Ohhh man what would YOU do?

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Well the time has come for me to make a decision as to what I must do in my world of truckdom. Y'all know what I have and let's face it in the world of property management things are waaaay different when you are no longer involved with construction and are moving ahead with the company to a possible Engineering/Management spot.



I will be more so now than ever wheeling arround on site in and out of parking spaces in tight spots and such dealing with one apartment issue at a time amongst other work. So this is where DOWNSIZING comes into play. I went out today as a hoot and took out a few rigs in the midsize department (O. K Flame suit is on) and IF I were to go down that road I would absolutly find myself in an 05 TRD Tacoma quad cab 6 ft bed. I drove it and man oh man how nice I gotta say. Got grunt looks great and is really comfy and has some wicked sweet options



Now I must say that I looked at it because LOADED out with EVERY option under the sun in a SR5 package it was @ 30,010 on sale AND in of course white. I was curious and had to explore that end of the road.



HOWEVER I just got back from dodge and looked at an 05 QC 6 ft bed and re affirmed my love for theese rigs WHEW. Get this I can get one for 34,990 But it's that champagne color and I need to have white



Here is my Q's



1. We all know Dodge and their most amazing engineering staff. Exactly how stoked are you guys with them here in the 05 season and how are they made VS the 2n'd Genners like myself? Better / Worse or whole different gaggle of giggle and kupupshion?



2. Would YOU Hold off 'till the 06's came about and wonder if you made the right decision when you could have done it sooner?



3. Here is the killer. Would you seriously consider going the Toy route being a gasser that will last forever ... but it's a gasser. (With Reg Unleaded here @ 2. 07 VS 2. 42 for #2 It is attractive to a point)



I will fire out some more Q's here in THIS post after Dinner and an outing with the wifey later on.



Thanks guys and NO I AM NEVER LEAVING THIS SITE EVER!!! no matter what. So don't start thinkin' that because this is just a transient stage I am exploring.

 

[TSpecht]

I wouldn't give up my '05 for anything. Excellent turning, brakes, and transmission. The engine hasn't given me any trouble, and running on straight #2 as in summertime conditions lately mostly highway and country backroads with a stop sign every mile or two I'm getting right around 18 if I go somewhat easy on it. I suspect if I got on an expressway and ran about 60-65 I'd be able to hit 20. Granted I'm only up to about 10,500 miles since Nov, but so far I couldn't be more pleased with the entire machine.


In terms of the 2006's, it depends what you're looking for, and whether you like the new styling. I suspect not much is changing mechanically from the 2005. 5's on the 2006's. The megacab looks to be nice but then again with only a shortbed option and overall length the same as a current QC LB, it's probably not an option you're too interested in if parking is an issue. There's still some NV5600 equipped 2005's lying around if that's your thing, you might want to have a dealer hunt them down. I'm sure they're getting more scarce as time progresses, if that's a factor in your decision.

As for the Toyota that'll be a matter of if you think you'll be able to live with one instead of the fullsize Ram. If the Toyota will suit your needs and fit your lifestyle there's no reason to avoid one. I'm not sure what the mileage on it is, or payload capacity, etc. But if it looks good, maybe see if you can get an extended test drive and check out what it really gets for mileage instead of what it claims.

 

[crobertson1]

TMTT,



I had an '01. 5 before this truck. That said for credibility. IMHO, this truck ('04. 5) is heads and tails better. In all departments. Take one for a ride, and sign the paperwork.



Please buy an American product. (Flame suit on) Toyota has passed Chrysler and Ford here in America. I know of the quality of the foreign products. It's second to none. I just think American companies need American buyers! I hate looking around parking lots and seeing the foreign cars to American car ratio. It's horrible.



I think you'd really like a 3rd gen. Personally, I'd not wait for '06s. I just like the current front end better. Pull the trigger now.



Craig

 

[**ICEMAN**]

engineering/management spot i assume = more pay ??

keep the big white beast for play and get the rice burner for work

if this new truck is used for work isn't it tax write off ??

 

[bmoeller]

My grandpa has a '02 Tundra. Loves it. He's only had one problem in 60k miles. transmission coughed up a lung in Tennessee, on their way home to Florida, from here, last week. The ext. warranty covered it. There is also a recall out on some of those vehicles for the ball joints.

 

[TPCDrafting]

wait for the '06's to come out, then buy a new '05 that's on blue light special.

 

[Bill Lins]

I just think American companies need American buyers! I hate looking around parking lots and seeing the foreign cars to American car ratio. It's horrible.

Craig,



Not flaming you, but the American companies just don't deserve our business. Their products COULD be of equal quality if they cared enough to build them correctly. The only way to make them care is to refuse to buy their products unless & until they get it right.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Wow Boy am I GLAD you guys brought that up about build quality! I did not want to be the one to go there ... . but alas we did. The fit , finish and general quality of the parts that I tugged , prodded , and even beat up on that were used on that Toyota were done and done right. And yes the european market (Japan built included) are known for their ever lasting strength . . it is fact ladies and gents. And for those who allways step to the plate with "Yeah but they are made in america". Sure they are "Made" in america but all those parts are either shipped over here and assembled or are made from japaneese built parts dyes and with quality forign steel.



Now TPC nailed it and that is where I stand if I deem that dodge is the way to go for me. Don, I wish I could write it off but in all actuality there is nothing in my job description that requires me to have a work vehicle. We do use them for work because of sheer convienience upon our own behalf to ourselves. Sure I get fuel reinbursement but that's about it. :{ and with the current "lets get rich on diesel for no aparent reason" scheme that does not help that much either.



My major adjustment is not that of vehicle size . . but of the actual bed itself. After having an 8 foot bed in just about every truck I have owned (And that is a few 3 chev's 1 ford , 1 dodge) a six footer is going to take some getting used to. I haul the occasional usual suspect construction materials like crete , sheet rock , 2 by's , joists , ladders and tools. Tools being 24-7 so a box is a must.



I don't have the time to pour over the third gen issues on the board here but what issues are we facing?

common rail leakage

intercoolers

track bar still???

Axles and diffs??

trans's?

 

[lmills]

TMTT- are you thinking about coming down this year for our annual fall brawl? If so I will take you out for a ride in an 05 and show you how easy it is to make power with them.



As for the issues:



never had a common rail leak personally on either the 03 or the 05.

the track bar has been flawless also.

the intercoolers are now back to metal instead of plastic.

I love my NV-5600, not too sure about the g56 yet, time will tell.

The axles have worked good for me also

 

[klenger]

As to issues with the new 3rd gens, basically, there aren't any. I'm not saying that some members have not had porblems, but I don't think that you will find any threads here with a large number of members complaining about the same problem. While I have not owned or even looked at Toyota trucks, I doubt there is any significant difference in overall quality. Yes, the new Dodges are that good. If you need the smaller size of the Toyota, then get it, but if the full size RAM in a SWB will work for you too, then I would have no reservations recommending it.



You will likely hear complaints about low fuel economy for the 600/610 trucks. Most all of those complaints come from members who do not actually have one. I am getting 19 - 20 MPG commuting to work (25 miles round trip), which is most of my driving.



As to '05 vs '06, you will probably get a better deal on an '05 for the next few months, assuming you can find one you want. SWB 2500 autos are easy to find. Given the type of driving you are planning, an auto seems like a good choice, and the 48RE seems to be pretty bullet proof now. Many members don't like the new front end style of the '06's. I don't think they are all that bad myself. It seems that almost no one like the 3rd gen body style when it was introduced, but now almost 1/2 of the voting TDR members have one. Go figure.



Good luck with your new career and new truck, whatever you decide to do.

 

[Truckie]

TMTT I just got rid of the 01 you saw me with last year and got an 05 and all I can say is WOW, Oo. IM glade I made the change. I cant say to much about them but the steering in them is was better than the 01 and the ride is unbelievable.

The only complaint I got is mine dose have the plastic inner cooler, but I have herd they may have a re call I don't know. If someone could help me out with that, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Id say go for it Tim.

 

[GFrance]

engineering/management spot i assume = more pay ??

keep the big white beast for play and get the rice burner for work

if this new truck is used for work isn't it tax write off ??

I agree with ICEMAN.

I have my 2001. 5 for play & towing & a toyota 2wd extra cab for my running around & back & fourth to work rig.

 

[crobertson1]

American auto makers have come a LONG way in the quality department. If this link doesn't work, go to JD Power and look at the 2005 Initial Quality press release. The BOTTOM 11 or 12 are all foreign, including Scion-a division of Toyota.



www.jdpa.com/pdf/2005069.pdf

 

[JeffWhite]

But Dodge isn't American...

Craig,



Not flaming you, but the American companies just don't deserve our business. Their products COULD be of equal quality if they cared enough to build them correctly. The only way to make them care is to refuse to buy their products unless & until they get it right.

Sorry to get off topic, but when you're owned by Daimler and made in

Mexico, doesn't seen to American to me. Now the Nissan Titan's, I can

jump in the truck and in a couple hours, SEE where they are made!

 

[klenger]

ToolManTimTaylor: Which one do you really want? :-laf

 

[TORQUE THIS]

PUTZ!



Park the truck and drive that DAMN gator around!!!!!!! No matter how much of a convenience it is for you to haul around in your own truck, the company provides a maintenance vehicle, USE IT!!!!

 

[Hohn]

I would buy the Toy over a new CTD. I love my truck, and it is a borderline obsession. But the Toy is a better overall package unless you NEED the capability that the CTDS will provide.



jlh

 

[98rammer]

Once you go diesel, how do you ever go back?

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Park the truck and drive that DAMN gator around!!!!!!! the company provides a maintenance vehicle, USE IT!!!!

Dude the Gator is more of a Pita than one would think. Ya can't leave your tools in it or they will soon be someone elses , When it rains you get wet , when its cold out blah blah blah. It would be LESS obvious on the parkway (a 2500 anyhow) and the last heavy thing I towed was that chipper up in VT and my dad's New Holland TND65 tractor. I am more and more entertaining the thought of the 2500 SB qc no doubt. But That TRD is one sweet arse lil' rig. Man If I could afford it I would keep the big whitey and have a lil' offspring as well that would be paradise.



klenger, That is why I have this thread. I am screaming TRD but really want anuddah ctd only smaller. Good gawd if this were ever a cry for that v6 cummins powered dakota then I don't know what is LOL!



I'll have to grab a pic of that Toy for you guys to understand just how sweet a rig I am making this to be. There is a reason more and more contractors are buying them. They are work friendly in a big way right down to a 400 wat RMS (700 startup) 110V outlet in the bed with lockable storage everywhere.



And here to make this thread a lil more fun:

<EMBED SRC="http://www.freeaudioclips.com/music1/Disco_Dance/turningjapanese. mid" HEIGHT="50" WIDTH="220" AUTOSTART="FALSE"></EMBED>

 

[EBottema]

3rd gen trucks are nice, i feel the new jap trucks are little pricey... You don't want to keep your 2nd gen? Cummins 600 engine has triple injection process (waste of fuel) and more complication compared to your 24V... Some thing are refined. Thinner sheet metal on 3rd gens. We will see in a few years the problem areas with 3rd gens, they are coming soon... g56 transmission will be an expensive bugger with the DM flywheel... If you are going with a 3rd gen and don't mind used, look into a 03-04 pre cummins 600...



Erik