What do you drive for a truck?

[ultrarunner]

Isn't that when catalytic converters became mandatory?

Pretty much although a few were able to delay like Honda with CVCC engine.

Unleaded started becoming a thing back in 1973 and remember the stations gearing up for it.

 

[RB5]

2013 F150 STX 4x4 extended cab with 5.0.. 255k miles and still runs like new. Best truck I have owned. I bought it new. I had Chevys a 97 Ram 1500 before. None of them lasted as well. I like to buy new and take care of my trucks. That way I have a number of years with no payments. I've towed trailers, a boat, pulled out a few delivery trucks that missed our driveway and got stuck, and hauled rock and compost. Never a problem.

 

[RB5]

Here, you can make fun of my daily driver too. 2007 Toyota Yaris with 158,000 miles.View attachment 854875

With the tow package?

 

[RB5]

I have found just the opposite.
My 90’s trucks had weak engines, tissue paper transmissions, and low tow ratings.
If you rode with me in my Ram/Cummins, you’d think you were in a luxury vehicle with the ability to tow 40,000lbs.

My 97 Ram 1500 had so many transmission problems and an interior that fell apart that I would find it hard to ever buy a Ram again. I do like the way they look, but I just can't do it. The 5.9 gas guzzler was still idling perfectly smooth at 225k miles when I parked it and gave up fixing things on it. Too bad the rest of the truck didn't hold up as well. Yeah the 90's trucks were great.. lol

 

[Too many Kubotas]

My 97 Ram 1500 had so many transmission problems and an interior that fell apart that I would find it hard to ever buy a Ram again.

Believe it or not, but Ram has changed a bit during the past 27 years.

 

[Runner]

With the tow package?

Here's the ironic thing about that picture: The reason I had the trailer on there that day is because I went to pick up a new refrigerator with the truck which hadn't been out of the garage in a couple of months. While it was parked in the Lowe's parking lot, thieves stole the catalytic converter, so it was in the shop being fixed. The Toyota had to pinch-hit for the Ford.

 

[Oaktree]

Interesting… my state California goes back to 1976 emission test… soon it will cover vehicles 50 years old!

Was not always like this… for decades 25 years and newer and then 30 years and newer and the decided 1976 is the magic year…

Of course these 1976 models are way before plug in monitoring and carburetors are the rule.

Initially here anything 1995 or older was exempt (pre-OBDII), but at some point 20 years became the cutoff point. Keep in mind that rust is the limiting factor here for vehicle life, not very many vehicles last that long.

 

[RB5]

Believe it or not, but Ram has changed a bit during the past 27 years.

I do believe it, but I cringe every time I remember how bad my 97 held up. It towed great and rode nice, but it didn't last. 3 transmission failures. Had a rebuilt one installed under warranty before 90k miles after the 2nd transmission issue. 2 water pumps. A/C issues. Serveral problems with ball joints and front suspension parts. I think I have ptsd from that truck.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Most people I know seem to shy away from Furds because of past and present experiences.

Which has surely helped Ram sales.

 

[RB5]

Most people I know seem to shy away from Furds because of past and present experiences.

Which has surely helped Ram sales.

My take is every manufacturer has issues at some point. Most are improving slowly over the years. Every now and then a new model or new idea doesn't work like they wanted it to. I did not like the Fords when they were made more car like in the 90s. That sloped aerodynamic front end version I really hated. I had a friend with one, and I used to hit my head on the grab handle by the front of the door frame on the passenger side every time I got in it until I learned it was there. Ford also had other issues with engines at different points. I am only talking about what I own and drive drive vs others I have driven or owned. I don't think I could go back to Ram though. Maybe if I'd had one of the Fords with engine or transmission issues I would think the same about them. I did not buy the first year of a new model, and I also went with what I thought would be more reliable long term in the 5.0 V8. Either I picked right or got lucky this time. Either way this is the first truck I have owned that I would purchase again.