In your opinions the best full size truck and why?

[benjy]

GM, with a 5.3 or a 6.0 depending on your towing needs. Diesels are great, but the cost of fuel and maintenance is quite high and IMO diesels aren't needed for most people towing their crawlers.

This is my opinion as well. If we didn't have our enclosed trailer, I'd sell the duramax and get a 3/4 ton with a 6.0. I'm not certain, but I'm pretty sure these came with the allison as well.

 

[Houndoc]

Why not go back 5 or so years and buy a used Cummins?

We have an '05 Dodge w/ Cummins- used both for towing (22' boat- about 5-6K pounds loaded or horse trailer- pushing 10K when loaded) and as my wife's daily driver.

Very happy with it as far as towing goes- does a great job.

Of course rides like a truck, so not the most comfortable for the family, but used to it by now.

We are sitting at just under 110K miles on it. The only significant problem we have had is the death wobble issues we dealt with last summer (there is a thread on it here somewhere- is an issue with the trucks and not an inexpensive repair.)

All in all would have no problem buying another one.

 

[thenag]

Awesome!

x2




Everything built in the past 10 years is so much more reliable than what it used to be. I have a 2000 f250 with a 5.4L and a 5speed the only things that have broken on it were the fuel pump failed at 210,000 miles and it left me stranded in my garage. Also the cruise control quit working and I needed to replace the switch on the clutch pedal. I know this truck is not typical of any vehicle but it is much more reliable than anything made in the 80's. It is original clutch, motor, tranny, t-case, even the unit bearing hubs are original. and "everyone on the internet says the unit bearing hubs will explode as soon as you leave the dealer lot and the motor will spit spark plugs all the time"

The internet has altered perception, GM's have weak ass tie rods as seen by the one video of the H2 that broke his tie rods, GM's all have piston slap, Fords blow spark plugs (early triton's) fords have spark plugs that seize in the block (newer triton's) Titan's blow up rear ends, (isn't it a d44?) 2000 xj's with the I-6 will die at 75,000 miles... All of these cases do have merit but when you look at how many vehicles are affected compared to how many are NOT affected you will usually see it is a pretty small percentage.

I haven't towed with my f250, I know the chassis and the the tranny will take it, the weak old 5.4L will struggle but I will just down shift and go slow.

I have always liked ford seats, I can't get comfortable in GM's. (Jeeps are ok) never really been in a dodge, or full size import.

I agree with go out look at everything, research everything you can, get what you like you can find good and bad about them all.

I think a better question would be "what truck did you have that got rid of and why?" would tell more than what is your favorite.

no help here

Nathan
-99 xj

 

[I Lean]

I think a better question would be "what truck did you have that got rid of and why?" would tell more than what is your favorite.
j

Good point!

My worst was an '89 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD. Rod knock, the 700R4 gave out twice, it never really ran very well, very uncomfortable bench seat, and a ball joint fell out of the A-arm in a parking lot.

The upside is that when the fuel pump gave out, it was at home rather than the middle of nowhere.

Worst vehicle of any kind I've ever had. Hated it. It was named The Stain. I replaced it with my current 2000 F350 Powerstroke, which is still going strong at 220K.

 

[Rot Box]

i also like fords with the 7.3s but if possible i would like something with a little better mpgs. I also need room for the family so thats a factor

Do what I did and go old, ugly and cheap! Then put the extra $10k into something fun

My 91 Ford has the 7.3 turbo diesel, a 5 speed manual and plenty of room to keep my family comfortable on long trips. While it costs about $45 to change the oil every 5k it really hasn't needed much more than routine maintenance. Fuel economy comes in at about 16-18mpg unloaded which isn't terrible considering diesel would have to cost about 30% more for me to consider a 460 With the Centurion interior package I can drive across Utah without my butt checks going numb--well almost all the way haha.

Lots of opinions here so I figured I better get mine in lol.

 

[Caleb]

Do what I did and go old, ugly and cheap! Then put the extra $10k into something fun

I think this is some of the best advice yet. Not necessarily the old ugly part but buy what you can afford (i.e. pay cash for). I can't imagine having a vehicle payment, it's not worth it.

 

[coaks]

I personally love my 01 Ram for a couple of reasons. First the solid axle void of CV boots, second, the direct throw transfer case with no electronics to fail and lastly the turning radius is great. On the down side I have had more trouble proportionately with it than my previous GM trucks but figure 4 to 5k once in a while for a major overhaul and rebuild is far cheaper than the price of a new one.

 

[Toad]

When I was looking for mine I wanted a Mega Cab Cummins with a six speed bad. Besides the payment the worst part of the truck was the Dodge that came with the chassis. I just cannot get excited about thoses trucks. I ended up with a 1996 f-250 Crew cab with the 7.3 powerstroke. It is in very good shape. The best part about it is I paid cash for it. I could not afford a payment, full coverage insurance, fuel, repairs and maintance.
Every truck has problems. You just need to be aware of what they are and be prepared to deal with them.

 

[Bart]

My favorite 2 trucks were my 97 Ford and my 01 Ford Superduty. Both crew cabs with the 7.3 and autos. I put 100,000 miles on the 01. One tranny and basic maintenance.

 

[ALF]

This is my opinion as well. If we didn't have our enclosed trailer, I'd sell the duramax and get a 3/4 ton with a 6.0. I'm not certain, but I'm pretty sure these came with the allison as well.

I tow my K5 with a 1500HD GMC and it has the 6.0, you don't get much heavier of a trail rig than a fullsize Blazer, and my truck does fine, doesn't keep up with all the souped up diesels but I only paid 13k for it with 56k miles on it two years ago. I think I'll go slower towing for a lower truck payment:greg:

 

[sixb]

buy what you can afford (i.e. pay cash for). I can't imagine having a vehicle payment, it's not worth it.

X10 billion:greg:

 

[NYCEGUY01]

Just only buy the ONE you can afford.
Try not to turn your driveway and shop into a used car lot.

sixb knows what Im talking about...LOL