What were the best packages out there for various pickups through the years? I'm talking about things like the gm 1500hd's--basically a 3/4 ton pickup with w 1/2 ton name. Same with the f150 7700 and the f250 prior to it.
Was there anything else like that from other manufacturers?
Well, this does 0-60 in 5.4!
Define "best"? I mean, with the domestics you cold build 100 different trucks and no two be the same. I mean, you could get 1/2, 3/4 and 1-T. With GM you also could get 6 differnet engines (4.3, 4.8, 5.3, 6.0, 8.1, 6.6), 5 different trans (nv3500, 4L65, 4L80, Allison 1000), 3 different rear ends (10-bolt, 14bolt SF, 14bolt FF) and rear end ratios out the wazoo (3.08, 3.23, 3.42, 3.73, 4.10, 4.56) plus 3 different cab configurations, 3 bed lengths, 2wd and 4wd etc.
"Best" truck will really depend on what you need it to do.
G_Body_Man wrote: Well, this does 0-60 in 5.4!
The R/T is pointless to me, since you can order the Tradesman with the 5.7 Hemi, 8 speed trans, 3.92 gear, and an LSD.
And I think these trucks look best in fleet truck trim.
Yes, you need to be more specific about what is your use for a truck.
I'm looking at an F-150 with the 2.7 EcoBoost, power windows and locks, cruise, and not much else. It's under $25k and would suit me swell.
In reply to Chadeux:
It may be just as fast, but the Ram R/T is the last remaining "muscle truck."
Joe Gibbs
Agreed that it depends on what you're wanting and how much you're looking to spend. I have a 2014 Sierra 1500 single cab 2wd with the 5.3L and towing package. It's rated at just a tick over 9k pounds towing. Buddy of mine bought a '99 F250 with the 7.3L diesel and laughed that my was rated to tow about the same amount. Granted, his diesel will run a lot longer, but at 150k miles, was already pretty worn out.
-Rob
For me, a small truck with a 4 cylinder, manual trans and 4wd would be perfect. I've been on the lookout for a 93-97 Ranger with that combo but they made like 3 of them so its a bit of a unicorn.
Of course Toyota made a bizillion of them in the '80s but those suffer from the "Toyota tax" and the tinworm something fierce.
rob_lewis wrote: Agreed that it depends on what you're wanting and how much you're looking to spend. I have a 2014 Sierra 1500 single cab 2wd with the 5.3L and towing package. It's rated at just a tick over 9k pounds towing. Buddy of mine bought a '99 F250 with the 7.3L diesel and laughed that my was rated to tow about the same amount. Granted, his diesel will run a lot longer, but at 150k miles, was already pretty worn out. -Rob
Your truck has 15 years of progress. These new gas trucks have a lot more going for them than a diesel made in the 90s 
My favorite package was the industrial package f250 i owned. It really needed that damn sterling 10 1/4 and 3k payload rating.
G_Body_Man wrote: In reply to Chadeux: It may be just as fast, but the Ram R/T is the last remaining "muscle truck."
No it isn't. It's a trim package.
In reply to Chadeux:
Muscle Truck may be a bit strong in this case. It's more in the vein of the Dakota R/T or 98-03 F-150 STX, inasmuch as a sporty looking, RWD (at least primarily), punchy package for those who know they won't be taking their rig off the beaten path, but still want it to be cool.
I usually like base with the "convenience package" to get basic amenities like cruise and power windows.
The "Alabama Sportscar", i.e. 2wd 1/2 ton sport truck is a favorite. Be it sleeper base model or a flashy trim package.
Take the same as above but add 4x4 for a factory off roader.
Chadeux wrote:G_Body_Man wrote: Well, this does 0-60 in 5.4!The R/T is pointless to me, since you can order the Tradesman with the 5.7 Hemi, 8 speed trans, 3.92 gear, and an LSD.
I came here to post the Tradesman too. Tradesman is not only cheaper than an R/T, but also offers more towing capacity.
I always liked the Lightning better than the Ram R/T, because they didn't cripple the tow rating on the Ford. A friend of mine used to tow his turbo Miata to the track with a Lightning -- when the Miata broke he'd take the truck out. :)
I'd line up for it if Ram offered a crew cab regular bed stick shift tradesman 2wd package stick shift with the eco diesel. 
If I could buy this:
With this:
and this:
I would be:
These sold like hotcakes in my area in the late 70's. Dodge Power Wagon Sno-Fiter option.
I really like mu 03 GMC 1500 Sierra Denali.
90-93 454SS
Lets take our smallest fullsize truck and put the biggest engine we make into it. Yup, nailed it GM.
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