Pick my next 1/2 ton pickup

[rootacres]

The '21 to current F-150s are pretty much the perfected F-150, and I highly advise tracking down the 5.0L V8 models as the current administration has done a lot to prevent their existence.

2021 to current F150
V8
XLT 302A is the best value. Lariat is a hell of a lot more money for cheap leather, a paper cone sound system, but the 4A transfer case can be advantageous to some.
FX4 (although the regular 4x4 often has a rear locker anyway, but you will want to check)
Max Tow package with 3.73 gears


I spent months chasing around on what truck to grab to replace my tiny ass Tacoma and couldn't be happier with a current F150 with the above specs. The 3.5 EB was updated around '20 and I've not heard any issues besides the obvious people refusing to do oil changes. It's faster, tows better, and has a tiny bit better fuel efficiency, but it's still a V6 and sounds like shit inside the cabin.

Sounds like a good spec. Thats in the ballpark of what I am looking for. I may spring for a higher trim level. The price jump from a loaded XLT to a Platinum/KR isn't too crazy. My buddy (he leases) had a 2021 2.7 EB XLT, I road in that one, seemed decent for day to day. His 2024 is a 3.5 Powerboost XLT almost the exact same spec and that thing is quick. I took it for a 30 mile spin. I liked the driving dynamics. Not sure if I would go 5.0 over the 3.5 EB (non powerboost). I need to go drive one eventually.

 

[ETtikka]

Unfortunately ford and gm are among the least American trucks produced, I used to be a gm till they declined to repair a crankshaft sensor ( powertrain warranty)

How about Honda ridgeline as most American?

https://www.thestreet.com/automotive/american-truck-isnt-made-in-detroit

 

[ETtikka]

 

[rootacres]

Unfortunately ford and gm are among the least American trucks produced, I used to be a gm till they declined to repair a crankshaft sensor ( powertrain warranty)

How about Honda ridgeline as most American?

https://www.thestreet.com/automotive/american-truck-isnt-made-in-detroit

I hear ya, some of these foreign companies employ more people in the states on certain vehicles than American brands. It's more out of principle for me. Id prefer to support an American company and their GDP than send cash overseas to a country that, in general, hates us. I have family that retired from GM/Ford. My family's company sold into many of their plants and tier 1s. My current company still does. Ive had overall pretty good luck with my last Ford and my current Chevy. So I plan to stick to one of those two.

 

[randy66]

2020 3.0 Duramax here with 123k. Main issue i had was timing chain tensioners and guides failed at 110k. I still really enjoy the truck, especially the mileage both empty and towing. I would get another when this one's done. I have the first Gen lm2, the current iteration is lz0. I did have the oil pump belt changed when the timing chain with was done so I'm good to 300k now hopefully.

 

[77TMK]

Sounds like a good spec. Thats in the ballpark of what I am looking for. I may spring for a higher trim level. The price jump from a loaded XLT to a Platinum/KR isn't too crazy. My buddy (he leases) had a 2021 2.7 EB XLT, I road in that one, seemed decent for day to day. His 2024 is a 3.5 Powerboost XLT almost the exact same spec and that thing is quick. I took it for a 30 mile spin. I liked the driving dynamics. Not sure if I would go 5.0 over the 3.5 EB (non powerboost). I need to go drive one eventually.

Worth noting if you check one of the specialty dealers online, like Louisburg Ford in KS, they do $50 over invoice and so a courtesy vehicle XLT (<4k miles) is going to be incredibly hard to beat for the money.

I generally avoid higher trims on Fords since you can aftermarket most things (not the automatic 4WD transfer case as easily) and come out ahead and with better stuff. So katzkins leather seats, a quality sound system off Crutchfield, spray-in bed, a set of KO3s, etc.

 

[matchu865]

View attachment 814157

I sure hope your phone didn't die.

 

[Griffmax36]

a lot of the savings you get from the 3.0 duramax is offset by the hefty bill you have to pay when they have to lift the cab and change the oil pump belt at 150k.

If the 3.0 duramax has a cp4 I’d avoid it.

I love diesels and have owned a few, but sometimes a gasser is “good enough” and less headache.

 

[JDPAPA]

I would also look at the transmissions in th truck you ar buying. The newer GM ten speeds are more than problematic and not sure if they have ever got it right on the Fuel Cylinder deactivation issues. I know too many close at hand people that had 5.3;s go up on them. Some of the 2022’s and others didn’t have this on them due to lack of chip availability so if you find one of those that doesn’t have the 10 speed, that is would I would buy if I needed. I currently own one silverado and one Yukon, my next truck will be a Toyota made before 2024.

 

[rootacres]

a lot of the savings you get from the 3.0 duramax is offset by the hefty bill you have to pay when they have to lift the cab and change the oil pump belt at 150k.

If the 3.0 duramax has a cp4 I’d avoid it.

I love diesels and have owned a few, but sometimes a gasser is “good enough” and less headache.

You're spot on. That's really the only reason I am considering a gasser. I don't tow regularly/heavy enough to fully justify a diesel. The gain I would have in mileage would be possibly negated by the premium in fuel prices and the price tags on repairs. My Colorado has been problem free until 225k miles. I am in process of repairing some emissions related items now.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

You're spot on. That's really the only reason I am considering a gasser. I don't tow regularly/heavy enough to fully justify a diesel. The gain I would have in mileage would be possibly negated by the premium in fuel prices and the price tags on repairs. My Colorado has been problem free until 225k miles. I am in process of repairing some emissions related items now.

If you dont tow regularly go gas...I went F250 because the new F150s didn't really feel like a truck to me. Just had a loaner '25 2.7 F150 stx while my truck was in the shop. The only thing truck about was its looks.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Worth noting if you check one of the specialty dealers online, like Louisburg Ford in KS, they do $50 over invoice and so a courtesy vehicle XLT (<4k miles) is going to be incredibly hard to beat for the money.

I generally avoid higher trims on Fords since you can aftermarket most things (not the automatic 4WD transfer case as easily) and come out ahead and with better stuff. So katzkins leather seats, a quality sound system off Crutchfield, spray-in bed, a set of KO3s, etc.

Are you saying 50 dollars over invoice for a demo vehicle with 4k miles?

 

[77TMK]

Are you saying 50 dollars over invoice for a demo vehicle with 4k miles?

$50 over invoice on new. Far less on their “courtesy” ones.

 

[Ucsdryder]

$50 over invoice on new. Far less on their “courtesy” ones.

Ah ok that makes sense.

 

[mlevimadden]

I don’t have any experience with the newer 1/2 ton trucks, but that’s a ton of miles to be driving a truck 100% of the time if it isn’t required. Are you logging that many miles in a work truck required to carry tools and have the payload capacity, or do you just have a long commute?

My first job out of college was a 65 mile commute one-way and I drove my truck for a month until I realized how much it was costing me and started looking for a cheap commuter car.

I’m a minimalist person by nature but if you don’t need the capability of the truck for 95% of your miles, you’ll come out money way ahead by picking up a used commuter car to burn up every 5 years instead of a newer $50k+ half ton truck.

 

[180ls1]

Sounds like a good spec. Thats in the ballpark of what I am looking for. I may spring for a higher trim level. The price jump from a loaded XLT to a Platinum/KR isn't too crazy. My buddy (he leases) had a 2021 2.7 EB XLT, I road in that one, seemed decent for day to day. His 2024 is a 3.5 Powerboost XLT almost the exact same spec and that thing is quick. I took it for a 30 mile spin. I liked the driving dynamics. Not sure if I would go 5.0 over the 3.5 EB (non powerboost). I need to go drive one eventually.

Have you spent much time in one of the newer chevy/gmc?

The ride is not good and the seats are lacking, especially in the rear. I'd rent one for a day or two to make sure you like it first.

 

[Griffmax36]

You're spot on. That's really the only reason I am considering a gasser. I don't tow regularly/heavy enough to fully justify a diesel. The gain I would have in mileage would be possibly negated by the premium in fuel prices and the price tags on repairs. My Colorado has been problem free until 225k miles. I am in process of repairing some emissions related items now.

I would argue that the majority of people that own a diesel don’t actually need it. They buy it because they like the sound, torque, etc and that’s okay!

I stepped down to a 1/2 ton from a 3500 6.7 diesel this year. The ride quality is much better and I find myself often surprised by all the things I can still do with it before I have to grab a bigger truck. I do about 50k miles a year.

I own a business with fleet of around a dozen trucks. We have half tons, 2500s, 3500s and one 6500. All used for different things. We used to run a lot of diesels. But now that heavy duty’s come with bigger direct injected gassers and with 8-10 speeds they come very close to the same cost per mile to run. Resale on diesels isn’t what it used to be either.

 

[270quest]

Just an FYI - The new LZO per GM is a 200k mile change on the oil pump belt. Based on my loan terms and my average yearly driving, I should be at about 90-100k miles when my truck is paid off. That should give me around another 100k of miles and approx 5-6 years before that service is due. If I still have the truck at that point, not a big deal to put 3-4k into a paid off truck. Just the outlook I am taking with mine.

 

[rootacres]

I would argue that the majority of people that own a diesel don’t actually need it. They buy it because they like the sound, torque, etc and that’s okay!

I stepped down to a 1/2 ton from a 3500 6.7 diesel this year. The ride quality is much better and I find myself often surprised by all the things I can still do with it before I have to grab a bigger truck. I do about 50k miles a year.

I own a business with fleet of around a dozen trucks. We have half tons, 2500s, 3500s and one 6500. All used for different things. We used to run a lot of diesels. But now that heavy duty’s come with bigger direct injected gassers and with 8-10 speeds they come very close to the same cost per mile to run. Resale on diesels isn’t what it used to be either.

Yeah, I’m not sure I really needed a diesel, it’s been great but probably not needed. My next truck a gasser would be plenty good. My wife also owns a show horse, so the likelihood of me ending up on a mini farm with horse, goats, chickens and shit on it is pretty high. So my towing duty’s are likely to increase in the next couple years. Also considering putting a diesel on a diet to proactively eliminate emission equipment concerns.

I would imagine for what you are doing the larger 7.3 and 6.6 gassers make a compelling case depending on the application.

 

[rootacres]

Just an FYI - The new LZO per GM is a 200k mile change on the oil pump belt. Based on my loan terms and my average yearly driving, I should be at about 90-100k miles when my truck is paid off. That should give me around another 100k of miles and approx 5-6 years before that service is due. If I still have the truck at that point, not a big deal to put 3-4k into a paid off truck. Just the outlook I am taking with mine.

Yeah it sounds like the LZO has a couple of improvements in addition to that. The LZO was a 2022 or 2023 redesign?

I plan to have the truck for more than 150k and less than 300k so either way I’ll have that fix mixed in there.