Truck Buying Recommendations

[Chin Diesel]

It's that time of month. A BY'er canvassing the board for vehicle recommendations.

I'm looking for a full-size pick up truck.

A bit of background. Yes, like 95% of personal truck owners, I will not be using the truck as a truck a majority of the time. It will be used as a daily driver and for weekend chores.

There will be legitimate off road use though. Not just dirt roads but on open fields where mud, ruts and some tree branches are the norm.

I'm far enough south that snow driving isn't an issue.

The mid-size truck market isn't going it for me- I've previously owned a Tacoma but I want bigger.

I'd prefer gas over diesel if for no other reason than long-term maintenance course. Same reason I prefer naturally aspirated over turbo engines. But, I'm willing to listen.

A new truck with the features I want is more than I'm willing to pay. I could pay the price for a new truck, I just don't see the need to do it. So, a used 2022-2024 is a sweet spot for me.

I'm leaning towards a RAM1500 with the 5.7 Hemi and the e-torque electric motor assist.

I can't see myself in a Titan.

So, RAM 1500? F-150? Chevy or GMC 1500? Tundra?

 

[husky429]

I'm not sure how I feel about the Ridgeline and other new mid-size unibody trucks. Do they hold up?

 

[husky429]

If you ask most mechanics they'll tell you that Mopar makes the worst cars. Poorly made, require the most maintenance and are expensive to repair. So I would avoid anything under the Mopar umbrella.

Anecdotal, obviously... but I've had my Wrangler (Mopar) since 2010. It has 245,000 miles and nothing but expected wear and tear maintenance other than the heat and an oil pan I had to replace. The car starts and runs like a dream 15 years in despite being beat to hell.

 

[Chin Diesel]

The Rams have a very small back seat if you plan on carrying passengers back there but other than that they all seem to have their mechanical & electrical issuers & it seems the higher up in grade of truck the more serious the problems seem to be. I have a friend who had a Chevy high country & ended up getting a new truck from Chevy under the lemon law. I have had great luck with Chevys the past 25 years & absolutely loved 1970's Fords prior to getting a real P.O.S. in 89 & swore off Fords back then.
I would go and look up common issues for each specific model truck you are considering & see which are less serious overall issues are & go that way.

Thanks.

Quick question. Are you suggesting a full-size RAM1500 has a small back seat? It seemed pretty big to me.

 

[WallStreetHusky]

I'm not sure how I feel about the Ridgeline and other new mid-size unibody trucks. Do they hold up?

I have a 13 year old Ridgeline w 200k miles on it and love it. Not a serious off road or towing vehicle but since I don't use it for that, no matter to me. If you are a suburban/country boy who needs to haul mulch or transport a lawn tractor or throw the kids sports equipment in the back, it works great. My buddy is/was a big F150 guy but after driving my Ridgeline he bought one himself. Superior handling and ride. I even drive it into NYC without issue. Never have done anything but regular maintenance, good in the snow in Northern Westchester and pretty good mpg. Not a beast but a very utilitarian vehicle. Spacious, well thought out interior and the under the bed storage bin is a lifesaver. Not what the OP needs but it's great for what I need it for.

 

[Hoophound]

The Ridgeline is a good vehicle, but I couldn’t handle all the jokes guys with real trucks would make about it. Keep in mind, I’m in the construction business, so I probably have a more critical audience. They would literally laugh at me. I generally see guys that are in their mid-70s driving those things.

In regard to the Ram comment above about small back seats, I think you might be comparing crew cab trucks with regular cab trucks. My Ram 3500 had an enormous cabin and my brother-in-law‘s new Ram 1500 is absolutely cavernous inside. Both crew cabs. His previous 1500 was the regular cab and that was tight in the backseat

 

[hank970]

No matter which full-size pickup you choose, you'll need a stepladder to enter and exit the cab, to look or reach into the undersized bed, and to check the oil. Common sense, utility, and reasonable economy of operation went by the wayside years ago.

 

[mussels]

Not exactly “how to cook a turkey” but the Boneyard seems to be regaining its footing. Mojo rising for Baylor.

 

[Waquoit]

Is a Honda Ridgeline in your sphere of options?

Just don't confuse with a Ridgeling. They don't have the balls of some of the others.

 

[J187Money]

I have the GMC Sierra 1500 Denali and have loved it… until I have dropped $4k into predictable transmission issues at 75,000 miles.

I had one also - a 2015 - was honestly the best car/truck I've ever owned. Still mad I gave it back when the lease was up.

 

[QuickDraw]

Thanks.

Quick question. Are you suggesting a full-size RAM1500 has a small back seat? It seemed pretty big to me.

Pulled from the motortrend website

HD 3/4- & 1-Ton Trucks

Chevrolet, GMC, and Ford all share a common cab between their -ton and HD products for 2020. Meaning, GM once again provides the most front-seat leg- and headroom. Ford's Super Duty pickups offer the most rear-seat leg- and headroom, along with front shoulder room. While Ram's 2020 HD trucks are technically all new, they carry over cab dimensions from the previous generation. Still, they offer the most front-seat hip room.

Interestingly, both Ford and GM trucks best Ram's Mega Cab in rear-seat legroom. However, what they lack is the enormous amount of space behind the rear seat. So, if you'd rather have the near foot of extra cargo storage, the Mega Cab is for you.

https://www.motortrend.com/features/trucks-with-the-biggest-cabs/

 

[District-Husky]

1981 thru 1988 F150 straight 6 300 ci 4 speed .

Exactly! Regular cab and long bed.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

This is the only rational answer.

 

[Dove]

I have a 13 year old Ridgeline w 200k miles on it and love it. Not a serious off road or towing vehicle but since I don't use it for that, no matter to me. If you are a suburban/country boy who needs to haul mulch or transport a lawn tractor or throw the kids sports equipment in the back, it works great. My buddy is/was a big F150 guy but after driving my Ridgeline he bought one himself. Superior handling and ride. I even drive it into NYC without issue. Never have done anything but regular maintenance, good in the snow in Northern Westchester and pretty good mpg. Not a beast but a very utilitarian vehicle. Spacious, well thought out interior and the under the bed storage bin is a lifesaver. Not what the OP needs but it's great for what I need it for.

@Chin Diesel original post said that he would use the truck for every day driving and weekend chores. Also, occasional jaunts in a mucky field.

Enter the Ridgeline.

 

[husky429]

No matter which full-size pickup you choose, you'll need a stepladder to enter and exit the cab

I lifted my Jeep 3 inches a while back. My 5' wife crawls into it like you would roll over a chain link fence. It's wonderful and hilarious

 

[huskiesNhoos]

I'll be at the SA Toyota factory that makes some of the Tundras next week...I'll be sure to ask them why they suck for folks in this thread

 

[Chin Diesel]

This is the only rational answer.

View attachment 105191

The Honda SUV I had last week in Japan was smaller than that.

 

[Chin Diesel]

@HuskyHawk, since you mentioned The Tracker in the TV binge thread and how he drives an all black truck, I'm testing this one out today.

2023 RAM 1500 Rebel.

 

[DennieEddy]

Shouldn't there be a separate thread for truck buying?

 

[Chin Diesel]

Ended up getting a 2023 RAM 1500 Laramie. 14.3k miles and in great condition. Black on black, leather and all the bells and whistles. Hemi 5.7L with eTorque.
Spent about 10 weeks off and on looking and driving and this was an easy decision.

Pics tomorrow.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Gotta get some side steps and it will be good to go

 

[HuskyHawk]

Gotta get some side steps and it will be good to go

View attachment 105235

Sweet. I like the wheels.