Looking at 10 year old half-ton trucks

[Oldswagon]

Keep the info rolling.

To answer a few questions, the Dodge was ruled out because of fuel economy. The pre MDS Hemis are too hard on fuel and I don't want to take a chance on a 4.7L sludger (almost all Dodges around here are Hemi's anyway). This is the same reason I ruled out the Nissan - gas mileage.

I was only considering the Toyota Tundra, but it seems unfavorable so far. I'd still like to hear from some owners. I have driven the latest generation Tundra and it was a nice truck, but not the previous generation.

As for rust, yes I guess I should have said they all have rust issues around here when not looked after. I see as many rusty GM's as Fords.

As for Ford transmissions I know a couple of guys with 4R70W's that had failures. Not sure if they were flukes, but I did have a low mile unit (still under warrenty) fail in a Crown Vic too. I prefer the 4.6L for fuel economy over the 5.4L. Not to say I haven't seen my share of 4L60E failures too.

I have been looking around lately and perhaps the 04+ Ford might be in the budget. I have driver several before and they seem okay.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: Oldswagon
Keep the info rolling.

To answer a few questions, the Dodge was ruled out because of fuel economy. The pre MDS Hemis are too hard on fuel and I don't want to take a chance on a 4.7L sludger (almost all Dodges around here are Hemi's anyway). This is the same reason I ruled out the Nissan - gas mileage.


Up to 2002 the Dodge would have had a 5.2/5.9 Magnum.

Stout engines, the 5.2 Magnum had a few less hp and torque than the 5.4 Triton without all the annoying spark plug self removal, but yeah....gas mileage is probably the worst of the American trucks

I did get to drive a Dakota R/T with the 5.9 Magnum. All I can say is you had better spend money on good sticky rear tires 'cause the age hardened "Road Hugger" RWL tires weren't doing it. Maybe worse at incinerating rear tires than the vaunted C1500 454SS. It was a cool truck but I cannot imagine tiptoeing around in the rain in that thing.

 

[hattaresguy]

If your going Ford 04 and up would be preferable, they are a lot better truck than the older ones. Ford really put some money into the frames.

My uncle has an 04 F150 4x4 with the 5.4. Averages 12mpg around town, and right now its in the shop trying to chase down a misfire. This year alone he has replaced the MAF, coil on cylinder 7, injector on cylinder 7, and now they are resealing the intake manifold. Also all the plugs are original so when the time comes to change its anyone's guess which will break.

I wouldn't buy a 5.4, I'd be an XL V6, or get the 4.6.

 

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
If your going Ford 04 and up would be preferable, they are a lot better truck than the older ones. Ford really put some money into the frames.


The frames are definitely stronger in the 04-up, but I'm not sure if I agree that the 04-06s are really better all around trucks than the 01-03s, which are pretty much dead reliable. I personally would take a PI 2V over an early 3V anyday. The 08/09-up F150s definitely are better though.

 

[UNC017]

Originally Posted By: Oldswagon
Keep the info rolling.

To answer a few questions, the Dodge was ruled out because of fuel economy. The pre MDS Hemis are too hard on fuel and I don't want to take a chance on a 4.7L sludger (almost all Dodges around here are Hemi's anyway). This is the same reason I ruled out the Nissan - gas mileage.


Not to beat a dead horse... uh... ram...

I get ~20 highway / 16 city with an 08 Ram 1500 quad cab 4.7L, and the 4.7 isn't really a "sludger." They're known for modular-like longevity in fact. Of course my numbers are with the 08-up 310 horsepower 4.7, not the older 230 horse one. The biggest factor in Ram mpg is the transmission- if you get a 545RFE/4.7 combo you'll do significantly better than a 46RH behind either a 5.2 or 5.9 or a 45RFE behind a 4.7.

My personal feeling is that you can often get a WAY better deal on a Ram in better condition than a Ford, so that would pay for a fair bit of gas if the difference is only an mpg or two.

 

[01rangerxl]

The F-Series is always a good choice. It's not an accident that Ford has sold millions of them and you see them everywhere. Anytime something is produced in the millions, there will be some with issues, but these trucks are definitely reliable and tough.

My cousin has owned three for use in his construction business. Two were '98 XLT Super Cabs with the 4.2 V6 and automatic, bought new. One was totalled with fairly low miles, but the other had about 200K miles before it was sold. It was a very reliable truck and never had any major repairs. He also had a '99 Lariat Super Cab 4x4 5.4 that was purchased new. It had more issues than the other trucks, primarily fit and finish related. The rear window leaked, and the interior on the XLT actually held up a lot better. I can't remember how many miles the Lariat had when it was sold, but it was over 100K without any major repairs. These trucks were not used gently. They were worked hard 5-6 days a week hauling tools, towing equipment, hauling all kinds of heavy materials, etc. They were replaced with Super Duties.

One of my friends has owned a '98 XLT 4.6 2WD automatic for several years now. I don't know how many miles the truck has now, but it had 126K the last time I drove it a couple years ago. The truck has had very minimal maintenance at best...10K mile or so oil changes with conventional, and basically no other fluid changes aside from the quick lube place adding some. It has had the CEL on for years due to a cracked PCV line, and the original brake rotors are horribly warped, but otherwise the truck is basically problem free. It ran and drove great the last time I drove it.

That said, GM builds great trucks as well. They are steady sellers for the same reasons as the F-Series. It's mostly a matter of personal preference. Decide which model of truck you would rather drive every day, then choose the one that's in the best condition you can afford. You can't go wrong either way; how well the truck has been cared should really be the biggest deciding factor.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: 440Magnum

Not to beat a dead horse... uh... ram...

I get ~20 highway / 16 city with an 08 Ram 1500 quad cab 4.7L, and the 4.7 isn't really a "sludger." They're known for modular-like longevity in fact. Of course my numbers are with the 08-up 310 horsepower 4.7, not the older 230 horse one. The biggest factor in Ram mpg is the transmission- if you get a 545RFE/4.7 combo you'll do significantly better than a 46RH behind either a 5.2 or 5.9 or a 45RFE behind a 4.7.

My personal feeling is that you can often get a WAY better deal on a Ram in better condition than a Ford, so that would pay for a fair bit of gas if the difference is only an mpg or two.


Is that you Sam Elliot?

[Darn], Got me thinking how cool it would be to have a brand new Ram in my garage..... nevermind that I wouldn't be able to close the garage door. That's only about 10 mpg less than I get now!

 

[SteveSRT8]

We've had great luck with GMC trucks here, but no one can say much bad about Fords.

Well maintained either one will get the job done. Seems to me that Fords tolerate abuse better.

 

[saberz]

Weren't certain year F150's having issues with the slip yolks? I know it is common in the 07-10 models but I thought was a re-occurring issue with the previous generation too?

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: Anies
Weren't certain year F150's having issues with the slip yolks? I know it is common in the 07-10 models but I thought was a re-occurring issue with the previous generation too?


"Clunking" from the slip yoke isn't uncommon on any Ford with a two piece driveshaft...not a big deal though. Luckily my Ranger got a one piece aluminum driveshaft at the factory...not all Rangers do.

 

[ffracer]

Looking at rust which, to me is the biggest issue here, the Dodge RAMs and Dakotas rust the most by far. The newer ones seem to be even worse in the rear wheelwell. 5 years old and 2" of rust around the rear wheel well is common here.

the older T100s and Tundras also rust a lot here.

that leaves Ford and GM which are rusty, but not as bad.

 

[swirlparanoid]

i was going to say forget about the dodges but i see you didn't want one anyway. umm if it were me id probably look at the 04 and up f150's if they fit in your price range. 5.4 if plugs have been replaced already, i had an 08 5.4 xlt 4x4 chrome package and besides the interior that rattled i loved it, had lots of low end power. never been in a pre-04 or know of anything that happens to them so cant say on those. id probably take a look at the tundras as well, from what ive read the longevity on them is pretty hard to beat.. plenty with very high miles. you seem to have a way with GM trucks since your has such high mileage so you may want to take a hard look at them again but i dont really have any knowledge of them soo..

 

[FXjohn]

Originally Posted By: ffracer
Looking at rust which, to me is the biggest issue here, the Dodge RAMs and Dakotas rust the most by far. The newer ones seem to be even worse in the rear wheelwell. 5 years old and 2" of rust around the rear wheel well is common here.

the older T100s and Tundras also rust a lot here.

that leaves Ford and GM which are rusty, but not as bad.


get a vehicle from down south and rustproof it. you won't regret it.