1/2 Ton Trucks

[bcbender]

Friends..............

Not trying to start a brand war here, but my nephew is graduating college this spring and looking for a good 1/2 truck.. My BIL asked me if I had any recommendation, I told him I would probably go for which ever gives you the best value, financing, etc and then which you like. I have had RAM trucks for the last 2 decades, and Chevrolets in the 80s / 90s with the occasional Ford in the mix. I told him I would stick with the 5.0L Ford as I've heard the Eco Boost over promises with power and FE. I don't know much about the V6 engine but the V8 RAMs are solid.. and Chevrolet, I really don't know much about as I dont shop 1/2 T anymore, the last generation seems to rust easily (2010- up) but so did the previous, my last 1997 Chevy 3 door was good but that's the last one I had...

I open to the group to throw any pros / cons out there.. I saw RAM offering 0% for 72 mo... but I think all three are basically giving the 1/2 Tons away anymore...

 

[bcbender]

Also didn't know until this weekend that GMC had a Duramax in the 1500, my nieces boyfriend pulled up in a new AT4 Rocky Ridge GMC Duramax... I assume it cost as much as my 3500 tho..

 

[AEdelheit]

I would be torn between the Ford and Ram, I know atleast 20 people with the 3.5 EB and they all love them especially at altitude where forced induction doesnt loose as much power as NA. The Hemi seems hit or miss, know some people who love them and other nothing but problems, I think alot also comes down to the delaership doing any work on them. Ford has the 10spd trans, Ram has 8 but dont know if there is really an advantage of one over the other. Driving them both and seeing what feels better would be a good start.

I just don't trust GM quality, seems like the interior, weather-stripping and what not ages twice as fast as other brands.

 

[DHayden]

Interesting that the 3.0 Duramax is an inline 6 and the 3.0 in the Ram is a v6. There have been rave reviews for both, the 10 speed is the standout it seems. Smooth shifting and the crew cab of the chevy is roomier. The interior has come up in the past few years for the chevy, next year is supposed to be even better.
Ram drives more like a truck, Chevy more like a car. Chevy has less TQ but is quicker. Seems tied on layout of the interior.

 

[SnoKing]

I would be torn between the Ford and Ram, I know atleast 20 people with the 3.5 EB and they all love them especially at altitude where forced induction doesnt loose as much power as NA. The Hemi seems hit or miss, know some people who love them and other nothing but problems, I think alot also comes down to the delaership doing any work on them. Ford has the 10spd trans, Ram has 8 but dont know if there is really an advantage of one over the other. Driving them both and seeing what feels better would be a good start.

I just don't trust GM quality, seems like the interior, weather-stripping and what not ages twice as fast as other brands.

Nothing wrong with the 2.7 Ecoboost in a grocery getting F150. It is a 0-60 6.1 second truck. I looked away from the GM's based of the lifter/push rod issues and the 1500 because on cam/lifter issues. Ford offers a nice 12" Sync 4 system that looks like it belongs in the dash center stack.

 

[GAmes]

I don't have any complaints about my 2018 Hemi Ram.

 

[Tuesdak]

Also didn't know until this weekend that GMC had a Duramax in the 1500

I would look at the 4.3L V6 from GM. We had good luck with them in the past.

GM is having trouble now with their typical low bidder over-complicated cooling system valves on the 3.0 I6 they slapped the Duramax name on. Overheats "no power limp mode" on Monday, service gets to it on Thursday, and can't duplicate the problem. My GM service advisor recommended waiting a couple model years till they figure it the hell out.

The engine is already at it's thermal limit for power ... Typical GM cooling system.

Production was halted 2 weeks on the engine due to supplier issues. IMO they couldn't get the "one off" oil filter even for factory production engines. (There are a million filters out there like their lawnmower engine sized PF48 they use on everything... But, No we have to make a new special part number.) The GM dealer here was out of stock for over a month and GM "allowed" other brands of filters to be used and covered under warranty as if it was a GM dealer installed oil filter. Not voiding a warranty but extending coverage to any oil filter used during service.

 

[bcbender]

Yeah agreed, that's why I told them to get what they like at the best price, just not enough difference to make one stand out.

 

[Jdorfmeyer]

My 2014 Ram has been a great truck. 78,000 miles since I purchased it new and only to the dealership 4 times for flash updates. Only fluid changes per schedule and no parts replaced on the motor or trans. I changed the transmission fluid at 70,000 miles even though Ram says you don't need to. I also replaced the fuel level sending unit myself but it actually wasn't too bad of a job. I drove a Cummins for 12 years and we still have several in the family but I just couldn't justify it anymore for my use. Hemi does great and with 3.92 gears my truck is rated to pull 9,900 pounds and the 8 speed is a game changer.

 

[EDankievitch]

I was going to go for a F150 diesel but they dropped it. Ford is Focusing on the electric hybrid. When my 13 Ram starts to become more of a pain than it currently is I guess I’ll be looking into an Ecco boost gasser. The Chevy didn’t impress me. I had a rental this past spring when my Ram was given me fits. The RAM Hemi at least in my research doesn’t have a good track record. Issues with lifters and cams seem to be the biggest problem. That 3ltr diesel ford had used had one major recall with the EGR valve. They appear to have caught it early and the later ones have been really good trucks. I can only locate used ones an most have high mileage on them and command top dollar. I can get a new gasser for almost the same price. I will say the ford fleet trucks we have at work, all gassers, they have held up well. Just very thirsty around the fuel pump. Never see any Check engine lamps lighting up on them ever. Can’t say that about my 13 RAM that CEL has lit so many times I think the bulb finally burned out.. Lol

 

[Timd32]

I have 6 RAM 1500's, we have a mix. They are all 2018 and newer.

4- 5.9
2- 3.6

They are all great trucks. Tires and Brakes really is what we toss at them, synethic 5k oil changes, normal maintenance schedule stuff. And when stuff goes wrong we fix them and back at it.

Also have one 2019 Chevy 5.3, and a 2019 Ford F150 is that a 5.0 I forget really anymore, it's the standard V8 nothing special 4WD work truck.

I would just go with what works best at the time.

I like them all and none stands out repair wise they have all served us well.

 

[Cummins12V98]

What about the Ford catch can thingy?