|
|
Posts: 117
Location: Northwest Wisconsin | I am going to start looking for a new to me truck. I was thinking of either a dodge ram or a chevy silverado 1/2 tons. I'm thinking of 2005 to 2007. Anyone have experience with either? I've had a dodge with the 4.7L engine and it was worthless. I was also thinking about a Toyota Tundra, but they cost more money. Any advise or experiences would be appreciated. Thanks |
|
| |
|
Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | just a thought if you are remotely considering a diesel. the '04-'06 dodge 6.0 liter diesels from Ford were a huge pain so they are able to be bought cheap. there are people who really know how to make them work well (i found this out finally) ... so, you should be able to buy one below the market and then have someone (pm me if you want a recommendation) do a job on it so that it won't cause you pain.
mine was awful and because i drive so many miles i found the trouble first ... had nothing but trouble til i found the guys who know how to fix it. now at 235,000 miles it's running better than it ever did. the last 35k miles have been the best, just wish i'd have found these guys earlier in my own ownership. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 501
Location: S.Wisconsin | I run a 2007 silverado with the 5.3 and i have been happy with it. the ride is ok and i will get 13-14mpg pulling my esox mag. Normal driving is mostly all city and its about 14mpg, will get about 18 on the hwy without the boat. Plenty of power to pull and stops much better than my old liberty. |
|
| |
|
| I've been a Chevy guy (with the 5.3), but there are many nice rides out there.
My 2000 Chevy Silverado was a great tow vehicle, it was still going strong at 166,000 miles when I sold it. It used no oil. I will admit though I did need to drop a transmission in it at about 145,000. But that was just about the only thing I did to the truck since new. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Get a Tundra.
I like the Dodge trucks but hear far too many horror stories about transmissions, so I'll never buy one. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 153
| I have a 2007 Tundra that has more than enough power to pull a 4,500 lb boat/motor/trailer combo. I will get about 11-13 miles per gallon. Reliable truck. Check out www.lenzauto.com. Lenz Trucks is located in Fond du Lac but they have a great selection. Be aware the advertised price is the sale price. They usually give a good trade in price. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | I've got a 2006 Chevy 1/2 ton Crew and couldn't be happier. I use to work for a dealership for a number of years, drove every kind of vehicle out there. The Tundra has great power no doubt, but it's got a 5.7 versus a 5.3 in the Chevy, of course it's going to have more power. That is the only major advantage of the Tundra imo. The Chevy on the other hand by far, hands down has the best ride, no questions asked, driven thousands of miles in each of the big 4, the Chevy takes it in this category for sure.
Either way you go, you'll be happy. I'd agree, stay away from the Rams, you don't see many with real high mileage.
Edited by TJ DeVoe 1/31/2012 5:25 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | Pointerpride102 - 1/31/2012 4:53 PM
Get a Tundra.
I like the Dodge trucks but hear far too many horror stories about transmissions, so I'll never buy one.
Are people still not over this? That was 1994-1998. For what its worth, my 2005 Hemi Durango has 88,000 miles and has had 1 repair (a/c line) and new brake pads. The hemi w/ 3.55 gears is no speed demon, but has a lot of torque to pull. Its great with my boat and I used it to pull a loaded car trailer through the mountain in Colorado and never noticed a drop of power. Gas mileage is 14 city and 17 highway. Towing the boat gets about 13 and car trailer was 10. New Durago doesn't have quite the towing capacity being unibody, but it'll be plenty for a boat and I'll have once I get this one paid off. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | edit above ... typed dodge ... meant ford
the cummins diesels are rock solid ... |
|
| |
|
Location: Not far enough north! | I've got a 08 3/4 ton chevy with the 6.0 L Gas. I get 13mpg pulling 10K lbs of cattle and 14-15 not pulling anything. That engine is a horse. Not quite the power of the diesels but the allison tranny is pretty dam good. My hunting buddy is a dodge guy and his diesel is sweet but he had to pay for it. My wife drives an F150 for a work vehicle and I do have to say the new ford half tons are the nicest trucks I have ever driven. Ford really stepped it up on the interiors of their trucks and with the 5.4L will pull any boat for muskies that you want.
Toyota trucks don't count as far as I'm concerned... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 117
Location: Northwest Wisconsin | Thanks for the responses. I don't have good luck with american vehicles. I had a Dodge Ram that I should have driven off a cliff. I currently have a Ford Expedition that is nothing but problems also. We have 2 Honda Accords, one with 330000 miles on it and a new one we hope to get that many out of. That's why I am considering a Tundra. Thanks again for al the responses |
|
| |
|
Posts: 32916
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I have a '95 F150 Ice and Hunting truck (rust bucket, but mechanically sound, lots of bedliner and bondo every Spring) and a 98 F150 work truck, both good vehicles with weak and strong points.
I drove a Toyota Tundra for a couple years and liked it so much my son bought it from me last year. By the way, the Tundra was made in Texas. Great power, great ride, and
incredible brakes. Decent mileage. Way better in the summer than winter, but that's the case with the Fords, too.
I'd like to try a new diesel. If I do, it will be a Ford. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 292
| i drive and love a toyota tacoma, but im also auto tech for dodge /chrysler and jeep for about 20 years .if you need to know something about them let me know. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 117
Location: Northwest Wisconsin | Muskiehunter2,
How is the reliability of the Rams with the hemi engine? Thanks for any info. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 147
Location: Chesterton, Indiana | I have a 2006 ford F150 lariet 4x4 with 138000 miles with no problems. This has been a good truck for me. Only had one tune up other then that changed the brakes and tires. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 292
| the hemi has been a good engine,no major issues.not the best for gas milage but over a few years has improved.most problems are caused by lack of maintance or poor repair work.had a few between cars and trucks with a broken vale spring causing rough idle and mis fires but that issue has been resolved.most concerns now are software issue that are solved very easy. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 174
Location: Wis. Rapids, WI | I'll add a thumbs up to the Chevy. I have a 2002 Chevy Avalanche with a 5.3L. Tows and rides is great. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Schuler - 1/31/2012 4:36 PM
Pointerpride102 - 1/31/2012 4:53 PM
Get a Tundra.
I like the Dodge trucks but hear far too many horror stories about transmissions, so I'll never buy one.
Are people still not over this? That was 1994-1998. For what its worth, my 2005 Hemi Durango has 88,000 miles and has had 1 repair (a/c line ) and new brake pads. The hemi w/ 3.55 gears is no speed demon, but has a lot of torque to pull. Its great with my boat and I used it to pull a loaded car trailer through the mountain in Colorado and never noticed a drop of power. Gas mileage is 14 city and 17 highway. Towing the boat gets about 13 and car trailer was 10. New Durago doesn't have quite the towing capacity being unibody, but it'll be plenty for a boat and I'll have once I get this one paid off.
My buddies 2005 Mega Cab has already dropped one tranny. Another buddies 2004 dodge ram also dropped a tranny. My fiance's co worker bought a brand new Dodge quad cab that just blew a tranny, brand spanking new. One of our brand new 2011 dodge ram Law Enforcement trucks is already on its 3rd tranny.
It is much beyond 94-98. |
|
| |
|
![](<a href="http://flmnetwork.com/content/generators/skinny-sig-generator/">")
Posts: 485
Location: On my favorite lake! | Toyota , chevy, dodge, ford , Nissan is ranking of my preference. I drove all of them in 2011 models and this Is how it came out for me. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 292
| honestly all car and trucks break down ,most parts are from the same parts or ever supplers for example the early model rams started out with a GM brake system(not designed for that truck) that turned out to be to light duty the truck . most electrial imtem come for same suppler as well.dont know what went wrong with the trannys listed above .
Edited by muskiehunter2 1/31/2012 9:34 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 717
Location: Grand Rapids, MI | I'll give you my opinions about Ford/Chevy/Dodge. I work in the concrete construction industry, and have used and abused all of these trucks. Here's my take.
The boss' truck is a Chevy with the 5.3l. 260,000 miles. Hard miles. Towing up to 12,000 lbs. The only work he has put into it so far (besides scheduled maintenance) is... well... nothing. Just recently, his heater core started going out. Other than than, tranny has been great, motor is still strong. My personal truck was a Chevy with the 5.3. Loved it. Stock, I was getting 22 mpg on the highway. Very comfortable ride.
The everyday use work trucks we have are Ford F-350's. I'm so peeed at that stupid 6.4l diesel. Started out as a great motor, but the biggest complaint I had is the mileage. 8-9 mph empty. No trailer, mostly highway driving under 70 mph. Other than a few little gliches here and there, (EGR valve, EGR cooler) all of our newer Fords have been pretty good. That being said, our next truck for out on the jobsite will be another Ford.
Dodge: The cummins is AWESOME. Loud, but unstoppable. Over 400,000 miles on one, and it will still roast the tires. Sure, it's on its 2nd transmission, but not bad for 400k. If you're looking for a gas job, this is not the truck I would recommend. The ride is stiff, even in a 1/2 ton. My F-350's ride better than the 1500 Rams. And I personally have 1 friend who was on his 3rd tranny in under 13,000 miles. He finally claimed the "lemon law" on it, and went with a different truck.
So, all things aside, I've always been a Chevy guy for personal use. They are the best riding trucks IMO. But, Ford HAS come a long ways. And they didn't take the government buyout.... If I was going to buy a new truck right now, I would honestly say I don't know which one I'd choose between Chevy and Ford. I just know it wouldn't be a Dodge. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1747
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | Love my hemi ram. No tranny issues, will beat any gas truck in a drag race that is stock, plenty of power, towed up to 12,000 lbs and I have not got one single complaint. Dad and I have a combined 100000 miles on 2010 Dodge Rams (he has one identical to mine) and neither has had a single issue.
Buy american is all I can say. Neighbor across the street had a tundra crewmax and traded it off when he was driving to sturgis last year for the bike show. He bought a hemi ram and said it has 2x the power and a smoother ride. He said towing was nice before with the Tundra but is now a dream.
Dodge caught a bad rap for operator error in most cases. Don't tow in overdrive, it is really that simple. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 8820
| I've got a 2001 Silverado HD with the 8.1L engine and Alison transmission. It's a beast, 6200 lbs empty. It will tow anything any of us would ever want to put behind it, and you won't even know it's there. The ride is outstanding. 13 hours up to Canada and you don't feel like getting out of the truck. For pulling a boat? Overkill. The good news is your mileage won't drop all that much towing a boat, or anything else for that matter. The bad news is even empty you're lucky to get 13 MPG on the highway. Driving around town, you're loooking at 8-9 MPG, and it's a PITA to park because it's almost 22 feet long. That said, I LOVE my truck. My only issue was the crappy Firestone tires they put on it from the factory. There is nothing I'd ever want to do with it that I'd be afraid to do. I've had it ten years now, and the only thing that has broken were my tie rods. I think I did that pulling tree stumps. The only other issue is it's so big that my girlfriend is scared to death driving it. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing! 
Edited by esoxaddict 1/31/2012 11:07 PM
|
|
| |
|
Location: North Metro, MN | Have a '97 Chevy ext. cab truck... when the water is open, my boat is attached nearly 24/7... been pretty amazing after all I've put 'er through and not bad on the eyes either, love it |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Chico R - 1/31/2012 11:32 PM
Have a '97 Chevy ext. cab truck
Those late 90's Chevy's in my opinion were some of the best, love those 5.7's. Never downshifted going up hills at 60 mph, sure miss my 99 Tahoe! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | Look at the Nissans. They don't have quite the name so their resale isn't as high as the Chevys. I will tell you that the 5.6L Nissan will tow the 6.2 Chevy around the parking lot. I've driven and towed with both and it's not even close. The Toyo is a solid truck as well, but they're a lot more money for a truck with a timing belt instead of the chain in the Nissan.
I will say it does drink the gas though. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 221
| Owned an 04' Hemi... will never do that again. I personally have been stuck (broke down), somewhere, 5 times because of mine and my buddies Hemi's. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 19
| in my opinion you cant beat the 5.3 chev or the ford 5.4. both great motors both great trucks. my suggestion is to drive one and see how it feels for you. and yes, i would stay away from dodge.
also, i drive a 07 classic chevy with the 6.0L. horrible gas mileage but doesn't hesitate when towing my 21 foot boat.
Edited by clm 2/1/2012 8:55 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 1169
Location: New Hope MN | I would only buy from a manufacturer who doesn’t get bailed out with tax payer money. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | Ford F-250 Super-Crew Cab
Cummins HO Turbo-Diesel
Allison Transmission
maybe Johny Cash could build it for me ... |
|
| |
