Totally understandable, I'm the same way. Been casually looking at a variety of trucks, no issues financially; but something keeps holding me back!
Midsize truck shopping
- Thread starter dlundblad
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Totally understandable, I'm the same way. Been casually looking at a variety of trucks, no issues financially; but something keeps holding me back!
I agree, the Frontier is such a nice overall package. And I feel you on the truck thing, been wanting to get back in one for a while now.For some reason I've been hankering after a Frontier but i can't put my finger onto why. I think I miss having a truck... I liked my Tundra but boy was that a huge beast. A Fronty might not get any better mpg, and I'd give up towing capacity (the I didn't need/use), but at least I'd be able to clean snow off a much lower mid-sized. Plus that whole "I can reach over the bed rail" thing.
I think part of it is because it's like impossible to get a simple small station wagon anymore. My Jetta wagon was great; no interest in Subaru with all their problems over the years.
Frontier is definitely the best value on the market, IMO.
I'm not afraid of turbochargers - but it's nice to have a NA v6. It's an old platform so all the bugs are worked out of it. The Benz 9G tronic transmission seems to be reliable. Same Dana 44 rear as the Ranger and certain Gladiators. Actual parking brake and hydraulic power steering.
Internal water pump on a timing chain engine is kinda dumb but the previous gen VQ40 didn't seem to have problems.
I've read the Frontier has "heavy" power steering, but that might be because of people spoiled by EPS? I did read that the 4.0 spark plug replacement might be easier than the cheaper 2.5 but no idea.
Does the VQ40 have an internal water pump? I thought it was convention like everyone else's.
Does the VQ40 have an internal water pump? I thought it was convention like everyone else's.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
The steering is stiff, even for hydraulic R&P. All 2nd and 3rd gens.
I believe the truck version of the 2.5L requires intake manifold removal to get at the coils and plugs, but the same goes for the 4.0 or 3.8L. You can get at one bank on the V6, but it's so tight on the other bank, most people remove the intake manifold. I've seen videos of people having success w/out intake removal though.
Water pump is driven by the timing chain. Internal style.
The prior gen Frontiers, Xterras and R51 Pathfinders all had the same heavy hydraulic steering unit. They are heavy in city driving but it’s not horrible. I haven’t ever hit the point of fatigue in my Pathfinder.
The spark plugs can be done without removing the intake manifold on the VQ40. I did with a combination of stubby sockets, long sockets, ratchecting wrenches, stubby wrenches and several sets of extensions and ujoints. It’s a bear but it’s definitely not as bad as some folks on forums make it out to be.
The water pump is internal and chain driven. But Nissan does give you a fairly accessible port to remove and replace. It’s not like the Ford 3.5/3.7 videos I’ve seen.
Water pump replacement - VQ40
Your contention is a half ton is always better than a midsize towing, hauling and non towing with any weight and regardless of what the use case is or whatever options you check in the purchase sheet- I disagree.
at 58 Ive owned a bunch of trucks, have two in my driveway and one the shop.
Ridgeline, Titan, Chevy 2500.
Lots of guys think you need a 3/4 ton to tow a coleman pop up, or a half ton to pick up plywood. I just disagree and match the job to the truck rather than a one size fits all approach.
Go too big - highway ride suffers
Go to small, it's dangerous.
Ive towed in a modern Ram(2020) . Went from the boat shop to the lake with a client.
It was very nice. I wouldn't pick it for a light tow over a my midsize truck or for freeway only duty. I'm in the market for a new midsize truck The ram is in contention, but I can only get the 5.7 in a half ton where the Chevy I can get the 6.2.
Titan is a great very competent truck and with modern suspension rides very well- but middle pieces cant eliminate unsprung weight and axle movement jars the whole truck -the physics are undefeatable.
Trashing the Titan and the Ridgeline isnt reality - Fast lane truck guys always liked the Titan, and they were also impressed with the Ridgeline.
It's actually page 416 - the concern isnt mechanicals - it sway, and thats valid in any truck whether stated or not. One should use a weight distribution hitch but since the manufacturer cant control that they ask you to limit speed. Boilerplate stuff.
THX RHO can never fully unlock the front or back - according the video you sent.
If thats the best it's flawed.
Just agree to disagree here.
Just like guys have been doing about trucks since Ford V Chevy.
Th OP was asking about a midsized - Im happy to keep sparring If you want to start another thread but I dont want to get his closed for bickering.
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They got rid of that port on the VQ38 unfortunately.
Now it's a whole pull-the-timing cover job. Which probably isn't the end of the world or a bad thing to do.
The 2.5 on the older Frontiers? Nissan intake manifolds remind me of the older Ford intakes that curl over. They cover the spark plug holes. When it comes time to do spark plugs on our Sentra, I'll have to pull at least part of the intake manifold
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I'm saying it's physically better:
- it has more power (v8's anyway, same with the half ton diesels)
- bigger brakes (designed to stop up to 12k pounds, so obviously it can stop 5000 pounds better too)
- it has stronger suspension to handle more tongue weight (1500 pounds of payload in both trucks doesn't mean that you can actually drop a trailer with 1500 pounds on the hitch, hitch ratings are separate from payload and separate from RAWR)
- higher GVWR and RAWR ratings
- longer wheel base and wider track to control trailer sway
- heavier truck means it stays more firmly planted
The ridgeline doesn't even come with a trailer brake controller, or towing mirrors. or camera systems. I'd hate to see how a WDH works on a unibody but guaranteed it's not easy on it either compared to a WDH on a ladder-on-frame. Towing once in a while, probably not too much of an issue.
These are facts, not preferences. You're simply going to get a more stable experience, and a truck that is in far more control over the load.
Pick what you like, just admit its a preference, it's not going to tow any load better than a half ton.
The new rams come with inline 6 twin turbos, not the hemi anymore. 420 hp or 540 hp if you spend more. If you want a v8, go ford 5.0 coyote not GM as the GM v8s are not doing well.
The titan cannot begin to compare to the Ram in suspension or ride quality or steering. Not even close. It's literally the worst riding half ton out there. The coils alone put the Ram in a class by itself (even above Ford and GM's leafsprings), and the more expensive trims have 4 corner air suspension. Ride quality will be different vs a ridgeline, but different doesn't mean "worse", it means "different". The ram will soak up the bumps better, it will handle payload better.
I feel much better on long drives in my truck than I did in my small unibody Jeep GC. Not due to suspension, I can feel differences between them but neither of them were fatiguing in anyway; they are simply different feelings. However the interior cabin space, the high seating position, the room for my legs, shoulders, the head room etc, all much better in my truck which is where my preference comes from. Driving a short trip in the city, I'd prefer the Jeep, it was very nimble and that turning radius was very, very nice.
But I have to purchase a single vehicle which includes driving long distances, short distances, rural, city, solo driving, driving with family and cargo, something to haul loads in my bed, and lots of towing? I'm buying a half ton, hands down.
Open it up in a pdf reader, click "go to page" and type 418. The note I said in the 2020 manual is there as well on the right side of the page in this manual:
"When towing a fixed-sided trailer (e.g., camper), do
not exceed 55 mph (88 km/h).
At higher speeds, the trailer may sway or affect
vehicle handling."
TRX/RHO are vehicles designed for a specific purpose. It's putting out 700+ hp (TRX) or 540 hp (RHO), these trucks are not concerned with fuel efficiency but are designed to run in the desert/offroad at high speed. Your ridgeline would be a twisted wreck taking jumps that these trucks shake off without issue (Ford's Raptor and Raptor R are equally impressive and very similar)
A Ram powerwagon (2500) has a completely different 4x4 system, very traditional with a physical lever to go from 2wd to 4x4, all mechanical. This is a truck meant for different offroading and rock crawling (comes with a factory winch and front/rear lockers and disconnectable swaybar), it doesn't mean its inferior vs TRX or a simple AWD system, nor does it mean its superior; a 4x4 system should be picked based on need or expected usage, and this is what makes the 4 auto in my truck so nice, I get everything I need; 2wd, "awd", 4 high, 4 low. OPTIONS! I chose the 4 auto, and it has been a flawless experience. I use it 4 seasons of the year.
Don't complain about pushing a button to trigger "auto", you may as well suggest that a radio with a volume knob is inferior to one with one volume level only because you have to spend time moving the volume knob up and down.
You can change from 2wd to 4 auto "on the fly" while driving, even on the freeway. You can press it when you hop in and stays active until you change it, there is no need to worry about it again.
I'm not disagreeing with your preference. You like the small ridgeline and that is perfectly fine.
Hermann
Site Donor 2023
Go watch the latest Driving Sports TV review of the Ridgeline. It is capable. Excellent video. Just dropped today
Define old—I think Nissan was using their 2.5 for like 20 years? probably 15.
Thinking I would want to go 2018, I’ve been spoiled by my backup camera. Newer in general, just less rust. Plus nothing depreciates like it used to, might as well buy the better half of ownership.
Old just being previous generation of truck. They did make the 2.5 with a manual or auto right up until they introduced the new 3.8 for 2020MY. Local the 2.5 / 5 speed trucks pop up on marketplace / craigslist a few times a year and it's something I'd want for a daily driver, just not something that fits in with what I need.
Not car like enough to do daily driving, not enough truck to allow me to get rid of my rusty F-350 .
I could see that. I just need something more utilitarian than a Corolla (doesn't take much!) but I do suspect that zipping up and down the highway at 22mpg or whatever would wear on me. OTOH when I did this in my Tundra I really didn't have a problem, other than fuel burn, never had a parking issue etc. Benefit of living in the sticks and refusing to drive in the city when I can.
Haven't priced tires but the V6 goes up a tire size as opposed to the I4's in the lesser trim. Appeals to my inner cheapskate.
Edit: typo'd the fact that I did *not* have a problem in DD a Tundra, other than fuel burn.
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You first paragraph basically says a 1 ton dually should be the logical choice for every tow job, that bigger is always better.
Body on frame solid axle can be made better with great pieces in between - but it cant defy physics regardless of what pieces you put in place.
You claim the pieces make BOF solid axle great, but the same doesn't apply with great pieces on another BOF solid axle piece.
You have no idea how my 1/2 ton truck feels with the great suspension pieces on it.
Im not complaining about pushing a button Im pointing out you have to do it - vs just drive.
One requires input to be most efficient - one does it for you.
I have a dedicated toy for dirt running that would run away from any stock truck like it's chained to a house.
Pretending ones 90K stock anything truck is actually a desert runner is an invitation to the hospital and junkyard.
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I saw that too, hopefully Nissan took a good look at Ford’s engines and did design improvements if applicable.
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No it doesn't. It implies that it will do a better job controlling the trailer, it will tow better; which it will.
Other factors do come into play when it comes to which vehicle to actually purchase, but when you compare a half ton to 1 ton dually, you're not getting better 4x4, you're not getting more interior space, you're not getting better towing tech like mirrors, brake controllers, cameras, backup assist systems, the only thing you're getting is the ability to tow additional weight. A lot of the advantages we get while going from ridgeline to halfton, are simply missing when going from half ton to a dually.
Think about why the best selling vehicle in North America, are half ton trucks. There are advantages to smaller trucks, and advantages to beefier trucks, but the half ton ticks the most boxes for most people. It's the perfect compromise for many, many people for a reason.
You'd only "point that out" if you thought it was a negative, otherwise why mention it?
Exactly, you do think it's a negative, but it isn't. What my truck has, is choice. I have a choice between 2wd, 4 auto, 4 high, and 4 low, all in the same truck. Pushing a button isn't about "less efficient", it's about interacting with a feature that gives me options which you don't have. Like the moveable brake/gas pedals I have in my truck as well, which your ridgeline also doesn't have. It's not "less efficient" to get in adjust the pedals for a smaller person, it's a feature, trying to frame a feature as less efficient is called "grasping at straws" especially considering the amount of effort/time it takes to interact with that feature.
You're driving down the road in 2wd at 55 mph and see some snow drifting up ahead, you take literally 1 second of your life to push the button and that's "less efficient"? Contrast that vs what it gives you, 4 high and 4 low and 2wd, worrying about the 1 second is beyond silly. It's "fire and forget", push the button, move on with your life. It's not like you have stop, get out, and lock in your hubs first.
How would you feel if the 2026 ridgerline removed the physical/software buttons for turning on your headlights and relied 100% on the light sensor for turning them on/off. Is it "less efficient" to use the button occassionaly? If you're grasping at straws you could try to make that case, but everybody else is going to look at a physical switch as a bonus, as something that gives you control and options.
Good grief.
The FACT is, the TRX/RHO/Raptor are designed to do things that would crumple your ridgline, they are amazing trucks whether you choose to spend the money on it or not, they are advanced when it comes to engine and suspension and drivetrain components and frame etc, which is what my original point is when you mentioned "the best from Stellantis" 4x4 systems.
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One of the off road you tube channels ran a Ridgeline and a Maverick Tremor through their standard mudhole, they actually did pretty well. The Maverick can be equipped to tow 4000 lbs and the Ridgeline 5000. Ranger 7500 and Colorado/Canyon 7000 (IIRC)
I still don't understand why we are talking about 1/2 and 3/4 tons on the Compact Midsize truck tread, but i suppose there's been much worst BITOG thread creep even this week..
I know if i was racking up miles and not doing anything especially Trucky a Mavrick Hybrid would be on the short list, At least if i was buying the gas.
I still don't understand why we are talking about 1/2 and 3/4 tons on the Compact Midsize truck tread, but i suppose there's been much worst BITOG thread creep even this week..
I know if i was racking up miles and not doing anything especially Trucky a Mavrick Hybrid would be on the short list, At least if i was buying the gas.
The argument could go on for oh, I don't know, 10 pages? And it would still be a never ending argument. There are no 10's. There are 8's and 9's and in category A you may have 8 and 9 while in Category B you may have 9 and 8. And bottom line is both are very good in their really good categories.
And my RL is really good. And will be even better when the red lettering for the tailgate arrives and is applied to contrast the black paint of the truck.
And my RL is really good. And will be even better when the red lettering for the tailgate arrives and is applied to contrast the black paint of the truck.