Just can't get a good basic truck, like the old days!

[Hay Dude]

My neighbor just bought a NEW half ton Silverado WT, (work truck) single cab, 8' box.

It has just enough options to be comfortable to drive, but not loaded up with options, just like mine,

Have I mentioned how much I love my air bags??

SR

I liked the airbags on my F-350, too. The only thing I don’t like is if used improperly, they give a false sense of security. You inflate them, they make the truck look level & help with sway, but they mask the fact that your tires, axles and frame could be over stressed.

 

[Jstpssng]

Often official numbers deduct energy and food, as they are volatile commodities, but thats 25-50% of normal folks budget.

Kinda curious on this K truck new import stuff. Dont know much about it, but the absolute base Suzuki Carry is $7500, but often optioned up to $12.5k. Honestly, as attractive as $7.5k is; id still buy up AC, automatic, 4x4, and possibly dump bed. Looks like 62 mph (100 kph) or 75 mph (120 kph) top speed depending on config. Honestly, even the 62mph is fine. Never would want it as a primary, daily, but at even $12.5k,


Edit: As im was typing, and ran payments on 12,500 at 7.5% for 36 months; I kinda realized, $388/month, plus atleast another $150 in added insurance; in reality, i would not be a customer

This did look interesting... until I found that it has the same payload as my little 4x8 dump trailer which I bought for $2400.

 

[ultrarunner]

Yeah and let’s also be fair and recognize that warranties are longer now, too. My Ram came with a 5 year 100K mile warranty on the entire powertrain, not just the engine.
Now Ram has a 10 year 100K mile warranty on the entire powertrain.

I would also add that HP/TQ numbers usually increase along with fuel milage and amenities.

Some things do actually get better

In the late 60’s 5-year/50,000 mile power train for Ford

 

[newbury]

I don't know that vehicle reliability has changed all that much either way in the past 20 or so years, despite the increased complication. More bells and whistles to be sure, and harder for the owner to repair too.

Well my Ford 2002 7.3L Diesel F350 CC LB dually has a max tow capacity of ~ 12K but it could handle even more with a fifth-wheel setup, potentially reaching up to 14,400 lbs or more. The 2026 Ford F-350 Crew Cab Long Bed dually with the 6.7L Power Stroke V8 Diesel engine has a maximum towing capacity of up to 28,000 lbs for conventional towing and up to 38,000 lbs for 5th-wheel/gooseneck towing when properly equipped. To me that is a vast increase in capability

 

[ultrarunner]

No doubt the tow ratings are vastly higher…

I’ve wondered the basis for the increase… heavier duty transmission and cooling, larger brakes but towing at this level requires trailer brakes sized for the load.

Several of my trucks predate tow and GVWR rating and when manufacturers started publishing the conventional thinking from the legal team is be conservative on the numbers…

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I liked the airbags on my F-350, too. The only thing I don’t like is if used improperly, they give a false sense of security. You inflate them, they make the truck look level & help with sway, but they mask the fact that your tires, axles and frame could be over stressed.

Like with EVERYTHING else in life, you have to use your head a little too.

SR

 

[deserteagle71]

No doubt the tow ratings are vastly higher…

I’ve wondered the basis for the increase… heavier duty transmission and cooling, larger brakes but towing at this level requires trailer brakes sized for the load.

Several of my trucks predate tow and GVWR rating and when manufacturers started publishing the conventional thinking from the legal team is be conservative on the numbers…

Much better braking system on the new trucks. Plus an engine brake and a 10 speed transmission with better gearing...the 4R100 transmission was a 4 speed with 1st gear at 2.71:1. The ten speed first gear is 4.61:1, 2nd gear is 2.91 to 1 - really helps to get the load moving. But the big difference is in torque. The 2002 Powerstroke was rated at 505 lb-ft of torque. The newer Powerstrokes are rated at 1200 lb-ft of torque - over twice as much!

I was watching a YouTube video not long ago with a guy evaluating a new Powerstroke, pulling a big excavator on a gooseneck trailer. The darn truck was spinning the rear tires if he gave it too much throttle!

 

[4570Man]

Much better braking system on the new trucks. Plus an engine brake and a 10 speed transmission with better gearing...the 4R100 transmission was a 4 speed with 1st gear at 2.71:1. The ten speed first gear is 4.61:1, 2nd gear is 2.91 to 1 - really helps to get the load moving. But the big difference is in torque. The 2002 Powerstroke was rated at 505 lb-ft of torque. The newer Powerstrokes are rated at 1200 lb-ft of torque - over twice as much!

I was watching a YouTube video not long ago with a guy evaluating a new Powerstroke, pulling a big excavator on a gooseneck trailer. The darn truck was spinning the rear tires if he gave it too much throttle!

I don’t think my 2017 ram brakes are much better than my 2000 F-350. The Cummins engine brake is light years ahead of the old trucks engine braking ability. The Cummins engine brake works far better than Dads 2018 powerstroke too.

 

[deserteagle71]

The Cummins engine brake is light years ahead of the old trucks engine braking ability. The Cummins engine brake works far better than Dads 2018 powerstroke too.

No doubt. Everything I've seen and read rates the engine brake on the newer Cummins engines the best. By far.

 

[4570Man]

No doubt. Everything I've seen and read rates the engine brake on the newer Cummins engines the best. By far.

The Cummins will actually make a meaningful effort towards slowing down. Dads 6.7 powerstroke mostly just reves up and makes noise. The older 6.0 or 7.3 you might as well not even pretend that they’re slowing anything down.