Pick WinterDeere's next truck

[deserteagle71]

Do a search on YouTube. There are comparisons there where they checked all the different makes of trucks in the Northeast rust belt. The conclusion was clear - only the aluminum-bodied Fords were corrosion free. Bodies on all the other makes were rusted badly. Tests were done in 2025, on trucks made in 2015 so all ten years old.

So if your main concern is rust the answer is clear. Also, no one makes a truck that can tow anything that still has a manual transmission. Ram was the last, and I believe they also went all automatic back in 2019.

Also if you have to have a 4wd extended cab - only Ford still makes those. So sounds to me like an F250 or F350 with the 7.3 V8 gas engine should do what you want. (Both my pickups are Ram/Cummins so don't accuse me of being a Ford fan. I chose what works best for me. Rust is not a concern here in the desert.)

 

[dodge man]

Ford still makes the 5.0. I’ve heard they are coming back out with the Hemi.

Yes Dodge Man drives a Ford. A 2017 super cab, six speed 5.0, 4x4, 3.55 gears, electric locker in back, tow package, 36 gallon fuel tank.

I can’t swear to it but I don’t think anybody is putting a stick in a half ton,

 

[RayIN]

Newer gas V8 engines are posting similar stats as diesel engines available in the same vehicle. The Ford Godzilla V8 is a work engine designed for Ford trucks all the way up to the F550.
I've owned my one and only V8(GM) with the fuel saver function of disabling 4 cylinders; that rules out GM and Ram gas engines.
Re: parking garages. I've had my stock Chevy K1500 in several parking garages with 7' limits; kinda makes me nervous but never scraped the roof yet. All parking garages have a height bar prior to the entrance anyway.

 

[rontaki]

Do a search on YouTube. There are comparisons there where they checked all the different makes of trucks in the Northeast rust belt. The conclusion was clear - only the aluminum-bodied Fords were corrosion free. Bodies on all the other makes were rusted badly. Tests were done in 2025, on trucks made in 2015 so all ten years old.

So if your main concern is rust the answer is clear. Also, no one makes a truck that can tow anything that still has a manual transmission. Ram was the last, and I believe they also went all automatic back in 2019.

Also if you have to have a 4wd extended cab - only Ford still makes those. So sounds to me like an F250 or F350 with the 7.3 V8 gas engine should do what you want. (Both my pickups are Ram/Cummins so don't accuse me of being a Ford fan. I chose what works best for me. Rust is not a concern here in the desert.)

Does the frame on an aluminum-body Ford rust?

 

[deserteagle71]

Does the frame on an aluminum-body Ford rust?

Of course, if not maintained. But read the first paragraph of the OP's original post. The BODY is what has fallen apart from rust, not the frame.

 

[Hay Dude]

Yep. Many different configurations. The one in my SRT Charger has a much better programming and personality, than the ZF8 in my Ram 1500 or our Durango R/T.

But who cares? You're all missing the point: I like rowing gears.

Then you are SOL, right?

If I'm forced to buy auto, then yes... I'd want one that actually works well. But if there's any hope of avoiding an automatic transmission while still meeting my other basic requirements, I will.


Yes, they are all slow. My crappy little 1/2 ton Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi is substantially faster than all of those... and yet, still too slow.

My 2015 Ram 1500 4x4 5.7L Hemi is almost a full second faster 0-60, than any 2025 2500 diesel configuration. Literally, 5.4 seconds versus 6.3 seconds. That's huge.


Got that in my current truck... still hate it.

Even high-outputs?
I would think you’d get crushed by any of the high outputs.

 

[Hay Dude]

New gas V8 engines are posting similar stats as the diesel engines available in the same vehicle. The Ford Godzilla V8 is a work engine.

Say what?
Godzilla has 1/2 the torque of any of the diesels of even 5 years ago.
1/2 the fuel mileage, too.

 

[rontaki]

Of course, if not maintained. But read the first paragraph of the OP's original post. The BODY is what has fallen apart from rust, not the frame.

I realize that, I'm curios about how the steel frame holds up to the salt for those who don't always rinse it off.

 

[nisaacs]

Bronco has a 7 spd manual, no clue what the tow rating is or engine options are.

Added this clip.

Let’s get technical for a second. The Bronco’s manual is a seven-speed Getrag MTI550, and it’s paired exclusively with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder. That’s 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel — plenty of grunt to make a stick shift fun again.

The gearbox features six traditional forward gears plus one ultra-low crawler gear (marked “C” on the shift pattern). This crawler gear has a ratio of 6.588:1, which, combined with the Bronco’s transfer case and axle gearing, delivers a final crawl ratio north of 90:1 depending on configuration. That’s deep enough to let you inch down a boulder field with your foot off the throttle.

 

[deserteagle71]

But it needs to be 4wd extended cab, and capable of pulling my trailer at highway speed, so not a wimpy v6 configuration.

I have to smile when I see people talking about "wimpy" 6 cylinder engines.

You know if you buy an F150 with the max tow package you'll be getting the 3.5 Ecoboost V6? It puts out much more torque than the 5.0 V8, and it does it at a lower rpm.

If you stay with a Ram - that new 3.0 Hurricane 6 cylinder engine gives you more power than their V8 model:

But again, if you want extended cab only Ford makes one.

 

[deserteagle71]

Say what?
Godzilla has 1/2 the torque of any of the diesels of even 5 years ago.
1/2 the fuel mileage, too.

^This!

Godzilla puts out 485 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. The diesel puts out 1200 lb-ft of torque at 1600 rpm, and is rated to tow nearly twice as much as the gas engine. PLUS it has an engine brake so you're not riding the brakes on the way back down the hill.

 

[dodge man]

Does the frame on an aluminum-body Ford rust?

My F150 is 9 years old. Illinois is not shy about using road salt and yes there is some surface rust on my truck frame but nothing even close to rust damage. If shot a couple spots with Fluid Film but probably not necessary. I visit the F150 forums and the aluminum body trucks are old enough they are getting junked from being worn out. I’ve never seen any frame problems. Surprisingly I’ve seen people with new trucks complain about rust underneath on nearly brand new vehicles. Everyone usually tells them it’s normal.

BTW, the OP is pretty adamant about not wanting a diesel or anything more than a half ton but people are still bring them up over and over.

 

[not2old]

Newer gas V8 engines are posting similar stats as diesel engines available in the same vehicle. The Ford Godzilla V8 is a work engine designed for Ford trucks all the way up to the F550.
I've owned my one and only V8(GM) with the fuel saver function of disabling 4 cylinders; that rules out GM and Ram gas engines.
Re: parking garages. I've had my stock Chevy K1500 in several parking garages with 7' limits; kinda makes me nervous but never scraped the roof yet. All parking garages have a height bar prior to the entrance anyway.

Don't believe those height bars are all accurate. I once drove into a McDonald's "underground" and took out about 30 feet x 20 feet of their aluminum soffit ceiling when they had the wrong height posted. I was lucky there was a cop just leaving and he witnessed their sign. I got free lunch for the crew as there was no damage to my truck other than a few scratches on the ladder.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

Yep. Many different configurations. The one in my SRT Charger has a much better programming and personality, than the ZF8 in my Ram 1500 or our Durango R/T.

But who cares? You're all missing the point: I like rowing gears.

I have a Eaton twin stick 5 and 4 transmission ready for you! If your interested, out of my log truck. Only 1,500 miles on it after a rebuild. LOL!!!

 

[RayIN]

Say what?
Godzilla has 1/2 the torque of any of the diesels of even 5 years ago.
1/2 the fuel mileage, too.

However, the optional diesel engine is $10K, the HO version is over $12K.
source: The Main Differences Between Ford's 7.3 Gas & 6.7 Diesel Engines - SlashGear

 

[Sprinkler Fitter]

How are diesels slow?

Mine don’t seem slow

 

[Rustyiron]

Yeah, that's my fault. I drive the truck in salt and snow, and then never in nice weather to help it dry out. I also don't get around to cleaning the underside right away, as I'm not doing it myself, and the carwash lines are unreasonably long in the days after a snowstorm. I get to it as soon as I notice the line isn't too terrible, but that can be 10 days after a storm.

I take good care of my cars, but always at the expense of the truck. Use it up, throw it away, I've never met a truck I loved. They're just a slow tool, and the thing I'm stuck driving when the weather is too bad for something more fun, or what I'm hauling won't fit into the back of something faster.

I might suggest having the underside treated with Woolwax, fluid film or even used oil to give whatever you buy a fighting chance.
I'm fortunate to have a lift and do this myself but I'm sure someone around you provides this service.
I'm certain that none of the big 3 offer a manual transmission and I'd argue that the automatic's probably do better shifting than you or me! These 8-10 speeds can be "feathered" in the mud or snow to the point where similar results with a std word be borderline clutch abuse.
Resisting a modern computer on wheels pickup for a long time I decided on a replacement runaround light truck to replace a Tacoma. An f150 with a n/a v8 and 3.73 rears was as close as I could get to a simple drive train and power plant. I asked around here on tbn for owners experience with 6/7 years on their aluminum 150's and the rust devil. Their response was positive and agreed with YouTube seemingly honest reviews by regular guys with very small channels and we're not your typical brand "fan boys".
It probably doesn't matter to you, but I'm a cheap skate and to have 400hp, a bigger and heavier truck than my Taco with a teeny little 4cyl and get 3+ more mpg's..... just tickles me to death!
It checks all of your mentioned needs.
Good luck out there!

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I didn't read the whole thread, but y

Yet another truck has rusted out on me, this time 11 years. Bed walls are bulging due to delamination behind spray-on liner, and eye bolts are just falling out. But outer body still looks presentable... maybe it won't totally kill me on trade-in. Truck has 52k miles.

I've been a "Ram guy" the last 20 years, for one reason: Ram offered manual transmission with a V8 and extended cab, while no other brand did. Now that's gone away, so I have less reason to stay with Ram, although I will admit they've been the most reliable trucks I've ever owned... rust aside. I've also grown to like the feel and controls of them, in fact we have three Dodge's in the garage right now.

The requirements:

1. Must be 4wd. My primary use of this vehicle is "bad weather days", when I don't want to drive my sports car or sedan in snow and salt. I also take it off-road several times per year, mostly when pulling a trailer.
2. Must have integrated trailer brake system, and will favor highest tow rating. I use this truck for pulling a 7k# trailer loaded with logs or tractor over hilly terrain and offroad.
3. Would favor lower roof height, as I also take this vehicle into old parking garages in Philly, where roof clearance is a constant issue. This is the sole reason I've been buying 1/2 ton trucks, despite 3/4 ton being more suitable for my trailer's ~1000# tongue weight.
4. I will always choose highest horsepower and highest rear gear ratio available. This is another area where Ram seems to outperform everyone else.
5. Yes, I would consider an EV, if it actually looks and feels like a real pickup truck. When I see numbers like 1000 hp posted, I don't understand how you can't be interested in driving that. I am a founding member of the HA = "Horsepower Anonymous" support group. But I ain't paying $100k for a pickup truck, so that may be off the table, anyway.
6. Not interested in diesel. Slow, and unnecessarily expensive, when I never get more than 70k miles out of a truck before it's rusted thru.

I don't have a specific budget. But I don't like throwing away money on anything, so it's going to be a matter of seeing where the market is, and then choosing "good value" for my dollar.

If there's any truck of any series or brand available with a manual transmission, I'm probably buying that. If there's one thing I hate more than any other mechanical device on earth, it is the automatic transmission. But it needs to be 4wd extended cab, and capable of pulling my trailer at highway speed, so not a wimpy v6 configuration.

Thoughts? Recommendations?

I didn't read the whole thread, but this post sounds like you are describing one of my trucks.

I have a 2025 GMC AT4. It has the highest towing capacity of a 1/2 ton at 13,200 lbs. It is also a 4wd and is diesel. I know you said you are not interested in a diesel, but this one was $1500 less than the gasser. Not sure if they are still offering the same discount today.

I average around 27 mpg when not pulling anything and that drops down to about 14 mpg when pulling a small trailer. I don't use it for towing very often. I have a Ram 2500 and a Ram 3500 for towing.

I think it's worth a look for your needs.

 

[Hay Dude]

I didn't read the whole thread, but y

I didn't read the whole thread, but this post sounds like you are describing one of my trucks.

I have a 2025 GMC AT4. It has the highest towing capacity of a 1/2 ton at 13,200 lbs. It is also a 4wd and is diesel. I know you said you are not interested in a diesel, but this one was $1500 less than the gasser. Not sure if they are still offering the same discount today.

I average around 27 mpg when not pulling anything and that drops down to about 14 mpg when pulling a small trailer. I don't use it for towing very often. I have a Ram 2500 and a Ram 3500 for towing.

I think it's worth a look for your needs.

Baby Duramax!

 

[General Lee]

Look at Ford, the biggest reason is aluminum bodies don’t rust. They will easily tow what you want but for a tongue weight over 500 pounds you are suppose to use a weight distributing hitch. My 2017 F150 has a payload of 1944 pounds.

Unless he wants to put up with all the down time his truck will spend getting recall after recall fixed.