In your UNBIASED opinion, which truck is best?
10-06-2008 | 09:36 PM
#31
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From: Northern Iowa
So...to the original posting member...has this thread wound up unbiased enough for you? I'm noticing more people leaving data (and not just opinions) for you to consider.
For my own data - I would encourage you to consider an older truck only if you want to become quite well acquainted with it. That means working on it, working with it, being familiar with all it's little habits and hangups. I'm getting to this point with 96_12V. Since I purchased a house, I really won't have a choice for a while, either.
If this isn't your thing, I would stick to a third gen, and preferably if you like a manual with a G56 6-speed (later 05 - 07's). The later 48RE automatics (a few '03s came with 47RE's) are a farily solid unit, however the 47RE's were known to fail. Big expenses associated with this.
Finally (I'll dodge the darts for this one...) why do you need a diesel truck? If you're not towing, or putting on heavy mileage per year, or planning to keep it a few years short of eternity, then you probably are not going to gain much having such a truck. True, resale has histroically been much better with these rigs...then again initial cost is quite a bit higher. They are more expensive to work on (and documentation will prove it) than a lighter duty gas truck, since the compoents cost more and have to be made stronger to take the weight of the loads these rigs are designed to pull. And I'm not reffering to engine work here, rather the truck itself. Oil changes along cost quite a bit more due to the amount of oil and the cost of filters used on the engine.
Really, with the use you indicated earlier in this post, unless you're just a diesel fan who has to own one (and I was one, too) it's probably not going to make sense for your applicaiton. Sorry - off rant, just my $.02.
For my own data - I would encourage you to consider an older truck only if you want to become quite well acquainted with it. That means working on it, working with it, being familiar with all it's little habits and hangups. I'm getting to this point with 96_12V. Since I purchased a house, I really won't have a choice for a while, either.
If this isn't your thing, I would stick to a third gen, and preferably if you like a manual with a G56 6-speed (later 05 - 07's). The later 48RE automatics (a few '03s came with 47RE's) are a farily solid unit, however the 47RE's were known to fail. Big expenses associated with this.
Finally (I'll dodge the darts for this one...) why do you need a diesel truck? If you're not towing, or putting on heavy mileage per year, or planning to keep it a few years short of eternity, then you probably are not going to gain much having such a truck. True, resale has histroically been much better with these rigs...then again initial cost is quite a bit higher. They are more expensive to work on (and documentation will prove it) than a lighter duty gas truck, since the compoents cost more and have to be made stronger to take the weight of the loads these rigs are designed to pull. And I'm not reffering to engine work here, rather the truck itself. Oil changes along cost quite a bit more due to the amount of oil and the cost of filters used on the engine.
Really, with the use you indicated earlier in this post, unless you're just a diesel fan who has to own one (and I was one, too) it's probably not going to make sense for your applicaiton. Sorry - off rant, just my $.02.
10-06-2008 | 09:45 PM
#33
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Ohio
I would rather have a truck that requires a kidney belt, than one that rides like a Cadillac.
On the subject of truck which is best, I dont know the meaning of unbiased. It is either a Cummins Dodge or nuthin'.
10-06-2008 | 10:45 PM
#34
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So...to the original posting member...has this thread wound up unbiased enough for you? I'm noticing more people leaving data (and not just opinions) for you to consider.
For my own data - I would encourage you to consider an older truck only if you want to become quite well acquainted with it. That means working on it, working with it, being familiar with all it's little habits and hangups. I'm getting to this point with 96_12V. Since I purchased a house, I really won't have a choice for a while, either.
If this isn't your thing, I would stick to a third gen, and preferably if you like a manual with a G56 6-speed (later 05 - 07's). The later 48RE automatics (a few '03s came with 47RE's) are a farily solid unit, however the 47RE's were known to fail. Big expenses associated with this.
Finally (I'll dodge the darts for this one...) why do you need a diesel truck? If you're not towing, or putting on heavy mileage per year, or planning to keep it a few years short of eternity, then you probably are not going to gain much having such a truck. True, resale has histroically been much better with these rigs...then again initial cost is quite a bit higher. They are more expensive to work on (and documentation will prove it) than a lighter duty gas truck, since the compoents cost more and have to be made stronger to take the weight of the loads these rigs are designed to pull. And I'm not reffering to engine work here, rather the truck itself. Oil changes along cost quite a bit more due to the amount of oil and the cost of filters used on the engine.
Really, with the use you indicated earlier in this post, unless you're just a diesel fan who has to own one (and I was one, too) it's probably not going to make sense for your applicaiton. Sorry - off rant, just my $.02.
For my own data - I would encourage you to consider an older truck only if you want to become quite well acquainted with it. That means working on it, working with it, being familiar with all it's little habits and hangups. I'm getting to this point with 96_12V. Since I purchased a house, I really won't have a choice for a while, either.
If this isn't your thing, I would stick to a third gen, and preferably if you like a manual with a G56 6-speed (later 05 - 07's). The later 48RE automatics (a few '03s came with 47RE's) are a farily solid unit, however the 47RE's were known to fail. Big expenses associated with this.
Finally (I'll dodge the darts for this one...) why do you need a diesel truck? If you're not towing, or putting on heavy mileage per year, or planning to keep it a few years short of eternity, then you probably are not going to gain much having such a truck. True, resale has histroically been much better with these rigs...then again initial cost is quite a bit higher. They are more expensive to work on (and documentation will prove it) than a lighter duty gas truck, since the compoents cost more and have to be made stronger to take the weight of the loads these rigs are designed to pull. And I'm not reffering to engine work here, rather the truck itself. Oil changes along cost quite a bit more due to the amount of oil and the cost of filters used on the engine.
Really, with the use you indicated earlier in this post, unless you're just a diesel fan who has to own one (and I was one, too) it's probably not going to make sense for your applicaiton. Sorry - off rant, just my $.02.
I plan to buy a 5th wheel toy box in the near future and don't want to be the slow guy towing the trailer down the highway as my gas motor is floored and I can't make it up the hill without poking a hole in a piston.
My last truck was a 2003 GMC 6.0 gas and it got about 8mpg, 11 going downhill on the highway. That's unloaded with the tailgate down and me being easy on it. I'm not about to jump into another gas motor that struggles to tow and still gets crappy mileage. Basically, I have a work truck and a nice car to drive around when needed, but I want something to tow the toys around with. It's not going to get driven much, but when I need it I want it to be capable of doing whatever I need it to do.
10-06-2008 | 10:48 PM
#35
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That is what I really like about my truck, its big, its noisy, its loud, it rides/drives like a log wagon, but when someone gets in it they know they are in a truck.
I would rather have a truck that requires a kidney belt, than one that rides like a Cadillac.
On the subject of truck which is best, I dont know the meaning of unbiased. It is either a Cummins Dodge or nuthin'.
I would rather have a truck that requires a kidney belt, than one that rides like a Cadillac.
On the subject of truck which is best, I dont know the meaning of unbiased. It is either a Cummins Dodge or nuthin'.
10-06-2008 | 11:15 PM
#36
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: CT
I mean come on, who are you kidding.
So my car can tow a trailer more than 10% of the time, AND it rides nice! What a novel idea, I can have my cake and eat it too.
ben
10-08-2008 | 05:02 PM
#38
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Joined: Mar 2008
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If you want a chevy or gmc, get it. there are a lot of guys on this forum who swear by them. if you are driving 90%in town, the D-max,allison,ifs combo is hard to beat. Ive been told with a 80horse bulldog tune some of those trucks(not sure which years) will run under 14. I hate chevy's, but that is really cool. now if you want to work your truck, day in, day out, get a 12v.
10-09-2008 | 12:46 PM
#39
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From: Northern VA
Between Chevy and Dodge, both have their advantages.
Advantage Chevy:
- Longer short bed makes 5th wheel use a little less risky
- Better AC
- Better automatic transmission
- Drain plugs in axles
Advantage Dodge:
- Solid front axle appealing to many
- Bigger stock rims and tires (stock Chevy setup is shockingly undersized)
- Availability of Megacab
- Stock 4" exhaust
- Cummins
- Better stock suspension (my 2005 Chevy rode like a brick)
- More storage cubbyholes
- Engine compartment not a knucklebuster
- Availability of manual transmission
Advantage Chevy:
- Longer short bed makes 5th wheel use a little less risky
- Better AC
- Better automatic transmission
- Drain plugs in axles
Advantage Dodge:
- Solid front axle appealing to many
- Bigger stock rims and tires (stock Chevy setup is shockingly undersized)
- Availability of Megacab
- Stock 4" exhaust
- Cummins
- Better stock suspension (my 2005 Chevy rode like a brick)
- More storage cubbyholes
- Engine compartment not a knucklebuster
- Availability of manual transmission
10-09-2008 | 03:00 PM
#40
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From: Nevada
10-09-2008 | 03:57 PM
#41
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From: Erie, PA
See statements like this make no sense. I regularly make 6+ hour long trips, most of the time with a trailer in tow. You freakin better beleive im thankful my "car" rides like a caddy. No it doesnt make my wee-wee smaller that my truck is actually quiet, civilzed, smooth, has heated seats, AUTOMATIC headlights (Im not a real man, I need a computer to turn on my headlights for me you know), umpteen way seats, and windsheild wipers (I know I know, when its rainging out, real men with real trucks hang out the window, steer with their leg, and wipe the windshield off with the shirt off their back).
I mean come on, who are you kidding.
So my car can tow a trailer more than 10% of the time, AND it rides nice! What a novel idea, I can have my cake and eat it too.
ben
I mean come on, who are you kidding.
So my car can tow a trailer more than 10% of the time, AND it rides nice! What a novel idea, I can have my cake and eat it too.
ben
10-12-2008 | 01:12 AM
#43
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 337
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From: Sacramento, CA
I have to give the 08 Ford body style two thumps up. I love the looks of that huge grill/hood. I hate the way GM trucks look. Never rode in a Ford or GM so I could not comment on ride quality. However, if I had a choice of engine body combo it would be an Cummins ISB in a Ford body.
10-12-2008 | 08:40 PM
#44
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 175
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From: Tidewater Virginia
My first Dodge (bought new) was a 1992 4X4 Club cab 250 with the Cummins engine. Great truck but it took two acres to turn it around, it was the roughest truck I've ever had and, it was noisy & smoky. My current truck (bought new) is 100% stock, early 2004 2X4 Quad cab, short bed, auto trans with the third gen engine. It drives & rides great. I've pulled my travel trailer all over most of north America. It gets great mileage and easy on my ears & behind. It is the best truck I've ever owned! I have a Lincoln Continental and a new Mercedes Benz diesel (E-320 Bluetec) and the truck is the first choice for both me & my wife whenever we go anywhere!
10-15-2008 | 06:32 AM
#45
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 478
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From: Castaic CA Winnemucca NV
Of my 2 trucks I'd take the 12v over the 3rd gen.
Pros 12v
WAY more comfortable seats. No computer crap to go wrong. Better shifting man trans than the nv56 in the 3rd gens. Better rear end ratio. Turns better but that could be a shorter wheel base. Way better A/C and climate controls than my 3rd gen.
Cons 12v NOISEY as hell inside, worse outside. Not as much power stock but cheaper to add senceable power too. They are getting old now, finding a good one is getting harder. Crappy front end, real bad. Crappy cup holders.
3rd gen pros. POWER, quieter, inside and out. Better front end than the 12v. Nicer looking interior than the 12 v but the seats are uncomfortable as all get out.
3rd gen cons Lift pump problems, just change it for peace of mind as much as anything. The cab size is stupid. I think they are addressing this in the coming model year.
Pros 12v
WAY more comfortable seats. No computer crap to go wrong. Better shifting man trans than the nv56 in the 3rd gens. Better rear end ratio. Turns better but that could be a shorter wheel base. Way better A/C and climate controls than my 3rd gen.
Cons 12v NOISEY as hell inside, worse outside. Not as much power stock but cheaper to add senceable power too. They are getting old now, finding a good one is getting harder. Crappy front end, real bad. Crappy cup holders.
3rd gen pros. POWER, quieter, inside and out. Better front end than the 12v. Nicer looking interior than the 12 v but the seats are uncomfortable as all get out.
3rd gen cons Lift pump problems, just change it for peace of mind as much as anything. The cab size is stupid. I think they are addressing this in the coming model year.