Dad is looking for a new truck

[nwjones18]

Everyone here must have not changed oil in a newer Ram before. You will hate where the oil filter is. I talked to some of the Mopar techs at work they said it causes the steering module to fail all the time because oil gets in it. It’s right above the rack and pinion and electronic steering module. Can’t remember but I think it’s on the V8 ones. Ford would be my number one choice for a truck. I feel they are the best built. Second would I guess be the Tundra even though I’ve never been a big fan of them. Third Ram and Fourth Chevrolet or GMC because those are the ones I work on all the time and they are ugly at least I think so. Not saying the others won’t have issues either it just seems we work on a lot of the Ram and Chevrolet and GMC. Usually for transmission problems or electrical.

I'd go out on a limb and say that all the folks on BITOG saying they love their newer Ram have changed the oil before and realized it isn't really that bad..

To the OP I'm very much in the 'they're all good, drive all the brands and pick the one that does it for you' For me it was the Ram. Best interior, and best transmission in the ZF 8 spd. I love a manual trans and never thought I'd have an automatic that I truly liked, but the zf with the Hemi is a seriously good combo. I've heard very good things about the new ford/GM 10 spd as well but haven't driven one.

 

[AutoMechanic]

I'd go out on a limb and say that all the folks on BITOG saying they love their newer Ram have changed the oil before and realized it isn't really that bad..

To the OP I'm very much in the 'they're all good, drive all the brands and pick the one that does it for you' For me it was the Ram. Best interior, and best transmission in the ZF 8 spd. I love a manual trans and never thought I'd have an automatic that I truly liked, but the zf with the Hemi is a seriously good combo. I've heard very good things about the new ford/GM 10 spd as well but haven't driven one.

It’s very hard to reach too. Too much stuff in the way to fit most tools on. Some people may not find it hard but I know me and the guys at work do. Everyone runs when they see a Ram coming for an oil change because we don’t want the service advisors assigning us the job.

 

[tom in boise]

What is the intent of the truck? Hauling and towing? Dump and Home Depot runs? Crew cab, extra cab or single cab? 4X2 or 4X4? Manual or Auto? Short, medium or long bed?

If towing, I'd consider the new F250 with the 7.3L gas motor. If looking for a half ton, I'd look at the Ram Rebel with the Hemi. But really, all the modern trucks seem to be pretty good these days. Not a real fan of the styling of the new Chev/GMC products.

 

[Snagglefoot]

I like the Chev 3/4 ton with the 6.6 gas. No AFM.

 

[gregk24]

What is the intent of the truck? Hauling and towing? Dump and Home Depot runs? Crew cab, extra cab or single cab? 4X2 or 4X4? Manual or Auto? Short, medium or long bed?

If towing, I'd consider the new F250 with the 7.3L gas motor. If looking for a half ton, I'd look at the Ram Rebel with the Hemi. But really, all the modern trucks seem to be pretty good these days. Not a real fan of the styling of the new Chev/GMC products.

Mainly used for commuting to work and running errands. But he needs a full size for the towing that he occasionally does.

 

[fisher83]

I think every new truck on the market right now is capable of providing him another 200,000 miles of service regardless of brand. While the Tundra may be the most reliable that does not mean that the others are unreliable. They all have their strengths, weaknesses, quirks, etc.

 

[K-Man]

Tacoma. "Newer" tech does not necessarily mean better. Also, I've heard lots of complaints about the newer American–brand trucks, all of them, and far fewer about Toyota. Nissan is not a big factor in the market, so the Titan is really hard to judge.

 

[CKN]

Tacoma. "Newer" tech does not necessarily mean better. Also, I've heard lots of complaints about the newer American–brand trucks, all of them, and far fewer about Toyota. Nissan is not a big factor in the market, so the Titan is really hard to judge.

Tundra-reliable but very thirsty. Very low sales volume. Wait for new ('22) model coming out.
Tacoma-reliable but not comfortable.
Nissan-sells in a year what GM, Ford, RAM sells in a month.

 

[fisher83]

I have one friend with a Titan and he really likes it. He bought it based on the good experience he's had with a 2009 Versa that he bought new and still has. I like my F-150 a little better overall but I think the Titan is still a pretty nice truck. He tows and hauls with his pretty regularly and it hasn't given him any issues. I don't think the Titan and Tundra low sales numbers have much at all to do with their ability to make a good product. I think it has more to do with people being hesitant to buy a "less macho" Japanese brand truck.

 

[userfriendly]

I like the Chev 3/4 ton with the 6.6 gas. No AFM.

No 0w20 and you can grease the suspension and steering. I drove a few GMC railway company trucks with the 6.0L gutless gas guzzler.
The new 6.6L gas burner is so much better in all respects.

 

[The Critic]

If he currently drives a 3/4 ton, can a 1/2 ton handle his hauling and towing needs?

1/2 tons are fairly limited when it comes to towing, especially for someone who is used to the capabilities of a 3/4.

 

[The Critic]

Everyone here must have not changed oil in a newer Ram before. You will hate where the oil filter is. I talked to some of the Mopar techs at work they said it causes the steering module to fail all the time because oil gets in it. It’s right above the rack and pinion and electronic steering module. Can’t remember but I think it’s on the V8 ones. Ford would be my number one choice for a truck. I feel they are the best built. Second would I guess be the Tundra even though I’ve never been a big fan of them. Third Ram and Fourth Chevrolet or GMC because those are the ones I work on all the time and they are ugly at least I think so. Not saying the others won’t have issues either it just seems we work on a lot of the Ram and Chevrolet and GMC. Usually for transmission problems or electrical.

The oil spills on the bellow boots. Zero impact on the rack itself.

Plus DIYers can use a gallon ziplock bag to reduce the mess.

 

[Skippy722]

It’s very hard to reach too. Too much stuff in the way to fit most tools on. Some people may not find it hard but I know me and the guys at work do. Everyone runs when they see a Ram coming for an oil change because we don’t want the service advisors assigning us the job.

I’m 6’3” 300 lbs and have no issues getting to the oil filter laying on my back without jacking up the truck. If you’re worried about oil getting onto the steering components a plastic bag is a cheap easy catch all. Shouldn’t need tools to take off or put on the filter either.

Tacoma. "Newer" tech does not necessarily mean better. Also, I've heard lots of complaints about the newer American–brand trucks, all of them, and far fewer about Toyota. Nissan is not a big factor in the market, so the Titan is really hard to judge.

Toyota isn’t really a big factor in the market either… they sold 109,203 Tundra’s and 238,806 Tacoma’s in 2020, Ram being the next lowest selling beat them by 215,667 vehicles, Ford and GM are about 300,000 vehicles a year higher still.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

The time has come for my father to get a new vehicle. His current vehicle is a 2002 Chevy Silverado 6.0. It has well over 200K on it and it shows. He has decided on a full sized truck but has not decided what brand to go with.

My thoughts are (1) Ram (2) Tundra (3) Ford/Chevy/GMC).

Ram has a great ride and relatively solid drivetrain with good tech for the money, which is why it gets my #1 vote.

Tundra has reliability hands down, which is tempting, but has old tech.

Ford/GMC/Chevy likely will have their own set of issues, they don't seem to have the reliability they once did.

He is looking for V8 options, no V6 or turbos.

I don't really keep up on the truck scene that much. Are there any models to avoid?

If he decides on a Dodge/RAM, make sure it comes with a spare transmission.
UNLESS, RAM/Dodge has fixed the auto trans. problems.
I would pick a Ford over a Chevy. I would pick a GMC over ALL of them.

 

[barkingspider]

Since it’s probably the last truck he may purchase, he should get the truck w everything he wants (power, comfort, style, bells & whistles). I would definitely get the GMC

 

[PWMDMD]

I chose a Tundra because it was old-school - just wanted a relatively simple truck that does truck stuff. I did put in an aftermarket Kenwood and sound system and that's all the tech I really wanted.

 

[4wd]

Since it’s probably the last truck he may purchase, he should get the truck w everything he wants (power, comfort, style, bells & whistles). I would definitely get the GMC

DFM/AFM not active? … Good question to ask …
Prefer the looks of GMC … and finally got used to the Silverado …

 

[gregk24]

If he decides on a Dodge/RAM, make sure it comes with a spare transmission.
UNLESS, RAM/Dodge has fixed the auto trans. problems.
I would pick a Ford over a Chevy. I would pick a GMC over ALL of them.

Ram uses the ZF 8 speed, a pretty reliable unit.

 

[Snagglefoot]

No 0w20 and you can grease the suspension and steering. I drove a few GMC railway company trucks with the 6.0L gutless gas guzzler.
The new 6.6L gas burner is so much better in all respects.

You bet, but the 6.0 is gutless? . My 6.0 In my 08 Burb accelerates quicker than the Bandit’s 77 Trans AM.

 

[AutoMechanic]

I’m 6’3” 300 lbs and have no issues getting to the oil filter laying on my back without jacking up the truck. If you’re worried about oil getting onto the steering components a plastic bag is a cheap easy catch all. Shouldn’t need tools to take off or put on the filter either.



Toyota isn’t really a big factor in the market either… they sold 109,203 Tundra’s and 238,806 Tacoma’s in 2020, Ram being the next lowest selling beat them by 215,667 vehicles, Ford and GM are about 300,000 vehicles a year higher still.

Yeah the bag is a good idea. We do have one of those form a funnel things at work to help a little bit. Usually the filters on these particular trucks are swollen and we can’t break them loose by hand usually have to get the jaw type pliers or whatever name they are and get them off. Usually it’s the Mopar filters on it too. If we could bring bags to work I would but we can’t bring anything like that in from the outside world till the stuff ends so yeah there’s that. It’s still makes me not like the trucks for that reason. I’m 6 feet exactly and can’t reach it with it on the lift. And I don’t want to have to replace those modules which apparently they replace a lot of them. I understand it’s a minor reason not to like a truck but it’s stuff like that which makes mechanics angry. They are nice trucks for sure. Now if they just had real keys…