In reply to Toyman01 (Moderately Supportive Dude) :
RIP 
In reply to Toyman01 (Moderately Supportive Dude) :
RIP
I don't think the extended cab is going to be enough with three kids. We had an '06 Quad Cab Ram (basically an extended cab with four regular doors), and it was starting to getting tight in the back (knee room) when our oldest was about 10. I'd definitely look for a crew cab.
yupididit said:In reply to STM317 :
Followup question, what about pre 2015-2017 Coyote?
Is the 2018+ Coyote worse?
I really don't know much about modern Ford v8's. I just bought a ecoboost Expedition to replace my Excursion. +1 turbo, -2 cylinders difference. I hope to keep this until I can move into a diesel Escalade or an electric version of something 1/2 ton-ish lol
Earlier Coyote's are fine as far as I know. They're Gen 1. But I'm leaning towards the aluminum bodied trucks vs steel since I live in the rust belt and keep things for a long time. Those started in 2015 with the Gen 2 Coyote. In 2018, Ford released the Gen3 Coyote which got slightly more displacement, higher compression and added direct injection on top of the port fuel injection (16 fuel injectors)
Sorry OP for derailing your thread!
In reply to STM317 :
Damn the Gen2 and 3 makes some respectable power. I wonder what the torque curve looks like since it's a 5l engine. I know the 3.5eb torque hits hard and low. I've driven a 2019 f150 in with the 3.5, I wish I could've gotten behind a 5.0 to see the difference.
Ooh, I love talking trucks. Here's some light reading based on my experiences with both new and old. On the whole - get a half-ton, they are generally going to be better-equipped than the "midsize" models and have a far more usable backseat. All of the trucks below can be had with a 6'4" bed (Ram) or 6'6" bed (Ford/Toyota).
Ford has a problem with the 2018+ Coyotes that their alleged fix does not fix. They bought mine back. Lovely truck otherwise.
https://www.outmotorsports.com/2019/12/ford-f150-tsb-18-2354-v8-engine-rattle-buyback/
Do a 2015-2017 Coyote or a 2015+ 3.5 EcoBoost. If you're towing a lot, the EcoBoost is truly better on its power delivery (it's a freight train of an engine thanks to b00st) and having the 10-speed automatic of the 2018+ trucks is nice in the mountains given extra ratios. Both the Ford 6AT and 10AT are known to be reliable enough.
I've spent time with the 3.5 EcoBoost in a 2019 F-150 XLT:
https://www.outmotorsports.com/2019/05/review-2019-ford-f150-ecoboost-v6-towing-test/
and in a 2020 Expedition:
I also own a 2016 Ram 1500 Sport w/5.7 Hemi. Mine has had some issues but Mopar has taken care of me, and research indicates the stuff they've fixed is largely anamolies and not super common. Even with the dealership visits, I lovelovelove my Ram and would buy one again:
The new Rams are way nicer and probably have less long-term issues (clean sheet design vs the 2013-2019 models being a heavy refresh of the prior DaimlerChrysler design that launched in 2009). I adore the EcoDiesel drivetrain but it's expensive and slow once you have a trailer hooked up:
Tundras tow well and are otherwise ancient. The whole truck hasn't been redesigned since like 2007 but it got some big changes for 2014 model year, most notably in rear suspension design to make it ride better. From 2014+ it's all the same with some light improvements tech- and options-wise. Sometimes there are deals to be found on new ones and used ones seem to hold their value really well:
https://www.outmotorsports.com/2019/05/2019-toyota-tundra-platinum-towing-test/
My experience with older GMs is that they fall apart and need lots of little things to keep going. Newer GMs have had issues with Displacement On Demand and I find interior quality and seat comfort to both be lacking compared to the competition. I have no experience with Nissan trucks (yet) but am told by a friend who's a master tech at Nissan/Infiniti that the 5.6L-powered Titans and Armadas are super reliable if you just keep 'em maintained like anything else.
Thanks again everybody for some great feedback.
New trucks have moved out of consideration at this time. I'm looking back to around year 2000 or so for candidates, but ideally it'll be in the 2005-2015 range.
I've started considering a van, but it's pretty just ideation right now.
In reply to Brett_Murphy (Ex-Patrón) :
I mean, the 04-06 Crew GM's in 2wd are pretty good vehicles. They don't feel bloated like the newer biggertrucks, still capable. Parts are cheap. Jut don't get one from the rust belt
bobzilla said:In reply to Brett_Murphy (Ex-Patrón) :
I mean, the 04-06 Crew GM's in 2wd are pretty good vehicles. They don't feel bloated like the newer biggertrucks, still capable. Parts are cheap. Jut don't get one from the rust belt
They're on the list in 4WD trim. We get annual beach driving passes (wasted this past year) and a hefty recovery fee if you get stuck in the sand make 4WD a must have.
In reply to Brett_Murphy (Ex-Patrón) :
that makes sense. I saw NC and thought "no winter. he's the perfect 2wd candidate". I never think about sandy beaches
If looking at GMT800 trucks (1999 to 2006, ish) keep in mind they will all have hard brake line failure. Budget parts + labor for any one you buy, parts are cheap from GM at least. They have great seats and are frankly better-designed interiors than the GMT900 that followed. Most Silverado/Sierra 1500 will be 5.3L V8 + 4L60E transmission, you can get a 6.0L V8 + 4L80E in Silverado/Sierra 2500 form. The 2500s of that era aren't substantially larger dimensionally so that could be another good option, the 4L80 is considered a much stronger transmission than the 4L60.
Sierra 1500 Denali got the 6.0 + 4L65E which was a slightly beefed-up 60 to handle more torque of the 6 liter.
Early GMT900s (2007 to 2013) had the most Displacement on Demand issues and the interior design/quality is awful.
Could be worth considering a later GMT800-based Chevy Avalanche or Cadillac Escalade EXT, too - the Escalade in particular will be full-time AWD with limited-slip rear, 6.0L/4L65 drivetrain. And plenty nice inside for road trips. Avalanche/EXT are basically Suburbans with the rear hacked off (coil spring rear suspension vs leaf springs on Silverado/Sierra) and that neat folding midgate.
Everything Ford F-150-wise will be a 4.6 or 5.4L Triton V8 until about 2011, when the 5.0L Coyote V8 and early EcoBoost 3.5 came around. There were some teething pains with the first few years of EcoBoost though if it's made it to higher mileage, it's probably fine. 2013+ is your safest bet. Early Coyotes are generally fine. 2011+ will be the 6-speed transmission with both engines. There were a few F-150s that could be had with the 6.2L gasser but they are rare.
Dodge Rams of the era you're shopping are fine, if you wanted an earlier variant of the 2016 I have, they launched the basic design in 2009 and the Hemi 5.7L was in many of them. As with anything new, some had issues with camshafts but if it's lasted by now it's probably fine. Transmission pre-2013 was a 6-speed Chrysler unit instead of the ZF 8-speed in 2013+.
Another +1 for older Titans, too.
Brake_L8 (Forum Supporter) said:
you can get a 6.0L V8 + 4L80E in Silverado/Sierra 2500 form. The 2500s of that era aren't substantially larger dimensionally so that could be another good option, the 4L80 is considered a much stronger transmission than the 4L60.
Not so much bigger but definitely are more truck like as far as ride from a mid-size or even 1/2 ton.
Paul_VR6 (Forum Supporter) said:Brake_L8 (Forum Supporter) said:you can get a 6.0L V8 + 4L80E in Silverado/Sierra 2500 form. The 2500s of that era aren't substantially larger dimensionally so that could be another good option, the 4L80 is considered a much stronger transmission than the 4L60.
Not so much bigger but definitely are more truck like as far as ride from a mid-size or even 1/2 ton.
They are much more substantially built too. Comparing the frame, suspension, brakes, etc of my 03 Suburban 2500 to my in-law's 04 Suburban Z71 I was impressed at how significant the differences were. The 2500 frame is at least 30% taller, for example, it is much more rugged. Theirs rides much better than mine though, on the same brand shocks, but I have E load tires and theirs are P rated.
Might be looking at a 2009 today (linked above) but now I'm concerned about it a bit. It claims to be completely rust free, and it looks bone stock, so maybe it'll be alright.
I found this Nissan in the same price range, similar miles. My concern with Nissans is they like to put things like knock sensors in silly places and the knock sensors themselves like to fail often. Does anybody know of any design compromises like that with the 5.6?
I think the older Titans are pretty solid. They just seem to drink gas like a drunken sailor.
My experiences with trucks in your range:
Chevy: As long as it doesn't have DOD, it's going to be a decent truck with typical small GM issues, which means it may run into a CEL on or something broken, but it will do that for eternity. My FIL uses one as a work truck for his contracting business. Always gets a strippo base model. He uses the thing like a hammer, and gets about 7-8 years out of them without any trouble.
Ford: Honestly, I don't have a lot of experience here, so I'll defer. People seem to like the newer ones. I have a friend with a 2014ish FX4 with a 5.0, and he likes it.
Dodge/Ram: Unless it's really old (like 1993-earlier) or 2014-up, avoid. The 1994-2001's rot and have lots of quality issues (trans problems, dashes shatter apart, etc) and I haven't seen one of the 2000's models with intact bedsides since about 2011. I do like the newer ones. In 2014, they started getting the 8-speed auto, which is a really nice transmission and it helps out with gas mileage. I've got a friend who bought a quad cab 1500 4x4 Express with the Hemi/8spd Auto and it's been fantastic for him. He's probably got close to 200k on it now and it only broke down once: the ground strap on the starter frayed and broke. $80 later, he was back in action with a new starter. Good gas mileage on the highway for a 390hp V8 truck (I've personally gotten over 20mpg with it, but it usually does high teens). I really like the 2017-up Power Wagons and hope to buy one eventually.
Toyota: The 2007-up Tundras are good trucks. My dad has owned his 2008 double cab SR5 4x4 with the 5.7L V8 since new, and he's notoriously rough on trucks. It's had a few issues over the years, but it's been largely reliable. Issues he's had:
-VVT actuators (happened during break-in, replaced under warranty)
-Rear axle bearings went at around 130k mi
-Gas tank strap failed due to rust around where it mounts a few weeks ago
That last one is a big problem. The area where the strap mounts rotted away and the strap itself failed. He has to have someone fab up a piece of frame to mount the strap to. This is common, and as we all know, Toyota has issues with frames. This could also be because we live in New England, where everything rots. Other than those issues, the truck has been great. I'd buy one in a second, as long as the frame is clean. The drivetrain is unstoppable and has tons of power. and it's really comfortable, even with the smaller back seats. A true super cab with the full sized rear doors would be even better. The "Toyota Tax" is real, though.
Nissan: The first gen Titan is a decent truck. The first few years had some issues with the brakes, but other than that, they are good trucks throughout the run. They are a bit gluttonous with fuel, but that 5.6L V8 is a sweetheart. I almost bought one before I found the Power Wagon.
I didn't get to look at the truck today because the weather is crap. More updates as they happen.
My 2004 Titan has been very trouble free. Here is what I've repaired in 17 years and 130,000 miles...
Replaced fuel pulsation damper O-ring, $2 and 5 min. work
Replaced radiator. A bit of a chore on that truck, but not horrible.
Manifolds replaced under warranty. They had a slight tick when the engine was cold, and the emissions warranty was almost up (80,000mi in CA?) so I brought it in. The new ones are updated, no issues so far. Don't know what year they updated, but think around '07.
What few problem areas there were back then have been addressed in the later trucks, '07 or '08 I think- when they got bigger brakes and axles.
I'd avoid dark colors, greys and blacks. The paint wasn't great on the early trucks, not sure if it got any better. Did not stand up to the CA sun.
It's still fun to drive. It's very frisky feeling for such a large vehicle. And that exhaust note...
Another satisfied (former) Titan owner here. I bought a 2WD '04 new and drove it 150k miles with about 30k of that towing a 24ft enclosed trailer.
As covered above, front brakes are undersized on the early years. There is a cost effective way to upgrade them to later bigger brakes if you use a rotor from an Inifiniti SUV (has correct hub diameter). Or you can swap out the hubs from a later model, but that gets spendy. I did the cheap version and it worked great.
My exhaust manifolds both cracked. They have the cats built in, so they aren't cheap to replace. There are aftermarket solutions that are cheaper, but I just went OEM.
The radiators can fail and mix coolant into the trans fluid and kill the trans. But I never had this issue in 150k miles on the original radiator.
I had one other oddball thing. The tailpipe has a welded joint about a foot from the muffler that can rust out and the tailpipe breaks off. Happened to me, and since the truck was not any louder at all, I just never fixed it. Bad idea, 'cause the pipe stub points the exhaust at the rear body harness and can melt it which caused the all the brake, ABS and traction control dash lights to come on. I was able to pick the wires apart and re-insulate them, but it was a pain.
I really liked the truck, it was much more fun to drive than the 2017 f150 that replaced it. The 4WD 3.5 EB f150 gets about 15-20% better mileage day to day, but gets about the same or maybe a little less towing my trailer (8 mpg , yay!).
There are lots of good trucks out there from other brands, but the I think the Nissan hits a sweet spot of good reliability and steeper depreciation.
We decided to spend the two sunny days we had in weeks doing stuff other than looking at trucks.
I did message a place about a 2008 Titan Pro 4X that has fewer miles and is several thousands less than the same year Toyota.
I'm thinking I have to get serious about buying before tax refunds start or wait until June or so.
I went to look at a likely candidate today.
I showed up, introduced myself and the first thing I did was get on the ground and look at the frame.
It's been sprayed black. There was over spray on the underbody and leaf springs. Over spray everywhere.
Oh, and the spray job looked like a pangolin xerosis.
I shined the light up in one of the drain holes in the frame. Rust. Bad.
Me: Where did this truck come from?
Seller: Maryland.
Me: Did you spray the frame?
Seller: No, I got it like that.
Me, thinking: Nah. This paint is new. It's clean, there's no real dirt on it and it's been raining for like two solid weeks here.
I go up front and look a bit more. They'd sprayed the struts, but there is a band of paint missing where they didn't angle around a control arm. I look at the brackets under the bumper cover. Rust. Bad.
Mind you, I've been crawling around under this thing for a few minutes, not saying much. The seller is doing this nervous jig kind of dance.
I get up, knock the dirt off myself and smile. "Well, I don't want to waste your time. I'm not buying this truck."
Seller nods.
Me: "Oh, and you missed a big spot with the paint on the strut body there."
I get in the Battlewagon and drive off.
Things like this make me think there should be a required disclosure document for vehicles like there is for houses.
Covering up problems like that is a E36 M3ty way of doing business.
why i dont even look at any vehicles from the north east
In reply to Brett_Murphy (Ex-Patrón) :
one of toyota's fix for frame issues was to spray them with a special paint.. There is a good chance that is from the dealership..
IDK about where you live, but in some places it's pretty much standard when you have a truck detailed for used car lot sale for the rusty frame to be sprayed with cheap black paint. Like, "you want the carpets shampooed and the frame painted, right?"
MrChaos said:why i dont even look at any vehicles from the north east
Neither do I, but I didn't find out about it until I went to look. Yes, I could have asked him where it was from, but it was 10 minutes away and recently posted. If it was in good condition, I was going to buy it.
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