Decided to sell my 2000 V6 long bed Sonoma and get a new full size truck.
I like the Ford – basic long bed, regular cab, small V8, auto with air. For a grand I can have a local company install power door windows and locks, alarm that also covers the 3 door/windows of a cap, and cruise. Plus probably another $8-900 for an aluminum cap with three roof racks instead of two and a sliding front (toward cab) window.
I’t prbably abouve 2000 less than a Tundra, the other opton I’m considering.
New Fords will be out the end of this month so they are currently offering a $3500 rebate on a new ’04.
Comments appreciated.
Replies
Sonny,
I know you specialize in small jobs, but have you considered a trailer? The ability to stand up and get your tools is a wonderful thing.
If not I will tell you the half ton Fords are nice. I rode in my buddies new F150 with the 5.4 liter engine and it was worlds away from my '91 F150.
Jon Blakemore
Thanks, Jon. I like my Sonoma for a few reasons, but one is that since I'm only 5'7", I can reach in to the cap from the side and reach the center of the bed to get something. The entire bed is well organized with tools and inventory. But being a 4' x 7'6' floor it's only 30 sq. ft. while a full size pick up with a 5x 8 floor will give me a third more - 40 s.ft. Figure I'd get running boards or tubes to step on for reach.
Three racks on the cap lets me keep my 4' & 6' steps on one side, with horses on the 6', and 3' on the 4 'step w/a 2' step on the 3'. Then a 20' ext/ on the passenger side of the cap. Works good for me. Get about 17 mpg even with the added weight and bad ext. air flow.
My biggest problem is my garage size. Down here they are about 22x22 or 22x20 and with CBS you lose a lot of interior room. Shelving on both sides doe's leave much room for Barb's Voyager minivan and my Sonoma, so with a full size truck I'll have to do some reworking on the shelving.
Like working from my garage, but sure wish I had the up north standard size of 24 x 24 framed.
At my age and medical history I figured I'd pamper myself with my last new truck, and while the Dodges sure look sharp, most of the Dodge guys's I've talked to said to get a Ford instead, and I've had it with GM.
most of the Dodge guys's I've talked to said to get a Ford instead
You've clearly been talking with the wrong Dodge guys!!! I own a 98 Dodge diesel 4x4 with a 5 speed manual. I have nothing but praise for these trucks. It's got 130,000 miles on it and will go 10,000 miles between oil changes without needing to add any oil. It gets 18 mpg pulling a trailer and with diesel prices quite a bit less than gas, it really makes a difference at the pump. I have heard that there are some bad comments out there about the Dodge truck automatic transmission but I won't own a vehicle with an automatic so it's a mute point. I'm sure I'm about to ruffle some feathers here but if you enjoy spending time at the shop and paying hefty repair bills, a Ford is the truck you're looking for.
I'm sure I'm about to ruffle some feathers here but if you enjoy spending time at the shop and paying hefty repair bills, a Ford is the truck you're looking for.
I'm on my second Ford diesel. No repair bills. No down time. Would happily buy another. I believe the poster is looking for reviews on what we like about our trucks and problems we've had with our trucks, not non-specific brand bashing. That's for kids. Every company has built their share of lemons. FWIW, my old boss has two Dodge diesels and loads of problems with them. I tend to think some of it has to do with poor maintenance, but he did have the tranny's drop on both of them.
I'm not sure if your the exception or the rule. But for what it's worth Here's why I bought my first ford.
Driving a 94 Dodge. In the shop again, fourth time for the computer. The mechanic is a My wife's best friends husband. I ask if maybe I should trade it for another one, maybe it's justa freak thing.
His response? " Go out that side door, thats where we all park. Tell me what you see" When I came back I told him I saw a bunch of trucks and a few cars. Then he asked me what I didn't see. Not one single Dodge. Up until then I had been a Dodge Man. His advice was to buy what he drove. And I've bought six since then.
I'm in love with the Cummins motor. Just not willing to take a risk on the rest of the truck. Good friend of mine just picked up a '04 with a gas V-8. Exhuast leaks both sides, less than 10,000 miles
Sonny,
Keep it simple, less to go wrong, don't forget about the price of fuel, and the cost to the environment of burning more of it. Sorry for my ludite approach but I still have roll up windows.
Alma
You make a good point. My wife thinks I'm nuts because even with the combination of our heat and humidity, I often drive with my air off and windows down. I'm a fanatic for mpg.
On teh flip side, only had one power window problem and the place that installed replaced the motor free, and that was about 3 years after they installed it.
While on the subject, he gave me a tip to make those motors last a lot longer - spray silicone against the door's black vinyl strip on each side of the glass while keeping it away from the glass with a screw driver or the like. And to use Rain-X on both sides of the glass. The first time I did that about 2 years after owning the truck, they went up and down literally twice as fast - less friction which also transfers to less strain on the motors.
During the winter with no air on, I get 19-20 mpg - not bad for a big V6 pulling all that weight. Then again, I'm not one of the jerks I see here often that literally raaaaace to the next red light, then hit their brakes. Go figure! I prefer to coast to red lites.
Sonny,
And I thought a 24x24 garage is tight. I guess that proves that us tradesman with our tools can never have too much space.
The guys on Car Talk have said that they believe it's more efficient to run with the air on than the windows down if you're going fast enough.
Around town you're probably better off with the windows down but the drag at freeway speeds is worse than the air compressor.
I just bought a 2003 Nissan Frontier and I'm loving have a truck that doesn't drive or smell like bread wagon.
Jon Blakemore
more efficient to run with the air on than the windows down if you're going fast
That "fast" is actually quite slow. The automotive design prof down the street told me that the aerodynamics have improved to where instead of 45 mph being where the drag of open windows was greater than the a/c load, it's down to 38 on average. With the a/c on a magnetic clutch run only "on demand," the load (read mpg penalty) on the engine is much lower than it used to be, too. The overdrive automatic transmissions also average out better than a standard for mileage, too.
Now, the thing that is harder to deal with is getting acclimated to the heat, and then trying to not freeze in the air conditioned ride (almost a 9 month problem here in central Texas).Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Jon , is that a small truck?
Tim Mooney
Yep, Tacoma/S10/Ranger size.
I love it.
Jon Blakemore
Sonny,
I have an '02 Super Duty F250 and I like it. 5.4L v8, 4x4(up north), XLT model, which means some do-dads like windows, locks, cruise,bla bla bla. Plenty of guts to go with lots of stuff and a 5 ton trailer(over limit but what the hay), no real problems with the beast except 11-13 MPG. I have a System One ladder rack on and a big crossover box. I don't know if it will be a height problem for you in your garage. They are all taller now. I would jump now. And get the windows from the factory. Also have the factory nerf bars for steps. Better than anything else I have seen in the aftermarket. Ford is offering a private incentive to current Ford Finace customers of two months payments in addition to any deal you can strike. Don't know if you can get any help fron the dealer on that but it can't hurt to ask.
CurlyHand Hewn Restorations Inc.
Restoring the past for the future.
no matter what ya get ...
up sizing to the 8 is a good move.
I know you don't have the hills that we have here ... but even for highway driving ... most people don't realize a loaded down small truck with an "economical" 4 or 6 is going to have worse gas mileage than a well tuned 8.
the harder the engine has to work ... the worse the gas mileage is.
Jeff
Buck Construction, llc Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
Bought an 03 Tundra extenda cab and love it. Comfort, safety, handling all excellent. I get 19 mpg on the highway, worst I get is 12 mpg around town, but that's with towing over 4,000 lb. trailer. Not a problem since I bought it. V8 has plenty of power when I need it. I know I'm in the minority here with all the buy american folks, but when they make a truck as good as the Tundra I'll seriously look at it, til then I ride in reliable comfort.
Let's not confuse the issue with facts!
Greetings from a newbie!!
Just my $0.02 worth. My best pal's father drives a Toyota Prius - one of the hybrid cars and I asked and got taken for a test drive. What a fabulous piece of machinery. The owner is a former TWA flight line mechanic and a bit of a techie. Anyway, he bought the car before they became the thing to have. He's in love with the vehicle. He averages 49mpg and around here we have plenty of hills.
Anyway, he tells me that the dealership he bought the Toyota from sells equal numbers of Ford and Toyota products. The dealership has 15 Ford trained mechanics and two Toyota mechanics because that is the ratio of vehicles that come back in to have items fixed under warranty. The dealer was told that it's cheaper to fix the vehicles at the dealership than it is to get it right at the factory. Interestingly enough, the majority of Toyota & Lexus vehicles, but not the Prius, is built in the USA.
I drive a Ford myself but with that corporate attitude, even though I can buy on the X-plan, with that piece of damning evidence, I think I'm going to be looking real hard at who designed my next vehicle, not necessirily where it was built.
Again, thanks to all of you guys. I just measured and I have 8" from the top of my highest step ladder on the roof rack to the bottom of the overhead door's lowest point, so a new truck might just make it .
Well, tomorrow I do some research and visit my dealers. According to edmunds.com, both Tundra and the Ford F-150 are rated the same at 9.2 if that carries any credibility.
Boy, you guys are making me remember things I forgot about when I bought my Sonoma. Talk about comfortable. I cannot drive with without a cushion, which was the #1 complaint from Consumers Rpt. I read back then. The seat is so low it's only comfortable for guys near 6' tall.
And I'll definitely check out the acceleration with the small 8 vs the big 8.
Seems like a lousy excuse for the Ford, but they are right smack on a road I drive past almost each day and about 1.5 miles from my house, while the Toyota dealer is about 15 miles away (or more) and in an area I almost never work at anymore due to traffic during "season." It was a 30-40 minute drive. Used to go work there and charged customers travel time both ways, but it got to be too frustrating so I stopped completely. Remember, with so many seniors here we get those pulling out in front of you from side streets or driveways of a store when you're doing 50, driving in 2 or 3 lanes at 35 - next to each other - in 45 zones, etc. I can't handle that any more other than an occasional day here and there.
Thanks for the post. I buy American when America makes a paroduct Id be a fool "not" to buy as opposed to a fool "for" buying it.
Had to put in a new AC compressor at about 68,000 - $992. New altenator a month before that at $350 but with out heatr here I expect that. What really got me was the shaft that the handle is attached that adjusts the back seat broke after the warrantee and adjusting it abut a dozen times during that perior. I still havent had it fixed yet, but it was pot metal. When I went to the GMC dealer and asked him who the hel lstil lused pot metal, he said: "GM does."
The the hard rubber block that hold up the extreme right end of the front bumber broke so the bumper at that end sagged about 1/2". More crap parts.
Heard good things about the Fords but even better about the Tundra. It's just hard to justify the extra 2-3 grand for the Tundra. However, I may change my mind. Got to test drive both and do what our customers do to us - chisel to get the best price.
Thanks, curly, forgot about the height. Will have to measure my opened door and the truck, cap and ladders on the rack. Think I'm gettng 17 again since I really would like the big V8 with glass packs. Ahhhh. The old days.
My Sonoma came set up for trailering - heavier suspension but a higher geared rear end also. When empty, if I nail it, I leave about 60 feet of rubber and shock those kids driving the V8 Mustangs next to me. Yep, once in a while I'm back in the 60's again.
Sonny,
Go for the Ford. On My third truck. Owned a total of Six Fords so far. Everyone was awsome. Wish I could say the same for My Dodge.
Sonny--With all the well-known troubles I've had with my GMC, it's almost comical to have me recommending one...but the problems I've had have been due to poor choice of mechanics rather than a poor truck....
I looked at a few different years and models of Fords at first, but found I couldn't get my body comfortable in one, no matter how I tried. Things just didn't seem to be in the places my arms and legs wanted to find them in.... The Ford salesman himself told me, "Guys that like Fords aren't comfortable in a GM or Chevy. Chevy or GMC owners can sometimes find a Dodge or a Japanese truck they can live with, but never a Ford. It's just the way the interiors are designed....
Only Ford I ever liked the feel of was the Ranger, which is really a Nissan(?) with Ford stickers on it. You might be better off in the Tundra, based on that....
Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?
was the Ranger, which is really a Nissan(?)
Actually, it was(is) a Mazda. Bodywork from Canada, designed in Dearborn, powertrain designed by Mazda, built mostly in Kentucky.
The 4 door Explorer is Ford, the 2 door is Mazda, they were designed as a Joint Venture. IIRC, the Mazda is a Navajo in the US.
I want to say that the Luv was Nissian designed, but I could be wrong (that's been years & years ago).Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Thanks, you are right about the Ranger being a Mazda. When I typed that in last night, I had a feeling my mind was playing tricks on me, hence the (?)....
In any event, it was a neat little truck with a lot of pep. No way I could use one unless it was a 4x4, though; the rear end is so light I couldn't get it up a 1% grade without carrying the full rated load in the box....Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?
My 1986 Nissan 1/2 ton pickup, with almost 278K miles on it, runs great, and the emissions are less than a third of what it takes to pass. Cost a little over $5K new, back when they were giving them away, trying to crack the truck market.
I've never before had such a reliable vehicle.
But I'm leaning toward a Dodge minivan and a 10' stakebed truck, next time around -- if this Nissan would just die. I'n the meantime, I'll keep it on the road to haul stuff that doesn't belong in a sedan or minivan. Lumber, used oil, radial arm saw, etc.
Maybe a BMW 5-Series?Retired until my next job.
I had the same truck. Sold it with confidence to a friend at about 150,000 miles ( I just needed a full size truck). Saw him about a month ago driving it. It had 298,000 on it. He's thinking about getting another truck.
In any event, it was a neat little truck with a lot of pep.
I could never quite adjust to needing eight spark plugs for the beasts, though, and all the wires to match. Made me slightly happier my Bronc II used a V6. C'est la vie.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
I'll betcha Loonies to Tim Hortons those 4 extra plugs kept the emissions low and mileage high, though....
Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?
kept the emissions low and mileage high, though
No doubt, but just a bit of sticker shock come tune-up time, though . . . Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
I gotta jump on the GMC bandwagon, too. I've got a '96 4x4 with 150,000 mi on it. Just put new tires on it. If I won the lottery, getting a new truck would be a low priority. This thing runs and drives great.
I learned respect for the toughness of GM products working on tugboats powered by their Electro-Motive Division (EMD) diesels. That's one of the reasons I was so bummed when I started having trouble with my truck. But like I said up front of this post, all the problems were due to my lousy choice in mechanics. Once I sent the ol' Blue Beast to a good wrench artist, she came back running like 1990 was just yesterday....
Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?
Well fellas, I decided to keep my Sonoma. It’s set up perfect now. I don’t really want to have to screw up my garage to accommodate a 12” wider and 2-3’ longer truck, and really don’t want another 5 years of payments. Mine is paid off in January.
Gonna get a new computer, have the truck’s very small scratches here and there taken care of, put some thick galvanized washers or nuts that fit tight around the bolts under the driver’s seat to raise it up about 1.5”, and continue to enjoy it. Maybe take everything out of the bed, wash it and have that spray coating put on it. Rhino, I think it’s called. Now it just has the black rubber floor mat and one on the inside of the tailgate.
Let’s fact it, our trucks are like old friends. We know them very well, and hate to lose them.
Good call. It's nice to actually own something once in awhile.
Good call. I always get asked by the guys driving $40,000 trucks "when are you gonna get a new one?" I just figure I'll buy one of their's at auction after it gets repo'd. Or maybe I'll make a social call to their wife while they're working that extra 20 hours a week to be able to afford a truck they don't want any dirt on.
Thanks, for the thumbs up, guys. The last truck I bought, I got from a county auction. Good deal, and well maintained. If and when ready again I might fo that route again.
I figure as long as my customers continue to compliment on my "nice" truck and how well I keep it organized, why succumb to one more temptation that leaves my wallet a lot thinner, and several other people's thicker.
Rhino is one brand, probably the best known.
But look at LineX also. I ended up with it and really like it. If I remember it is a little harder.
When I looked at it 4 years ago there where a number of different brands with different characteristics, but Rhino and LineX where the only ones that had many branches.
They are all franchised operations.
Thaks, Bill. I know we have a Rhino dealer so 'Ill look for the LineX also.
I have an '04 Ford no real serious complaints as yet other then the gas mileage. I have a standard cab long bed, with the heavy suspension package, 5.4L XLT 4x4. I have a cross over box with 2 side boxes loaded with tools. I average about 11 mpg.
Just my personal preferance here, but I'd go with the Ford installed alarm. The reason I suggest this is because with the Ford installed alarm it wraps into the warranty. So if it ever breaks, or shorts the computer or whatever, it's on Ford's dime.
I had one installed with the Ford remote start (I'm a wimp and do not like a cold truck) The alarm uses the horn, I'd rather have a siren personaly, but the shock sensors work well on mine, a firm shove at the back, dropping the tailgate for example, and the alarm honks at you. as you move further up the bed the less sensitive the shock sensor becomes. Shock the alarm enough, it goes off or shock it hard enough the first time and it goes off.
I'd test drive the 4.6L and the 5.4L if you haven't already. I noticed the 4.6L was a tad slugish and figuered it would be more so when I had it loaded down with tools. The larger V8 seems to help, but it's by no means quick out of the gate.
The best thing I've found about the truck is the back doors and extra storage in back of the seat.
I'd also opt for the larger gas tank, at 90 bucks or so, it's nice to get the extra distance out of one tank if you ever take long trips.
Check out the Nissan Titan. For our company we have a box (cube van) with the utility boxes on the outside that is new this year, a bigger box van that is about 5 years old and we have 2 new (this year) GMC cargo vans, and we have a 2000 Tundra. We are happy with the Tundra, but it just isn't quite stout enough. Our sider is driving it now and it's great for him, but if we did it over again, we'd probably get the Titan.
Tough decision isn't it? :-)
Tough decision is right. I didn't know that the Titan was a full size truck. They are about 2 blocks from my Ford dealer. I'l check it out.
Tks.
It may come down to the total height from concrete to top of the caps; roof rack cross pieces.
Geez, I'm starting to sound like a some of the crazy customers of ours.
"Come on lady. Make up your mind. They're only cabinets!"
Sonny
One to to watch for on the height is that trucks come with a 1000 different combination of suspension and wheels and that will control with the height of the truck ends up at.
So if you find one that is near what you want, but a little high see if there are other acceptable wheel/tires for that model.
Thanks for the tip, Bill. I also run my tire pressure at max due to the weight, plus I usually add those coil springs that wrap around the shocks, plus I have to add the weight of tools, etc., so every 1/2 inch suddenly becomes important. Also just remembered that a few months ago when I replaced my tires I went to the next higher size, probably raised the truck another 1/2" or so.
Let me see, now if I am successful at quitting smoking, and gain about 30 lbs, that will lower the truck by...............
I have had Chevy cars and Ford trucks my entire life (blame my dad).
I can count on one hand the number of problems I have had with Ford Trucks (not including the rust problems, that they have since fixed very well) I currently have an F-150 with the big 8. Pull job trailers with no problems... largest is an 18fter that is fully loaded with "stuff".
I did get the extended cab this time with a 6.5 ft bed... mistake, but I live with it for the ability to carry an extra guy or two to a remote job. Anything over 8 (tailgate down)... I either get delivered or put in a trailer. Besides, I am too old to be handling that bigger stuff <g>.
I had one chevy truck in my life. It was a pig, and I swore off of them ever since. Conversely... I had one Ford auto that was a similar pig... so I have stuck with Chevy cars... and have had good luck (but not as much luck as I have had with Ford Trucks).