Truck Advice

If your sticking to a gasser IMHO it doesnt really matter. a 3/4 ton ford is a f250 and a 1 ton is a f350. Personaly I would look for a F250 with a V8. Stay away from the V10 unless you want spark plugs popping out of the holes on ya.

Originally Posted by scrapman1077

If you don't do your work repairs, talk with your mechanic, what would he rather see in the shop.

THis could be dangerous. I think a better ? would be what does he see less in there.

I would say "Ram" but I will give you one "Don't" -Google "Tacoma broken frame".

I know Tacoma isn't full size, but it's big brother Tundra/T100 has the same brand name. Before I heard about this recall - I really liked Taco's and Tundras but... no thanks. I'll stick with Ram/Dodge.

Originally Posted by greytruck

I believe that the broken frame problem was a issue with there 90's models

Looks like those had the same problem too you are right.

The ones I am talking about are 2005-2010. Toyota had to pay out ALOT for that mistake that they wouldn't admit to. I am not Toyota bashing, if anything I am bashing the entire vehicle industry cause they are all the same when it comes to stuff like that.

https://www.autoblog.com/2016/11/14/...-truck-frames/

My Dakota had recalls for suspension parts fixed before I bought it. Ram/Dodge has lots of recalls, Ford has tons of recalls as does Chevrolet/GMC. Nissan same thing. The good thing is that trucks are usually overbuilt and are designed to last much longer than a car.

Buying a used (or even new) truck is a gamble no matter the brand I don't care what anyone says.

Best advise I could give is to get a history of the vehicle you want like maybe CarFax and to have a professional look it over before purchase, that way the odds are more in your favor and you know what you are up against if anything.

Originally Posted by Proton

I want to know the brand of sneakers your putting on the old girl so that I may avoid purchasing them, with 270K on the meter and your on your eight set of free tires your averaging 38 thousand a pair.

The ones on there now are Grand Prix Performance GT, but I don't think that is what they have put on every time. Kumho(?) rings a bell, but I don't know. Theoretically, softer tires give better grip, while harder tires last longer. I really don't care. They are putting them on for free.

When I was delivering pizza and buying my own tires, I worked out what seemed to be the best strategy for tire maintenance. Auto shops want to rotate the tires front to back every so often. This will wear out all tires roughly equally, and all at once. Cha-ching! you're on the hook for four tires at once. I found that it I didn't rotate the tires, the fronts would wear out well before the back, so... I would run the fronts off, buy two tires and put the new tires on the rear and put the rear tires (which were in nearly new condition) on the front. Burn the fronts off, rinse repeat. You were only on the hook for two tires at a time and you always had decent tires all around the car.

Originally Posted by t00nces2

The ones on there now are Grand Prix Performance GT, but I don't think that is what they have put on every time. Kumho(?) rings a bell, but I don't know. Theoretically, softer tires give better grip, while harder tires last longer. I really don't care. They are putting them on for free.

When I was delivering pizza and buying my own tires, I worked out what seemed to be the best strategy for tire maintenance. Auto shops want to rotate the tires front to back every so often. This will wear out all tires roughly equally, and all at once. Cha-ching! you're on the hook for four tires at once. I found that it I didn't rotate the tires, the fronts would wear out well before the back, so... I would run the fronts off, buy two tires and put the new tires on the rear and put the rear tires (which were in nearly new condition) on the front. Burn the fronts off, rinse repeat. You were only on the hook for two tires at a time and you always had decent tires all around the car.

I do not consider this a derail of the thread since the OP posted this. I have experienced just the opposite. My rear tires always wear harder on a pickup but that may be because of the loads I haul. For safety reasons I always put my newest tires on front for the ability to steer.

As far as the original question, I own all three major brands and found with proper maintenance all to be reliable. I will only haul with diesels because of the power and mileage therefore will not recommend a gas truck. For the record there are some great trucks for sale in retirement communities. They usually have low mileage and have not been driven hard. IMHO it is worth a plane ticket to fly to Arizona to purchase a truck.

Originally Posted by t00nces2

I looked at the pictures that phrase pulled and they were all extended cab and crew cab. I have had my '01 since I bought it new in '01. 270k on it and runs like a sewing machine..... and I got free tires for life. About to get my eighth set of sneakers for her. Baby needs a new set of shoes! If every car failed after 17 years and 270K miles, we probably couldn't ask for more.

I am sure they run great in fact I know they even set records etc... in fact I just read about a newer Tundra (I think 2012?) with over 700K miles on the original engine (but transmission rebuilt at 400K) but that's just hilarious. If something bad is going to happen to a truck you wouldn't expect the frame to snap in half!! LOL

For my biz I have a '95 E150 with 4.9l 300ci straight 6 that I feat the buck out of and a '84 F250 6.9l diesel (no electronics) for when shiznit get's serious. Don't use them for camping but the next ride for work and camping will either be a 3/4 ton Ford Transit or a 3/4 ton Sprinter.