Recommend a truck...

[SDHNTR]

The Tremor with 5.0 is a fantastic option. Very capable and proven reliable. One warning tho, it is LOUD. That may or may not be an issue for you.

 

[tony]

I'm in the market as well.
You guys make it sound like we need to go back to horses and carts

I've owned all F150s 1995 up to a 2013. All close to zero issues. Most of the issues I fixed myself.
Did have a water pump go out in the winter once, and I wasn't fooling with that.

2021 Ranger few bugs but with 88k on it now it's been pretty flawless.

Toyota - I'm looking at Tacoma's and in 2026 they still get the typical shit milage and the new motors are still underpowered.

I'm leaning Colorado or Canyon Trail Boss, ATX. Then maybe another Ranger. Just want something different.
I did look at a 1500 ZR2 with the tiny diesel, (3.0?) Then I read the oil pump belt is in the back of the motor and the trans has to come out to replace it. And to expect to do that at 200k. What the hell is an oil pump belt anyway?

 

[betelgeuse]

I picked up a 2024 Titan Pro 4x with 8k miles for $45k. It's a nice truck. 400hp gas.

 

[woods89]

Our work truck is a 22 F-250 with a 7.3 gas. It's fixing to turn over 50,000 miles, with very little issues. We've replaced the battery (weird deal, started smelling and swelling one morning at about 20,000 miles). Lot's of power, at the expense of fuel mileage, of course.

The size of a 3/4 ton gets annoying for outdoor stuff unless you are always parking on established parking areas.

I know of a young guy who bought a GM 1/2 ton with the Babymax and had such serious issues he tried to get them to take it back. I'd need to be pulling 10,000 lbs+ a few times a month to consider a diesel of any kind currently, and there is not a chance I want one in a 1/2 ton.

I feel like on the jobsites I'm on there are more Fords than anything else, but that's pretty anecdotal. I do know several previously diehard GM folks who have moved away from them in the last few years.

 

[bayoublaster7527]

Ford F-150 Tremor with the 5.0liter is a solid truck. Do not think there is another half ton that compares. From being able to tow decent to the solid off road suspension with actual skid plates that are pretty darn tough, it’s pretty close to the best of both worlds. The 5.0 is a proven powerplant and should last. 10 speed trans reliability depends how you drive it and how often you do a trans service, and it’s the same 10speed as GMs. I shopped and drove all the main truck brands and really thought it was superior to the other brands, but you do pay for it.

This 100%

 

[Tjdeerslayer37]

I did look at a 1500 ZR2 with the tiny diesel, (3.0?) Then I read the oil pump belt is in the back of the motor and the trans has to come out to replace it. And to expect to do that at 200k. What the hell is an oil pump belt anyway?

This was my second big argument against this engine, after the constant DPF/DEF issues. I also believe the 2.7 ecoboost has an oil pump belt on the back of the engine.

 

[WannaBeRambo]

Right now your best move is to go buy a used Toyota Hilux from a terrorist. They beat them up on unpaved roads with little maintenance and they seem to never quit (except when hit by Hellfires.)

All the major pickup makers here in the US seem to have the same management meaning they all have various degrees of headaches, especially the Big-3 because they let the accountants dumb down the product.

Bonus — you can probably negotiate with the terrorist to keep the dshk dshk installed in the bed and spot you a few cases ammo. (Yes, sarcasm)

 

[Steve300xcw]

I honestly dont understand 1/2 ton rigs. Thats soccer mom territory

Unless towing all the time, I'd buy gas. Dont see many folks working in the woods running an IFS rig...

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

It depends on what bells and whistles are your must-haves. I went the buy for the future route and also went with a 3/4 ton diesel. However, I went backwards in time and got a one-owner rust-free '09 Duramax (no DEF) LTZ . The truck spent its entire life in TX and had full service records. It also already had a 4" Rancho lift and aftermarket wheels and tires. The dealer installed new factory headlights and tailights which was a nice touch to replace the old cloudy units. Inside, the truck looks brand new other than the typical crack in the dashboard these are known for developing. It was top of the line for its day, but now is pretty domestic with tiny backup camera in the rear view mirror, digital Bose stereo without touch, Apple CarPlay, etc...

I spent the time and money to bullet proof the emissions system and also installed a 5 position tune and lift pump. I also deleted the factory fuel filter and installed ported fuel rail fittings and a race plug to prevent common fuel rail codes.

I upgraded the 20s and 33s to 17s and 35s. Finally, several weeks back I had my local body guy bulletproof the bottom of the rockers and the quarters in front and back of the rear wheels with bedliner spray. Since he already had it taken apart, I had him install a set of subtle fender flares (no fake bolts) and mud guards. I had it undercoated and inner fender coated right after I bought it last fall, and since this is my "forever" truck my upgrade objectives from the beginning focused on capability and longevity.

I pull a 17' boat and occassionally a 20' tandem trailer and the 120 tune is my "daily" driver. With this combination, as long as I keep the truck under 75mph, I average around 18-19 mpg and around 15 mpg towing.

Right now I'm around $32k all-in with the upgrades and the truck has 199k miles. As long as I am conscientious with the cleaining and maintenance, I should expect 500k or more without issues. So far, I absolutely love the truck and its been very reliable with a trip to NW WY and a couple trips to CO under its belt.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Another gas option worth looking at that has massive capability and some very nice creature comforts is 2009-2021 Toyota Land Cruiser or Lexus LX 500. These trucks have legendary reliability and are solid on and off road as-is with a ton of aftermarket support if you want to upgrade in the future. Both are made in Japan on a dedicated assembly line and factory and are the flagship pride of the brand. You can get rust-free versions from the south for around $30-40k. If I didn't want the abilility to be able to tow more than 7k pounds in the future (camper) I would sell my diesel and get one of these trucks. They are an impressive auto.

 

[WRO]

And they are replacing motors.

Having been a loyal Toyota customer guy years, they take care of their customers unlike the big 3.

GM took a class action to get their poop in a group.


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[Thinkingman]

Having been a loyal Toyota customer guy years, they take care of their customers unlike the big 3.

GM took a class action to get their poop in a group.


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Where's that guy that always pipes in about how Toyota screwed him on the leaf spring and frame rot recalls?

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

My Ford 3.5 Ecoboost has a timing chain.
I'd suggest more research.

More research courtesy of Google.

Common Ford 3.5L EcoBoost issues include:
-Premature timing chain stretch (causing rattles and check engine lights)
-Failing cam phasers (rattling on cold start)
-Carbon buildup on intake valves due to direct injection.
-Other problems include spark plug/ignition coil failures, leaking valve covers/oil pans, and coolant leaks from turbo fittings or water pumps.

Who puts a plastic oil pan on a vehicle anyways (2017-2018 3.5 Ecoboost)

 

[WRO]

Where's that guy that always pipes in about how Toyota screwed him on the leaf spring and frame rot recalls?

Probably finger painting with his own feces at the kitchen table right about now.

 

[Norcal18]

I throw in another vote for the F150 tremor, I have a ‘22 with the 3.5 and love it. Came from an 06 f350 6.0 powerstroke. I don’t really tow anything heavy so this is more than enough. The off-road tech is awesome and the power is on par with my older diesel, it’s pretty amazing what these gas engine can do nowadays. Would be nice some days to have a longer bed, but that’s a sacrifice I had to make to get the tremor.

 

[Thinkingman]

Probably finger painting with his own feces at the kitchen table right about now.

Finger paint-Toyota style

 

[WRO]

Finger paint-Toyota style

Like a fly to a turd..


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[tony]

For fun I spec'd out what I thought was a pretty plan F150 Tremor

$70,000

 

[Norcal18]

For fun I spec'd out what I thought was a pretty plan F150 Tremor

$70,000

ya I bought mine used. Definitely can’t see myself paying that much for a 1/2 ton. Plus the newer year models they removed some of the nicer features vs the 21-23 year models

 

[Bamban]

4/15/2024 I picked up my 2024 Ranger Raptor @ MSRP. 29960 miles later not a lick of problem. It has been to the San Juans twice, towed a trailer through the hills of TN with a lathe on it, the 3.0 twin turbo did it with ease.

I like the locking differential front and back, but never had to use them. In the rain and snow, I like the 4A.

Nostalgia therapy is satisfied by the spirited Sport mode coupled with Baja exhaust. Every time I want to remember to some degree how my 11 second daily driver sounded - the Raptor brings back the smile.

Someone asked me gas mileage - my answer, who cares..