pickup truck

[concrete]

I need to get rid of my p.o.s. ford pickup truck and thought ya'll might have some insight on what to get. My Ford has been nothing but trouble. I think its the first year they came out with the 6 litre turbo diesel and it's a lemon.

The problem is if you need a one ton truck you're left with only the big three to choose from. The new Toyota Tundra is nice but it's only a half ton. Any suggestion?

[TonyM]

Not many appealing choices at all given your need for a 1 ton. Maybe there's another way to look at this problem. What is the truck used for, if you don't mind divulging. I'd be loathe to own any of the big three, but then I'm a spoiled import owner. By the way, fwiw and perhaps you're already aware, but restricted air filters are a common malady on those turbo diesel fords.

[rfi]

I bought a Ford F-250 in 03. It's a 4x4 and I use it for snowclearing and landscaping. It has been flawless since I bought it and I have put nothing into the truck except oil changes and new tires. Of all the trucks out there Ford makes the best work truck imo. They sell over 1 mil trucks per year. The highest of all manufacturers. Tony is right the air filters are an issue. If you put a different cool air injection system on the motor and changed the chip you would be amazed at the difference and stability of the motor. Also specify, with any vehicle, you do not want one built on Monday or Friday. This can be done, they may tell it can't, they are full of crap because I used to sell cars and you can order a vehicle from the factory with that specification. I factory ordered my truck that way and it has been beautiful. Don't know if any of this helps. My2C

[concrete]

Not many appealing choices at all given your need for a 1 ton. Maybe there's another way to look at this problem. What is the truck used for, if you don't mind divulging. I'd be loathe to own any of the big three, but then I'm a spoiled import owner. By the way, fwiw and perhaps you're already aware, but restricted air filters are a common malady on those turbo diesel fords.

My company manufactures architectural concrete products so it’s not uncommon to put a 3000# pallet (sometimes more) in the back and haul it 300 miles. But generally I use it putzing around town and of course during deer season when I’m stalking bambis grandfather. Some of the contractors we sell to have 30 trucks and vans in their fleet tell me their having the same problems with both ford and Chevy: constant nick picking problems.
I’ll probably buy something like an Isuzu NPR cab and chassis and dedicate it to strictly hauling and get a car for my everyday use. Generally I use local freight companies for all my LTL deliveries but occasionally someone will order something at the last minute and then we deliver in our vehicle. I really don’t like having a 50K dollar rig, plus the associated commercial insurance along with one of my retards driving it for the occasion that pops up 3 or 4 times a month. It’s amazing to me that the big three can’t get their act together.

[TonyM]

My company manufactures architectural concrete products so it’s not uncommon to put a 3000# pallet (sometimes more) in the back and haul it 300 miles. But generally I use it putzing around town and of course during deer season when I’m stalking bambis grandfather. Some of the contractors we sell to have 30 trucks and vans in their fleet tell me their having the same problems with both ford and Chevy: constant nick picking problems.
I’ll probably buy something like an Isuzu NPR cab and chassis and dedicate it to strictly hauling and get a car for my everyday use. Generally I use local freight companies for all my LTL deliveries but occasionally someone will order something at the last minute and then we deliver in our vehicle. I really don’t like having a 50K dollar rig, plus the associated commercial insurance along with one of my retards driving it for the occasion that pops up 3 or 4 times a month. It’s amazing to me that the big three can’t get their act together.

How about getting a custom built tandem axle trailer to carry the payload and go with the reliability of something like the Tundra? The 5.7L long bed has a 10,500 lb tow capacity.

[concrete]

I've been thinking the same thing. One of my buddies owns the local Toyota dealership and will sell me one at 100 bucks over invoice. The problem is they don't have the crewmax model in yet.

[TonyM]

Sounds like it would be more economical to rent a truck when needed until the crew cab becomes available, also gives you time to get the perfect trailer for the job. Looks like you've covered most of the angles though, so I'll just say go Toyota and be happy.

[BuyOnDips]

Toyota is the best. Their resale value holds up very well too.