• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Which 1500 truck to buy and why?

OILFIELDTRASH

OILFIELDTRASH

Lifer
Looking at my options at this point. Could someone point me in the right direction as far as the best 1500 truck available? Might tow a small trailer every now and then but really just need it as a daily driver. Gas mileage, dependability, price are all major factors. Not interested in 4 wheel drive unless it doesn't add much cost upfront or in terms of maintenance. Any good reviews online?
 
By 1500 you mean a full size half ton?

The only 2 full size I like are GM (Chevy and GMC) and Ford. I prefer Chevy/GMC over ford, but the NEW fords are good as well. The older fords, esp the 5.4L, were below average IMO longterm.

If looking mid-size then the Canyon/Colorado are my fav, esp 2007 or newwer. The 2005+ Ford rangers are a good small truck, just don;t get the 3.0L v6.

How much weight are you looking to tow?
 
if used,its gonna be truck to truck rather than yr to yr. like any other used vehicle
and how the current/prior owner maintained/used it for primarily.
 
Yeah I mean half ton. Not interested in a Colorado as I own one and it's a turd. Really wouldn't be hauling much but it'd be nice to have the option to haul a car around or a uhaul trailer full of furniture. Mostly looking for that v8 and more interior room.

Looking for new one.
 
Yea then look at GMC/Chevy first.
If buying new then look at ford as well. If used DON'T get a 5.4L. They had engine issues, including bad sparkplugs.
 
As much as I like the GM and Ford trucks, a regular cab shortbox with a Hemi is just a studly truck.
Between Ford and GM it'd be a toss up of who has the best financing.
 
Budget rented me a Texas Midsize a couple weeks ago, at least that's what they called it. I had a Ford F150 super crew in XLT trim with the base V6 engine (3.7L non-ecoboost.) I averaged 16 mpg mixed driving over about 250 miles but admittedly I had a lot of fun stomping the accelerator on highway on ramps, it sounds like a truck at low RPM but screams like a civic at high RPM, the 6 speed transmission will let you pull away from a dead stop in 3rd gear, while I'm sure it's hard on the torque converter the resulting exhaust note is intoxicating. Ford has built a smooth running truck, very quiet on the highway, comfortable suspension for truck like daily driving, comfortable seats, good crash safety and Sync is a neat option. Really I didn't have any complaints other than it took a few days to get used to the shape of the seats, if I was buying a new truck for myself I'd probably look for one with a telescoping steering column as the steering wheel felt like it was too far away with the seat at a comfortable position. I was amazed how much I enjoyed driving a truck it's much nicer than many cars I've driven and by far the nicest truck I've driven, although I should qualify the Ford is the only current gen truck I've driven.

I won't say Ford is the best, but really you should take one for a test drive before making a decision.
 
OILFIELDTRASH said:
Looking at my options at this point. Could someone point me in the right direction as far as the best 1500 truck available? Might tow a small trailer every now and then but really just need it as a daily driver. Gas mileage, dependability, price are all major factors. Not interested in 4 wheel drive unless it doesn't add much cost upfront or in terms of maintenance. Any good reviews online?
Click to expand...

They're all going to get pretty bad gas mileage and none of them really stands out above the others. Dodge is probably the worst when it comes to mileage though.

Tundra is the Lexus of pickups. Really nice trucks. They are pricey though.
 
sorry jules
tundra is more like the fiero of pickups
its what u drive if u wanna get mocked by people who drive real p/u's
 
So you don't really need to tow anything, nor do you need 4WD....


Why are you buying a truck again?
 
F150 with the 3.7L will return the best mileage

Ram with 4.7L V8 - looks the best and is the most stylish

Chevy - pretty bulletproof and all around a good truck but looks dated.


If you can afford the Ram go for it, if not go with the 3.7L V6 F150
 
i own an 09 GMC all terrain/z71 half ton. The truck gets off road some, mostly just daily driver. I also have a light weight slide in camper. I love my truck. it handles well and has surprised many people off road with stock tires/suspension/wheels. With the camper loaded up i feel very secure and stable.

The only thing i wish i could change is to get the 6 speed that is now offered. I get about 15 in town and about 18 or 19 on the highway. I did remove my front lower lip piece so that i did not damage the other plastic on parking curbs or off road and i have a roof basket installed which have affected my gas mileage.

a 2wd model will get better mileage also. though, it will be much harder to resell
 
angry hampster said:
Bad sparkplugs? Is a $40 fix really that big of a deal?
Click to expand...


Can you get a head job done for $40 on a V8 truck motor?

Look up the issues with the sprakplugs for the 5.4L ford motor. Its so bad there is a special tool made for that engine now. Champion had to make a custom aftermarket sparkplug for that engine its that bad.
 
Marlin1975 said:
Can you get a head job done for $40 on a V8 truck motor?

Look up the issues with the sprakplugs for the 5.4L ford motor. Its so bad there is a special tool made for that engine now. Champion had to make a custom aftermarket sparkplug for that engine its that bad.
Click to expand...

Ok well that's completely different than "sparkplug issues." I thought you meant they came from the factory with cheap/faulty plugs.
 
angry hampster said:
Ok well that's completely different than "sparkplug issues." I thought you meant they came from the factory with cheap/faulty plugs.
Click to expand...


They kinda do. Its is a 2 peice design and sometimes it blows out and takes the head threads with it, sometimes it just blows out the center part and you can use the special tool to fix, etc...


Its a mess and many places will not do plugs on a 5.4L due to so many needing the heads pulled after one or more break or strip badly.
After you get them out champion is the only one I know that makes a 1 peice plug for that motor. Ford/Autolite make the POS 2 peice plugs.
 
yh125d said:
So you don't really need to tow anything, nor do you need 4WD....


Why are you buying a truck again?
Click to expand...

I do need to tow things occasionally. I have a motorcycle I might need to tow, I enjoy using the bike rack I bought for my pickup bed, I also own a home so when I go to the home depot I fit all I need in my pickup bed, it's nice being able to throw a fridge, a tv, washer and dryer in the back of the truck. I do plan on buying some land soon and fencing it off. Do you know of any Honda civics I could use to carry fencing supplies and pull trees up?
Thanks for your concern though kid.
 
RedRooster said:
As much as I like the GM and Ford trucks, a regular cab shortbox with a Hemi is just a studly truck.
Between Ford and GM it'd be a toss up of who has the best financing.
Click to expand...

I had a bet with myself if someone would actually be stupid enough to suggest a Chrysler vehicle when the trucks are absolute garbage compared to their GM/Ford counterparts.

Guess I lost.

Go with a slightly used new body style Sierra/Silverado. With the warranty they come with it's pretty damn hard to go wrong.
 
spaceman said:
sorry jules
tundra is more like the fiero of pickups
its what u drive if u wanna get mocked by people who drive real p/u's
Click to expand...

No, that's what idiots who don't know what the hell they're talking about say. Fact is the Tundra is just as capable as the rest at doing everything the OP is asking.
 
JulesMaximus said:
No, that's what idiots who don't know what the hell they're talking about say. Fact is the Tundra is just as capable as the rest at doing everything the OP is asking.
Click to expand...

but it will not last nearly as long, has a plastic bed floor and imho, the interior is horrid. The materials are fine, but the design is the worst by far. The only thing i do like is the gray color of the displays.

the video shows how well the chassis flexes too. lol
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top