MPG than most V8 gas offerings.