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If budget is a main concern, like said, the Nissan Frontier offers a lot of old school technology for a great price.

Also like mentioned, a late model Ram 1500 with the Pentastar and 3.55 gears can haul or pull what most other base model V8s can.
 
How come nobody talks about the ford ranger? They are small, reliable and cheap. The 2.3 gets amazing mpg. You will be surprised by how many stuff you can put in the bed with a strap...
 
Originally Posted by PotatoFarmer77w
How come nobody talks about the ford ranger? They are small, reliable and cheap. The 2.3 gets amazing mpg. You will be surprised by how many stuff you can put in the bed with a strap...

Op wants to move wife and daughter around in it also; later he mentioned "kids" plural. Extended cabs (two door affairs with a narrow rear bench) are doable if not annoying; a 4 door pickup appears to be what he is after.
 
Do you really need a full size? Doesn't sound like you do; a 4 door Tacoma or Frontier would be a decent bet. Although the Tacoma will be more expensive (I know, just bought one, even at 10 years old it wasn't "cheap"), but still hold its value. Both of those trucks will haul 6K lbs easily and are easy to park (in the driveway and the mall...). I've owned both and they're good trucks. The Frontier felt like it had more power although it was a 2wd and my current Tacoma is 4wd.
 
Originally Posted by Snagglefoot
Watch out for pre-2014 Chevs with AFM variable displacement unless they had a tune to lock out the AFM.




Don't consider a pre 2014 GM truck. That is the best advice I can offer.
 
Originally Posted by atikovi
Originally Posted by joel95ex
just need a truck to carry stuff that won't fit in a car --like 2x4's, home improvement stuff, home depot trips etc and wife & daughter would drive to work and school


Oh just admit you WANT a big truck to look cool in. You don't don't NEED one to do those things. With the seats folded, even my Jetta hauls 2x4's just fine.

[Linked Image]


If you must have a bed, maybe a Honda Ridgeline.



What a worthless suggestion.
 
Originally Posted by Snagglefoot
Watch out for pre-2014 Chevs with AFM variable displacement unless they had a tune to lock out the AFM.



Not true. Ones made after 2012 had a new valve cover design that did away with many issues. You can lock out the AFM with a $189.00 Range Technology device.

The resale values of all trucks are insane. I had a 2012 Sierra SLT I traded in a year ago-got $25,000.00. The dealer put it on their use car lot for $28,000.00 and it sold the first weekend.
 
Last edited:
The Range Technology will not prevent a mechanical failure if you are going to have one.

The failure of a lifter is hit or miss. I know guys with 200,000 miles no failure. I know guys with 100,000 and they have a failure.

I know guys with Caprices with 150,000 miles plus 6000 to 70000 idle hours with no failures.

Nothing wrong with taking a look at a pre 2014 GM truck.

The Ram has a similar problem the ones that have it are closing in on the 100,000 mile mark and failures are starting to happen.
 
Originally Posted by supton
Originally Posted by Miller88
Are broken exhaust manifold bolts and rotted/cracked exhaust manifolds not normal? Every pickup truck here (except Ridgeline, yay sideways engines) will have that happen.

Yeah, what is up with that? I know working trucks make heat and will break exhaust manifolds, but studs? I don't get that. [I know it's all about heat cycles but I don't recall that being a problem in the past... maybe it was and it was before the internet?]

I don't think that is a Tundra problem though...? at least I haven't heard of it (they have their own set of problems).

It is, guy I camp with tows a 30 foot 8000lbs trailer with his. Replaced a manifold and all the fasteners at 50,000ish miles.
Also did his cam bearings recently and he is at 68,000 now. His a 2014. Camps about as much as I do.

I see them at campsites and we talk they have the same problems everyone else does when you work them except for AFM failure.

I know they have updated the fasteners and manifolds on the newer GM to help prevent that problem.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted by ls1mike
The Range Technology will not prevent a mechanical failure if you are going to have one.

The failure of a lifter is hit or miss. I know guys with 200,000 miles no failure. I know guys with 100,000 and they have a failure.

I know guys with Caprices with 150,000 miles plus 6000 to 70000 idle hours with no failures.

Nothing wrong with taking a look at a pre 2014 GM truck.

The Ram has a similar problem the ones that have it are closing in on the 100,000 mile mark and failures are starting to happen.


Never said it would.
 
Originally Posted by ls1mike
The Range Technology will not prevent a mechanical failure if you are going to have one.

The failure of a lifter is hit or miss. I know guys with 200,000 miles no failure. I know guys with 100,000 and they have a failure.

I know guys with Caprices with 150,000 miles plus 6000 to 70000 idle hours with no failures.

Nothing wrong with taking a look at a pre 2014 GM truck.

The Ram has a similar problem the ones that have it are closing in on the 100,000 mile mark and failures are starting to happen.


And the Ford boards mention Eco-Boost failures even tho the vast majority of Ford trucks have high miles with no issues.


Your point isn't very well taken....sorry. The point is that with any truck there are issues-and those issues are in the minority-and it's the vocal one's who have trouble that post on the Internet. GM has been selling a minimum of 40,000 plus trucks (Silverado/Sierra combined) each and every month for year. The vast majority half-tons, and with the 5.3. You odds of having trouble is a decimal point with alot of zeros behind it-especially after 2011 model year.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted by ls1mike
Originally Posted by supton
Originally Posted by Miller88
Are broken exhaust manifold bolts and rotted/cracked exhaust manifolds not normal? Every pickup truck here (except Ridgeline, yay sideways engines) will have that happen.

Yeah, what is up with that? I know working trucks make heat and will break exhaust manifolds, but studs? I don't get that. [I know it's all about heat cycles but I don't recall that being a problem in the past... maybe it was and it was before the internet?]

I don't think that is a Tundra problem though...? at least I haven't heard of it (they have their own set of problems).

It is, guy I camp with tows a 30 foot 8000lbs trailer with his. Replaced a manifold and all the fasteners at 50,000ish miles.
Also did his cam bearings recently and he is at 68,000 now. His a 2014. Camps about as much as I do.

I see them at campsites and we talk they have the same problems everyone else does when you work them except for AFM failure.

I know they have updated the fasteners and manifolds on the newer GM to help prevent that problem.

Thanks.

Great. Another failure mode for me to obsess over!
lol.gif
 
Originally Posted by supton
Originally Posted by ls1mike
Originally Posted by supton
Originally Posted by Miller88
Are broken exhaust manifold bolts and rotted/cracked exhaust manifolds not normal? Every pickup truck here (except Ridgeline, yay sideways engines) will have that happen.

Yeah, what is up with that? I know working trucks make heat and will break exhaust manifolds, but studs? I don't get that. [I know it's all about heat cycles but I don't recall that being a problem in the past... maybe it was and it was before the internet?]

I don't think that is a Tundra problem though...? at least I haven't heard of it (they have their own set of problems).

It is, guy I camp with tows a 30 foot 8000lbs trailer with his. Replaced a manifold and all the fasteners at 50,000ish miles.
Also did his cam bearings recently and he is at 68,000 now. His a 2014. Camps about as much as I do.

I see them at campsites and we talk they have the same problems everyone else does when you work them except for AFM failure.

I know they have updated the fasteners and manifolds on the newer GM to help prevent that problem.

Thanks.

Great. Another failure mode for me to obsess over!
lol.gif



Eh I wouldn't be worried. Not everyone has the problem and he runs his oil longer than I would towing that much.
 
Originally Posted by CKN
Originally Posted by ls1mike
The Range Technology will not prevent a mechanical failure if you are going to have one.

The failure of a lifter is hit or miss. I know guys with 200,000 miles no failure. I know guys with 100,000 and they have a failure.

I know guys with Caprices with 150,000 miles plus 6000 to 70000 idle hours with no failures.

Nothing wrong with taking a look at a pre 2014 GM truck.

The Ram has a similar problem the ones that have it are closing in on the 100,000 mile mark and failures are starting to happen.


And the Ford boards mention Eco-Boost failures even tho the vast majority of Ford trucks have high miles with no issues.


Your point isn't very well taken....sorry. The point is that with any truck there are issues-and those issues are in the minority-and it's the vocal one's who have trouble that post on the Internet. GM has been selling a minimum of 40,000 plus trucks (Silverado/Sierra combined) each and every month for year. The vast majority half-tons, and with the 5.3. You odds of having trouble is a decimal point with alot of zeros behind it-especially after 2011 model year.


That is why I said nothing wrong with looking at a Pre 2014 GM Truck. I only mentioned the Ram because their AFM has similar failures. Just something to be aware of.
That was my point. Guess it wasn't stated well.

I know the problem is overstated, that is why I bought the Caprice, however in 2014 they did make updates to the all the AFM systems. The Caprice has those updates, so the L77 in that is different than the Early L77 Caprices or L76 G8s with
AFM failures, same goes for the trucks.

And I know you didn't say that about the Range Technology, but there a lot of people who don't understand how it works and just letting the OP know that is just stop it from activating.

I have one in the Caprice and it works well if you don't want to mess with a tune.
 
Originally Posted by 4WD
Exhaust manifold is mentioned in L83 write up

http://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/gm-engines/l83/


Interesting read, thanks. Also has a dual pressure oil pump too.

Quote
Exhaust manifolds: the exhaust manifolds were developed to improve durability and sealing and reduce operating noise. The cast iron manifolds feature saw cuts along their cylinder head mounting flange, which split the flange into three separate sections on the V6 and four separate sections on the V8s, allowing each section to move under extreme hot-cold temperature fluctuations to virtually eliminate movement of the exhaust manifold gaskets. That helps ensure proper sealing for the life of the engine and reduces the chance of gasket failure. The exhaust manifolds also feature triple-layer stainless steel heat shields, which limit heat transfer to the engine bay and help further reduce noise.
 
Yes … the piston jets and oil cooler are adds over my 2010 5.3L … active shutters in grill and electric fans are both improvements and access to belts/hose/engine = much better …
Oh, noticeable quieter and stronger engines …
 
Originally Posted by ls1mike
Originally Posted by supton
Originally Posted by Miller88
Are broken exhaust manifold bolts and rotted/cracked exhaust manifolds not normal? Every pickup truck here (except Ridgeline, yay sideways engines) will have that happen.

Yeah, what is up with that? I know working trucks make heat and will break exhaust manifolds, but studs? I don't get that. [I know it's all about heat cycles but I don't recall that being a problem in the past... maybe it was and it was before the internet?]

I don't think that is a Tundra problem though...? at least I haven't heard of it (they have their own set of problems).

It is, guy I camp with tows a 30 foot 8000lbs trailer with his. Replaced a manifold and all the fasteners at 50,000ish miles.
Also did his cam bearings recently and he is at 68,000 now. His a 2014. Camps about as much as I do.

I see them at campsites and we talk they have the same problems everyone else does when you work them except for AFM failure.

I know they have updated the fasteners and manifolds on the newer GM to help prevent that problem.



Funny story about that - we go to off road parks in PA quite a bit. They are in very hilly parts of the state. One of the guys in the club managed to blow out both exhaust manifolds in a 351 bronco pulling one of the hills. I bet that made for a hard trip home.

I was expecting at least one of mine to crack when I had my engine at 4000 RPM wide open for a few minutes. I bet they were glowing!
 
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