Lets talk 1/2 ton trucks

Punchdrunk Monkey

Punchdrunk Monkey

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My 2020 Ford Raptor was just totaled. My previous truck was a 2013 Ford Raptor. So now I am tasked with looking for a new/replacement truck. I have always had Fords. My truck before the Raptors was a 2001 F-250 7.3 which I still have. I am having a mental debate if I should buy another 2020 Raptor or go a couple years older and downgrade to hopefully not have a payment. I was thinking of a regular 4x4 F-150 or maybe a Tundra? The newer Rams are pretty nice inside and I don't know anything about the Chevy 1/2 tons. The Raptors have a lot of creature comforts which I like and they ride very nice. My 2013 I offroaded a lot. It went back and forth to Cabo a few times. The 2020, not so much. II had it out a few times but I planned on trying to keep it stock and keep it for a long time. If I stay around 50-60k I should be able to pay for it. If I go above that there will have to be a loan. The loan is not a deal killer as I had one on my totaled truck. But as you know, no loan is better.

What 1/2 ton truck do you have? How do you like it? I know the Raptors well, what are the pros and cons of other manufactures? 

I am not looking for a debate on Ford Vs Chevy, Mild Steel Vs 4130 or Speed Vs Can Am. Just what you like about your truck.

 
At this point, I think all the manufacturers have stepped up the game and you can't really go wrong with any of them.

It really comes down to personal preference. 

I think they all tow about the same. I think they all look good except what the EFF did Toyota do on the new tundra? Their front end looks like someone got beat up and ended up with 2 fat lips.

:lmao:

The last 1/2 ton I had was 2000 GMC Z71 Sierra and LOVED that truck...but it got totaled and then I went to the 2500 HD diesel.

Sorry, I'm not much help, but as far as Ford, Dodge, Chevy...can't really go wrong with any of them I think.

Good luck in the search, sucks you have to go through this.

Oh, did you have GAP insurance by chance?

That saved my butt when my 2000 GMC got totaled.

:dbart:

 
Any of the big 4, Chevy, Ram, Ford and Toyota have great trucks and depending on the trim level have some real nice options.  Can't say a bad thing about any of them overall.  Go drive a bunch and see what you can get the best bang for your buck with. I wouldn't be looking at nameplates.

 
I have a bunch of friends that have all of these trucks described and they are all very nice.

I am a Chevy guy and I love my 2020 LTZ.

IMG_20200703_102511649_HDR.jpg

 
I have a 2011 Tundra 2wd. I purchased 8 years ago with 53k miles, now has 195k. I would say 50% of the miles I have put on it have been towing a trailer. I use it to tow a 20' enclosed trailer with either a baja or vw powered sandrail in it. It has never left me stranded and never let me down. It gets used as not only the tow vehicle, but also as a chase vehicle when I am racing my baja as well as helping pit/chase for friends in Mexico. It is 2wd and will go places some of the race cars don't do well in. Everything about the truck is big; the front arms, hubs, brakes, rear axle, etc. make my dad's 1500 chevy look small. Right now, the only reason I would get another truck is to get a diesel and unfortunately Toyota doesn't make one. 

 
Ordered a 2022 F-150 in October, picked it up in February.  We test drove them all and the Ford was the best overall when it comes to capacities, etc.  The Ram was definitely the nicest daily pickup, especially the ride, but its capacities were hilariously low (generally 12-1300lbs of payload on the actual door sticker, not what Ram has on their website) and the 5.7 that used to feel like a rocket is now the pokiest of the 1/2 ton world (for top-model engines).  For us, the 1300lb payload wasn't going to work towing the Jeep on camping trips since there's 700lbs ish of tongue weight, 500lbs of gear, tools, etc, and 600lbs of Rockwoods and dogs.

The 3.5 V6 gives you that diesel feel with unleaded.  Engine wise, they're all about equal on complexity since all of the V8s have cylinder deactivation (that inevitably fails and needs a top end tear down to remedy), but the power/torque of the turbo V6 is waaay more than the competitors, including Toyota's new turbo V6.  

Living with one for a couple of months now, the annoyances are there: the camera resolution is shitty, fuel economy towing isn't awesome (not surprised), the transmission has no dipstick ("sealed for life"), and the hood/cowl trim holds on to a LOT of water after a rain/car wash.  Like a gallon.  

The Chevy was either hideously expensive (6.2L) or underpowered (5.3L), rode hard yet wallowed in the corners, and generally felt chintzy.  It does have good payload though. 

The Toyota is very well made, but it's not going to impress in any other way.  Power is decent.  Ride is vanilla. Value is decent.  I don't know if the turbo V6 will be a problem, but it's a Toyota, so I wouldn't doubt its reliability.  TFL did an Eisenhower Tunnel climb towing 8000lbs with it, trans temps were in the 230*F range when it was 40*F out, but Toyota (or really anyone anymore) doesn't have an air:oil exchanger, so that might be normal.  

 
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Your issue, is that you will be downsizing in features and comfort.  I went from a 2015 F150 loaded to the 2019 Raptor, there is zero comparison.  The Raptor is in a class of itself (and you pay for it as well).  Good luck on your search and let us know what you decide.

 
Interesting read. I have a Chevy 3500 I may sell and was considering a 1500 for the first time. 

Ill be reading along

 
Looking also, and agree that they are all about the same nowadays. It will be the personal creature comforts that settle the deal for you/us.

my 06 Dodge is about to go limp with blow by from hard abuse over the years, can't find a diesel repair place even willing to look at it....

My wife really likes the Nissan Titan for some reason, but she has not driven/riden in one. I think it's the "C" logo on the side 2018-older, she loves the cummins power :)

 
I've seen you drive both on and off road. I suggest a Prius.

If you need a truck short term you can borrow my Tundra anytime you want.

 
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2019 ram, fully loaded here

love the adaptive cruise control and cooling seats

22k miles with no issues

IMG_7618.JPG

 
Dune-Track-N said:
Looking also, and agree that they are all about the same nowadays. It will be the personal creature comforts that settle the deal for you/us.

my 06 Dodge is about to go limp with blow by from hard abuse over the years, can't find a diesel repair place even willing to look at it....

My wife really likes the Nissan Titan for some reason, but she has not driven/riden in one. I think it's the "C" logo on the side 2018-older, she loves the cummins power :)
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Drive one.  It's the "truckiest" of the bunch.  This can be good or bad, depending on what you're after, but after riding in the Ram and Ford, I don't think I'd want to pay for that. :biggrin:

 
Back in January I finally let go of my 01 F250 7.3, that was hard to do, to say the least. I picked up a '22 F150, 4 door 4x4, 2.7 ecoboost, so far I have to say I love this truck.  Power is well beyond what I expected, and fuel economy is fantastic, for a truck. The ride is great, and I feel like it's the quietest truck I've ever been in. I didn't get a fancy top shelf model, but feel I have everything I need and then some. Overall I'm more then happy, and when I walk out to it, I feel like it's the best looking truck in the parking lot. 

 
My 2010 Silverado 4x4 5.3 has 158k miles.  Been a fantastic truck.  Did a full service around 85k mles.  Recently had to replace the transmission cooling lines that had a slow leak.

Other than that, some plugs here and there, kept up on oil changes and it's been great.  

Resized_20220218_103005.jpeg

 
Turbo_Manx_Maniac said:
I've seen you drive both on and off road. I suggest a Prius.

If you need a truck short term you can borrow my Tundra anytime you want.
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Only if Prius came in 4x4. Maybe I'll look at a Nissan Leaf.

Thanks for the truck offer but I still my good ol' 7.3 F-250. Its like driving a school bus.

 
Cookie said:
Your issue, is that you will be downsizing in features and comfort.  I went from a 2015 F150 loaded to the 2019 Raptor, there is zero comparison.  The Raptor is in a class of itself (and you pay for it as well).  Good luck on your search and let us know what you decide.
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I really think this is where my hangup will be. I traded in a Porsche for my first Raptor and the Raptor had just as nice amenities as the Porsche. Then the 2020 got even nicer. I am worried that if I "downsize" I am going to regret it in the long run. I might jsut back up a few years on the Raptor to save some money. There really were not a lot of changes from 2017-2020. Beside the Live Valve shocks which were very nice. 

 
Gonna be really hard to beat the amazing ride quality of the Raptor that you've gotten used to. They all make nice trucks but the Raptor is just a different beast that no one can match. Except maybe the TRX with that bonkers power. And I'm a Chevy guy, lol

 
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