Dakota replacement options

[wander2039]

Bought 22 acres last year 50 miles from our current house so the old Dakota went from less than 1k a year to 10k since last April. Around town its fine but the 3.9 auto in this heavy truck runs out of steam above 60. If I take it out of OD it’s fine even with a 16ft and couple thousand pounds on it.

Its not uncomfortable or taxing per say but would like something with more leeway in pulling trailers and heavier loads , crew cab and 4x4. Being low to the ground has its advantages with a shell and side windows. I’d like to keep that capability but that might not be possible. So far I don’t see anything that a F150 couldn’t handle, the heaviest would be a tractor or couple head of cattle.

From what I’ve read F250s are kinda rough empty, F150s have a pretty good ride. They have some good bargains on F150s with the 2.7L and I’ve found one f250 with the 6.2L/150k but has the shell with side compartments and slider. Not opposed to Dodge either but will never buy another Chevy. Tundras are gold flavored. Have till August when the youngest can start driving. Am I overlooking anything or golden hen that might exist? Budget 20-25k used but if new maybe 40k, I tend to keep things forever.

Typical day with Dakota. Always hauling something.

 

[Cujet]

I'm a huge F150 fan. I don't claim they are the best trucks ever. Only that every one I've owned from the 1980's on to my 2024 Lariat has been perfect for my needs and ultra comfortable. I always get the 36 gallon tank, so I can tanker up on cheap Costco gas. It's worked out amazingly well. The 2018 2.7L Ecoboost with 10sp and 4x4 got a no-nonsense 650 miles per tank with at least 50-75 miles of reserve. That meant I could leave Milford, PA, drive to North Carolina non stop. Top off and make it home to Jupiter, FL. Without any risk of running low on fuel. Even while carrying 1700 pound aircraft power supplies, 1000 pounds worth of Gulfstream Aircraft jacks, or other heavy items.

In fact the only time the 2.7L's fuel economy dipped below the one-stop per 1300+ mile trip was when towing a dual axle 7000 pound trailer with helicopter dolly on top. Even then, it got 17mpg at 75MPH. And 21+ the rest of the time.

The Chevy 2.7L 4 cyl I rented for the same trips, fell short of the Ford in MPG. Although most of the time I could not tell the Chevy was a 4 cylinder. Only at 55mph in steady state cruise with a slight uphill. Then ya knew.... But at my normal warp speed, the Chevy was as quiet as the Ford.

 

[wander2039]

@Cujet .. Thats what I was thinking with that 36 gallon, that seems forever compared to the Dakota and barely 200 miles and 12-13mpg. I dd have a 2000 F150 5.4 supercab years ago and it was ok. But I messed up and put the larger tires on 3.55 gearing, seemed to struggle all the time. But the F150s now is another world.

 

[GaryMX5]

I borrow my SIL's 2015 F150 XLT quite a bit as it can carry a "lot' more than my Frontier. It's a 2wd (w/ limited slip diff), has a 8'bed, and standard/short 2 door cab and towing package. It's a big truck! It also has the big twin turbo 3.5l Ecoboost motor with only 35K miles on it. So far it has been trouble free. It was her husband's farm truck until health problems caused him to quit using it. We used it to haul her 48 chevy coupe on a uhaul car hauler from western Kansas to her brother's place in Tucson, AZ last summer. It was pretty much an effortless trip even in the heat. It could maintain the speed limits easily except in the hills around Ruidoso N.M. where it did find itself in the truck lane on longer grades. Got around 12-14 mpg that trip. Hauled some furniture to her husband's family lake house near Branson, Mo. Over those flatter roads it was getting 20mpg. Very comfy truck. Three can sit with reasonable comfort in the front seat if needed. There's some storage space behind the seat for smaller parcels etc.

 

[Hirev]

I had a lot of pickups over the years. Fuel range is one thing for me that was always a big negative. I keep eyeing those newer F150 STX with that 36 gallon tank. and the 2.7L Ecoboost.

 

[fantastic]

The F-250 comment about being rough can be true BUT if you get some Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks & put them down to lower setting it will ride like a Cadillac! I know from experience because, although I put the rear ones on myself, I had a shop put the front ones on & they put the setting on #2 & it was SMOOTH! Okay I'm talking you into a 3/4 ton but it sounds like an F-150 will do everything you need.

 

[wander2039]

I had a lot of pickups over the years. Fuel range is one thing for me that was always a big negative. I keep eyeing those newer F150 STX with that 36 gallon tank. and the 2.7L Ecoboost.

I know some would say it’s a truck what do you expect… but our 28ft RV Chevy Express 6.0 gets 7-8 and the Dakota doesn’t even get twice that! Good mpg would be nice since it’ll be lightly loaded most of the time.

 

[cptbarkey]

Keep the Dakota as a property runabout. 20 acres isnt something to sneeze at.

 

[Cujet]

Just an FYI, the aluminum bed in the newer F150's does require a drop in bed liner. Lest you dent it with a 10mm socket or toothpick. OK, it's not that bad. But motorcycle kickstands will ding the aluminum bed floor if it is not protected.

 

[97prizm]

Bought 22 acres last year 50 miles from our current house so the old Dakota went from less than 1k a year to 10k since last April. Around town its fine but the 3.9 auto in this heavy truck runs out of steam above 60. If I take it out of OD it’s fine even with a 16ft and couple thousand pounds on it.

Its not uncomfortable or taxing per say but would like something with more leeway in pulling trailers and heavier loads , crew cab and 4x4. Being low to the ground has its advantages with a shell and side windows. I’d like to keep that capability but that might not be possible. So far I don’t see anything that a F150 couldn’t handle, the heaviest would be a tractor or couple head of cattle.

From what I’ve read F250s are kinda rough empty, F150s have a pretty good ride. They have some good bargains on F150s with the 2.7L and I’ve found one f250 with the 6.2L/150k but has the shell with side compartments and slider. Not opposed to Dodge either but will never buy another Chevy. Tundras are gold flavored. Have till August when the youngest can start driving. Am I overlooking anything or golden hen that might exist? Budget 20-25k used but if new maybe 40k, I tend to keep things forever.


View attachment 328426
Typical day with Dakota. Always hauling something.
View attachment 328427

A lightly used Nissan Titan/Frontier, or Ford Ranger?

 

[wander2039]

Keep the Dakota as a property runabout. 20 acres isnt something to sneeze at.

Not sure what the youngest boy will do. If he decides on something else I will. A Chevy 6.0L would be something

Just an FYI, the aluminum bed in the newer F150's does require a drop in bed liner. Lest you dent it with a 10mm socket or toothpick. OK, it's not that bad. But motorcycle kickstands will ding the aluminum bed floor if it is not protected.

I might need a protector for whole thing! My family tends to use trucks.. dang where thar dent come from.

 

[wander2039]

A lightly used Nissan Titan/Frontier, or Ford Ranger?

No on a Ranger. Coworker has a 19 I think.. terrible brakes, roof leak. He’s not happy with it. I’ll have to look at Nissans but not popular around here.

 

[dogememe]

I don't think you can go wrong with either an F-150 or a Colorado/Canyon or Silverado/Sierra with the 2.7L four cylinder. I personally wouldn't go with any other engine on the modern GMs which pains me to say given that I'm a huge GM fan.

 

[walterjay]

I have an older F-150 with the 36 gallon tank. I love the large tank.

 

[ClutchDisc]

My vote would be a first gen Titan.

 

[wander2039]

The F-250 comment about being rough can be true BUT if you get some Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks & put them down to lower setting it will ride like a Cadillac! I know from experience because, although I put the rear ones on myself, I had a shop put the front ones on & they put the setting on #2 & it was SMOOTH! Okay I'm talking you into a 3/4 ton but it sounds like an F-150 will do everything you need.

Good to know.. there is that 250 I’ve looked at. Its easier to stomach a 6.2L with more miles than the 2.7L with my thought process. But maybe the 2.7L would be ok also.

 

[Cujet]

Good to know.. there is that 250 I’ve looked at. Its easier to stomach a 6.2L with more miles than the 2.7L with my thought process. But maybe the 2.7L would be ok also.

The 2.7 is an epic good engine. It also makes plenty of power. Select sport mode and it comes alive.

 

[nwjones18]

My 16 Ram 1500 has been a solid truck for me. They can be had for reasonable money and I’ve always thought one with the v6 would be a decent first truck

 

[wander2039]

This popped up down the road.. tempting. Less than $4k and around 150k but does have rust. Looking at 2.7’s almost have to buy new or high mileage, very few in between. Guess that speaks for mpg.

 

[LouC]

What final drive ratio does the Dakota have? Is it a 4x4?