I’m currently in the market for a truck, and I’m not sure if I want to go for a 150/1500 series or a compact, like a Ranger. I know I want an extended cab with 4 doors, at least a 6′ bed (I’ll put in a lumber rack and a spray in liner) and a tow package would be nice. My current truck is a regular cab, and vastly underpowered for the weight of the truck along with me and my tools. I figure a compact pickup with the largest 6 cyl made or a full size with a 5.2-5.4L engine. Think these are right? I don’t do much towing, but I like having the option. I’ve heard the S10 and Sonoma’s have problems, but the Rangers have improved a lot. Any advice is appreciated.
Young, poor, and eager to learn
Replies
Well, here's my somewhat philosophical thought:
If you're getting a truck, get a truck. I have a GMC Sierra with the 5.3, and surprisingly, it handles far better than it has any right to, has the extended cab, which is a must, and is large enough to handle the materials I pick up.
And I tow my race car with it in an enclosed trailer as well.
I would consider the new Ford F150 as well before making a final decision.
Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
Will it carry the weight? If not, things get overloaded - like my 1/2 ton van does. Would like a 3/4 for all the stuff I carry. Would not like the gas milage of one at 2.11/gallon.
How bout a nice 3/4 ton pickup? See a lot of those on the job.
ToolBear
To add, mostly what I haul around are my tools. I occasionally will do dump runs, and haul materials or appliances for smaller projects. The only time I've ever come close to bottoming out is hauling dirt and rock, and that is even just in a little compact truck.
Young, poor, and eager to learn
I have a Ranger with the "heavy duty" springs. Option on the Ranger, but standard with the Datsun version.
According to the paper work if I go naked and only put in 3 gals of gas I can carry 1500 lbs. And towing capacty plus load is 6000 lbs, but I would not trust my brakes with that much.
Anyway I have towed about 2200 very comfortable and hauld 1/2 yard of gravel or 1 yard of dirt with comfort.
If you are trying to decide on a full size and a compact whay not consider the ones in between like the Dakota, Tundra etc. We have a Tundra and it is decent on gas for V8 and has plenty of capacity for pulling etc. However, if I was going to work this truck heavily I would go with one of the full size from the Big Three instead.
I'm averaging 17mpg with the V8 Toyota, we got roughl 19-21mpg with a 1998 Tacoma V6.
SJ
You might want to consider the new Chevrolet Colorado or the GMC Canyon (replacements for the S-10 & Sonomas. Checked them out at the recent auto show and they looked good. But FWIW I think the extra $ for a full size truck is well worth especially when it comes to resale value.
I've got an S-10 and have really pushed it to the limits. I think it's held up fine but if you're in a trade (I'm not), I'd think you'd want something bigger. Also, if you want 4 doors and a 6-foot bed, I think you have to go full size. I believe the compacts with 4 door cabs have beds that are only about 5 foot. Regarding the new GM trucks (Colorado and Canyon), while they are larger than the S-10 they replace, they actually have less towing capacity and their engines produce less torque. Leave it to GM to shoot themselves in the foot...
Leave it to GM to shoot themselves in the foot...
Now THAT made me laugh...cuz it's SO true!
Also, if you go full, the new Nissan Titan has been winning comparisions all around.Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
Start by figuring out what you will use the truck for on a daily basis. If the back seat ill be used for hauling helpers or kids, that's a lot different than needing lockable space for tools.
If the bed will be used primarily for materials, that's different than using it for toolboxes.
If you'll be using the bed for toolboxes, you should seriously consider one of the mid-sized trucks (Dakota, Tacoma, or the new GMs.). It's much easier to reach over the rails and into a toolbox, but there's still plenty of room.
Of course, with the lumber rack, materials can go above. Just how high will you need to reach to put that 16-foot 6X6 up there? Or that 40-foot ladder that weighs as much as most automatic transmissions? Again, the mid-size trucks might be the better option.
Unless, of course, you have hired help to do all of the loading. If that's the case, go for the F350, with added-height suspension.
Unless you're the lead dog, the view just never changes.
If I were buying new today, I'd look at diesel. Prices didn't do nearly the same jump as gasoline.
-- J.S.
I have a 2002 F250 SD 4x4 5.4L V8 Wish I had the V10 it gets about the same gas milage as the V8 12-14mpg but has more HP & Torq. I have the reg cab No complaints nice& big!
I dunno about the V10 getting the same mileage as their V8. My buddy owns an irrigation business he bought one as his own truck. He complains constantly about the mileage. I think he averages around 10 mpg. He won't even put the trailer on it. Saves that for the diesels :)
He can lay a pretty decent patch with it though.
I like my F250 Super Duty (gas V10). Extended cab and short box make it hard to haul 12' sheets of drywall, but the 4 doors are great and it gets BETTER mileage when I'm towing a skidsteer or overloaded dump trailer. But that's 3 or 4 times a year, and now that I'm hauling mainly tools and less material & equipment, I regret going to the F250. Looking for a way to get out of my lease so I can get a new F150 with diesel.
I've never heard of Ford offering a diesel motor in an F-150....only in the Super Duty 250's and 350's. Is this something new? Did they come out with a smaller version of the Powerstroke or is the new 6.0 liter small enough to fit in a 150? I've got a 2002 7.3 liter Powerstroke in my F-350 can't imagine how that sucker could get crammed into an F-150.
They are looking at different MFG. to put a six cylinder diesel in the F-150, since REAL diesels are sixes : ). I own a Cummins, had to say that. Anyway, since the 6.0 litre went south in so many trucks, they are trying to find a company to supply a six shooter for the half ton.
ColeCole Dean
Dean Contracting
Ah....good to know. How's that Dodge anyway? Drop yer tranny yet or are you not up to yer warranty date? :)
Cute. But your right, the Cummins is the best, but it ain't wrapped too pretty. So far my tranny in my 01' auto is holding, but i work the hell out of it. Problem is the front end. That motor weighs as much as some cars. I have replaced ball joints, track bar, and pitman arm already and am only at 83,000 miles. Although a girl GC I know has a 6.0 litre PS and is on her third tranny in 25,000. I heard they are getting the bugs worked out of it though. That was the main reason I went with the Cummins, although Dodge could take a few lessons from Ford regarding the wrapping.
Cole
Cole Dean
Dean Contracting
My son just got this 1997 3/4 ton with one ton axels and brakes, dual cat back 3" exhaust with a 454 gas gussler.
I've got to tell you there is a huge difference driving his truck. It is smoother, brakes better, has way more room in the cab, and although he won't miss many gas stations, he can really be proud of this rig.
It makes mine seem like a toy..........
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
I truly believe that if you are going to haul anything you should get something that has the suspension and brakes and motor that will do the work for you.
I added 3 leaf springs so my truck wouldn't sag and it will go when I put my foot in it, but I really have to put the pedal to the floor when braking on some of the hills around here.
My next truck will be a 3/4 ton with heavy duty brakes.
Don't buy a truck for economy.............That doesn't work..........the smaller engine will work too hard..........
I know with increased gas prices we all think about economy...............
The truth is we have to bill more to pay for our gas.........
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
"My son just got this 1997 3/4 ton with one ton axels and brakes, dual cat back 3" exhaust with a 454 gas gussler."
Pro-Dek,
Actually, with a manual tranny (5 speed w/t 1st "granny gear" and .70 overdrive), the 454 gets pretty good mileage. I get close to 17mpg on the highway with 4.10's. I've been very pleased with it.
Mine looks awfully similar.
Edit: All C6P trucks (the HD 3/4 ton package) come with the same suspension components. The ONLY difference between a 3/4 ton HD and 1 ton is that the rear drums are slightly wider on the 1 ton. That's it.
It was interesting that when I ordered mine, there was hardly a price difference between it and the 1/2 ton, I presumed 'cause unlike the 1/2 ton, It didn't come with airbags.
Edited 3/24/2004 2:26 pm ET by WorkshopJon
Nice rig Jon.
I assumed it was a one ton because of the eight lugs. I thought the 3/4 only had six.
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
"I assumed it was a one ton because of the eight lugs. I thought the 3/4 only had six."
Pro-Dek,
3/4's can have six lugs. Prior to the current generation, Chevy and GMC had two chassis platforms. One was light duty, and could be either 1/2 ton or 3/4, only difference in the latter was slightly heaver rear leaf springs.
The other was the C6P chassis, which weighted almost 1/2 ton more. Two completely different animals. All one tons, and all HD 3/4 tons used that chassis. In addition to all the HD chassis stuff (including massive brakes and eight lug wheels), it also had a MUCH heavier duty tranny (regardless of auto or manual) 3" duals to the muffler (w/t twin cats) and pretty sure, depending on the year, an oil cooler, and if you got the 454, a 125 amp alternator (only way to get it).
When I ordered mine (GMC, 2003, 2500HD, 8.1, Allison) I specified 3.73 gears instead of 4.10. I thought it would get better mileage. The Allison is a 5 speed with a real low first gear. I get about 10-11 mpg so don't think I am getting better gas mileage. Did I make a mistake by getting the 373's? It's a great truck but I am a little disappointed in the MPG. Though I did talk with a guy who had a Deisel/Allison and when he was towing he was getting close to what I was.
"Did I make a mistake by getting the 373's? It's a great truck but I am a little disappointed in the MPG."
Paradiscic,
I don't think you made a mistake in the gearing. If most of your driving is highway, ie. not stop and go city, a manual trans can make a big difference.......One of the reasons you hardly ever see automatics in Europe with their $5.00 to $7.00 a gallon gas prices.
On the other hand, if it's mostly city, and you like the convience of an automatic..... ......Hey, that was your choice.
Unfortunately, the EPA does not rate the MPG on HD vehicles, so you only have word of mouth to go by.
Jon
Edit: "Though I did talk with a guy who had a Deisel/Allison and when he was towing he was getting close to what I was."
Most people I know with diesel P/U's get well into the twenties MPG wise. I've read that even semi's average close to 7 or 8 nowadays, and they weigh ten times more.
Edited 3/24/2004 7:46 pm ET by WorkshopJon
Two good looking trucks! What year is your's? Is that an after market grill?
Bob
Thanks Bob, Yes the grill, sidebooards, and visor are aftermarket from Lund truck parts.........."Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
Mine is a 1997 GMC"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
BTW, speaking of warranty, I had and extended warranty on the truck and they denied the front end work because my company name was on the the truck. Commercial use=No warranty, BS, what are you supposed to use a 1 ton truck for anyway? Grocery Shopping I guess.
Cole Dean
Dean Contracting
Thats why you get magnetic sighns and pull them off before you go in for repairs. Then you put them back on when you need to snag a comercial parking spot.
get a full sized, heavier, more powerful better cooling, transmission etc etc
so it will last longer
caulking is not a piece of trim
I wouldn't dismiss a compact truck, I've seen people work very effectively out of them. I use a S-10 extended cab myself and it has performed admirably. I bought it new, was trading in my F150, I considered the new F150 but for me a manual transmission is a requirement and the new F150's are only automatic. I've hauled well over 1,000 pounds in the bed without it being in any danger of bottoming out. I personally want to get a older F100 and fix it up and build some wood toolboxes for the bed..
-Ray
I'm on my third Dakota now, been happy with all three. They're not a heavy duty truck by any stretch, but the one I bought in 2000 had a 4.7 v-8 and had just scads of power. Actually probably too much power for the size of the truck. It had more than enough balls to pull a skidloader trailer, but the brakes weren't nearly heavy duty enough, nor was the truck big enough for safe stopping with that much trailer behind it. Got kinda scary at times. I actually got better gas mileage with the v-8 than I'm getting with my current v-6.