Full Size Pickups

[PricklyPete]

I've been eyeing a pickup for about a year now...and I will probably end up buying one in the next 6 months. I really only need a compact to mid size pickup, but I am tall (6'5") and I really like the room provided by a full size. I also like the towing and payload capacities of the full size pickups.

The new Toyota Tacoma is definitely on my list to look at...but I am getting drawn to the full-size pickups more and more all the time.

I really like the engine and features of the Nissan Titan...but I like the looks of the Ford F150 better (I thought the Titan was exceedingly ugly when I first saw one...but it is warming up to me). Unfortunately Ford quality has been sub-par in my opinion over the years and I want this thing to last. I really don't like the Dodge (drove one and was unimpressed other than the power of the engine). A Chevy/GMC is a possibility for the right price...but I feel like they have been outclassed by the new Titan and F150. The Toyota Tundra is also an option, but I also feel it is long in the tooth and it is hard to buy a 5/6ths truck with a weaker engine that somehow gets worse gas mileage (I realize the Double Cab is not really a 5/6ths truck...but still). The Toyota reliability would be nice though.

So what are you're opinions? Please don't make this into a flame war.

 

[neovan]

titan

 

[iamwiz82]

The Titan has a Dana 44 rear axle, which is very small, considering the power and towing capacity. Just for reference, a Jeep Wrangler can be had with a rear Dana 44.

 

[microAmp]

You want an extended cab? Chevy/GMC has a lot of space in that department, but don't know if the Titan has as much or not.

 

[deerslayer]

I'd go with either the Chevy Silverado or the Dodge RAM. Always been a fan of Chevy, but I've driven one of the new Rams with the HEMI in it and they are pretty nice.

 

[EyeMWing]

RAM, but skip the 1500 and go directly to the 2500/3500 (3500 has a better front axle, that's the only difference)

Also, skip the hemi junk. Cummins, plzkthx.

 

[NFS4]

'05 Tundra now has a vevised V8 with 285HP and slightly more torque. That being said, I'd probably go with the Titan.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

I had to say the Ram, but that's mainly because of the Cummins. As far as the Titan's concerned, it has the same rear end as my mom's '90 Jeep Cherokee. I'd perfer the Dana 80-90's that are in my Dad and Brother in Law's Rams. The last thing you want is your rear end going out while coming off of the Sierra Nevadas.

 

[RagingBITCH]

I'd go with the F150. Even my friend who owns a 03 Ram loves the new F150. The interior of the Titan is crap. The only thing IMO that the Titan has over the F150 is the stronger engine, which the new 5.4 3v is kind of weak. (Maybe not weak, but the extra 800lbs the new F150 has over the previous gen doesn't help) All to be solved when the 6.2 Hurricane arrives though.

 

[JDub02]

My Dad has an 03 Ram quad cab w/ the Hemi ... Really nice truck. My only complaint is the electronically controlled throttle (no direct wire from the skinny pedal to the throttle) .. there's a small dead spot right as you push down the gas that takes a bit to get used to.

Either that or the Titan. That thing is a nice truck. Not too much seat time, but it seemed pretty sweet.

 

[amdskip]

Chevy no doubt.

 

[JulesMaximus]

The Tundra Double Cab is a really nice truck. If you aren't towing a house with it, or anything close to or over the rated towing capability of this truck then it is the one I would go for. I've driven the Titan and the Tundra DC and the Ford F-series. Tundra wins hands down in refinement. I thought the engine noise from the Titan was a little too noticeable in the cabin, this would get on my nerves after a while. I also didn't like the interior of the Titan, it is too busy for my taste, the word overstated comes to mind.

The Tundra Double Cab is the Lexus of pickup trucks.

Edit-You couldn't give me a Chevy or Dodge though. Well, you could but I would just sell it right away and buy something decent. Junk on wheels.

Oh, American trucks depreciate like mad as soon as you drive it off the lot. You will get much better resale out of the Toyota.

 

[Spamela]

Ford F250 PowerStroke, same thing i have now.
pulls our 5-th wheel anywhere.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: EyeMWing
RAM, but skip the 1500 and go directly to the 2500/3500 (3500 has a better front axle, that's the only difference)

Also, skip the hemi junk. Cummins, plzkthx.

Very sweet, but that's a $45k truck. I'd love to have one, though. HO Cummins w/ a 6 speed.

 

[Pliablemoose]

The new Fords are awesome, & you're supporting a domestic manufacturer

Dodge is due for a makeover, Chevrolet is fine, I'd consider a Tundra in a few years after the production kinks are ironed out & they add some options.

I have an 03 F150, 0 problems, hasn't missed a beat. Just put a cold air intake on it, gave a small perk on the bottom end, & more intake noise...

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
I had to say the Ram, but that's mainly because of the Cummins. As far as the Titan's concerned, it has the same rear end as my mom's '90 Jeep Cherokee. I'd perfer the Dana 80-90's that are in my Dad and Brother in Law's Rams. The last thing you want is your rear end going out while coming off of the Sierra Nevadas.

The Dana 44 was only available from 87-89 on Cherokees

 

[DougK62]

A Chevy with Quadrasteer. w00t

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
The new Fords are awesome, & you're supporting a domestic manufacturer

Dodge is due for a makeover, Chevrolet is fine, I'd consider a Tundra in a few years after the production kinks are ironed out & they add some options.

I have an 03 F150, 0 problems, hasn't missed a beat. Just put a cold air intake on it, gave a small perk on the bottom end, & more intake noise...

Lee - what? The Dodge had a makeover in 2003. The Chevy has been running the same old truck design for like 5-6 years now. Chevy has the most to lose considering everyone (including Toyota) will have had a new truck design within 2 years.

BTW - you still want to head up to the DFW gun range? I've been itching to shoot the sh!t out of something

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
I had to say the Ram, but that's mainly because of the Cummins. As far as the Titan's concerned, it has the same rear end as my mom's '90 Jeep Cherokee. I'd perfer the Dana 80-90's that are in my Dad and Brother in Law's Rams. The last thing you want is your rear end going out while coming off of the Sierra Nevadas.

The Dana 44 was only available from 87-89 on Cherokees

Ahh, my mistake.


...so what is on the '90s? (4.0+auto)

 

[SuperTool]

Titan or F150.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
I had to say the Ram, but that's mainly because of the Cummins. As far as the Titan's concerned, it has the same rear end as my mom's '90 Jeep Cherokee. I'd perfer the Dana 80-90's that are in my Dad and Brother in Law's Rams. The last thing you want is your rear end going out while coming off of the Sierra Nevadas.

The Dana 44 was only available from 87-89 on Cherokees

Ahh, my mistake.


...so what is on the '90s? (4.0+auto)

A Dana 35c, most likely. There is a small chance that it was a 8.25", as well. Between 90 and 93 they started moving over to that.

 

[Drakkon]

GMC, Dodge or Ford...I've been hauling trailors (house and livestock) for a while now and no mater what on an incline NOTHING can compare to those big 3. I've seen more Tundras and nissans stopped on the side of the road overheating then every seeing a Ford. A majority of the trucks that i see pulling people with livestock around are 1. Ford 2. Dodge 3 GMC. Chevy is also a player but mostly in the blazer category seems like. Foriegners just dunno how to produce a vehicle that is ment to be pulling and powerful and can go pull up and down hills while turning as well as the domestic models so far.
Funny thing is i see more old 1980's style fords still pulling today than i do newer 1990+ models. My dad just SOLD his 1982 Ford /w over 300K miles on it still in running condition. It was pulling horse trailers for at LEAST 200K of those amazingly enough, a true product of how long a vehicle can go if properly maintained.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
I had to say the Ram, but that's mainly because of the Cummins. As far as the Titan's concerned, it has the same rear end as my mom's '90 Jeep Cherokee. I'd perfer the Dana 80-90's that are in my Dad and Brother in Law's Rams. The last thing you want is your rear end going out while coming off of the Sierra Nevadas.

My friend's Dad bought a Dodge 3500 Cummins and it's been in the shop twice already. Once because it died on him and left him stranded on the freeway and then immediately after getting it out of the shop (they had it for about a week) it wouldn't go over 50mph on the freeway. I haven't heard anything since but we will be driving it out to Blythe in a couple weeks for some bird hunting.

 

[Mr N8]

Probably an F150. I would have said Dodge Ram less than a year ago, but they are truely horrible trucks to drive. 20 minutes in the seat, and you feel as if you've been riding on the support bars with no padding.

Ford is making a great truck that people can actually comforably drive. Its got more than adequate power, solid bodies, and great engines.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
I had to say the Ram, but that's mainly because of the Cummins. As far as the Titan's concerned, it has the same rear end as my mom's '90 Jeep Cherokee. I'd perfer the Dana 80-90's that are in my Dad and Brother in Law's Rams. The last thing you want is your rear end going out while coming off of the Sierra Nevadas.

My friend's Dad bought a Dodge 3500 Cummins and it's been in the shop twice already. Once because it died on him and left him stranded on the freeway and then immediately after getting it out of the shop (they had it for about a week) it wouldn't go over 50mph on the freeway. I haven't heard anything since but we will be driving it out to Blythe in a couple weeks for some bird hunting.

It's always possible to get a lemon .. but on average, the Cummins is one tough motor. The Ford Powerstroke is a close 2nd in my book with the GM Duramax in a distant 3rd.